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Historic Preservation Commission elects temporary leaders, votes to press mayor for appointments
Summary
At its Jan. 22 meeting the Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission elected Sam DeSoler as temporary chair and Jeremy Hackard as temporary vice chair, and voted unanimously to send a joint letter urging the mayor to nominate members to fill commission vacancies for City Council consideration.
The Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission on Jan. 22 chose temporary officers and unanimously voted to ask the mayor’s office to submit nominations to fill vacant seats.
Without a permanent chair in place for 2026, the commission nominated and confirmed Sam DeSoler as temporary chair and Jeremy Hackard as temporary vice chair for this meeting. Both appointments passed by roll-call votes recorded by the clerk.
Commissioners said filling vacancies is urgent: several members are serving on extended interim terms, and some seats have been open long enough that quorum and election procedures are at risk. The commission approved a motion (6–0) directing the chair to circulate a short letter, co‑signed by commissioners, requesting that the mayor submit nominations for Historic Preservation Commission vacancies in time for City Council consideration at or before the Feb. 4 council meeting.
Members discussed options to increase pressure on the mayor’s office, including coordinating individual outreach and preparing a joint letter from the commission. Staff said the mayor is statutorily allowed 90 days to fill vacancies but committee members said they wanted nominations sooner to avoid losing quorum or the ability of interim members to vote.
The commission also noted procedural changes under consideration, including proposals to postpone officer elections until a full slate of commissioners is appointed and to clarify rules about consecutive absences.
