Venice HAPB closes 2025 Legacy Award nominations, will rank candidates by mail

The Venice Historic and Architectural Preservation Board voted unanimously to close nominations for the 2025 Legacy Award and to have board members rank the received applicants for a final decision at the next meeting.

Harry Klinkhammer, historical resources manager, told the board that staff had received two late submissions and that he had compiled a recommendation list based on names submitted by board members and a citizen. “I just handed to you all 2 late nominations that came in for the legacy award,” Klinkhammer said, noting the late entries included nominations for Ralph Twitchell and Earl Biddle.

Board members discussed whether to extend the nomination period to solicit more applicants or proceed with the current pool. Some members said a larger competitive pool would be preferable; others said the existing biographies appeared strong and that waiting primarily because the board lacked a full membership was the main reason to delay. The board agreed to use a ranking sheet process: staff will email application materials and ranking sheets to all board members, including those absent, and the city clerk will compile totals for discussion at the next meeting.

Jean Trammell moved to proceed with the applicants received and allow the city clerk to compile rankings; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously. The board chair confirmed there were no nays.

The board did not select a winner at the meeting; it instructed staff to distribute materials and ranking sheets and to present compiled ranking totals at the next scheduled meeting for final action.