HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/18/1995, C-5 - AMENDMENT TO CITY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR USE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (GDBG) SPECIAL URBAN PROJECTS FUNDS. MEETING OAT
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i COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT ITEM NUMBER:
0
FROM: Arnold B. Jonass, ommunity Development Director
SUBJECT: Amendment to City recommendations for use of Community Development
Block Grant (GDBG) Special Urban Projects funds.
CAO RECOMMENDATION: By motion, amend the City's recommendations to the County
Board of Supervisors for use of countywide CDBG Special Urban Projects Funds to include
funding for rehabilitation of the County Historical Museum (Carnegie Library Building).
DISCUSSION:
Background: Through a cooperative arrangement with the County, the City owned Carnegie
Library Building is leased by the County to house the County Historical Museum. The Carnegie
Building was recently listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Recent storms caused
a variety of damage to the building from water intrusion, severely diminishing it's capability to
safely house the museum's valuable collection of historical artifacts and memorabilia. Due to
it's age and method of construction (unreinforced masonry) the building is also in need of
seismic strengthening and elimination of impediments to handicap access.
Current Status: Some Historical Museum collections will likely be relocated to interim storage
facilities throughout the city to protect them from damage during the time the integrity of the
Carnegie building remains compromised. As a result those materials are not available for public
examination or educational and research use. The County has agreed to provide a "quick fix"
to plug roof leaks and alter roof drainage, restore the security system to operation, and address
ground water infiltration into the building. The Museum Society will pay for materials needed
to accomplish these repairs. In addition, the recent damage/water intrusion emphasizes the need
for a longer range program to rehabilitate the structure.
The City as landlord has agreed to assume responsibility for this longer term program. It will
1) apply for the full extent of Federal Emergency Management Assistance program funds
available for the project; 2) generate a Capital Improvement Program for Council consideration
addressing: seismic safety, handicap access, roof repairs, plumbing and electrical repairs, and
foundation drainage, among other items.
The countywide CDBG Urban Projects Fund provides one alternative to help finance this longer
term project. Other worthwhile projects are in consideration for these funds, however, including
the City's own Homeless Service Center project. If CDBG funds were to be available only at
the expense of this other City proposal, then the Homeless Center project should take precedence
for this current round of funding.
FISCAL IMPACT:
If the Council acts this evening, it is still possible to propose that repairs to the Carnegie
Building be partially funded from 1995-96 CDBG program funds. The initial very rough estimate
for the City project is$400,000. Given the county-wide character of the Historical Museum, and
the valuable cultural resource that the Carnegie building represents, it is not unreasonable to
consider use of eligible CDBG funding to cover a part of project costs. Ten percent, or$40,000,
is suggested as an amount to request. Sources for the remainder of the funding will be
determined during development of the CEP project proposal.
If Council concurs with the staff recommendation, a letter will be drafted for the Mayor's
signature to the County adding the Carnegie Building to the list of projects suggested for the
Urban Projects Fund.