COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

THE JOHN A. WILSON BUILDING

1350 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, NW
WASHINGTON, DC 20004

T OMMY W ELLS

Councilmember - Ward 6 Chairperson Committee on Libraries, Parks, Recreation and Planning

Committee Member Human Services Health Aging and Community Affairs Environment, Public Works and Transportation

December 22, 2011

Mayor Vincent Gray The John A. Wilson Building 1350 Pennsylvania, Ave ., NW Suite 316 Washington, DC 20004

Dear Mayor Gray: I am writing you to convey my serious concern with the delay in filling the positions on the Historic Preservation Review Board. Of the nine positions on the Board, one is vacant, six are serving on expired terms, and the final two expire in July 2012.

Name
1. 2. Catherina Buell Maria Casarella

Position
Chairperson Architect

Term expiration
Current term ends July 21 , 2012 Expired July 21 , 2010

Status

Reappointment nomination transmitted to Council

3. 4. 5.
6.

Chris Landis Elinor Bacon Joseph Eugune Taylor Pamela Scott Robert Sonderman Tersh Boasberg

Citizen Citizen Architect Archi tectural Historian Archeologist Citizen

Expired July 21 , 2011 Expired July 21, 2010 Expired July 21, 2011 Current term ends July 21 , 20 12 Expired July 21, 2011 Expired July 21, 20 10 Nancy Metzger nomination transmitted to Council

7. 8.

9.

Vacant

Historian

Vacant

The Office of Boards and Commissions recently sent Council four nominations. When my staff reached out to the nominees to schedule the confirmation roundtable, two of the four expressed that they are unable to serve. While I do not wish to delay confirmation proceedings for the remaining two nominees, I am concerned about this tentative approach to filling the HPRB positions. By law the HPRB must include at least one person qualified in each of three disciplines: history, archaeology, and architectural history. The HPRB has been without a historian for nearly a year, and my understanding is that the current architectural historian is resigning. Without all of the professional positions filled, the HPRB will not be in compliance with federal requirements, which could result in a revocation of grant funding, a suspension of the preservation program, and possible challenges to approved landmark applications. With our significant number of landmarks and historic districts, the critical role of the HPRB cannot be overemphasized. It is imperative that we fill the professional positions quickly so as not to jeopardize the Board's standing or decisions, as well as fill the citizen positions so that a quorum is always possible. Sincerely,

~--:ZJ~

Council member, Ward 6 Chair, Committee on Libraries, Parks, Recreation, and Planning

Cc: Catherine V. Buell, Chair, Historic Preservation Review Board Ronald R. Collins, Director, Office of Boards and Commissions