Historic Preservation Commission

MEETING MINUTES TUMWATER HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION January 15, 2026 CONVENE: 6:30 p.m. PRESENT: Chair Dave Shipley and Commissioners Alex Rossiter, Dave Nicandri, Marnie Slakey, and Don Trosper. Staff: Parks and Recreation Director Chuck Denney, Recreation Manager Todd Anderson, Assistant City Administrator Kelly Adams, Community Development Director Brad Medrud, Deputy Transportation and Engineering Director Jeff Cook, Permit Manager Tami Merriman, City Engineer Bill Lindauer, and Water Resources Sustainability Manager Alyssa Jones Wood. Others: Mayor Leatta Dahlhoff, Councilmember Eileen Swarthout, and Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) staff. EXCUSED: Commissioner Rob Paylor CHANGES TO THE No changes to the agenda. AGENDA: APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Commissioner Nicandri moved, seconded by Commissioner Slakey, to approve the minutes of November 20, 2025, as published. A voice vote approved the motion unanimously. PUBLIC COMMENT: Public comment was given by community member Olson. 2026 ELECTION OF Commissioners discussed election of officer’s positions for OFFICERS: 2026. TUMWATER HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION – JANUARY 15, 2026 1  MOTION: Commissioner Nicandri moved, seconded by Commissioner Trosper, to extend all officers for 2026. A voice vote approved the motion unanimously. MEEKER OAK TREE Assistant City Administrator Adams gave an update on the DISCUSSION: Meeker Oak Tree and requested a volunteer from the Historic Preservation Commission to help with review of the work plan and Certificate of Appropriateness as it relates to the tree. She also pointed out the location on the city website where current updates and plans for the tree can be found. MOTION: Commissioner Shipley moved, seconded by Commissioner Slakey, that Commissioner Nicandri and Commissioner Trosper will collaborate with Assistant City Administrator Adams on the Meeker Oak Tree. A voice vote approved the motion unanimously. DEPARTMENT OF Commissioner Nicandri presented a slide show and led a TRANSPORTATION discussion of historic signage and plaques from the former BUILDING SIGNAGE: Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Headquarters building on Capitol Boulevard. Commissioner Nicandri gave examples of preservation efforts done to other local historic sites. WSDOT staff discussed the current conditions of the buildings and the future plans to remove four of the nine buildings with the state funding that is available MOTION: Commissioner Nicandri moved, seconded by Commissioner Rossiter, that the Historic Preservation Commission formerly expressed an interest in seeking WSDOT’s concurrency of the City Administration with the city attorney seeking to secure consulting or interested party status relative to the preservation of the freeze with the existing agencies of record which is WSDOT and Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP). TRANSPORTATION Director Denney and Commissioner Nicandri led a INTERPRETIVE PROJECTS: discussion regarding the historical signage along Old Highway 99 down Capitol Boulevard and a potential monument on the Trosper Road and Capitol Boulevard roundabout and the significance of the 47th parallel. TUMWATER HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION – JANUARY 15, 2026 2  Director Medrud led a discussion regarding current sign code regulations as it relates to the historic signs that are currently in place. The current sign code does not address historic signs and will need to be amended, or a standalone agreement created to replace the existing plan. The Tenino Stone Carvers provided design possibilities for the potential 47th parallel monument. Discussion followed regarding concerns about the potential location. It was decided to put the placement of the potential 47th parallel monument on hold as other potential sites like the new Deschutes Valley Trail or other areas are considered. NEXT MEETING DATE: The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 19, 2026. ADJOURNMENT: With there being no further business, Chair Shipley adjourned the meeting at 8:28 p.m. Prepared by Todd Anderson, Recreation Manager TUMWATER HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION – JANUARY 15, 2026 3