Heritage Commission

City Hall Meeting Minutes 601 4th Avenue E Olympia, WA 98501 Heritage Commission Heritage Commission Contact: Marygrace Goddu (360) 753-8031 Wednesday, August 25, 2021 6:00 PM 1. CALL TO ORDER Vice Chair Miller called the meeting to order at 6:14 p.m. 1.A ROLL CALL Present: 9 - Commissioner Jessica Bieber, Commissioner Audrey Henley, Commissioner Kenneth House, Commissioner Garner Miller, Commissioner Susan Rohrer, Commissioner Stephen Scott, Commissioner Gary Stedman, Commissioner Sheila Swalling and Commissioner Sharon Lumbantobing Excused: 1 - Chair Holly Davies Absent: 1 - Commissioner Andrea Pareigis 1.B OTHERS PRESENT Historic Preservation Officer Marygrace Goddu Northwest Vernacular representative Katie Pratt 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was approved. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 3.A 21-0818 Approval of Jun 23, 2021 Heritage Commission Meeting Minutes The minutes were approved. 4. PUBLIC COMMENT - None 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS - None 6. BUSINESS ITEMS 6.A 21-0816 Special Tax Valuation: 204 4th Avenue West, The Angelus Hotel City of Olympia Page 1 Heritage Commission Meeting Minutes August 25, 2021 Ms. Goddu provided a summary of the Special Valuation program and confirmed the applicant has met threshold eligibility criteria for certification. Vice Chair Miller summarized the Heritage Review Committee's visit to the property and their recommendation for approval based on the completion of the work having met the United States Secretary of the Interior's standards for rehabilitation. He noted the project is a great example of the purpose and goals of the Special Valuation incentive program. The building had needed extensive maintenance and improvements, including leveling of floors and renewal of building systems. The owner was able to continue to keep the building affordable and living conditions were considerably improved. Several tenants have stayed in or returned to the building. Commissioner Swalling moved, seconded by Commissioner Scott, to approve the Heritage Review Committee recommendation to approve the Angelus Hotel for Special Tax Valuation and forward it to City Council for final approval. The motion passed unanimously. 6.B 21-0817 Cultural Access Programs Briefing Ms. Goddu gave PowerPoint presentation on Cultural Access Programs. As authorized by the State Legislature in 2015, the intended benefits, objectives and the initiative are underway to consider placing a measure before Olympia voters for consideration in the April 2022 Special Election. The discussion was completed. 7. COMMITTEE REPORTS 7.A Marketing, Outreach and Events Committee Commissioner Rohrer discussed possible application for the annual Thurston County Heritage Grant opportunity. Ms. Goddu requested volunteers to help out at the Saturday LoveOly Festival with tours and tabling with other Heritage groups. 7.B Policy, Ordinance and Guidance Committee - None 7.C Survey and Designation Committee - None 7.D Heritage Review Committee The Angelus Hotel application was reviewed. 8. OTHER TOPICS City of Olympia Page 2 Heritage Commission Meeting Minutes August 25, 2021 Ms. Goddu reported on the following topics. Capital Campus Legislative Campus Modernization project. The state received no responses to their request for proposals seeking to relocate the historic residences at the south edge of the campus. The Commission agreed to send a memorandum to Council advising them to express concerns about intention to demolish and to seek appropriate mitigation for the loss of historic resources important to city history, development and neighborhood character. Ms. Goddu will draft the memorandum for signature by the Olympia Heritage Commission Chairs. Capitol Lake Draft EIS Comments. City staff comments were adopted by the City Council and transmitted to the State Department of Enterprise Services. They included recommendation that the entire scope of EIS study (Tumwater Falls and to Port of Olympia/North Point) should be considered a Cultural Landscape and that designation as such could provide framework for mitigation not only for loss of current Lake/Dam but also consider impacts to natural environment and historic, cultural resources impacted with creation of the Lake/Dam. Additional information on Cultural Landscape designation to be shared at future Heritage Commission meetings. Olympia Armory. The Consultant team is preparing a public outreach strategy that will include meetings with heritage interests as well as representatives for the arts and other community interest groups. Meetings to begin in September and continue in October. ArtsWalk will feature an Armory Open House. 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m. City of Olympia Page 3