REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on a Council Written Request (Council Policy 030) Submitted by Vice Mayor Jain Requesting to Place an Agenda Item at a Future Council Meeting to Discuss Potential Uses, Unfunded Repairs and Finances (Income and Expenses) of Operating and Maintaining the Morse Mansion
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Enhance Community Engagement and Transparency
BACKGROUND
Council Policy 030 - Adding an Item on the Agenda (Attachment 1) sets forth the procedure for written petitions. Any member of the public or Council may submit a written request raising any issue or item within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Council. Per the policy, the written request will be submitted on the agenda, in the form substantially provided by the requestor, without any staff analysis, including fiscal review, legal review and policy review. If a simple majority of the City Council supports further study of the request, then a full staff analysis shall be prepared within thirty (30) days, unless otherwise directed by the City Council.
DISCUSSION
The City Clerk’s Office received a Council Written Request on June 8, 2022 from Vice Mayor Jain requesting to place an agenda item at a future council meeting to discuss potential uses, unfunded repairs, and finances (income and expenses) of operating and maintaining the Morse Mansion. (Attachment 2).
In the request, Vice Mayor Jain states:
The City purchased the Morse Mansion in 2016 for $3,875,070. The Morse Mansion lease expires in June 2024. The unfunded expected repairs to the Morse Mansion have been estimated to be $8.32 million. Staff has allocated $100K in the current budget for essential repairs. I believe there needs to be a discussion of the potential uses for the Morse Mansion well before June 2024 given that the refurbishment of this building could be even higher depending on use. So, I’m asking to agendize a discussion of potential uses, unfunded repairs and finances (income and expenses) of operating and maintaining the building.
This is staff’s reply to my questions:
“The $100,000 currently budgeted over the next two fiscal years is for ongoing day-to-day maintenance when items need to be repaired for the current tenants. These items include things such as roof leaks, plumbing leaks and fixture repairs, HVAC repair and maintenance, and any other issues that are raised to the property manager. Staff anticipates that this will be sufficient to prevent any major deterioration over the next two years based on what is currently visible and known about the structure. Similar budget requests for maintenance will be made in the upcoming fiscal years during future capital budget cycles.
The City purchased the Morse Mansion in 2016 for $3,875,070. The Morse Mansion lease expires in June 2024. A community outreach process will occur prior before a recommendation for the long term use is forwarded to the City Council. During this process, an assessment on the cost of conversion would also need to be undertaken. Over the years staff has heard community comments for potential uses such as private offices, a City community facility, city offices, bed & breakfast etc. It should be noted that if there is a change in use of the building there will be significant costs associated with the conversion of the occupancy type. The Morse Mansion is on the National Register of Historic Places. The current Building Code occupancy for the structure is residential. If the building was to be converted to a commercial use and/or a public use regardless if there was any assembly area, significant improvements to be the building would be required. The assessment conducted in 2017 did not contemplate a change in occupancy and therefore another report would need to be commissioned to determine the scope of improvements necessary to allow for a change of occupancy from residential to another use.”
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with considering the request to be placed on a future agenda except for staff time.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project" within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes to the environment.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any report to Council may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Set a future Council meeting date to take action on the Written Petition received.
2. Take no action.
3. Any other City Council Action, as determined by the City Council.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Staff makes no recommendation.
Staff
Reviewed by: Nora Pimentel, Assistant City Clerk
Approved by: Rajeev Batra, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Policy and Procedure 030 - Adding an Item on the Agenda
2. Council Written Request submitted by Vice Mayor Jain dated June 8, 2022