Council trims historic‑preservation awards, removes $4,550 grant for prayer‑rug project
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Summary
Pierce County Council approved R2026‑105 to distribute historic preservation funds but adopted an amendment removing a $4,550 award for the Pacific Northwest Prayer Rug project; the resolution was adopted 7‑0 after discussion about program eligibility and code clarity.
The Pierce County Council on March 10 adopted Resolution R2026‑105, authorizing disbursement of historic preservation grant funds as recommended by the Landmarks and Historic Preservation Commission, but amended the list of awards to remove one $4,550 grant for a Pacific Northwest Prayer Rug project.
Planning staff told the council 28 applications requested a combined $478,054 while the historic preservation fund was budgeted at $399,350 for the 2026 portion of the biennium; only $80,000 was available for the cycle. Staff presented the Landmarks Commission recommendations — initially partial funding for 15 projects — and noted that both fiscal and equity analyses were included in the packet.
Mr. Swanson, briefing the council, said Amendment 1 was technical (correcting scrambled council district columns in Exhibit A). Amendment 2, described by Councilmember Moreau, was substantive: it removed the $4,550 appropriation for the Pacific Northwest Prayer Rug project from Exhibit A and reduced total distribution from $80,000 to $75,450 and approved grants from 15 to 14.
"In my research, I feel this doesn't qualify for a historical, preservation grant," Councilmember Moreau said, arguing the application and applicant (the Center for Global Muslim Life, Seattle/Kirkland) appeared to be an art project and not directly tied to Pierce County history. Councilmember Kruger and others supported revisiting grant criteria to ensure projects are tied to county history.
Councilmember Ayala said he would support the amendment while committing to the funds the commission intended for other applicants and signaled a willingness to work on clarifying code language and processes.
A member of the public, Jean Castanti of the Historic Slavonian Hall Foundation, spoke in favor of grants to restore the 118‑year‑old hall and described the west‑wall stabilization need and asbestos tile issues.
After discussion, the council approved the technical correction and the removal amendment and then adopted R2026‑105 as amended by roll call (7 ayes, 0 nays). The staff packet shows 28 applications requesting $478,054; the historic preservation fund for 2026 is budgeted at $399,350; available funds for this cycle were $80,000 before the $4,550 removal, which adjusted the approved distribution to $75,450 and 14 funded projects.
The council directed staff and councilmembers to pursue clarifying the grant criteria and noted vacancies on the Historic Preservation Commission as an opportunity for public appointment.