Historic Preservation Commission reviews expiring terms, interim-chair plan and $10,400 2026 budget

Vice Chair Andy Greg announced that Chair Elaine Thatcher has stepped down and the commission discussed whether to elect an interim chair through June 30 or to recruit volunteers for the May meeting; staff said they will consult absent members (including Jan Bader) and confirm quorum before appointing any interim arrangements.

Staff (Bart) reviewed which seats are city of Vancouver appointees (Rob Thomas and John Zengali) and which are county appointees (including Andy Greg); he explained the city and county follow biannual or county recruitment processes that commissioners must use if they seek reappointment.

Susan (staff) presented a budget update: the 2026 allotment for the commission is $10,400. Previously approved line items (memberships and a Clark County Historical Museum lecture series) total $3,715, leaving approximately $6,685 available for conferences, training, or other uses. Commissioners discussed options including sending representatives to the Cultural Resource Protection Summit, applying for grants to fund a camp-training program (past camp training cost about $11,000), and hosting targeted public workshops on tax incentives or preservation tools.

Commissioners agreed to register Commissioner Frasier for the Cultural Resource Protection Summit and asked staff to explore grant opportunities and partnership-hosted events to stretch available funds. No formal budget vote was taken; staff said they would follow up with sign-ups and grants research.

The meeting closed after a motion to adjourn by Commissioner Frasier and a second from Commissioner Zengali; a voice vote was taken and the meeting was adjourned. The commission expects to meet in person in June.