HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 14933
City of Palo Alto (ID # 14933)
City Council Staff Report
Meeting Date: 11/14/2022 Report Type: Consent Calendar
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) Windows
Rehabilitation & 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
restore and repair the 59 existing windows and glass in the Roth Building (300 Homer Ave.).
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 Museum, in partnership with the City has pursued and been
awarded in the past.
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
12/06/21;
CMR 13805
Restoration of the Roth Building
elevator
$350,000
Total $758,142
The City has continued its long history with PAM in partnership to develop the Roth Building.
City of Palo Alto Page 2
The most recent staff report from November 20211 which discusses the current status of lease
negotiations with PAM. Since then, the Mayor announced the creation of an AdHoc committee
in Spring 2022 and the appointment of two Councilmembers to that committee. Staff, the
AdHoc Committee, and PAM have been working regularly to address and finalize lease and
construction work documents.
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 for HHGP Procedural Guide for FY 20232. Grant funds will be used to restore
and repair the 59 existing windows and glass in the Roth Building to their historical beauty,
showcasing their unique features, making them energy efficient, and preserving them for years
to come.
Staff received direction from the City Council on November 15, 2021 regarding lease
negotiations with PAM3. Staff requires City Council adoption of the resolution to complete the
County of Santa Clara historical heritage grant application. Work on the rehabilitation and draw
on these grant funds, if awarded, will not occur until final lease and construction documents are
completed and approved by the City Council. This grant, if approved by the County, is
requesting $182,448 towards the renovation of the windows. The total project cost is estimated
at $214,203. The remaining project costs of $31,755 are expected to come from other PAM
funding sources.
Timeline
Construction is anticipated to begin after the Council approval of the lease. Once costs are
incurred for the grant funded portions of the project the City can seek reimbursement via the
County of Santa Clara. Final grant application documents are due before December 15, 2022
which would include both this completed resolution as well as a completed lease agreement.
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 $182,448 for restoration of the windows once the
overall Roth Building project is initiated. Grant funds awarded to date total $758,142. Should
1 City Council Staff Report November 2021 #13760 https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/agendas-
minutes-reports/agendas-minutes/city-council-agendas-minutes/2021/11-november/20211115/20211115pccsm-
amended-linked.pdf
2 https://parks.sccgov.org/sites/g/files/exjcpb961/files/documents/FY2023%20HHGP%20Procedural%20Guide.pdf
3City Council Staff Report November 2021 #13760 https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/agendas-
minutes-reports/agendas-minutes/city-council-agendas-minutes/2021/11-november/20211115/20211115pccsm-
amended-linked.pdf
City of Palo Alto Page 3
the City/PAM be awarded grant funds for window restoration, the revised total will be
$940,590.
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.
.
Attachments:
• Attachment A: Resolution, County of Santa Clara Grant for Roth Building Windows
Rehabilitation and Restoration
*NOT YET APPROVED*
1
1006_20221102_th20
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 Windows 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 windows 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
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
*NOT YET APPROVED*
2
1006_20221102_th20
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 and 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.
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 Windows Project in Heritage Park.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
ATTEST:
City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Chief Assistant City Attorney City Manager
Director of Administrative Services