Everett Historical Commission

Everett Historical Commission Meeting Summary January 24, 2023 Commissioners Staff Guest Arnold Morrison, Chair Alex Byrd Steve Fox Patrick Hall, Vice Chair Becky McCrary Ismail Mohammad Madison Vazquez Collen Sexton Collin Palen Linda Stern Theresa Gemmer Christine Svihus Jean Satti-Hewat Attendance/Introduction of new commissioners The meeting convened at 6:30 pm with a roll call of Commissioners. Two new commissioners were appointed to the historical commission: Christine Svihus and Jean Satti-Hewat. They introduced themselves to the commission. Staff announced that Chair Hieb resigned from the historical commission. There is now a vacant position. Acceptance of Agenda Two changes were made to the agenda. First, the Clark Park Gazebo was removed from the agenda. Lolly Huggins with the City Parks Department contacted staff to let them know a design was chosen after a meeting with the neighborhood group. Second, the commission decided to keep the 2023 Work Plan at a high-level review for the January meeting. The commission will begin drafting the 2023 Work Plan at the February meeting. Commissioner Hall made a motion to accept the January 24, 2023, agenda, it was seconded by Commissioner Gemmer, and approved unanimously. Citizen comments (for items not on tonight’s agenda) Steve Fox attended the meeting to speak on Amy Hieb’s resignation from the Historical Commission and her open letter to the mayor. He expressed his disappointment with the commission being overruled on the project mentioned in her letter. There were no other citizen comments for items not on the agenda. Appoint a new Chair and Vice Chair Commissioner Gemmer nominated Vice Chair Morrison to be the Chair of the commission. Vice Chair Morrison nominated Commissioner Hall to be the Vice Chair. Commissioner Vazquez seconded both nominations. The commission voted on each nomination separately and both were approved unanimously. Approval of November Meeting Summary Commissioner Vazquez made a motion to approve the November 29, 2022, meeting summary. Chair Morrison seconded and it was approved unanimously, with Vice Chair Hall abstaining because he was absent at the November meeting. Clark Park Gazebo Project This item was removed from the agenda. 1 Historical Commission Discussion The commission and staff had an open conversation regarding how to move forward following the October 31, 2022, Planning Director decision and the previous chair’s resignation from the Historical Commission. The discussion focused on ways to establish partnerships, reevaluating and improving current processes, and how the commission can best support city staff. Staff reminded the commission that we are currently in the process of updating the Comprehensive Plan and that this is an opportunity for the commission to evaluate the city policies around historic preservation. 2023 Work Plan The commission briefly revisited the Work Plan but decided to continue this item to the February meeting, where they will begin drafting the Work Plan for 2023. Next Meeting (date and subject) The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 28, 2023. Staff and Commissioner Comments Becky McCrary reminded the commission that we are recruiting another member for the historical commission. Staff will set up a meeting with Chair Morrison prior to the February meeting. Chair Morrison would like to send a Certificate of Appreciation to Steve Fox, Andrea Tucker, and Amy Hieb. Vice Chair Hall announced a volunteer opportunity for the Washington State Department of Emergency Management regarding an inventory of unreinforced masonry buildings. The event will take place on Saturday, March 18th. A recording of the full meeting is available upon request. 2