City of Fresno  
City Hall  
2600 Fresno Street  
Fresno, CA 93721  
Meeting Minutes - Final  
Monday, July 28, 2025  
6:00 PM  
Regular Meeting  
City Hall, Council Chambers  
Historic Preservation Commission  
Chair - James Sponsler  
Vice Chair - Jason Hatwig  
Commissioner - Paul Halajian  
Commissioner - Julie Federico  
Commissioner - Elizabeth Laval  
Commissioner - Sarah E. Johnston  
Commissioner - Ryan Eddings  
Staff:  
Jennifer Clark, Director; Ashley Atkinson, Assistant Director;  
Janice Monroe, M.A. II  
THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION WELCOMES YOU TO COUNCIL  
CHAMBERS, LOCATED IN CITY HALL, 2600 FRESNO STREET, FRESNO,  
CALIFORNIA 93721.  
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION – Any interested person may appear at the public hearing  
and present written testimony or speak in favor or against the matters scheduled on  
the agenda. Public participation during Fresno City Historic Preservation  
Commission meetings is always encouraged and can occur by attending a meeting in  
the Council Chambers, City Hall, 2nd Floor, 2600 Fresno Street, Fresno, CA 93721.  
When called to speak during a meeting, you may approach the speaker podium upon  
the Chair's call for additional public comment.  
All public speakers will have up to 3 minutes to address the Commission pursuant to  
Rule No. 13 of the Historic Preservation Commission Bylaws of the City of Fresno  
(available in the City Clerk’s Office).  
VIEWING HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETINGS (non-participatory) –  
For your convenience, there are ways to view Historic Preservation Commission  
meetings live:  
1. Community Media Access Collaborative website: https://cmac.tv/  
2. Cable Television: Comcast Channel 96 and AT&T Channel 99  
3. Participate Remotely via Zoom using the following link:  
https://fresno.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_tqMujg_eQtKcM0qDC4Qbvg  
a. The above link will allow you to register in advance for remote participation  
in the meeting via the  
Zoom platform. After registering, you will  
receive a confirmation email containing additional details  
the meeting.  
about joining  
Should any of these viewing methods listed above experience technical difficulties,  
the Commission meeting will continue uninterrupted. Commission meetings will only  
be paused to address verifiable technical difficulties for all users participating via  
Zoom or in the Chambers.  
The City of Fresno’s goal is to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  
Anyone requiring reasonable ADA accommodations, including sign language  
interpreters, or other reasonable accommodations such as language translation,  
should contact the office of the City Clerk at (559) 621-7650 or clerk@fresno.gov. To  
help ensure availability of these services, you are advised to make your request a  
minimum of 48 hours prior to the scheduled meeting.  
I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL  
Chair Sponsler called meeting to order at 6:00pm.  
Also present were Jennifer Clark, Ashley Atkinson, & Janice Monroe  
Present 7 -  
Chair James W Sponsler, Vice Chair Jason Hatwig,  
Commissioner Paul Halajian, Commissioner Julie Federico,  
Commissioner Elizabeth Laval, Commissioner Sarah  
Johnston, and Commissioner Ryan Eddings  
II. PROCEDURES  
6:00pm  
Chair Sponsler read the procedures aloud.  
III. APPROVE MEETING MINUTES  
June 23, 2025 Historic Preservation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes  
III-A  
ID 25-944  
6:02pm  
Monroe announced no changes to the Minutes.  
On motion of Vice Chair Hatwig, seconded by Commissioner Halajian,  
that the above Action Item be APPROVED. The motion carried by the  
following vote:  
Aye: 7 -  
Chair Sponsler, Vice Chair Hatwig, Commissioner Halajian,  
Commissioner Federico, Commissioner Laval, Commissioner  
Johnston and Commissioner Eddings  
IV. APPROVE AGENDA  
6:02pm  
Monroe announced no changes to the Agenda.  
On motion of Commissioner Laval, seconded by Commissioner  
Federico, the AGENDA was APPROVED. The motion carried by the  
following vote:  
Aye: 7 -  
Chair Sponsler, Vice Chair Hatwig, Commissioner Halajian,  
Commissioner Federico, Commissioner Laval, Commissioner  
Johnston and Commissioner Eddings  
V. CONSENT CALENDAR  
N/A  
VI. CONTINUED MATTERS  
N/A  
VII. COMMISSION ITEMS  
WORKSHOP - High Speed Rail Updates  
VII-A  
ID 25-1009  
6:03pm  
Dr. Amanda Harvey, from High Speed Rail (HSR) provided a PowerPoint  
presentation on the updates from her organization. She talked about the  
Belmont Interpretive Exhibit changes in lighting from the 2020 approved  
design as a result of Public Works' Review. She also talked about a new  
Roeding Park Interpretive Exhibit. She showed the proposed location,  
design, and materials. She concluded her presentation on the many lanterns  
found in the Belmont Underpass.  
The Commission requested sample information on the lighting at the  
Belmont Exhibit, to be reviewed by the Architectural Review Subcommittee.  
They also voiced concern that Roeding Park is not a local Historic District,  
and requested the Sign Review Subcommittee review the exact language on  
the exhibit. Laval offered to assist with high resolution photos from the Pop  
Laval collection if needed.  
The Commission discussed possible origins and uses for the 81 lanterns  
found.  
Review and Comment on the Draft Environmental Assessment for the  
ID 25-912  
VII-B  
Airport Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) located at APN 49407178.  
6:21pm  
Karin Bouler, consultant, presented a PowerPoint on the Draft  
Environmental Assessment results of the Airport Traffic Control Tower  
(ATCT). She provided an overview of the project, listed the findings,  
summarized the 7 alternative options evaluated, discussed the Section 106  
consultation and Memorandum of Agreement, explained the proposed  
mitigation measures, showed the milestones and timeline of the project, and  
concluded with next steps.  
Clark explained the duties of the Commission and what falls under their  
purview.  
The Commissioners took turns voicing their concerns regarding the  
demolition of the ATCT and associated loss of history. They asked Bouler  
and Francisco Partida (Interim Director of Aviation) about the alternatives  
researched and requested an option that does not require complete removal  
of the tower. A suggestion was made that the tower be considered for use as  
an aviation museum, citing possible Measure P funds as a funding source.  
If none of their suggestions were possible, the Commission asked that the  
ATCT be dismantled and either put together somewhere else, or parts used  
in the new design. They concluded the discussion on the importance of the  
tower and its cultural heritage value.  
Monthly update on the Jose Garcia Brewer Adobe Building, HP #227  
ID 25-1030  
VII-C  
VII-D  
located at 5901 W. Shaw (APN 51004038).  
7:10pm  
Atkinson reported that Staff is working on setting up a meeting with the  
property owner and that they were still in talks with the City Attorneys about  
available options. No significant change in condition was reported  
ID 25-1029  
Update on Regular Monthly Topics:  
1. Staff Updates  
2. Proposed Historic Districts  
3. Architectural Review Subcommittee Update  
4. Economic Incentive Subcommittee Update  
7:11pm  
1. Atkinson talked about the monthly department statistics, interviews for the  
new Historic Preservation Specialist, and consequences of AB130/SB131  
on the Historic Preservation Commission. Clark reminded the  
Commissioners of the upcoming CLG reporting period coming to an end and  
the training requirements. She offered an online workshop by the National  
Alliance of Preservation Commission, asking for requests to be emailed by  
8/6 for registration purposes.  
2. Atkinson noted no major updates but that Staff hoped to make progress  
when a new Specialist is hired soon.  
3. Johnston talked about reviewing a fence and signs at the Elia Home  
4. Atkinson talked about upcoming Site Visits for Mills Act applications in  
August.  
VIII. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT  
7:25pm  
Chair Sponsler thanked the Commission for their dedication, highlighting  
the importance of advocating for the community.  
IX. UNSCHEDULED ITEMS  
7:25pm  
IX. - A. Members of the Commission  
N/A  
IX. - B. Staff  
N/A  
IX. - C. General Public  
A member of the public talked about upcoming events sponsored by  
Heritage Fresno. She also suggested the lanterns mentioned earlier were  
used as historic markers, particularly in the Roeding Park area. She  
concluded by noting Pop Laval photos should be made available to  
appreciate the history.  
X. NEXT MEETING  
8/25/2025  
XI. ADJOURNMENT  
Chair Sponsler adjourned the meeting at 7:30pm