cmd080321 spec mtg 2EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL MEETING
SPECIAL APPROVED MINUTES
August 3, 2021
ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT
Susan Paine, Council President
Adrienne Fraley-Monillas, Councilmember
Kristiana Johnson, Councilmember
Luke Distelhorst, Councilmember
Diane Buckshnis, Councilmember
Vivian Olson, Councilmember
Laura Johnson, Councilmember
ALSO PRESENT
Brook Roberts, Student Representative
CALL TO ORDER/FLAG SALUTE
STAFF PRESENT
Scott Passey, City Clerk
Dave Rohde, GIS Analyst
Jerrie Bevington, Camera Operator
The Edmonds City Council meeting was called to order at 6:45 p.m. by Council President Paine in the
Council Chambers, 250 5th Avenue North, Edmonds and virtually.
2. INTERVIEW FOR APPOINTMENT TO A CITY BOARD OR COMMITTEE
1. INTERVIEW CANDIDATE
Council President Paine explained this was an interview of an applicant for appointment to the Historic
Preservation Commission. She introduced the applicant, Annie Doyon, and Councilmembers and the
Student Representative introduced themselves. Councilmembers interviewed Ms. Doyon (responses in
italics):
Councilmember Buckshnis commented she was impressed with Ms. Doyon's resume and all the work and
publications she has done and said she is a perfect fit. She explained many people have wondered about a
historic district designation for the downtown area, noting she had a house in Oregon in an historically
assessed area. She asked about her background in that and how it could happen. Most of my professional
experience has been in surveying and inventorying, being on the crew that goes out in the field and
inventories historic properties and historic resources within an area and then makes a determination
whether there could be a district, are their individually eligible properties, are there potentially negative
effects of a proposed project, etc. That is what most of the publications in my CV are, inventory and
evaluation projects and is my area of expertise. I have done a few nominations and been part of the process,
but I am more of a technical writer so surveying and reporting is more my strength. When I interviewed
with the Mayor, I said I have always been surprised Edmonds doesn't have a district because it seems like
Edmonds would be a great candidate to have a district.
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August 3, 2021
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Councilmember Olson said she was also super impressed with her resume, over and above what could be
expected from a volunteer. She asked what preservation projects she had on her radar and which would be
the most excited to pursue? Something I think would be interesting for Edmonds would be highlighting the
mid-century modern, which is not always part of the typical picture or what cities are looking at, but
Edmonds is a gem with mid-century. I also always like to involve the community such as workshops,
educating youth, etc. I'm not sure if there has been much of that or if there is a lot of appetite for it, but I
think it could be interesting and exciting.
Councilmember Fraley-Monillas expressed her interest in looking at other areas of Edmonds that have
potential historic value such as around Lake Ballinger, pointing out the island in middle of the lake used to
house the Ballinger family although it burned down long ago. She said looking at that seems right up Ms.
Doyon's alley. I love that idea which kind of matches with the mid-century. Downtown has amazing
character, charm and identity, but there are neighborhoods, potentially structures and other history that is
not visible above ground such as the island where the structure is gone but there is an interesting story.
Council President Paine agreed she had a very impressive CV and she was impressed Ms. Doyon has
experience with both architecture and landscape architecture with the Olmstead work she has done. She
asked about her experience working with students, noting there are architecture programs at a couple of the
local high schools. I haven't done a lot creating official student programs. When I worked with the nonprofit
in Spokane, we coordinated community volunteers to do inventories, surveys and workshops so I have little
experience with leading a group in an area that is not their job or training. I haven't worked specifically
with students but have always loved the idea. It is exciting to have little kids learn about things and older
kids do hands-on things especially if it can be coordinated with other curriculum. Council President Paine
said Ms. Doyon would be an ideal candidate to do workshops for the community.
Councilmember L. Johnson agreed her resume was exemplary and said the City will be fortunate to have
her on the HPC. She expressed appreciation for Ms. Doyon's answer regarding mid-century modern,
commenting they are one of her favorites and they have just reached the age of preservation. The idea of
starting now before more are lost would be key. She asked whether Ms. Doyon had a few that she had her
eye on. She also asked whether historic landscape architecture goes along with different eras of homes.
There is definitely precedent for that, especially with mid-century modern. Older homes might have more
formal gardens, but with the typical Pacific NW style of mid-century, landscaping was a big part of the
design. The home was designed to go into the landscape so a lot of the mid-century homes have big windows
with big trees and are located on woodsy lots. That is definitely something to consider.
Councilmember K. Johnson commented before the pandemic the City Council approved having two
graduate students in historic preservation help create a downtown historic district. That was put aside and
she was hopeful that work could continue this fall or next year and would be a fun project for her to be
involved in. The HPC also publishes a calendar every year that is given away to help promote historic
preservation. A couple surveys have been done, but the biggest challenge is getting people to agree to put
their home on the historic registry. She had a mid-century modern house in mind and was hopeful the first
one would get put on the registry this year. She concluded there was no end to what Ms. Doyon could
contribute and the HPC were a really good group of people.
Councilmember Distelhorst agreed Ms. Doyon's qualifications were very clear. He appreciated her
comments about mid-century modern and asked about her approach to using a sliding scale to historic
preservation versus a set date. There is significant and then there is 50+ years old. In Edmonds the unique
Northwest style of mid-century is unique, very vernacular, local and there are a lot of architects associated
with it. It's easy to show examples of how something represents that such as heavy wooded lots and the big
picture that's all still very original and true to the way it was built, designed and intended to function. There
are a lot of original owner homes from that period which is exciting. It's an exciting time where the homes
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are newish to being 50 years old, but there may be original owners or some ties to the architect or other
documentation like original photos or floorplans which can paint an amazing picture of why something is
significant or just to educate or share.
Student Rep Roberts commented it was exciting to see qualified people apply for positions on boards and
commissions. The City has a Youth Commission comprised of 11 high school students. He asked what
opportunities she saw for collaboration between the HPC and the Youth Commission? That could be a
really interesting way to open the door to potential education or workshops, creating a bridge to that
audience to find out what that age group is interested in and what they think preservation is about.
Sometimes young people think it's old stuffy, museum, but it can be so much more engaging and exciting.
Things like reuse, adapting an old building for a new purpose or getting involved with hands-on activities
like a survey and inventory project could be exciting for that audience. That would allow the youth to get
experience and look at the community.
Council President Paine advised her application is on Consent Agenda for approval.
12. ADJOURN
With no further business, the Council meeting was adjourned at 6:58 p.m.
MICIiWNELSON,MAYOR
S PASS ,CITY CLE K
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August 3, 2021
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