RESOLUTION NO. 5188 NEW SERIES
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GLENDALE, MARICOPA COUNTY, ARIZONA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH ARIZONA HISTORICAL SOCIETY FOR THE USE OF CITY PROPERTY LOCATED AT 9802 NORTH 59TH AVENUE, GLENDALE, ARIZONA.
Staff Contact: Erik Strunk, Director, Public Facilities, Recreation and Special Events
Purpose and Recommended Action
This is a request for the City Council to waive reading beyond the title and adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a five-year license agreement with the Glendale Arizona Historical Society for the use of the Historic Guest House as its administrative headquarters and museum, in addition to the use of the historic rose garden lawn for weddings.
Background
Sahuaro Ranch Park was purchased by the City of Glendale in 1977. Of the 80 total acres of this public park, approximately 17 acres and 13 original buildings, a rose garden, barnyard and historic orchards are currently registered on the National Register of Historic Places. Located at 9802 N. 59th Avenue, the Sahuaro Ranch Park Historic Area (SRPHA) is open year-round to the public and has become a destination for large cultural events, tours, tractor shows, and wedding ceremonies. It has become so because of the City and community’s effort to preserve its historic significance - the SRPHA is one of the Valley’s oldest and most treasured cultural assets.
The SRPHA presently functions under the direction of the Department of Public Facilities, Recreation and Special Events - Parks Maintenance Division. This stewardship has occurred since the City’s acquisition of the property in 1977. At the same time, a large part of the success of the SRPHA can be attributed to the non-profit Glendale Arizona Historical Society (GAHS). For the past 30 years, it has assisted with historic tours, historical displays and educational outreach, has hosted wedding ceremonies in the historic rose garden, and has used the Historic Guest House as its headquarters. This organization is integral to the cultural and historical operations of the SRPHA. It has the background, resources and knowledge to showcase, preserve and maintain the history and rich culture of SRPHA through site tours and educational seminars.
As the result of a recent review of existing contracts and agreements with various partners to operate many of Glendale’s recreation facilities, it was discovered that the City has no formal agreement with the GAHS for its current presence and activities at SRPHA. This is a request to enter into a five-year agreement with the GAHS to formalize a needed license agreement to allow it to continue its efforts to preserve and promote historical preservation at the SRPHA and throughout Glendale.
Analysis
Outside of a 1995 Memo of Understanding between the City and the unrelated Sahuaro Ranch Foundation that expired June 30, 2006, a search of city records failed to produce any official documentation indicating a formal relationship between the City and GAHS since that time for either the use of the Guest House building and/or the ability to conduct and collect all Rose Garden wedding revenue. Even so, the GAHS had a sustained presence at the SRPHA for over 30 years.
The 1995 agreement with the Sahuaro Ranch Foundation was established with the hope of having a non-profit operate and maintain the SRPHA at little to no-cost of the City. However after eleven years of operation, the Sahuaro Ranch Foundation indicated that it had been unable to obtain its objective of establishing a true, self-sustaining operation and agreed to close at the end of the operating agreement. When the Foundation ceased its operations, the GAHS continued its presence at the site, without any formal agreement with the property owner - the City of Glendale.
If approved, the key terms of this license agreement include:
- The Historic Society will be provided dedicated office space in the Historic Guest House and it will continue as a public museum. The GAHS will be considered the “curator” of the Historic Guest House Museum.
- GAHS will pay the City $10/year for this Agreement.
- The GAHS will also use the rose garden lawn area for weddings and ceremonies. These funds are used to operate the GAHS and help it fulfill its mission of promoting historic preservation throughout Glendale.
- The Historic Guest House will be open to the public October - May, Monday through Friday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. and Sunday, 1 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.; June - September to be determined. Additional public hours would be discretionary.
- The GAHS will continue to coordinate visits by Glendale schools (these tours will be in addition to the above-listed tour hours).
- The GAHS will provide and maintain all required City liability insurance and will remain in “good standing” with the state of Arizona Corporation Commission and maintain its non-profit status at all times throughout this multi-year agreement.
- The City will continue to provide utility services no cost and all necessary maintenance for the historic buildings at SRPHA (as provided for within the City’s annual budget process). The City also agrees to partner with GAHS to promote the historic nature of the SRPHA and market its use to prospective clients.
Community Benefit/Public Involvement
The City is dedicated to the preservation of its rich history and stewardship of historic properties and will continue to be so for future generations. To this end, this item has been publicly reviewed and discussed by the Glendale Arizona Historical Society at its August 20, 2016 retreat; reviewed and unanimously approved by the City Historic Preservation Commission on September 29, 2016; reviewed and unanimously approved by the Glendale Arizona Historic Society at its October 4, 2016 board meeting; and unanimously approved by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission at its November 9, 2016 regular meeting.
Budget and Financial Impacts
There are no budget impacts associated with the request as all projected expenses for the City to maintain and operate the SRPHA are a part of the existing FY 16-17 Parks Maintenance Division Budget.