Historic Resources Board receives staffing updates; new assistant community development director introduced

The Historic Resources Board received administrative updates and an introduction to new staff at its June meeting.

Christie Hopper was introduced as the City of Salinas’ new assistant community development director. Hopper said she started last Tuesday, holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in historic preservation from the Savannah College of Art and Design, and has previous experience as a historic preservation consultant and as a planner and director in Monterey, Marina and Hollister. She said she will oversee current planning and work with advanced planning and project implementation until departmental staffing changes are finalized.

Staff also said certificates of appreciation are being prepared; printing was delayed pending cardstock, and the plan is to coordinate presentation logistics with recipients and, when practical, announce recipients at a future City Council meeting. The city applied for a California Preservation Foundation (CPF) government/nonprofit registration for up to 10 members; staff said they are processing an invoice and will circulate membership details once payment is complete.

Board members discussed future agenda items, including rehab rights guidance and examination of examples from other cities. The board noted the election of officers is set for the first meeting after the first Monday in July (the July meeting) per the board’s bylaws; members discussed nominees and said the item will be agendized and voted on at the next meeting.