Agenda Item Wording:
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Historic Preservation Advisory Committee Reappointments - Reappoint Kim Lusk to a first two-year term, reappoint Karen Ayala to a second two-year term, and reappoint Jay Hohlbauch to a third two-year term, on the Historic Preservation Advisory Committee.
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Deadline for Action: 6/30/2025
Submitting Department: Community Development
Contact Name and Phone Number:
Tyler Davis, 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 take the following actions:
1. Reappoint Kim Lusk to the Committee for a first full two-year term, beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2027. Please note on July 15, 2024, the City Council appointed Ms. Lusk to a partial term on the HPAC beginning July 15, 2024, and ending June 30, 2025, to fill the remaining term of Committee member Walter Deissler who resigned from the committee.
2. Reappoint Karen Ayala to the Committee for a second two-year term beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2027.
3. Reappoint Jay Hohlbauch to the Committee for a third two-year term beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2027. Please note, Mr. Hohlbauch has already served for 5 out of the maximum 6 years allowed for a committee appointment. However, the request for a two-year term is intended to maintain the 4/3 split of committee member term expirations between odd- and even-numbered years, which was re-established by adjusting one of Mr. Hohlbauch’s previous terms in 2022 from 2 years to 1 year.
Summary:
The HPAC currently has six seated members out of seven available positions. The reappointments of all three members will allow the Committee to continue to pursue its mission to protect historical resources in the City of Visalia and will maintain the 4/3 split of committee member term expirations between odd- and even numbered years.
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 six active members. The HPAC is currently working on updating the Historic Recognition Program, which awards plaques to significant and/or well-maintained historic structures, and completing a survey of the Historic District and adjacent areas. The appointments will ensure that the Committee retains a sufficient quorum to continue to conduct project reviews and to also bring their long-range projects to completion. Also, if the nomination of Mr. Hohlbauch is approved, it will maintain the 4/3 split of committee member term expirations between odd- and even-numbered years. This will have the effect of extending Mr. Hohlbauch’s total committee appointment to 7 years, one more than allowed by Committee guidelines. However, term limits are ultimately at the discretion of the City Council. It should be noted that members of the Planning Commission and Parks & Recreation Commission serve for up to 8 years, so the length of appointment is not unusual. Furthermore, Hohlbauch has a unique knowledge base that is of great use to the HPAC, being the only member on the Committee that is a licensed general contractor.
Information about each of the candidates is provided below:
• Jay Hohlbauch previously served a combined total of 11 years on the HPAC, from July 2013 to June 2019, and July 2020 to June 2025. Mr. Hohlbauch currently works as a general contractor 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 continued service on 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.
• Karen Ayala is an elementary school physical education teacher with the Porterville Unified School District and has worked in the teaching profession for eight years. Ms. Ayala obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from California State University Fresno and received a teaching credential from Fresno Pacific University. Ms. Ayala is active as a member of Visalia Heritage, a local historical group, and volunteers her time with Valley Oak SPCA. Ms. Ayala is also fluent in Spanish and was influential in efforts to translate HPAC pamphlets and public notices to Spanish. Ms. Ayala is the current Vice Chair of the HPAC and resides in a residence located within the Historic District.
• Kim Lusk is a semi-retired teacher and administrator with the Visalia Unified School District (VUSD), who served with the District for 32 years. Ms. Lusk graduated from Fresno State University with a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts and a master’s degree in education administration. Ms. Lusk was active during her time with the VUSD volunteering with the Facilities/Building Committee and serving as the chair of the Measure A Committee. Ms. Lusk also served on the Visalia Unified Teachers Association Political Action Committee, conducting public outreach and assisting with school board campaigns. Currently Ms. Lusk is active with the Assistance League of Visalia, providing clothing and books to underserved children in Tulare County.
The current HPAC membership is as follows:
1. Tyler Davis, Chair - 3rd term
2. Jay Hohlbauch - 2nd term
3. Karen Ayala - 1st term
4. Jerome Melgar - 2nd term
5. Kim Lusk - partial 1st term
6. Erick Arriaga - 1st term
7. Vacant (previously filled by Michael Tomola who resigned April 2025)
With these reappointments, two out of the six HPAC members will reside within the Historic District (Mr. Davis and Ms. Ayala).
Fiscal Impact: None.
Prior Council Action:
• Appointed Erick Arriaga to the Committee for a partial first term, beginning October 21, 2024, and ending June 30, 2026.
• Appointed Karen Ayala to the Committee for a first two-year term, beginning July 1, 2023, and ending June 30, 2025.
• Appointed Kim Lusk to the Committee for a partial first term, completing the remaining term of former Committee member Walter Deissler, beginning July 15, 2024, and ending June 30, 2025.
• On June 20, 2022, the City Council reappointed Jay Hohlbauch to the Committee for a one-year term beginning July 1, 2022, and ending June 30, 2023. The request to only appoint Mr. Hohlbauch for one year at that time was the result of a disproportionate number of committee members with terms expiring in even years. Once approved by the City Council, the term expirations reverted back to a 4/3 split, with three terms expiring in odd years and four terms expiring in even years. Hohlbauch was later reappointed to a full two-year term by the City Council on June 19, 2023.
Alternatives:
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
• I move to reappoint Kim Lusk to a first two-year term, beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2027, and
• I move to reappoint Karen Ayala to a second two-year term, beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2027, and
• I move to reappoint Jay Hohlbauch to a third two-year term beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2027.
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CEQA Review:
No environmental review is required for Committee appointments.
Attachments:
1. Historic Preservation Advisory Committee - 2025 Meeting Attendance
2. City of Visalia Committee and Commissions Handbook