REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Travis Hopkins, City Manager
VIA: Ashley Wysocki, Director of Community & Library Services
PREPARED BY: Michelle Roesner, Senior Administrative Assistant
Subject:
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Approve one appointment and four reappointments to the Historic Resources Board, with terms to expire June 30, 2029, as recommended by City Council Liaisons, Butch Twining and Andrew Gruel
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Statement of Issue:
There is a need to fill five vacancies on the Historic Resources Board (HRB). Per Huntington Beach Municipal Code (HBMC) 2.107.010, the Board is “to consist of not less than seven nor more than nine members, to be appointed to serve terms of four years.” Currently, the terms of four members will expire on June 30, 2025. The four outgoing board members, Amory Hanson, Alan Ray, Duane Wentworth, and Mark Zambrano, have expressed interest in continuing to serve. Additionally, Jayme Makis has submitted an application to serve on the Board.
Financial Impact:
Not Applicable.
Recommended Action:
recommendation
A) Approve the appointment of Jayme Makis to the Historic Resources Board, effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027, as recommended by City Council Liaisons Butch Twining and Andrew Gruel; and
B) Approve the reappointments of Amory Hanson, Alan Ray, Duane Wentworth, and Mark Zambrano to the Historic Resources Board, effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029, as recommended by City Council Liaisons Butch Twining and Andrew Gruel.
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Alternative Action(s):
Do not approve the recommended actions and direct staff accordingly.
Analysis:
The HRB is a seven to nine-member advisory body to the City Council with a mission to encourage and promote programs and activities that enhance public awareness of community historic resources.
The terms of Amory Hanson, Alan Ray, Duane Wentworth, and Mark Zambrano will expire on June 30, 2025, with all four requesting reappointments. Additionally, an application to serve on the HRB was received from Jayme Makis. Based on their review and approval, City Council Liaisons Butch Twining and Andrew Gruel are recommending the appointment of Jayme Makis and reappointments of Hanson, Ray, Wentworth, and Zambrano.
Mr. Hanson has lived in Huntington Beach for 27 years and has served on the historic resources board since 2019. He is greatly interested in Huntington Beach and its history. In addition to serving on the Historic Resources Board, Mr. Hanson is also a member of the Orange County Historical Society.
Mr. Ray has lived in Huntington Beach for over 20 years, since 2004. He also lived here in the 1970s with his parents and is a graduate of Huntington Beach High School. He has been interested in local history since his return to Huntington Beach and currently serves on the board of directors of the Orange County Historical Society. He was the liaison to the Historic Resources Board for a few years while he was on the Planning Commission, so he is well versed in the board's activities and enjoyed working with the people on the board. He is a retired CPA, has an MBA from Cal State Long Beach, and has spent the last 25 years of his career as a Chief Financial Officer. He looks forward to continuing to serve the community and City Council as a member of the Historic Resources Board.
Mr. Wentworth is the current Chair of the HRB. He has been a resident of Huntington Beach since 1950. His family dates back to 1903 when it was still Pacific City, and his family has six generations in Huntington Beach. His Great-Grandfather was Ed Manning, the City’s first mayor in 1909. He is a retired City employee having spent 41 years working for Public Works Engineering. His family has been imbedded in the history of Huntington Beach since its inception. His Mother was the City Clerk and City Historian.
Mr. Zambrano has a strong interest in knowing, sharing, and preserving the history of Huntington Beach, especially as it relates to surfing. To that end, he wrote a book titled Surfing in Huntington Beach, which catalogues both surfing and the City’s history dating back to the early 20th century, as well as seeks to preserve the stories of local residents who lived that history. Most recently, he worked with the non-profit, Sea of Clouds, to help their efforts to get the wave zones beside the pier listed on the Register of National Historic Places. Through these pursuits, and continued work on the HRB alongside his esteemed fellow members, they hope to ensure HB’s history stays preserved.
Environmental Status:
This action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Non Applicable - Administrative Item
Attachment(s):
1. Reappointment letter from Amory Hanson
2. Reappointment letter from Alan Ray
3. Reappointment letter from Duane Wentworth
4. Reappointment letter from Mark Zambrano
5. Application of Jayme Mekis
6. Historic Resources Board Roster - June 2025