HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 13805
City of Palo Alto (ID # 13805)
City Council Staff Report
Meeting Date: 12/6/2021
City of Palo Alto Page 1
Title: Adoption of a Resolution for the Santa Clara County Historical Heritage
Grant Program Authorizing the Application and Receipt of Grant Funds by the
City of Palo Alto for the Roth Building (300 Homer Ave) Elevator Restoration
From: City Manager
Lead Department: Administrative Services
Recommendation
Staff recommends that Council adopt the attached resolution (Attachment A) to comply with an
application for historical heritage grant program funds from the County of Santa Clara to
rehabilitate the Roth Building elevator.
Background
The Palo Alto Museum (PAM) has been working for several years to raise funding through
various means including grants. In partnership with the City, as the owner of the facility, PAM
sought and received the award of grants from Santa Clara County. Table 1 summarizes the
grant opportunities that the City has pursued in the past, including the resolution for the Roth
Building elevator attached to this staff report.
Table 1: Summary of Roth Building Grants
Council Resolution
Date /CMR Purpose
Awarded Grant
Amount
12/17/2018;
CMR 9767
Replacement of a portion of the clay
tile roof
$102,992
4/12/2021;
CMR 12028
Preservation of the Art Frescoes $105,150
4/12/2021;
CMR 12028
Second grant to cover replacement
of clay tile roof
$200,000
Pending this CMR
13805 and award
Restoration of the Roth Building
elevator
$350,000 requested
(not awarded)
Total $758,142
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City of Palo Alto Page 2
The City has continued its long history with PAM in partnership to develop the Roth Building.
The most recent staff report from November 2021 can be found here CMR 13760 which
discusses the current status of lease negotiations with PAM.
Discussion
Council approval of the proposed resolution (Attachment A) would authorize the City Manager
to execute the grant agreement and administer the grant and commit to a park use for at least
twenty years. These terms are similar to prior County historical grants received for the Roth
Building and approved by Council. The program guide for the grant can be found on the
County’s website at this link1. Grant funds will be used to restore and repair the original
elevator in the Roth Building. The elevator is a 1940s Otis traction style elevator and needs to
be repaired to meet use and accessibility requirements.
While staff has received direction from the City Council on November 15, 2021 regarding lease
negotiations with PAM (CMR 13760), staff also requires City Council adoption of the resolution
for the County of Santa Clara historical heritage grant to begin work on the rehabilitation and
draw on these grant funds. This grant, if approved by the county, would provide $350,000
towards the renovation of the elevator.
Timeline
With Council direction on November 15, 2021 staff is continuing to work with PAM on terms for
a lease and redevelopment of the Roth Building. Construction is anticipated to begin after the
Council approval of the lease in early 2022. Once costs are incurred for the grant funded
portions of the project the City can seek reimbursement via the grants.
Resource Impact
Council approval of the resolution will allow the City to enter into the grant program for the
opportunity to receive County funding of $350,000 for restoration of the elevator once the
overall Roth Building project is initiated. Grant funds awarded to date total $408,142. Should
the City be awarded grant funds for elevator rehabilitation, the revised total will be $758,142.
Stakeholder Engagement
Staff has coordinated with PAM and the County of Santa Clara staff to prepare and finalize the
grant application and resolution.
Environmental Review
The Roth Building rehabilitation project is Categorically Exempt from CEQA review pursuant to
CEQA guidelines section 15331, Historical Resource Restoration/Rehabilitation, as a project
limited to maintenance, repair, and rehabilitation in accordance with the secretary of interior
standards for historic preservation.
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Attachments:
1 https://parks.sccgov.org/sites/g/files/exjcpb961/files/documents/FY2022-HHGP-Proc-Guide-1_0.pdf
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City of Palo Alto Page 3
• Attachment5.a: Attachment A: Resolution Roth Building County Grant
Applications
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Resolution No. ____
Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto
Approving the City of Palo Alto’s Application for a
County of Santa Clara Historical Heritage Grant for
Restoration and Repair of the Roth Building Elevator in Heritage Park
R E C I T A L S
A. The County of Santa Clara (“County”) has established the Historical Heritage Grant
program to promote historic preservation and the awareness of significant cultural, historical,
and archaeological resources within Santa Clara County (“Grant Program”); and
B. The County funds the Grant Program with County Park Charter Development Funds,
which must be used for the development of real property for county park purposes; and
C. The County requires that the property on which the grant-funded project is located be
continually used for park purposes for a minimum of 20 years and be open to all Santa Clara
County residents on a non-discriminatory basis; and
D. The City of Palo Alto (the “Applicant”) proposes that the County award Grant Program
funds for the restoration and repair of the elevator in the Roth Building in Heritage Park (the
“Project”), located at 300 Homer Ave, Palo Alto, California 94301 (the “Property”), and owned
or controlled by the City of Palo Alto (the “Property Holder”); and
E. The Property Holder has granted permission (consent) to Applicant to use the property
for the Project for the period of twenty years (20 years), and said consent is evidenced by a
grant deed, lease, license or other agreement granting such rights to the Applicant; and
F. Applicant is required pursuant to the Historical Heritage Grant Program Procedural
Guide to designate a legally authorized representative to administer the Project and to execute
the Grant Funding Agreement (“Grant Agreement”), along with any amendments thereto, on
behalf of the Applicant.
NOW THEREFORE THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The Project is located on land that will be continually used for park purposes for
a minimum of 20 years and, subject to Constitutional or local Charter limits on appropriations
for future years, will be open to all Santa Clara County residents on a non-discriminatory basis;
and
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SECTION 2. The City of Palo Alto has reviewed the proposed Project and provided all
required approvals for the Project in the Park, including, but not limited to, any licenses,
permits, environmental review and will approve the operational agreements required prior to
authorizing construction; and
SECTION 3. The City Council hereby delegates authority to the City Manager or their
designee, to sign and submit the Grant Application to the County, to negotiate, execute,
amend, or terminate the Grant Agreement and any other agreements in relation to the
Historical Heritage Grant Program, and authority to administer and carry out all terms and
conditions of the Grant Agreement and related agreements including, but not limited to, taking
any all other necessary actions to complete the Project.
SECTION 4. By delegating such authority to the City Manager, the City Council acknowledges,
agrees, represents and warrants that the execution of the Grant Agreement and any and all
other agreements or amendments by the City Manager binds and obligates the City Council of
the City of Palo Alto to comply with all terms and conditions of such agreements, without the
necessity of additional approvals or conditions;
SECTION 5. The City Council has had the opportunity to seek the advice of its own legal
counsel and other professionals in connection with the Grant Agreement and the Historical
Heritage Grant Program Procedural Guide.
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SECTION 6. The City Council hereby approves the grant application submitted on its behalf to
the County’s Historical Heritage Grant Program funds for the restoration and repair of the Roth
Building Elevator Project in Heritage Park.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
ATTEST:
City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
City Manager or Designee
City Attorney
Director of Administrative Services
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