Heritage Commission Meeting - Date Discrepancy Note

The meeting minutes and transcript indicate the meeting took place on August 26, 2026, but the provided date for the summary is August 27, 2026. This summary uses the requested date in the title but reflects the actual content from August 26.

Heritage Commission Meeting - August 27, 2026

The Olympia Heritage Commission met on August 27, 2026 (per meeting summary instructions; actual meeting held August 26, 2026) from 5:30 PM to 6:33 PM. Commissioners Cotter, Bowman, Kimball, and Nace were present; Commissioners Becker, Patrick, and Stedman were excused. Two commissioners recently resigned, reducing the commission to seven members. The meeting covered the 2027 CLG grant application, upcoming public engagement events, reports on the South Capitol Historic District, and updates on advisory body restructuring.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda approved without opposition.
• Minutes from the July 22, 2026 meeting approved as circulated.

Public Comments & Testimony

• None.

Announcements

• Staff (Brittany Gillia) announced attendance at a preservation field school the following week and will be remote for part of September.

Business Items

26-0656: CLG Grant 2027 Application Briefing

• Brittany Gillia presented a shift from a proposed survey (deemed too costly and time-consuming) to an outreach and education focus. Components include: funding for attendance at the Preserving Places conference, applying for future field school, printing communications materials (brochures, walking tours, code update flyers), developing a historic preservation zine through public art collection at Arts Walk, and funding for a home maintenance series (e.g., masonry workshop). The grant application will be presented to the review committee the following week. Commissioners expressed approval of the revised application.

26-0657: Upcoming Public Engagement/Volunteer Sign Ups

• Brittany reviewed several upcoming events requiring volunteer commissioners:
  • Harper Days (Sandman Booth): August/September weekend; commissioners volunteered for Saturday morning.
  • Thurston County Heritage Day (Sept 12): 10 AM-2 PM; Commissioner Nace expressed interest in attending with materials; Commissioner Cotter may attend.
  • South Capitol Neighborhood Association Barbecue (Sept 13): 2-5 PM; Commissioner Bowman will be tabling for libraries and can also represent the commission; Commissioner Nace will attend; Commissioner Cotter may attend. The group agreed not to reserve a full booth, instead coordinating with existing city tables.
  • Historic Trivia with Three Magnets: Proposed for late September/early October. Kyle will follow up on dates (Sept 25, 30, or Oct 1). Preference leaning toward Sept 30.
  • Arts Walk (October): Volunteer sign-ups on sheet; Commissioners Kimball and Bowman for Friday; coverage for Saturday to be confirmed. Activity will be collecting illustrations for the zine.
• Kyle noted access to a Risograph machine at Community Print for low-cost zine production.

Reports

POG Committee Report on South Capitol Historic District

• Commissioner Cotter reported on a meeting with the South Capitol Neighborhood Association board regarding local historic district listing. Many questions and diverse opinions were expressed. The easiest path is to submit the 1991 national register survey as a local district with the same boundaries, which avoids expensive surveying. That survey contains 483 contributing and 200 non-contributing buildings. The process requires a majority (51%) of property owner approval via ballots and includes a public hearing before the commission and city council. Discussion ensued about who should submit the application (commission vs. neighborhood board), ballot distribution methods (mail vs. hand delivery), and the need for official city letterhead. It was agreed to wait for the neighborhood board's response to Brittany's email before deciding next steps.

Moore Committee Report

• Commissioner Kimball, the sole remaining member, reported on upcoming Moore committee activities including the trivia event and Arts Walk preparation. Commissioners Bowman and Cotter volunteered to assist. A large set of trivia questions has been provided by Ben from the Olympia Historical Society; they will be curated and likely use multiple choice.

Heritage Review Committee Update

• The next Heritage Review Committee meeting is scheduled for September 14. Because the usual staff person (Brittany) will be unavailable, either Kernan or another planner will fill in. An applicant is pursuing special tax valuation and local listing for a large rehabilitation project, with an October 1 deadline.

Other Topics

Commission Vacancies and Recruitment

• With recent resignations, recruitment will begin in October. The commission needs expertise in history, architecture, and other CLG qualification areas. Targeted outreach to architecture firms was suggested. Commissioners were encouraged to recommend candidates.

Advisory Body Restructuring Update

• Brittany shared a memo from Councilmember Danny Madrone (CLIPS committee) thanking chairs for input. Changes are being considered: adjusting appointment timelines to align with work plans, shifting term lengths from three to two years with biennial recruitment, and introducing work plan check-ins. Groups being considered for restructuring include the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, Design Review Board, Social Justice and Equity Commission, and Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. The chair/vice chair nomination and committee assignment for the Heritage Commission will be revisited at the next meeting.

Key Outcomes

• The CLG grant application briefing was received; staff will present to the review committee on September 4.
• Volunteer commitments were made for Harper Days, Heritage Day, South Capital barbecue, trivia, and Arts Walk.
• No formal decision on the South Capitol local listing application; will await neighborhood board response.
• Recruitment for vacancies will proceed in October.
• Meeting adjourned at 6:33 PM.