Sacramento Preservation Commission Regular Meeting – October 18, 2023
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Sacramento Preservation Commission Regular Meeting – October 18, 2023
The Preservation Commission met on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, at 5:30 PM in the City Hall Complex Council Chamber. The meeting (adjourned at 6:05 PM) included approval of the consent calendar, review and comment on the 2023 Draft Annual Report and an update on the Historic Plaque Program, a Director’s Report, and no public comments.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of August 16, 2023 Meeting Minutes – File ID: 2022-02442. Passed unanimously (4‑0, Commissioner Montemayor absent) on a motion by Vice Chair Root, seconded by Chair McSlavkin.
Discussion Items
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2023 Draft Preservation Commission Annual Report (M23-008) – Staff presented the draft report required by the 2023 Council Rules of Procedure. Commissioners reviewed the work plan for the coming year, including the proposed Native American policy resolution, the African American Experience Project, the LGBTQ+ grant, and potential grant opportunities for Native American historic context. Commissioner Merker expressed strong support for pursuing a Native American historic context survey, noting that San Francisco and Los Angeles are already undertaking such studies. Chair McSlavkin asked about the feasibility of requesting additional city funding for preservation initiatives; staff indicated a development impact fee for preservation is a goal listed in the annual report. No vote was taken; the item was for review and comment only.
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City of Sacramento Historic Plaque Program Update (M23-009) – Staff reported on a $4,000 CLG grant used to award plaques to commercial properties and to redesign the plaque template. Discussion focused on reducing plaque costs (currently ~$500 each), finding a cheaper manufacturer (Vice Chair Root suggested a Southern California vendor offering cast aluminum plaques 35–45% cheaper), digitization and walking tour apps, QR codes, and the use of plaques for demolished buildings (e.g., the site of the former Williams Memorial Church). Commissioner Merker shared historical context from his service on the Sacramento Heritage committee and recommended consulting the OHP vendor list. Staff noted that the program now accepts applications for plaques on sites of no-longer‑extant landmarks. The item was for review and comment only.
Director’s Report
- The African American Experience Project was officially endorsed by City Council in September 2023 with no opposition.
- Four new Mills Act contracts were approved: 1301 and 1230 45th Street (East Sacramento), the Marshall Hotel (1122 7th Street), and 2305 Capitol Avenue.
- A positive news story on the Mills Act program (CBS 13) has increased application inquiries.
- The final public meeting for the Eichler Historic District nomination will be November 1, 2023, at 6 PM at Bell Coolidge Library.
- The Montgomery Way Historic District was officially listed on both the National Register of Historic Places and the California Register of Historical Resources.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Calendar approved unanimously (4‑0) – minutes of August 16, 2023 adopted.
- Annual Report and Plaque Program Update – received by the commission for comment; no formal action taken.
- Staff will incorporate commissioner feedback into the final annual report and continue seeking affordable plaque options and a fillable online application form.
Meeting Transcript
Chair, staff is ready when you are. Great, thank you. Uh good evening and welcome to the October 18th Preservation Commission meeting. I think I forgot to boom. The meeting is now called to order. Will the clerk please call the roll to establish a quorum? Thank you, Chair. Commissioner Merker. Here. Commissioner Root? Here. Commissioner Burns. Here. Commissioner Nayar? Here. Commissioner Montemayor is absent. And Chair McSlavkin. Here. Thank you. We have quorum. Great. Thank you. I would like to remind members of the public in chambers that if you would like to speak on an agenda item, please turn in a speaker slip when the item begins. For members of the public who wish to join virtually, please refer to the agenda for the Zoom link. My apologies. Got it. Okay. Then please disregard what I just said, and you should have shown up here at the meeting for public comment, I guess. My apologies. No problem. We'll go ahead then and get started with today's agenda. Uh starting with the opening acknowledgments in honor of Sacramento's indigenous people and tribal lands from Commissioner Merker. Please rise. The original people of this land, the Nissanan people, the Southern Maidu Valley and Plains Miwak, Patwinwinton peoples, and the people of the Wilton Rancheria, Sacramento's only federally recognized tribe. May we acknowledge and honor the native people who came before us and still walk beside us today on these ancestral lands by choosing to gather together today in the active practice of acknowledgement and appreciation for Sacramento's indigenous people's history, contributions, and lives. Thank you. Thank you. And please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance from Vice Chair Root. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. You may be seated. Thank you. Our first business today is the consent calendar. Is on the consent calendar the approval of the preservation commission meeting minutes. Clerk, are there any members of the public who wish to speak on the item? Thank you, Chair. I have no speaker slips on this item. Thank you, Clerk. Are there any commissioners who wish to speak on this item or make a motion to approve the minutes? Vice Chair Root. I'd like to make a motion to approve the minutes as they are currently stated.
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