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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApprove the Reappointment of Jerry Person as City Historian, _ City of Huntington Beach 1`r File #: 19-811 MEETING DATE: 9/16/2019 REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members SUBMITTED BY: Robin Estanislau, CMC, City Clerk PREPARED BY: Robin Estanislau, CMC, City Clerk Subject: Approve the reappointment of Jerry Person as City Historian, and the appointment of Kathie Schey as City Archivist, each to serve a four-year term commencing September 22, 2019, and ending on September 22, 2023 Statement of Issue: The current City Historian's four-year term is set to expire on September 21, 2019, and Council is being asked to fill the vacancy. Additionally, staff is recommending that the Council appoint a City Archivist with the same four-year term. Financial Impact: Costs associated with this process are minimal and will be absorbed with department operating expenses. Recommended Action: A) Reappoint Jerry Person as City Historian for a four-year term commencing September 22, 2019, to September 22, 2023; and, B) Appoint Kathie Schey as City Archivist for a four-year term commencing September 22, 2019, to September 22, 2023. Alternative Action(s): Deny the motion and direct staff accordingly. Analvsis: City Council Resolution No. 2009-01 resolves that the voluntary positions of City Historian and City Archivist are renewable with Council approval. The California Legislature's "Maddy Act" also provides guidelines for informing the public of when a vacancy occurs for positions appointed by the local legislative body. Notices of Vacancy for the voluntary positions of City Historian and City Archivist were posted for public review at the Huntington Civic Center, City libraries, and on the City's website to comply with Maddy Act guidelines. At the conclusion of the posting period, the City City of Huntington Beach Page 1 of 2 Printed on 9/11/2019 pov crec2A,Leg!starT" File #: 19-811 MEETING DATE: 9/16/2019 received written interest for reappointment from Jerry Person, the current City Historian, and from Kathie Schey for appointment as City Archivist. Jerry Person served his first four-year term from August 20, 2007, to August 20, 2011, and was reappointed by Council for two consecutive four-year terms, with the current term set to expire on September 21, 2019. On July 16, 2019, Mr. Person delivered a written communication to Council requesting to remain as City Historian for a fourth, four-year term. Kathie Schey, award-winning research historian and archivist delivered a written communication on August 27, 2019, requesting formal appointment as City Archivist for a four-year term. Certified as a Local Government Archives and Records Administrator and member of the Society of American Archivists, Kathie has unofficially served as City Archivist for the past several years, volunteering countless hours to the City to assist with research and documentation of a variety of historic records in different types of media without official recognition. Kathie currently serves as Chair of the Historic Resources Board (HRB), and HRB liaison to the Design Review Board (DRB). The City Clerk's Office looks forward to a continued partnership with both individuals, and offers praise and appreciation for the valuable service they provide to the City of Huntington Beach. Environmental Status: Not applicable. Strategic Plan Goal: Non-Applicable - Administrative Item Attachment(s): 1. Resolution No. 2009-01 2. Notice of Vacancy Forms 3. Reappointment Request by Jerry Person 4. Appointment Request by Kathie Schey City of Huntington Beach Page 2 of 2 Printed on 9/11/2019 powerea2A,Legistarll RESOLUTION NO. 200g_n 1 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH ESTABLISHING AND APPOINTING A CITY HISTORIAN AND CITY ARCHIVIST WHEREAS, the citizens of the City of Huntington Beach can benefit from knowledge of the history of the City; and The collection,management and maintenance of original and reprinted historical photography,documents, maps, books and related publications will assist the public,media and government bodies in historical research; and The City Council wishes to establish the non-paid; voluntary positions of City Historian and City Archivist.to provide a source to those seeking historical information about the City of Huntington Beach, . NOW, THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach that the non-paid, voluntary positions of City Historian and City Archivists are hereby established. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the positions of City Historian and City Archivist shall be for a four-year term,renewable with City Council approval, and be under the general supervision of the City Clerk,who shall establish criteria for the review and selection of those to be recommended to City Council for approval. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Clerk is authorized to appropriate and administer annual funds to support the City Historian and City Archivist to research, store and reproduce historical records and documents. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Jerry Person is appointed as City Historian for a four-year term commencing August 20, 2007 to August 20,2011,and, that Joel Watkins is appointed as City Archivist for a four-year term commencing August 20,2007 to August 20, 2011. 08-1860/27748 1 26 Reso. No. 2009-01 PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach at a regular meeting thereof held on the 20th. day of January , 2009 Mayor REVIE D APPROVED: AP VED AS TO FORM: City i strator j itAtto eyD46 (-O`� 0 INITIATED AND APPR VED: City +lerk' 08-1860/27748 2 27 Res. No. 2009-01 STATE OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF ORANGE ) ss: CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH ) I, JOAN L. FLYNN the duly elected, qualified City Clerk of the City of Huntington Beach, and ex-officio Clerk of the City Council of said City, do hereby certify that-the whole number of members of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach is seven; that the foregoing resolution was passed and adopted by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of all the members of said City Council at a regular meeting thereof held on January 20, 2009 by the following vote: AYES: Carchio, Dwyer, Green, Bohr, Coerper, Hardy, Hansen NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None 2 4& City Clerk and ex-officio Clerk of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach, California 28 �� ome THE CITY F I-IUNTINGTON BEACH A _ N a NOTICE OF VACANCY City Historian Notice is hereby given that the City Clerk's Office is now accepting written requests for appointment to the voluntary position of City Historian. This position will serve a four-year term that will commence on September 22, 2019, concluding on September 22, 2023. Persons interested in applying for this position, please contact: CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH Attn: Robin Estanislau, City Clerk 2000 Main Street Huntington Beach CA 92648 Phone (714) 536-5405; email Robin.Estanislau@surfcity-hb.org. Today's Date: August 1 , 2019 Filing Deadline: September 2, 2019 Please express written interest to the City Clerk's Office prior to the identified deadline. It is anticipated that the City Council will consider requests for appointment or reappointment to this position at their regular meeting of September 16, 2019. 29 to THE. CITY OF HUNTIN TON BEACH r t ®TICE OF VACANCY City Archivist Notice is hereby given that the City Clerk's Office is now accepting written requests for appointment to the voluntary position of City Archivist. This position will serve a four-year term that will commence on September 22, 2019, concluding on September 22, 2023. Persons interested in applying for this position, please contact: CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH Attn: Robin Estanislau, City Clerk 2000 Main Street Huntington Beach CA 92648 Phone (714) 536-5405; email Robin.Estanislau@surfcity-hb.org. Today's Date: August 1 , 2019 Filing Deadline: September 2, 2019 Please express written interest to the City Clerk's Office prior to the identified deadline. It is anticipated that the City Council will consider requests for appointment to this position at their regular meeting of September 16, 2019. 30 City of Huntington Beach 2000 Main Street • Huntington Beach, CA 92648 July 16,2019 `= Mayor Erik Peterson Members of the City Council v Dear Mayor Peterson, It has been 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. The following are just three projects I have helped people with in 2019: Genny McKinney from Brunswick,GA needed as much information as I could find about Marion Speer(Speer Avenue) who originally had a western museum in his home on Speer Ave. He would later give the items to Walter Knott that would be the basis of the Western Trails Museum at the park. Genny's mother stayed with the Lane family in the California town of Calico in 1928-29 when it was a real mining town. I supplied some information to Patrick Moser on surf legend George Freeth,who gave the first surfing exibition at the dedication of our former 1914 pier. I have tried to assist Richardson Gray with his project to bring historic photos to be displayed at the Main Street Museum. I also believe my 37 years of experience as docent at the historic Newland House Museum and my ex- tensive 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. l�I /PC U®,'v Jerry Person Letter of Interest—City of Huntington Beach Archivist Please accept this letter as my formal request for consideration for appointment to the position of City Archivist. For over a decade, it has been my absolute pleasure to contribute my skills as an award-winning research historian and archivist to the service of my city. First appointed to the Historic Resources Board in 2008, 1 joined the Design Review Board years later. Most recently, I have served as Chairperson of both. By far, however, I am most gratified by my work as City Archivist, a position I have unofficially held for more than 2 years. It has been an honor to support the work of staff,elected officials, authors, businesses including restaurants and hotels,Visit Huntington Beach, and civic organizations. I have also responded to many public requests for information ranging from learning more about their homes to documenting their family's genealogy or an ancestor's military service. At the same time, I have continued to study and achieve credentials documenting my ability to do this work. Locating and preserving historic materials and making them available to others is my priority. Highlights of my recent contributions include: - Presented at national conferences in 2018 and 2019 - Identified, inventoried and processed significant audio and visual historic materials. - Prepared two publicly available guidelines for locating and using archival materials relevant to Huntington Beach which are held by our archives and others. - Prepared archival material-based reports on various topics in response to departmental and other requests. - Coordinated with other archivists ranging from the County of Orange to the Smithsonian Institution about materials relating to the history of Huntington Beach - Engaged our community in the archival process—providing advice on artifact preservation, gaining approval of a formal Deed of Gift - Creatively worked to find no-cost/low-cost opportunities for preservation of historic materials. - Community service especially my work as consulting historian for the centennial of American Legion Post 133, one of the oldest continuously serving posts in the nation A more comprehensive summary is presented in the attached Curriculum Vitae. would very much welcome formal appointment to the position of City Archivist and sincerely appreciate your consideration. /Ai -.,KA.Sche�y Kathie A. Schey Education and Qualifications M.A. History, CSULB 4.0 g.p.a. B.S. Finance and Accounting, CSUDH, Emphasis on Controllership of Non-Profit Organizations Qualified under Secretary of the Interior's Standards 36 CFR Part 61, Appendix A, National Park Service to evaluate and identify historic properties National Association of Government Archivists and Records Administrators Local Government Archives and Records Administrators Certification- Requirements complete, certificate forthcoming. Society of American Archivists Cultural Diversity Competency Certification -2018 Archives and Description Certification—Completion October 2019 Presentations—Partial List 2018- Invited panelist at the national Society of American Archivists conference in Washington D.C. representing Huntington Beach as municipal archivist. 2019-Sole invited reviewer—National Association of Government Archivists and Record Managers, Western Region Conference, published. 2019—American Culture Association presentation in Washington, D.C.-the "Great War" in Huntington Beach,with primary focus on the city's War Memorial. In tandem with the work of a colleague historian engaging the same topic for the city of Trenton, New Jersey. Active presenter at academic and professional conferences across the country. Partial list includes University of Texas; American Culture Association (Mid-Atlantic and national conferences); Pacific Coast Council on Latin American Studies; Association of Living History, Farm and Agricultural Museums- Panel co-chair, Fort Nisqually National Historic Site; Huntington (Library) Westerners; frequently invited speaker for corporate events and community service groups throughout the Southland. Awards— Partial List Numerous scholarships, prizes and awards including the Nicholas Perkins Hardeman Prize for outstanding achievement by a graduate student,the Ebel l-Heimberger Scholarship for excellence in California history and two nationally competed Visiting Research Fellowships- University of Michigan and Vermont. Archives Actively Accessed/Research Privileges Granted: - National Archives,Washington, D.C.; Bethesda, MD; Riverside, CA - Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. - Bancroft Library, UC Berkeley - UCLA Special Collections - American Legion Archives, Indianapolis, Indiana - University libraries across the country - Orange County, CA Board Membership - Museum and curatorial leadership (numerous) - Historic Resources Board—City of Huntington Beach - Design Review Board—City of Huntington Beach - Orange County Historical Society-Fundraising and Development Chair 2014-2018 - Visit Huntington Beach - Marketing and Sales Task Force - Friends of the Huntington Beach Library Board of Directors, Historian Organizations Actively Supported Society of American Archivists - Architectural Records Roundtable - Government Records Section - Local Government Records Roundtable - Museum Archives Section Lone Arrangers Roundtable National Association of Government Archivists and Records Administrators National Council for Public History Association for State and Local History Association of Living History, Farm and Agricultural Museums 8102 Ellis Avenue Apartment 121 Huntington Beach CA 92646 August 25, 2019 SUPPLEMENTAL The Honorable Erik H. Peterson COMMUNICATION Mayor of Huntington Beach Meeft Date: 2000 Main Street Huntington Beach CA 92648 Agerds hem l _ I E Dear Mister Mayor: I am writing in support of Item XVB, the appointment of Mrs. Kathie Schey as the Huntington Beach City Archivist. I met Mrs. Schey at two meetings of the Huntington Beach Historic Resources Board on June 21, 2017, and July 19, 2017, which she presided over as Chairwoman of the Huntington Beach Historic Resources Board. During the meeting, the Boardmen discussed the Michael E. Rodgers Seniors' Center. Mrs. Schey presented a presentation about the Michael E. Rodgers Seniors' Center to the other boardmen, which featured several archived documents and photographs. Mrs. Schey made this presentation an additional time at a meeting of the Huntington Beach Community Services Commission's Park Naming and Memorials Committee on August 1, 2017. Mrs. Schey's presentation helped the committeemen greatly in their deliberations, with Professor Miller,the former Chairman of the Huntington Beach Community Services Commission's Park Naming and Memorials Committee, who presided over the meeting on August 1, 2017, praising Mrs. Schey's presentation. On January 22, 2019, 1 was appointed to the Huntington Beach Historic Resources Board. I have been honored to be Mrs. Schey's colleague during that time, and have appreciated her ability to preside over the Huntington Beach Historic Board's Meetings as Chairwoman. Mrs. Schey definitely has the mind of an archivist, as she is easily able to recall what happened at previous meetings of the Huntington Beach Historic Resources Board, and historical events in 8102 Ellis Avenue Apartment 121 Huntington Beach CA 92646 Huntington Beach's history. Mrs. Schey is also very committed to preserving our city's history and is an expert on the historical method of research. Mrs. Schey also previously served as Chairwoman of the .Huntington Beach Historic Resources Board's Oral History Committee, which will give her the audiovisual experience needed to serve as the Huntington Beach City Archivist. Once again, I strongly urge an affirmative vote on Item XVB, the appointment of Mrs. Schey as The Huntington Beach City Archivist. Sincerely Yours, Mr. Amory Hanson CC: The Honorable Lyn Rossi Semeta CC: The Honorable Patrick Brenden CC: The Honorable Kimberly Ballenger Carr CC: The Honorable Barbara Delgleize CC: The Honorable Jill Hardy CC: The Honorable Michael Posey Estanislau, Robin From: chris macdonald <j ustl isted @yahoo.com> Sent: Monday, September 16, 2019 11:37 AM To: Estanislau, Robin Cc: Huntington Beach News Subject: Jerry Person Dear Huntington Beach City Clerk Robin Estanislau, I'm in support of Jerry Person, Huntington Beach City Historian being re appointed to his position. Jerry is the perfect person for that role and is very active in Huntington Beach History from being a docent at the Newland House for 37 Years to running and maintaining Huntington Beach's Oldest Newspaper, Huntington Beach News now online. He has my support. Thank You. Chris MacDonald, Huntington Beach Resident SUPPLEMENTAL COMMUNICATION Meeft per. Agenda Nem No.; �