Agenda Item Wording:
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Historic Preservation Advisory Committee Appointment - Appoint Jocelyn Duran to a partial first term on the Historic Preservation Advisory Committee.
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Deadline for Action: 7/21/2025
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
Paul Bernal, Planning and Community Preservation Director, 713-4025 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 Jocelyn Duran to the Committee for a partial first term, completing the remaining term of former Committee member Michael Tomola, beginning July 21, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026.
Summary:
The HPAC currently has six seated members out of seven available positions. The appointment of Jocelyn Duran will fill a vacancy created by resignation of a former Committee member and allow the Committee to 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 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 appointment of Ms. Duran will ensure that the Committee retains sufficient numbers to bring their long-range projects to completion, as well as continuing to conduct project reviews. If the nomination to appoint Ms. Duran is approved, Ms. Duran will fill the vacancy left by Michael Tomola, who resigned on April 13, 2025, with this partial term beginning July 21, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026.
Jocelyn Duran is an interior design assistant with DLB Design, an interior design studio based in Downtown Visalia. Ms. Duran’s work consists of designing/drawing interior plans for residential and commercial projects. Ms. Duran also is a member of Visalia Heritage, a local non-profit organization dedicated to preserving Visalia’s historical past through community engagement, serving on its board, working as a bilingual docent for walking tours, and participating in Visalia Heritage “Depot Project”, which is an effort to convert the former Depot Restaurant (207 East Oak Avenue) into a cultural center and historic museum.
Ms. Duran is also active in Christian ministry, serving 50 hours per month since 2024. Ms. Duran has studied at both Bakersfield College, where she obtained an Industrial Drawing AutoCAD Job Skills certificate, and California State University, Fresno, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in interior design. Ms. Duran notes that she has a strong interest in the visual and performing arts and enjoys attending the Arts Consortium’s “First Friday” arts events.
The current HPAC membership is as follows:
1. Tyler Davis, Chair - 3rd term
2. Karen Ayala, Vice-Chair - 2nd term
3. Jay Hohlbauch - 3rd term
4. Jerome Melgar - 2nd term
5. Kim Lusk - 2nd term
6. Erick Arriaga - 1st term
7. Vacant (previously filled by Michael Tomola).
With this appointment, two out of the seven HPAC members reside within the Historic District (Mr. Davis and Ms. Ayala). None of the applicants who applied for this current vacancy reside on property within the Historic District or on the Local Register.
Fiscal Impact: None.
Prior Council Action:
On June 16, 2025, the City Council took the following actions:
1. Reappointed Kim Lusk to the Committee for a first two-year term, beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2027.
2. Reappointed Karen Ayala to the Committee for a second two-year term beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2027.
3. Reappointed Jay Hohlbauch to the Committee for a third two-year term beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2027.
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 Jocelyn Duran to a partial first term beginning July 21, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026.
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CEQA Review:
No environmental review is required for Committee appointments.
Attachments:
1. Committee Application - Jocelyn Duran
2. City of Visalia Committee and Commissions Handbook