2005-06-09 Historic Preservation Commission MinutesHISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES
June 9, 2005
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
The meeting of the Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission was called to order at 3:30 p.m. in the 3rd Floor Conference
Room of City Hall, 121 — 51 Avenue North.
PRESENT ABSENT STAFF PRESENT
Stephen Waite, Chair Ed Baker Star Campbell, Planner
Brian Hall
Darrell Marmion
Chuck LeWarne
Barbara Kindness
Deborah Binder
Michael Plunkett (arrived late)
PRESENTATION OF PLAOUEST BY MAYOR TO RESIGNING COMMISSIONERS
On behalf of the City Council and the citizens of Edmonds, Mayor Haakenson thanked Commissioners LeWarne and
Marmion for their volunteer contribution to the Historic Preservation Commission. He said they have accomplished a lot of
work over the past few years.
Chair Waite pointed out that both Commissioner LeWarne and Commissioner Marmion participated on the Historic
Preservation Advisory Committee that was formed in 2000 to consider options for creating a Historic Preservation
Commission. He expressed thanks on behalf of the Commission for their five years of service to the community.
Commissioner Marmion thanked his fellow Commissioners for their hard work, as well. He said was rewarded by the
friendships he made amongst his fellow Commissioners, and he is pleased at the progress that has been made to date in
completing the survey of historic places and getting the first buildings on the register.
Commissioner LeWarne agreed with Commissioner Marmion and said he has enjoyed the opportunity of being the Edmonds -
South Snohomish County Historical Society representative on the Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission. The topic of
historic preservation has been fun, and each individual Commissioner has contributed significantly in their ability to move
the program forward. He specifically thanked Councilmember Plunkett for getting the ball rolling to form the Historic
Preservation Commission.
Ms. Campbell said she has appreciated all of the dedication, hard work and passion that Commissioners LeWarne and
Marmion have put into the Historic Preservation Commission efforts. They both did a great job.
Councilmember Plunkett expressed his belief that Commissioners LeWarne and Marmion were key players on the Historic
Preservation Advisory Committee in working to establish the Historic Preservation Commission. The effort really got going
after Commissioner Marmion identified all of the potentially historic properties. They knew the need was there, but they
were unable to manifest it until Commissioner Marmion created a list of historic properties to present to the City Council.
Having one of the City's historians (Commissioner LeWarne) be part of their group lent credibility to their efforts. He
thanked them both for the work they put forth to get the Commission to the point they are today. The remainder of the
Commissioners concurred.
READING/APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner LeWarne said that at the May 9' meeting he expressed his belief that it would not be valuable to hold a joint
meeting with the Edmonds Arts Commission. However, he was thinking of a situation in which the Historic Preservation
Commissioners would attend an Edmonds Arts Commission meeting or vice versa. He said he believes these meetings are
often useless, and it would be better to schedule a joint meeting with an agenda that talks only about the mutual concerns of
both parties. He said it would be extremely valuable to invite someone like Frances Chapin or a representative from the
Edmonds Arts Commission to meet with the Historic Preservation Commission so that they can each be made aware of what
the other group is doingl.
Chair Waite said he recently met with Ms. Gerend, the Edmonds Economic Development Director, who asked that the April
minutes be clarified. She is interested in co -hosting an event for commercial property owners in mixed -use districts with
emphasis on Fourth Avenue. He emphasized that the Commission is fortunate and happy to work with the Economic
Development Director on commercial projects for properties that have been identified on the survey.
COMMISSIONER KINDNESS MOVED THAT THE MINUTES OF MAY 12, 2005 BE APPROVED AS
CORRECTED. COMMISSIONER MARMION SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF AGENDA
No changes were made to the proposed agenda.
REQUESTS FROM THE AUDIENCE
There was no one in the audience.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
No public hearings were scheduled on the agenda.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
There was no unfinished business scheduled on the agenda.
NEW BUSINESS
Commissioner Marmion reported that he participated in a walk through of the old high school site, along with Chair Waite
and Commissioner LeWarne. The walk through was conducted by the custodian of the building and Stephen Clifton,
Edmonds Community Services Director. He reported that they did not see a lot as far as historical significance, but they did
note some salvageable materials that could have historic value. He said suggested that each Commissioner who participated
in the walk through could put together their notes and observations and then forward them to the Public Facilities District for
their information. He said he took a lot of pictures of the site. Commissioner Binder asked if the items that have salvage
value would be saved and sold to raise money for the project. Commissioner Marmion said he would simply recommend
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those items that could have salvage value to the Public Facilities District. It would be up to them to decide what to do with
the salvageable materials.
Commissioner Kindness recalled that when they originally talked about fundraising for the Edmonds Center for the Arts, one
of the ideas was to sell the mailboxes as keepsakes to help offset the cost of the project. It was also discussed that the
Edmonds Arts Commission could use the mailboxes as a fundraiser, and perhaps they could be offered as a more affordable
way for members of the public to contribute to the project. She suggested that if the Arts Commission is no longer interested
in this fundraising opportunity, perhaps the Commission should take the project on, instead.
Chair Waite recalled that Kjris Lund, the Project Manager for the Edmonds Center for the Arts, attended the Commission's
May 91 meeting at which possible uses for the mailboxes was discussed. He advised that Mr. Clifton and Ms. Lund would
meet with the contractor to discuss the topic of salvage and demolition, and Ms. Lund would likely keep the Commission's
interest in mind during these discussions.
Commissioner Marmion recalled that Ms. Lund asked the Commission for input on ways they could preserve portions of the
building. He said he would provide Ms. Lund with pictures from a park in Kirkland at which items from a historic junior
high school were saved and incorporated into the design of the park. He suggested that it might be helpful if he were to
provide, as part of his report, concrete examples of where this concept has worked well in other locations.
Commissioner LeWarne said he was intrigued by the slates that currently exist in the building. Commissioner Kindness
recalled Ms. Lund's comment at the last Commission meeting that the blackboards would still be used in the new facility.
Commissioner LeWarne noted that there are blackboards in the portion of the structure that would be demolished, too. He
suggested that there could be some salvage value to these items.
It was agreed that Commissioner LeWarne, Commissioner Marmion and Chair Waite would meet briefly to figure out how
they would proceed with their report to the Public Facilities District.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
Commissioner Binder said she submitted a grant letter to Humanities Washington, and they should hear back from them
within the next month or so. She said she forwarded this communication to Ms. Campbell for the City's record.
Commissioner Binder said she received a list of names from Commissioner Hall of groups or businesses she could contact
for possible grant funding, and she encouraged the other Commissioners to provide their input as soon as possible.
REVIEW OF NEXT MEETING'S PROPOSED AGENDA
Commissioner Binder said she would like to revisit the whole concept of the Edmonds Arts Commission and the Historic
Preservation Commission working together. Because she would not be present for the July 14' meeting, she asked that the
issue be scheduled on the August meeting agenda.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION CHAIR COMMENTS
No additional comments were provided during this portion of the meeting.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION MEMBER COMMENT
Commissioner LeWarne reported that on June 11', Louise Lundgren would be touring historic sites in Edmonds with
members from the Snohomish County Historic Preservation Commission. He advised that Edmonds Historic Preservation
Commission members have been invited to attend.
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Commissioner LeWarne advised that on July 23�d, public agencies would be allowed to have a display table at the Summer
Market. The Commission would have to bring their own table, chairs and umbrella. He suggested that they could gather
materials that are used for the public forum and then schedule Commissioners to be present at the table to talk to the public
about historic preservation and what the Commission's role is. Because the market begins at 9:00 a.m., they should probably
arrive to set up at 8:30 a.m. The event ends at 3:00 p.m. Commissioner LeWarne was given the assignment of sending out an
email asking Commissioners to sign up for a period of time to man the table.
Commissioner Kindness said she obtained addresses for property owners of all but 13 of the 80 sites identified in the historic
survey. Invitations were sent to all of the available addresses. The event was also advertised in the newspaper, as well as on
the City's public television station.
Chair Waite thanked Commissioner Kindness for all of her wonderful work in preparing for the public forum event.
Commissioner Kindness pointed out that staff did much of the work.
Commissioner Hall expressed his belief that, given the expertise that Commissioners LeWarne and Marmion have on historic
preservation in the City of Edmonds, it would be helpful if the Commission were allowed to contact them from time to time
for feedback. Commissioners LeWarne and Marmion said they would be willing to help out whenever possible.
ADJOURNMENT TO SET UP FOR PUBLIC FORUM EVENT
The Commission meeting was adjourned at about 4:13 p.m. to set up for the public forum event that was scheduled to take
place later in the evening.
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