REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Fred A. Wilson, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Ursula Luna-Reynosa, Director of Community Development
Subject:
title
Dissolution of the Ad Hoc Historic Wintersburg Committee
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Statement of Issue:
In 2012, the City Council created the Ad Hoc Historic Wintersburg Committee (Wintersburg Committee). The goals of the Wintersburg Committee were to work with interested individuals to collect funds to preserve and relocate buildings that were designated to be demolished on Nichols Lane at Warner Avenue. The Wintersburg Committee met from 2012 until roughly September 2017 when the Wintersburg Committee was de facto dissolved by virtue of time, change in composition, and goals. In order to avoid any further confusion as to status of this group, this Council Action formally dissolves the Ad Hoc Committee until further authorized by City Council.
Financial Impact:
There is no fiscal impact.
Recommended Action:
recommendation
Dissolve the Ad Hoc Historic Wintersburg Committee.
end
Alternative Action(s):
Do not approve the recommended action and direct staff accordingly.
Analysis:
The Wintersburg property is owned by Republic Services and is located at the southeast corner of Warner Avenue and Nichols Lane. The five-acre property was sold to Republic Services (at the time Rainbow) by the Furuta Family in 2004. At the July 16, 2012, City Council Meeting, Council Member Boardman brought an agenda item that “requested that staff include an analysis of relocation of historic buildings designated to be demolished on Nichols Street at Warner Avenue as part of the Focused Environmental Impact (FEIR) for this project.” At this meeting a discussion ensued at the dais about Council’s ability to create an ad hoc committee to raise funds for preservation and relocation.
City Council approved creation of an ad hoc Historic Wintersburg Committee including three Council Members (Shaw, Harper, and Boardman) for the specific purpose of raising funds to preserve and relocate the buildings on the property that were designated to be demolished. It appears the intent of Council was that the Wintersburg Committee would remain active for 18 months. During this time, the Wintersburg Committee could try to raise funds to either 1) buy the property should the property owner agree, or 2) move the structures to a new location.
The City created a Donations Historic Wintersburg Fund (the “Fund”) to receive donations for the purpose of the Wintersburg Committee. The Fund was closed by the City on September 30, 2015.
A variation of the group continued to meet as a “Community Group” (see City web site attached hereto) with citizen members (not appointed by the City Council.) The last noticed meeting of the citizen group occurred in October of 2017.
In 2017, the Wintersburg Committee was de facto dissolved and became an independent group of citizens. Under the current form, this group of citizens is not a City created organization. Staff is recommending that the City Council formally dissolve the Ad Hoc Committee.
Environmental Status:
The action by the City Council to dissolve the Ad Hoc Committee is not a project pursuant to Section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Non-Applicable - Administrative Item
Attachment(s):
1. Text from City webpage