REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on a Resolution Authorizing an Application for the County of Santa Clara Historic Grant Program for the City-owned Harris-Lass Historic Preserve at 1889 Market Street
Report
BACKGROUND
The Department of Public Works oversees maintenance and repairs for approximately 800,000 square feet of buildings throughout the City, including five Historic Properties. This year, the City will apply for a Santa Clara County Parks & Recreation Grant for Historic Properties. The Board of Supervisors established the Historic Grant Program in 2018 with the purpose of celebrating history in Santa Clara County with a preference for projects that acknowledge untold stories in underrepresented communities. The overall grant funding from Santa Clara County is expected to be $5 million dollars with $1 million dollars going to the City’s district.
The City is working closely with Craig Mineweaser, AIA, of Mineweaser & Associates, Preservation Architecture, to apply for funding for the Harris-Lass Historic Preserve located at 1889 Market Street. The project would restore the Tank House and rebuild the deteriorated rear porch to provide universal access to the farmhouse. The total cost of this restoration project is approximately $150,000.
DISCUSSION
The County of Santa Clara announced this grant opportunity in March of 2019. Staff attended a technical workshop in April 2019 and will be submitting an application by July 19, 2019. The County plans to announce awards in December 2019. As part of the application process, the City shall adopt a resolution that acknowledges the grant and that the subject historic property will be continually used for a minimum of 20 years and will be open to all Santa Clara County residents. The resolution also authorizes the City Manager or designee to sign and submit Grant Applications to the County of Santa Clara, and to negotiate, execute, amend, or terminate the Grant Funding Agreement.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The project being considered will be reviewed for categorical exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15331 “Historical Resource Restoration/Rehabilitation,” as the project is limited to maintenance, repair, stabilization, rehabilitation, restoration, preservation, conservation or reconstruction of historical resources in a manner consistent with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring and Reconstructing Historic Buildings.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Santa Clara County Grant Program is offering $5 million dollars in available funds with $1 million dollars going to each Supervisorial District. There is no cost to the City other than administrative staff time and expense.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the Finance Department and the City Attorney’s Office.
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 agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at 408-615-2220, emailing clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov>, or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
1. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing an Application for the County of Santa Clara Historic Grant Program for the City-owned Harris-Lass Historic Preserve at 1889 Market Street; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate, execute, amend, or terminate any resulting Grant Funding Agreement.
Staff
Reviewed by: Craig Mobeck, Director of Public Works
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution