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Historic Resources Board outlines 2026 priorities; Mills Act deadline, plaque program and depot fire raised in public comment
Summary
Board reviewed 2025 accomplishments and adopted a list of priorities for 2026 including completing the survey update, promoting the Mills Act and launching a plaque program; public commenter Denise Estrada reported a fire at the Southern Pacific Freight Depot and said the city provided no funding this year for the First Mayor's House.
The Salinas Historic Resources Board reviewed its 2025 accomplishments and discussed a proposed work plan for 2026 that emphasizes completing the citywide historic-resources survey, increasing awareness of the Mills Act, launching a plaque-recognition program and expanding training opportunities for board members.
"Some of the priorities that we had for 2025 were supporting the survey update," staff said. Grant Leonard, planning manager, listed accomplishments including one Mills Act contract recorded and completion of the certificate-of-appreciation program. He urged the board to propose additions to the 2026 list before staff finalizes the work plan.
Public comment opened with Denise Estrada, who asked for the status of a draft letter of support for Heritage Park and reported a recent fire. "Overnight, we had a fire at the historic Southern Pacific Freight Depot," Estrada said. She described flooring and decking damage that remains under assessment and said the welcome-center portion was not damaged. Estrada also told the board that, after 26 years of a public–private partnership, "this will be the first year ... that the city of Salinas has provided no funding" for the First Mayor's House and that donors were covering operations for the near term.
Board members discussed outreach steps for Mills Act applicants and deadlines. Staff said the consideration deadline for Mills Act applications is July 31, and the Mills Act program has a cap on the amount of annual tax revenue set in the Mills Act guidelines posted on the city's website; the exact annual cap figure was not confirmed at the meeting. "If I'm interested, I have a deadline," a board member said, urging signage in the city newsletter and other channels.
The plaque program prompted discussion of three cost-tier options so homeowners and building owners could choose wood, enamel or bronze plaques; board members agreed to ask staff to present visuals for several plaque options and, after the board chooses preferred designs, to research costs and funding approaches. Board members voiced differing views on whether homeowners should pay for plaques but asked that estimated costs accompany the visual options.
A procedural motion earlier in the meeting to approve the minutes of the December 1 HRB meeting was moved and seconded and approved by roll call. "I move to accept the minutes," a board member said; the motion received a second and the board voted unanimously to approve.
Board members closed with administrative items including a status update on a proposed HRB resolution and a reminder that CLG-required training records and the city's annual report on preservation activity will be collected by staff.
