Historical Commission Work Plan
The Historical Commission's Work Plan outlines the goals for 2018/2019.
1. Administer the annual Margaret Thompson Essay Contest
2. Implement the Historic Plaque Program
3. Administer the preservation and interpretation of the Historic Landmark Apricot Orchard
4. Provide oversight for the ongoing effort to preserve the Halsey House, a City Historic
Landmark
5. Administer the annual Historic Preservation Award
6. Review the ongoing staff efforts to ensure the Mills Act is advancing the preservation of
historic properties in Los Altos
7. Maintain the City’s Certified Local Government Status
8. Foster Partnership with Los Altos History Museum
9. Update the Historical Commission Website
10. Update the submittal requirements handout for projects reviewed by the Historical
Commission
11. Brochure for Historical Plaque Program Houses
12. Advocate for good stewardship of city-owned historic properties
The Historical Commission's Accomplishments for 2017/2018
In terms of accomplishments, this past year the Historical Commission accomplishments between November 1, 2017 to October 1, 2018 are the following:
1. The Commission has held seven regularly scheduled meetings over the past year.
2. The Historical Commission and the Los Altos History Museum prepared and submitted a
Certified Local Government grant application to the State Office of Historic Preservation.
The grant application was selected for the Federal Fiscal Year 2018-19 for a total of thirty-
four thousand and one hundred dollars ($34,100.00). This grant funding will permit the
City’s Public Work’s Department to contract with a historic preservation consultant to
prepare a Historic Structures Report (HSR) for the Halsey House at Historic Redwood
Grove Nature Preserve.
3. The Commission reviewed a total of three historic applications. This included two historic
advisory review applications and one historical alteration permit review application.
4. The Commission administered the 32nd annual Margaret Thompson Essay Contest. The
essay topic was, “Spread Your Wings and Fly!" Essays were submitted from students
from six schools, including home schools, in the Los Altos area, with a trophy being
awarded to the school with the most award winners. Award checks and certificates were
distributed by the Mayor to the students at the ice-cream social sponsored by the
Historical Commission and the Los Altos History Museum on May 8, 2018.
5. The Commission implemented the Historic Plaque Program for Historic Resource sites.
6. The Commission developed new signage for the City’s Historic Landmark Apricot
Orchard with installation to occur in 2019.
7. The Commission administered, and the City Council awarded the 2018 Historical
Preservation Award to 10 Yerba Buena Avenue at the May 8, 2018 meeting.
8. The Commission reviewed and approved the 2016-2017 Certified Local Government
Program Annual Report on January 22, 2018.