Heritage Commission

City Hall Meeting Minutes 601 4th Avenue E Olympia, WA 98501 Heritage Commission Heritage Commission Contact: Marygrace Goddu (360) 753-8031 Wednesday, April 28, 2021 6:00 PM via Zoom 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Davies called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. 1.A ROLL CALL Present: 9 - Chair Holly Davies, Commissioner Jessica Bieber, Commissioner Audrey Henley, Commissioner Garner Miller, Commissioner Andrea Pareigis, Commissioner Susan Rohrer, Commissioner Stephen Scott, Commissioner Gary Stedman and Commissioner Sheila Swalling Excused: 1 - Commissioner Kenneth House 1.B OTHERS PRESENT Community Planning and Development Staff: Preservation Officer Marygrace Goddu Local Historians Shanna Stevenson and Ed Echtle 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was approved. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 3.A 21-0409 Approval of March 24, 2021 Heritage Commission Meeting Minutes Correction to first paragraph, “expertise to be included” (replacing “is”). The minutes were approved as amended. 4. PUBLIC COMMENT - None 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS Chair Davies made announcements. General Government Committee update: New Commissioner interviews had to be rescheduled into May. City of Olympia Page 1 Heritage Commission Meeting Minutes April 28, 2021 Capitol Campus Construction update: An additional $90 million in funding included in the proposed compromise budget for the Legislative Campus Modernization Project as well as $180,000 for continued study of viability for rehabilitation of the Pritchard Building. Armory update: Funding for the Military Department to transfer the Armory to the City at no cost to the City has been included in the Legislature's compromise budget. Training Opportunities: NAPC Training opportunities in May, National Maritime Heritage Area workshop on April 29, 2021. Old Firehall: The Olympia Arts & Heritage Alliance has completed installation of "Its the Water" highlighting the arts, history and cultures of the South Sound as they illustrate the theme of water. Sited in the windows of the historic, 1912 City Hall / Fire Station at State Street and Capitol Way, curated and designed by Seattle artist Kristen Ramirez. 6. BUSINESS ITEMS 6.A 21-0399 Review of Proposal for Historic Marker Ms. Stevenson and Mr. Echtle presented the planned text, graphics, location and design for an interpretive sign to tell the story of Howard’s Point. Their work is supported by a Thurston County Heritage grant under sponsorship of the non-profit Olympia Arts and Heritage Alliance, with in-kind support from the City of Olympia for future installation. Ms. Goddu provided background on a draft policy and process for City review of heritage interpretive installations, which she is sharing internally for City approval. Following the process proposed in the draft policy, the Heritage Commission’s review is intended to result in a recommendation to the Director of Community Planning and Development. Chair Davies moved, seconded by Commissioner Rohrer, to recommend to the Community Planning and Development Director that the proposal move forward as presented. The motion passed unanimously. 6.B 21-0398 Heritage Month Planning Commissioners discussed and finalized planning for Heritage Month activities and the May 20, 2021 Heritage Awards event and made assignments. The discussion was completed. 7. COMMITTEE REPORTS 7.A Marketing & Outreach Committee Topics covered under Business Item 6.B. City of Olympia Page 2 Heritage Commission Meeting Minutes April 28, 2021 7.B Policy, Ordinance and Guidance (POG) Chair Davies reported the Committee met in March to review and provide feedback on Council proposed changes to the Comprehensive Plan related to diversity, equity and inclusion. 7.C Survey & Designation Committee Commissioner Bieber shared an update on granting for Certified Local Governments under the State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP) and recommendations from DAHP staff that applications have clear outcomes and demonstrated public support work. This means the Commission needs to find ways of moving ahead without DAHP funding support for initial communications with property owners in a potential future historic district such as the 4th Ave East proposed district. 7.D Heritage Review Committee - None 8. OTHER TOPICS - None 8.A Staff Report Ms. Goddu reported the City Council will review the Proclamation recognizing Olympia Heritage Month and review the 2021 Historic Prevention Awards nominees and Heritage Register Nomination for the Armory Building at the May 4, 2021 meeting. 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:03 p.m. City of Olympia Page 3