Livermore council appoints new city historian despite objection

The Livermore City Council on Jan. 12 approved the appointment of a new city historian after a staff recommendation and brief debate.

City Manager Mariana Birch presented staff's recommendation, supported by the Historic Preservation Commission, to appoint the nominee to the city historian position. A council member moved to accept the recommendation and the motion was seconded; the appointment proceeded to a vote.

One council member objected to advancing the nomination, saying the nominee "has misrepresented Livermore's recent history on items such as the agreement to build Stockman's Park and [has] continued to spread misinformation after being corrected," and said they were uncomfortable moving the nomination forward. The objection was recorded in the council comments and the council member subsequently abstained from the vote.

The nominee, identified in the record as Mr. Kasky, responded to the council by emphasizing his work with the Livermore Heritage Guild and education programs. "I'm honored by the nomination from HPC, and I'm honored to serve the city to honor its history," he said, describing efforts that bring local history to third-grade students.

The council recorded multiple "aye" votes and one abstention; the motion to appoint the city historian was recorded as passing. The council did not identify further procedural steps at the meeting related to the historian appointment.

The appointment comes in a year when the city will mark its 150th anniversary of incorporation (April 1, 1876), an anniversary the mayor referenced during his remarks.

No formal appeal or reconsideration was announced at the meeting; the council adjourned after completing its evening business.