To: Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council
From: Tiffany Carranza, City Clerk
Prepared By: Emily Steinley, Office Assistant, II
TITLE:
Title
Cultural Heritage Commission Membership
LABEL
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Recommendation
Appoint three individuals to the Cultural Heritage Commission as follows:
1. Appoint incumbents, Elizabeth McKinne and Sarah Van Giesen to serve a term beginning immediately and ending on June 30, 2028; and
2. Appoint incumbent William Tuikka, designated as a Preservation Professional, to serve a term beginning immediately and ending on June 30, 2028.
Body
DISCUSSION:
COMPOSITION AND PURPOSE OF THE COMMISSION:
The Cultural Heritage Commission is a five-member advisory body to the City Council on matters related to preservation of historic resources, particularly regarding the Historic Resources Element of the General Plan, and the Historic Preservation Ordinance (Napa Municipal Code Chapter 15.52). The Commission acts as the decision-making body for specified actions, particularly related to the consideration of certificates of appropriateness. (For detailed information on the composition, duties, and qualifications, see NMC Chapters 2.70 and 15.52).
No less than two members of the Commission must be designated “preservation professionals” defined as those who demonstrate professional experience in the field of architecture, landscape architecture, history, architectural history, rehabilitation and construction, urban planning, American studies, cultural geography, pre-historic and historic archeology, folklore or cultural anthropology, conservation, or other historic preservation related disciplines to such extent available in the community.
All members of the Commission must be registered voters and full-time residents, with the exception of the two designated preservation professionals, who may be full time residents of either the City of Napa or the County of Napa.
Each member of the CHC serves a two-year term per section 4.6.1 of Policy Resolution 10.
NUMBER AND TIMING OF VACANCIES INCLUDING SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS:
There are three seats to be filled due to the term expirations of William Tuikka, Sarah Van Giesen, and Elizabeth McKinne effective June 30, 2026. Commissioner Tuikka is serving in the capacity as the preservation professional (see above definition). Commissioner Van Giesen also qualifies to serve as a preservation professional.
In accordance with NMC 2.70.020, the recruitment and selection process should be conducted in order to encourage adequate representation from the city’s historic districts, including Alta Heights, Downtown Napa, Spencer’s Addition/West Napa, Soscol Gateway/East Napa, and the Napa Abajo/Fuller Park National Register District.
RECRUITMENT PROCESS:
The City Clerk accepted applications for the Committee from April 16, 2026, through June 12, 2026. Recruitment announcements were published on the City’s website, posted at various locations at City Hall, Human Resources, and the Community Services building, and sent to the Napa County Library, Napa Valley College, Napa Chamber of Commerce, Napa Valley Unified School District, Napa County Board of Supervisors, Napa County Administration, Napa County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Napa Valley Coalition of Non-Profit Agencies, Napa Valley Community Housing, Puertas Abiertas Community Resource Center, Leadership Napa Valley, and NEOGOV.
APPLICATIONS RECEIVED:
Three applications were received: William Tuikka, Sarah Van Giesen, and Elizabeth McKinne.
SPECIAL NOTES:
Willam A. Tuikka is an incumbent applying to be appointed to a seventh term. Willam A. Tuikka was first appointed by the City Council on August 26, 2014 and currently serves as a Preservation Professional.
Sarah Van Giesen is an incumbent applying to be appointed to an eleventh term. Sarah Van Giesen was first appointed by the City Council on July 1, 2003.
Elizabeth McKinne is an incumbent applying to be appointed to a second term. Elizabeth McKinne was first appointed by the City Council on June 20, 2023.
Current Commissioner Karen Wesson serves as the second designated “Preservation Professional.”
FINANCIAL IMPACTS:
None
CEQA:
The City Clerk has determined that the recommended action described in this agenda report is not subject to CEQA Guidelines Section 15060(c).
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
ATCH 1 - Applications
NOTIFICATION:
Applicants