2013-01-10 Historic Preservation Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
SUMMARY MINUTES OF WORKSHOP MEETING
January 10, 2013
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Chair Vogel called the meeting of the Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission to order at 5:38 p.m. in the 3'`i Floor
Conference Room of City Hall, 121 — 5' Avenue North. He read the Commission's mission statement.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Steve Waite, Vice Chair
Andy Eccleshall
Tim Raetzloff
Emily Scott (arrived at 5:50 p.m.)
Gerry Tays
Kristiana Johnson, City Council Member
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Larry Vogel, Chair (excused)
Christine Deiner-Karr (excused)
Lora Petso, City Council Member (excused)
READING/APPROVAL OF MINUTES
STAFF PRESENT
Rob Chave, Planning Division Manager
Diane Cunningham, Administrative Assistant
OTHERS PRESENT
COMMISSIONER ECCLESHALL MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF DECEMBER 13, 2012 AS
AMENDED. COMMISSIONER RAETZLOFF SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/CHANGES
The Commission added a discussion of the 2014 Calendar under "Action Items." The remainder of the agenda was accepted
as presented.
REQUESTS FROM THE AUDIENCE
There was no one in the audience.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Registration Committee
The Registration Committee did not provide a report.
Education and Outreach Committee
The Education and Outreach Committee did not provide a report.
Preservation Planning Committee
The Preservation Planning Committee did not provide a report.
Funding Committee
The Funding Committee did not provide a report. It was noted that none of the current Commissioners have been assigned to
serve on the Funding Committee.
Ms. Cunningham provided a status report on the revenues and expenses associated with the 2013 calendar account.
OTHER REPORTS
Commissioner Goals
Vice Chair Waite invited each of the Commissioners to share their thoughts on what they would personally like to achieve or
what they would like the Commission to achieve in 2013:
Commissioner Tays — He would like the Commission to provide information to owners of property on the Register, as
well as other owners of historic properties about how they can maintain their structures while retaining their historic
character. This could be done in the form of a written list of resources or through Commission sponsored workshops to
demonstrate how various restoration projects can be done. He suggested this project be assigned to the Education and
Outreach Committee, of which he is a member. The Commission discussed what should be included on the list, as well
as ideas for getting the information out to interested property owners. Commissioner Tays agreed to prepare additional
information for the Commission to review at their next meeting.
• Commissioner Raetzloff — He would like to learn more about being a Commissioner and how he can help people add
their properties to the Register. He recalled that he recently volunteered to become the Commission's liaison with the
Edmonds Museum. It was discussed that some property owners on Sunset Avenue have expressed an interest in adding
their properties to the Register, and the Registration Committee was asked to meet during the next month to discuss the
best way to approach the property owners and move the nominations forward.
• Commissioner Eccleshall — The Commission should refocus on their mission to get properties on the Register. They
should refer to the updated survey to identify potential properties to pursue.
• Commissioner Scott — Rather than spending too much time on raising funds, the Commission should focus on their
mission of getting properties on the Register. In addition, they should hold a work meeting to train all Commissioners
on how to nominate properties for the Register so they are all qualified to work with property owners. The Commission
agreed it would be appropriate to have a training meeting regarding the registration process.
• Council Member Johnson — The Commission should focus on educating the public about the benefits of historic
preservation and adding properties to the Register. The Registration Committee could outline the registration process
and then education the entire Commission so that everyone is knowledgeable and can participate in the work. The
outline should also provide ideas for approaching property owners and addressing their common concerns and
misconceptions.
• Mr. Chave — It is better to focus on a few things and do them well. Too much emphasis on subcommittee assignments
can result in people heading in too many different directions. Sometimes it is better to focus on big projects as a group.
• Vice Chair Waite — Rather than spreading themselves too thin, the Commission should focus on their mission of getting
properties on the Register. In the past, there have been too many projects and not enough time and resources to
accomplish the tasks. The Commission should also focus on adding properties, other than structures, to the Register.
The Commission discussed that owners of properties already on the Register are their biggest assets. Rather than trying to
sell the monetary benefits of being on the Register to potential property owners, it is important to point out that being on the
Register is an honor and carries a sense of community pride. One idea would be to sponsor an annual event to not only
provide information and support to owners of property already on the Register, but also invite them to share their thoughts
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and encourage others to join. They also discussed other ways to involve owners of properties on the Register in the process
of nominating new properties.
NEW BUSINESS
Vacant Commission Positions
The Commission discussed that they currently have seven Commissioners, and their bylaws allow up to twelve voting
members (including one representative from the Edmonds Museum). They spent some time discussing the appropriate
number of Commissioners. They also discussed the idea of creating a formal procedure for selecting new members. They
agreed to wait until the current Commissioners have been fully trained before adding new members.
New Properties for Historic Register
Commissioner Eccleshall reported that property owners at 731 Main Street (built in 1910) have expressed a desire to add
their home to the Register. However, he and Ms. Cunningham have been unable to get in touch with them. Former
Commissioner Norenberg spoke with the property owners initially and has agreed to approach them again on behalf of the
Commission.
There was no unfinished business.
ACTION ITEMS
Discussion of 2014 Calendar
Mr. Chave announced that the City received a $6,000 grant for the 2014 calendar project. He briefly reviewed the schedule
the Commission is committed to follow as per the grant. He specifically noted that a mock-up draft of the calendar must be
completed by mid May. He suggested that "registered properties" should be the theme of the 2014 calendar.
COMMISSIONER SCOTT MOVED THAT THE THEME FOR THE 2014 CALENDAR BE "REGISTERED
PROPERTIES." COMMISSIONER ECCLESHALL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
The Commission discussed that properties that are added to the Register within the next few months could be included in the
2014 calendar. Commissioner Eccleshall agreed to contact property owners on Sunset Avenue who have already expressed
an interest in adding their properties to the Register.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION CHAIR COMMENTS
Chair Waite did not provide any comments during this portion of the meeting.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
The Commission discussed ideas for selling the remaining calendars. They agreed to sell the calendars outside of the Council
Chambers prior to City Council Meetings, and Commissioner Scott agreed to organize those events.
The Commission agreed that their next meeting should focus primarily on training Commissioners on the registration
process, as discussed earlier. In addition, Commissioner Eccleshall agreed to have a rough mock up of the calendar available
for the Commission's review at the next meeting. The Commission also agreed to have a brief discussion to solidify the
priorities for the remainder of the year, including a special event in May.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:03 p.m.
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