Agenda Item Wording:
title
Appoint Karen Ayala to a first two year term, and reappoint Jay Hohlbauch and Walter Deissler to a second two year term, on the Historic Preservation Advisory Committee.
body
Deadline for Action: 6/19/2023
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 Karen Ayala to the Committee for a first two-year term beginning July 1, 2023 and ending June 30, 2025. Please note the City Council appointed Karen Ayala to a partial six-month term on the HPAC to complete the remaining term of former Committee member Marilynn Mitchell, beginning January 17, 2023, and ending June 30, 2023
2. Reappoint Walter Deissler to the Committee for a second two-year term beginning July 1, 2023 and ending June 30, 2025.
3. Reappoint Jay Hohlbauch to the Committee for a second two-year term beginning July 1, 2023 and ending June 30, 2025.
Summary:
The HPAC currently has a fully seated seven-member panel. The reappointment of all three 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 a survey of the Historic District and adjacent areas. Reappointment of the three members will ensure that the Committee retains a fully seated membership, with sufficient numbers to bring the Historic District survey project to completion.
Information about each of the candidates is provided below:
• 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 also resides in a residence located within the Historic District.
• Jay Hohlbauch has previously served a total of nine years on the HPAC from July 2013 to June 2019, and June 2020 to June 2023. 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 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.
• 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. Mr. Deissler was previously involved in the restoration of the California Bungalow house located at 715 North Willis Street.
The current HPAC membership is as follows:
1. Walter Deissler, Chair - 2nd partial term
2. Tyler Davis, Vice-Chair - 2nd term
3. Patricia Kane - 3rd term
4. Michael Kreps - 3rd term
5. Jay Hohlbauch - 2nd partial term
6. Jordan Mulrooney - 1st term
7. Karen Ayala - 1st partial term
Due to recent changes made by the City Council, alternates positions are no longer available.
Fiscal Impact: None.
Prior Council Action:
• On January 17, 2023, the City Council appointed Karen Ayala to a partial six-month term on the HPAC to complete the remaining term of former Committee member Marilynn Mitchell, beginning January 17, 2023, and ending June 30, 2023.
• On June 20, 2022, the City Council appointed Walter Deissler and Jay Hohlbauch to a one-year term on the HPAC beginning July 1, 2022, and ending June 30, 2023. Both were appointed for one year as a result of a disproportionate number of HPAC members with terms expiring in even years. The one-year appointments assisted in reverting the HPAC to a 4/3 split, with three members terms expiring in odd years and four members terms expiring in even years.
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 appoint Karen Ayala to a first two-year term beginning July 1, 2023 and ending June 30, 2025, and I move to reappoint Jay Hohlbauch, and Walter Deissler to a second two-year term beginning July 1, 2023 and ending June 30, 2025.
end
CEQA Review:
No environmental review is required for Committee appointments.
Attachments:
1. Historic Preservation Advisory Committee - 2023 Meeting Attendance
2. City of Visalia Committee and Commissions Handbook