HomeMy WebLinkAboutReappointment of Jerry Person as City Historian for a four-yDept. ID CK 15-004 Page 1 of 2
Meeting Date: 9/21/2015
Approved 7 - 0
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH
REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
MEETING DATE:
9/21/2015
SUBMITTED TO:
Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY:
Joan L. Flynn, City Clerk
PREPARED BY:
Joan L. Flynn, City Clerk
SUBJECT: Approve the reappointment of Jerry Person as City Historian for a four-year term
commencing September 21, 2015, to September 21, 2019
Statement of Issue:
On September 6, 2011, the City Council reappointed Jerry Person as City Historian/Archivist for a
four -term that expired August 20, 2015. For the last month, the position has been vacant and after
appropriate posting, Council is being asked to fill the vacancy.
Financial Impact:
Costs associated with this process are minimal and will be absorbed within departmental operating
expenses.
Recommended Action:
Reappoint Jerry Person as the City Historian for a four-year term commencing September 21,
2015, to September 21, 2019.
Alternative Action(s):
Deny the motion and direct staff accordingly
Analysis:
At a regular meeting of August 20, 2007, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2009-01 that
established the non -paid, voluntary positions of City Historian and City Archivist to collect, manage
and maintain original and reprinted historical photography, documents, maps, books and related
publications and to assist the public, media and government bodies in historical research. On that
same date, Council also appointed Jerry Person as City Historian for a four-year term commencing
August 20, 2007, to August 20, 2011.
In August 2011, the City Council reappointed Jerry Person to serve as both City Historian and City
Archivist as there were no applicants for the position of City Archivist. Up until that time the City
Clerk staff was managing the archival of historical records without the aid of an individual archivist.
Mr. Person indicated a preference to manage duties associated with the preservation of historical
records. Mr. Person's experience as City Historian, extensive knowledge of historical Huntington
Beach, and the valuable relationships he has developed with the City Council, City staff,
representatives from various civic organizations and the media provide valuable support of his
request for reappointment to a third term.
Resolution 2009-01 resolves that the positions of City Historian and City Archivist are renewable
with Council approval. The California Legislature's "Maddy Act" also provides guidelines for
Dept. ID CK 15-004 Page 2 of 2
Meeting Date: 9/21/2015
informing the public of when a vacancy occurs for positions appointed by the local legislative body.
To comply with Maddy Act guidelines, a Notice of Vacancy for City Historian was posted at City
Hall, the Central Library, and the City's website. At the conclusion of a twenty -day posting period,
the City had not received additional applications for this vacant position. Therefore, it is the
recommendation of the City Clerk that Mr. Person be appointed to a new four-year term as City
Historian.
Environmental Status:
Not applicable.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Non -Applicable —Administrative Item
Attachmentfs):
1. Notice of Vacancy— City Historian
2. Letter from Jerry Person requesting reappointment
'i'ti'eframe En
THE CITY OF HIUNTINGTON BEACH
�r
NOTICE OF VACANCY
City Historian
Notice is hereby given that on August 20, 2015 the voluntary position of
City Historian will become available for reappointment or appointment.
This position serves a four-year term commencing August 20, 2015 to
August 20, 2019.
Persons interested applying for this position, please contact:
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH
Attn: Robin Estanislau
2000 Main Street
Huntington Beach CA 92648
For more information about this position, please contact Robin Estanislau
(Staff Liaison) by phone (714) 536-5405, or email at
Robin. Estanislau@surfcity-hb.org.
Today's Date: August 13, 2015
Filing Deadline: September 4, 2015
Total # of Vacancies: 1
Vacant Position: City Historian
Please express written interest to the City Clerk's Office prior to the identified deadline.
The Maddy Act requires public notification and posting of unscheduled vacancies not
earlier than 20 days before or not later than 20 days after the vacancy occurs. Final
appointment to the identified position shall not be made by the legislative body for at
least 10 working days after the posting of the notice in designated locations.
August 14 2015
Mayor Jill Hardy
Members of the City Council
Dear Mayor Hardy,
It is an honor to serve the City of Huntington Beach and its residents as its City Historian during this
time. I am requesting the City Council to please consider me for reappointment as the City's
Historian for an additional four year term.
During this time I have received numerous email and phone requests from the public, City Council
members and the media for information on former residents, photos of historical events and people,
past local businesses and places that I was able to provide.
But what I am most proud of during these last four years is finding a veteran's name that had been left
off our war memorial that began a chain of events that lead to Ardenne Allen Woodward's name being
added to the list of veterans from Huntington Beach who gave their lives in war.
For me it was a very emotional experience to have met Woodward's daughter Karen and talked to her
about her father during our commemoration ceremony.
I also believe my 33 years of experience as docent at the Newland House Museum and my extensive
knowledge of the city's historical past is a unique asset I bring to the position of City Historian.
I would be honored and thankful for your support in my reappointment as City Historian for another
four years,
Sincerely.
i erry Person
Estanislau, Robin
From: k s [iamalmira@hotmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, September 08, 2015 11:26 AM
To: Estanislau, Robin
Subject: Jerry
I was taking a break and a short walk down by the rose garden when I noticed a posting for the City Historian
job on the bulletin board down there.
I sincerely hope Jerry is willing to continue as City Historian and I hope no other applicant would be seriously
considered by the City Council. No one is more qualified. His work this year alone getting Woodward's name
added to the WWII monument demonstrates this.
I hope he will continue to serve as City Historian for as long as he is willing to do so.
Kathie Schey