Everett Historical Commission

Everett Historical Commission Meeting Summary June 25, 2019 Commissioners Guests City Staff Arnold Morrison, Chair Don Shaffer Elizabeth Mullen Karen Stewart Steve Fox Ron Allen Corey Williams Niels Tygesen Dave Ramstad Heidi Scott Ed Petersen Laura Cameron-Behee S. Kay Paine Karrie Williams Amelia Hieb John & Flosene Salk Glen Hunter Branin Burdette Jack O’Donnell Ted Maurshardt Andrea Tucker Terri Richards Patrick Hall Kat Bartanen Neil Anderson (excused) Lindsey Jungblath Thomas Feeney (excused) Nathan Mumm CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Everett Historical Commission was held on Tuesday, June 25, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. at the Everett Municipal Building, 2930 Wetmore Avenue, Everett, WA 98201. Commissioner Morrison called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. followed by the Introduction of Commissioners, staff and guests. CITIZEN COMMENTS Ed Peterson mentioned that Everett School District Superintendent, Gary Cohn planned to appoint a commission to discuss the Longfellow Building. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Several comments were made by the Commissioners APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Hall requested a correction to the meeting summary to correct the reference to the Business Improvement Area (BIA) which was incorrectly referred to as an Authority. Commissioner O’Donnell motioned to approve the meeting summary from April 26, 2019 and was seconded by Commissioner Fox. The motion to approve the meeting summary passed unanimously. DESIGN REVIEW-- Commissioner Tucker made a motion to open the public hearing which was seconded by Commissioner Fox. The motion was approved. Commissioner Morrison asked if there were any members of the public who wished to comment on this proposed name change. Mr. Gary Strombo commented that Page 1 of 3 GTE/Verizon/Frontier used to have offices in the Wall Street Building and that there would be considerable historical correspondence addressed to their former offices at the Wall Street Building. He suggested that if the City were to no longer use the name Wall Street Building that a letter to notify Frontier of the name change would be appropriate. Commissioner Morrison asked if there were any other members of the public who wished to comment on this proposed name change. Seeing none, he asked for a motion to close the public hearing. Commissioner Cameron-Behee made a motion to close the public hearing Commissioner Fox gave a second, and the motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Hall mentioned that the current name really disguises the location of Everett’s City Hall. Commissioner Anderson remarked that when he worked across the street at the County, nearly everyday people would ask at their permitting counter “Where is Everett City Hall located?” Discussion ensued about the Old City Hall where the City Council chambers and Police are located. Commissioner Fox remarked that the proposed new name was not very distinctive, but that he hadn’t come up with a good alternative. Paul was asked if the existing Wall Street sign would be removed from the building if the name were changed. He responded, yes, that the building sign would be removed. He noted that the building is accessible with the elevators open to the public from 7:15 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and that a new illuminated building directory is now clearly visible from the entrance. Commissioner Anderson made a motion to recommend to the City Council that the name of the Wall Street Building be changed to the “Everett Municipal Building” as proposed by the City administration. Commissioner Tucker seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously. Paul was asked about the City’s rebranding efforts and said he would ask staff from the Communications Dept. to come and discuss at a future Historical Commission meeting. EVERETT NORWEGIAN MALE CHORUS Gary Strombo, President of the Everett Norwegian Male Chorus gave an overview of the group that started in the Midwest with an annual meeting beginning in 1878. The group formed in Everett in 1902 and held a singing competition in 1903 with about 150 people attending. He showed the Commissioners several framed photos and historic programs. He explained that the group would like to preserve these original paper materials and are looking for advice on how best to do this. Several items have been lost due to a fire. Commissioner Ramstad said the Everett Museum of History would be interested in taking over the collection. Mr. Strombo said that they were not looking to give up the collection, but find a way to preserve it. It was mentioned the staff at the Library’s Northwest Room might advise them on cost effective preservation approaches. At the close of the meeting, Commissioners would have an opportunity to view the materials Mr. Strombo had brought. NATIONAL MAIN STREET CONFERENCE Karen Stewart and Commissioner Hall attended the conference in Seattle last month. Karen provided two handouts about the Main Street Program and mentioned they provided an overview and a link to an on-line survey. Commissioner Hall talked about the national Main Street program which started in 1980 out of an effort to preserve historic downtowns. Currently there are 34 communities on Washington that have joined the Main Street program. The Downtown Everett Association (DEA) is an affiliate with the program and may elect to join for full program status. The discussion shifted to talking about the Business Improvement Area (BIA) as a “clean and safe” organization focused in Everett’s downtown with approximately 300 property owners. Page 2 of 3 FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS City rebranding, Main Street Program membership status and opportunities, I-5 signage for Hewitt Avenue National Historic District add to City’s capital improvement program (CIP) and potentially fund with Hotel tax. ADJOURNMENT AND NEXT MEETING Commissioner Anderson moved to adjourn the meeting. Motion seconded by Commissioner Tucker. Motion passed unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Brown Awards ceremony, Sat. May 4 at 10:30 am-noon. Everett Station Weyerhauser Room. This will substitute for our May meeting. Next meeting of the Historical Commission will be Tuesday, June 25th. Page 3 of 3