C. Waive reading of and approve Historic Preservation Commission minutes from January 14,

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1 CENTRALIA APPROVED AS AMENDED HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES Monday, February 11, 2013 ~ 5:30 p.m. 118 West Maple Street, City Hall, Centralia, WA :30 PM CALL PUBLIC MEETING TO ORDER A. Roll Call of members present. Commission Chairman - Daniel LaPlaunt: Present Commission Member - Colleen Stewart: Present Commission Member - Roy Matson: Present Commission Member - Jordan Peabody: Present Commission Member - Brian Mead: Present Commission Member - Rebecca Staebler: Present B. Approval of Historic Preservation Commission Agenda. Commission Member - Roy Matson: Motion Commission Member - Brian Mead: 2nd Commission Chairman - Daniel LaPlaunt: Approve Commission Member - Colleen Stewart: Approve Commission Member - Roy Matson: Approve Commission Member - Jordan Peabody: Approve Commission Member - Brian Mead: Approve Commission Member - Rebecca Staebler: Approve C. Waive reading of and approve Historic Preservation Commission minutes from January 14, Commission Member - Colleen Stewart: Motion Commission Member - Roy Matson: 2nd

2 Page 2 of Commission Chairman - Daniel LaPlaunt: Approve Commission Member - Colleen Stewart: Approve Commission Member - Roy Matson: Approve Commission Member - Jordan Peabody: Approve Commission Member - Brian Mead: Approve Commission Member - Rebecca Staebler: Approve D. Public Comments not associated with agenda items. There were no comments. E. Update on plans for Historic Preservation Month. Colleen Stewart reported on the proposed plans for Historic Preservation Month in May. Historic Tour of downtown buildings Evening of food and wine somehow somewhere she has discussed this with the Board of the CDA. A winetasting probably would be a good idea at the end of the tour; talked about having appetizers or samplings from downtown restaurants. The tour could include a small fee to cover the cost of food and wine. The CDA is interested in providing the promotion of the event, but would leave the content of the tour to the Historic Preservation Commission. Would we use tour leaders? A self-walking tour? Would be nice to have someone in each building with additional information possibly in period costumes. Provide a tour map and photo of the building. Permission needed from the building owners, decide on which buildings. Would it be a Saturday? An Evening? Stewart suggested that in lieu of food from the restaurants they could serve wine and food in their building it is large enough to accommodate a group. The FOX Theatre is also a possibility, although it involves Scott s volunteers to assist in preparing and cleaning the building afterwards. She suggested that the group form a committee to work on the plans. Also thought that wherever the food is served, that we have other photos and other information available to share. She asked for questions. Staebler asked when it was planned in May National Historic Preservation Month. LaPlaunt asked if charging a fee has ever done before. He is concerned that a fee may deter people from participating. Stewart hoping that they can get food donated. It may work as a fund raiser for the CDA or the FOX. Stewart asked how many we might expect. Baraconi said that we had about 20 for the cemetery tour last fall, and often up to a dozen participants for the walking tours. LaPlaunt asked: the CDA just had a meeting was this discussed at the meeting? What was the consensus? Stewart: They were interested. The CDA has an agenda of historic preservation and promoting the downtown core. They were quite happy with the idea.

3 Page 3 of LaPlaunt: Should we ask the CDA about their willingness to share in this to provide an sort of a budget? Stewart believes that they would be interested in supporting the event. Matson agreed that the idea of a joint event was a great idea. He also suggested that perhaps the walking tour should be complimentary, with others wanting to participate in the wine tasting as a separate event that we could charge for. Stewart: The CDA sees this as a two-fold event that would encourage foot traffic downtown with an event at the end. She believes it could become an annual event that would become more popular and better attended as time goes on. Staebler: Was this a general CDA meeting? No it was a board meeting. And it was just discussed and noted in the minutes that it was discussed. Staebler thinks would be interesting to make something like this successful and intriguing for people would be some sort of focus for the tour: a ghost tour? Or involve the geocaching community; a backdoor tour; an alley tour; something to hang it on. She does not believe that a general tour of downtown buildings will not attract people from out of town. She thinks the event needs a hook. LaPlaunt it s wonderful to have the amount of time we have available, but it definitely needs to be settled by the April meeting. Mead agrees that it needs a theme that ties into the history of the buildings. He wanted to mention there could be a fee or a donation. If it were at the FOX, it might be interesting if the end point could be the FOX with a movie that plays at the end of the event. There could be a wine tasting there as well. It could be donation or a VIP moment or space in the theatre. Have something that people can come in to and tie into at the end of the event. The buildings are beautiful, and the architecture should be respected. But the story of what has happened, and the whole theme side of it ties the memories into it. LaPlaunt suggested that we approach Dan Duffy to assist with the tours. He does such an incredible job and he is so knowledgeable. He started the tour with a film at the Olympic Club about the bank robber that was arrested in Centralia. That is the tour that people are still talking about. Baraconi that was a successful tour. It would have been even more successful if there had been more time for promotion. Stewart said she has approached Dan Duffy and he is interested in participating. Murphy-Olson Asked the commission to keep in mind regarding the alcohol - if they use the Olympic Club, Boccatas or O Blarney s those businesses accept the liability. She suggested that it could also be tied together with a speaker at the end. Those establishments have those pieces in place which would make it so much easier for the committee. Matson asked if Rebecca, who is a member of the CDA, would be willing to take this to the meeting as a proponent of the project, and to convey to the CDA that they would have our enthusiastic support of the event.

4 Page 4 of LaPlaunt asked if we had two people on the committee, we could have a proposal by the next meeting. Stewart said she would be willing to be part of that committee Brian Mead offered to assist Colleen with that. They will have a proposal in time for the March meeting. LaPlaunt said that the proposal must include dates so that we can begin to advertise. Baraconi if Colleen wants to put together an outline, she offered to make herself available during the day). If they respond back to her not to the group she can forward things to the group ahead of time. She suggested that the three of the meet next week to put the outline together. She would send the proposed outline out to the members to get some feedback before the next meeting. F. Reports. a. Presentation from Bill Gannon. Bill Gannon spoke to the Commission regarding a discussion he had a week and a half ago with a visitor to Community Development who wanted to speak to someone familiar with the local history. The gentleman was born and raised here in Centralia and currently lives in Virginia. He has not forgotten his roots. He was particularly interested in George Washington, the founder of Centralia. The founder was a black man, descended from black slaves, who had been adopted by a white family. When they arrived here, the family was instrumental in getting the territorial legislature to pass a special law so that George could own the land. Originally platted as Centerville the name was changed to Centralia. The visitor is the number two man at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington D.C. in charge of stamps. He wants to have a commemorative stamp Nation-wide stamp done for Centralia s founder. He knows the appropriate people and those who are in charge of who is selected for a commemorative stamp. He is willing to do the groundwork to get this off the ground as part of Black History Month. Bill is requesting that a local group be organized to promote this and get it off the ground at this end. Edna Fund, a local historian, now on the County Commission might be willing to help. The new Secretary of State is deeply involved in history. Although the State has little funding for historic preservation there would be no cost to the State to create a stamp. He believes that she would use her office to promote the stamp. Bill would like the City to be remembered for something other than the Tragedy that occurred on Tower Avenue. The story of George Washington, a black man who was unable to own property in the Oregon Territory, although the Civil War was long over. Matson: he believes that the endorsement of this commission and the City Council would be important. Bill is concerned that the effort might be too fragmented if it isn t organized. Baraconi believes that this is an idea that if we get the documentation together to present to the commission, and there is a recommendation from the commission, that the City Council would be willing to issue a resolution in support of this.

5 Page 5 of Staebler: Does it require endorsement from the local community? Not necessarily but it surely couldn t hurt. Stewart: has heard that there are many nominations every year and sometimes it takes years before the ideas are brought to fruition. Peabody: Given that Black History Month is in February we would be looking at least a year away. Stewart: It is certainly coming from someone who has influence. Baraconi: She imagines that part of this process is to vet the history of the petition. We need to have a complete and accurate history of George Washington available. Gannon as soon as he gets the papers he will be back to continue the discussion with the commission. Stewart suggested we put together a list of people who will have the information and historical knowledge to assist with the petition. G. Other business. Matson/Stewart are working on a preliminary brochure for the Historic Preservation Commission. It is a tri-fold layout that could be on the website and easily downloadable. It is an introduction to people considering having a home restored and need to know what it takes to get started; also information on how to apply for the local. The brochure also cites resources for the owners. She is willing to design it and lay it out. Stewart Also brought a brochure that it out of print describing the tax incentives of the historic register. She also brought some color swatches to share that show historically accurate paint colors by period. LaPlaunt asked if there is an Arts and Crafts palette from Sherwin Williams Baraconi replied that there is. We have the Arts and Crafts as well s Post Modern. LaPlaunt welcomed Rebecca Staebler back to the Historic Preservation Commission. Rebecca has served as both the chairman and vice chairman. She will be a great addition to this group. She is an historic business owner. Rebecca has also been a recipient of façade improvement funds. Staebler said she looks forward to serving with the commission. Peabody asked LaPlaunt about the origin of the Welcome to Centralia signs at the Harrison off ramp, and wondered who is responsible for maintaining them. Murphy-Olson said that it was a Dan Duffy project, and the Parks Department is responsible for maintaining them. Staebler asked they will have to be moved once the freeway changes. We may want to rescue the two signs. Stewart: the CDA has asked their representative to the City to look into the ownership of the property where the sign on Mellen Street is placed. It is in very poor condition. The CDA wants to get it cleaned

6 Page 6 of up and more attractive. The consensus was that it is on private property how did that happen and how can we get it cleaned up? Murphy-Olson said she would inquire at Rotary as well. Has there been a discussion about signage from the freeway? Baraconi there has been discussion. The people involved with the upgrade to I-5 and there is a lot of resistance to adding additional signage. They say that we are pretty much at the maximum that we can have. She believes that there is a sign at the Mellen Street exit for the Historic Downtown; she isn t sure about the Harrison Street exit on top of the exit signs. Gannon confirmed that there is a sign on the Mellen Street exit but not on Harrison. Staebler commented that if Mellen Street is the designated entrance it is even more critical to repair the existing sign at that exit. If it is on private property and the City does not have an easement permission would have to be granted from the property owner to maintain the sign. Sarah Blosser reported the Borst Home had suffered a break in last week. It does not appear that anything was stolen plans are moving ahead on the installation of security cameras which have been purchased. LaPlaunt reported that thanks to Tammy Baraconi s help on an update for plaques for view. They are considering aluminum plaques so that the plaques will not appeal to metal thieves. She discovered a 6x12 oval that was $200.00; the 12 square is $ and the 12 circle is $ The owner ed pictures to LaPlaunt that he shared with the commission. Ballard Brass has produced plaques for Olympia and other communities. They have a good track record. If we can get plaques for $ they would be quite small. He is going to check into the source for the plaques in Chehalis they are very nice. They could be custom made. The design would be kept on record, and more could be produced. Staebler asked if there is a set-up fee for the design. There are not set up fees once we have the design, building owners can purchase it at no additional cost. She thinks tying it to a walking tour the requirement to participate is to have a plaque on the building. LaPlaunt the commission may want to promote different options to the building owners. Some of the more elaborate plaques include a picture and the entire history of the building. Mead he is very excited about the opportunity for the commemorative stamp and anxious to see what the paperwork says. Further, he believes there is great potential of the possibility of a commemorative stamp during this time. With the President that we have, it is an incredible opportunity. He is very excited about all the ideas and the timing. 2. ADJOURN MEETING Commission Member - Jordan Peabody: Motion Commission Member - Roy Matson: 2nd Commission Chairman - Daniel LaPlaunt: Approve

7 Page 7 of Commission Member - Colleen Stewart: Approve Commission Member - Roy Matson: Approve Commission Member - Jordan Peabody: Approve Commission Member - Brian Mead: Approve Commission Member - Rebecca Staebler: Approve The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission is scheduled for Monday, March 11, 2013 at 5:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sarah Blosser, Recording Secretary