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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-04-27 - AGENDA REPORTS - CONTRIBUTION TO SCV HISTORICAL SOCIETY FOR SEISMIC (2)Agenda Item: 21 CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AGENDA REPORT NEW BUSINESS CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: fill DATE: April 27, 2021 SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF ONE-TIME FUNDING FOR EMERGENCY SEISMIC UPGRADES TO HISTORIC STRUCTURES AT HERITAGE JUNCTION DEPARTMENT: Community Development PRESENTER: Tracy Sullivan RECOMMENDED ACTION City Council: I. Authorize a financial contribution to the Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society, in an amount not to exceed $125,000, to provide for the seismic retrofitting of four historic structures at Heritage Junction. 2. Decrease the City Council's Contingency Account (19300-5401.001) and increase expenditure account 19000-5161.001 by $125,000. 3. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all documents, subject to City Attorney approval. BACKGROUND Heritage Junction Historical Park (Heritage Junction), located at William S. Hart Park in Old Town Newhall, is home to eight historic buildings and one Mogul locomotive that are owned and operated by the Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society (Historical Society), a local nonprofit 501(c)(3) volunteer organization. In caring for and preserving the structures at Heritage Junction, the Historical Society provides the community with an educational venue where they can enjoy the rich heritage of the Santa Clarita Valley through docent -led tours, lectures, and film showings. The City of Santa Clarita (City) is committed to the preservation of our area's historic resources and has worked in conjunction with the Historical Society on efforts related to the maintenance and relocation of historic structures to protect them from damage and degradation. Additionally, through the adoption of the Santa Clarita Historic Preservation Ordinance in January 2013, the Page 1 Packet Pg. 169 City established a Historic Preservation Grant Program (Program), which has provided critical funding to support the restoration and maintenance of designated historic structures within the City. The Program has an annual base budget of $25,000 as part of the annual budget process, subject to City Council approval. The Program has funded projects, pursuant to Section 17.64.150(F) of the Unified Development Code, upon the availability of funds. The City, in working with the Historical Society on historic preservation efforts, became aware of an emergency need to address structural deficiencies in the raised floor foundations of the following four structures at Heritage Junction: • The Edison House • The Kingsburry House • The Newhall Ranch House • The Saugus Southern Pacific Railroad Depot/Saugus Station Based on their present condition, the structures are in immediate need of maintenance and repair, both to protect their historic integrity and the safety of visitors, during events such as the Cowboy Festival. However, as stated in the attached letter, the Historical Society does not have the means to fund the project and is seeking one-time assistance from the City. In determining the scope of the project, the Historical Society commissioned a structural engineering firm to assess the existing condition of the raised floor foundations, perform structural calculations, and identify necessary seismic improvements. Based on the information provided by the structural engineering firm and quotes collected from contractors, the Historical Society is requesting $125,000 to complete the work at the four subject sites. Due to the emergency nature of the proposed project and the priority the City Council has placed on historic preservation efforts, staff recommends that the City Council authorize a financial contribution in the requested amount of $125,000 to the Historical Society from the City Council's Contingency Account (19300-5401.001). Upon approval of the recommended action, the Historical Society would be required to enter into an agreement with the City prior to funds being remitted. The agreement would require, among other things, documentation of qualifications/licenses of the chosen contractor, compliance with applicable laws, and reporting on the use of funds. ALTERNATIVE ACTION Other action as determined by the City Council. FISCAL IMPACT Upon approval of the recommended action, $125,000 would be made available in expenditure account 19000-5161.001. Approval of the recommended action would require the use of General Fund dollars from the City Council's Contingency Account (19300-5401.001) for Fiscal Year 2020-21. Page 2 Packet Pg. 170 ATTACHMENTS Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society Request Letter Page 3 Packet Pg. 171 Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society Post Office Box 221925 Newhall, CA 91322 661.254.1275 scvhs.org April 19, 2021 Dear Mayor Miranda and Members of the City Council: I am writing on behalf of the Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society to request a donation from the City of Santa Clarita to complete necessary repairs, maintenance and upgrades of four structures at Heritage Junction Historic Park. They include the Saugus Train Station, the Newhall Ranch House, the Kingsburry House and the Edison House, which are some of the most historically significant buildings in our valley. These restored buildings are sited on foundations that have begun to deteriorate and sustain damage (including termite damage), and there is ongoing maintenance and additional reinforcement that these 100- to 150-year-old buildings need to withstand the stresses of seismic activity, the constant shaking caused by passing trains, and wear and tear from public tours and festivals. Without these upgrades, the four buildings could pose a safety risk to our volunteers and the visiting public. We have solicited the expert opinion of structural engineers and had them inspect the subject buildings. They in turn provided plans that outline the scope of work for each building. As we anticipated, there is much work that must be done. After collecting cost quotes and reaching out to various contractors, we have determined the overall cost to repair and upgrade all four buildings is approximately $125.000. The SCV Historical Society does not have the means to fund this project and is respectfully requesting a $125,000 donation from the City to complete the repairs. Thank you for your consideration, and please contact me by email at alanpol l(�i)att.net if I can provide any additional information. Sincerely, Alan Pollack. M.D. President, Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society Packet Pg. 172