Loading...
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 Historic Preservation Commission Minutes June 9, 2005 Page 2 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. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes June 9, 2005 Page 3 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. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes June 9, 2005 Page 4