Agenda Item Wording:
title
Appoint Walter Deissler and Jay Hohlbauch to a second one-year term, appoint Tyler Davis to a second two-year term, and appoint Patricia Kane and Michael Kreps to a third two-year term on the Historic Preservation Advisory Committee.
body
Deadline for Action: 6/20/2022
Submitting Department: Community Development
Contact Name and Phone Number:
Walter Deissler, Chairperson, Historic Preservation Advisory Committee
Cristobal Carrillo, Associate Planner, (559) 713-4443, cristobal.carrillo@visalia.city <mailto:cristobal.carrillo@visalia.city>
Paul Bernal, Community Development Director, 713-4025 paul.bernal@visalia.city <mailto:paul.bernal@visalia.city>
Department Recommendation:
Staff recommends that the City Council accept the recommendation of the Historic Preservation Advisory Committee (HPAC) and do the following:
1. Appoint Walter Deissler to the Committee for a second one-year term beginning July 1, 2022, and ending June 30, 2023. The request to only appoint Mr. Deissler for one year is a result of a disproportionate number of committee members with terms expiring in even years. If approved for a one-year term, reappoints for HPAC committee members will revert back to a 4/3 split with a portion with terms expiring in odd years and a portion with terms expiring in even years.
2. Appoint Jay Hohlbauch to the Committee for a second one-year term beginning July 1, 2022, and ending June 30, 2023. The request to only appoint Mr. Hohlbauch for one year is a result of a disproportionate number of committee members with terms expiring in even years. If approved for a one-year term, reappoints for HPAC committee members will revert back to a 4/3 split with a portion with terms expiring in odd years and a portion with terms expiring in even years.
3. Appoint Tyler Davis to the Committee for a second two-year term beginning July 1, 2022, and ending June 30, 2024.
4. Appoint Patricia Kane to the Committee for a third two-year term beginning July 1, 2022, and ending June 30, 2024.
5. Appoint Michael Kreps to the Committee for a third two-year term beginning July 1, 2022, and ending June 30, 2024.
Summary:
Staff and the Historic Preservation Advisory Committee (HPAC) request the City Council appoint Walter Deissler and Jay Hohlbauch to a second one-year term and appoint Tyler Davis to a second two-year term on the Committee and appoint Patricia Kane and Michael Kreps to a third two-year term on the Committee.
When preparing the staff report for HPAC reappointments, staff concluded that a disproportionate number of committee members (six HPAC members) will have terms expiring June 30, 2024, leaving only one member (Marilynn Mitchell) with her first term expiring June 3, 2023. As a result, staff is requesting at this time that two committee members, Walter Deissler and Jay Hohlbauch, be reappointed for a second one-year term. If approved, this will result in committee reappointments reverting back to a 4/3 split with four committee members having terms expire in even years while three committee members will have terms expiring in odd years.
The HPAC currently has a fully seated seven-member panel. The reappointment of all five members will allow the Committee to retain a quorum and continue to pursue its mission to protect historical resources in the City of Visalia.
Background Discussion:
The HPAC is a seven-member committee which administers the Historic Preservation Ordinance and encourages property owners to maintain the historic character of their properties. The Committee meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month.
The HPAC currently operates with a fully seated Committee of seven active members. The HPAC is currently working on two major projects: a comprehensive update to the Local Register of Historic Structures, and a review of the Historic Preservation Ordinance for potential ordinance revisions. Reappointment of all five members will ensure that the Committee retains sufficient membership to form a quorum and shepherd the two projects to completion. Reappointment also provides the Committee with sufficient membership to initiate new projects aimed at protecting historic resources.
Information about each of the candidates is provided below:
• Walter Deissler is an architect recently retired from working with In-N-Out Burger. He graduated from the University of Southern California in 1975 and has a keen interest in historic architecture and the preservation of historic places in the City of Visalia. Mr. Deissler has served on the HPAC since August 2020, acting as Chair of the Committee since July 2021. Mr. Deissler also serves on the City of Visalia Mural Panel, the Tulare County HOPE Building Committee, and is the Vice-President of Visalia Heritage, a local historical group. Walter Deissler was previously involved in the restoration of the California Bungalow house located at 715 North Willis Street.
• Tyler Davis is an Account Manager with the Monrovia Nursery Company with an avid interest in historic preservation. He studied at the College of the Sequoias and obtained an associate degree in the field of Ornamental Horticulture. Mr. Davis also enjoys gardening and is the president of the Visalia Succulent Club. Mr. Davis has served on the HPAC since June 2021, acting as Vice-Chair for much of that time. Mr. Davis has also served on the Board of Trustees for the Sarah A. Mooney Museum in Lemoore and is a 20-year member of the National Trust of Historic Preservation. Mr. Davis maintains and resides in a historic home along the Encina Street corridor.
• Jay Hohlbauch has previously served four, two-year terms on the HPAC from July 2013 to June 2019, and June 2020 to June 2022. Mr. Hohlbauch currently works in the construction trade and has a wide breadth of knowledge in the care and maintenance of historic structures. Coupled with his extensive experience serving as a member of the HPAC, Mr. Hohlbauch’s reappointment to the HPAC would be a boon for the Committee, as no other members currently work in construction. Mr. Hohlbauch is also a member of the HPAC Sub-Committee tasked with working with the Building Advisory Committee.
• Patricia Kane is a retiree who previously worked doing consulting and technical writing for major financial institutions. Kane has served on the Committee since April 2018 and was previously the Committee Chair from November 2019 to August 2020. Ms. Kane has a deep interest in local history and has volunteered time to take on additional tasks for the Committee, including drafting correspondence to property owners and serving on the Certified Local Government Sub-Committee.
• Michael Kreps is an architect with a local office in Visalia who is well versed in public service. Mr. Kreps has been a member of the HPAC since March 2019. Mr. Kreps serves on the board of Visalia Heritage as its President and volunteers his time with Arts Visalia. Mr. Kreps has also volunteered time to take on additional tasks for the Committee, serving as a member of the Sub-Committee tasked with working with the Building Advisory Committee.
The current membership of the HPAC is as follows:
1. Walter Deissler, Chair - 1st term
2. Tyler Davis, Vice-Chair - 1st term (partial)
3. Patricia Kane - 2nd term
4. Michael Kreps - 2nd term
5. Marilynn Mitchell - 1st term
6. Jay Hohlbauch - 1st term
7. Jordan Mulrooney - 1st term
Fiscal Impact: None.
Prior Council Action:
On May 2, 2022, the City Council took the following actions:
• Appointed Jordan Mulrooney to complete the remaining term of former Committee member Peggy Lambert, beginning May 2, 2022, and ending June 30, 2022.
• Appointed Jordan Mulrooney to the Committee for a first two-year term beginning July 1, 2022, and ending June 30, 2024
Alternatives:
1. The City Council may direct staff to initiate the recruitment process for Historic Preservation Advisory Committee members immediately.
Recommended Motions (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
1. I move to reappoint the five member to the Visalia Historic Preservation Committee as recommended.
end
CEQA Review: No environmental review is required for Committee appointments.
Attachments:
1. Historic Preservation Advisory Committee - 2022 Meeting Attendance
2. City of Visalia Committee and Commissions Handbook