Loading...
Minutes 1983-12-06 SP , r ') f -- , CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING DECEMBER 6, 1983 ARROYO GRANDE, CALIFORNIA 7:30 P.M. Mayor Smith called the Special Meeting to order to discuss South County Historical Society - Housing. Council Members Matt Gallagher, Mark Millis and Karl Hogan were present. Council Member Lawrence Vandeveer was absent. Also in attendance were City Manager Robert Mack; Mrs. Pat Vandeveer, representing the Historical Society; and Mr. Bill Senna of Oceano Community Services District. Council discussed the feasibility of moving the Historical Society from the Whiteley property to the property on Cornwall Avenue, across from the Police Department. To relocate the Cornwall building would result in an expenduture of dollars that could not be justified, considering the condition of the building. City would have to comply with the State and City laws and building codes, so Counc i I felt it best for the Cornwall building to remain on its current foundation. If Society use is just for storage, they could go in without any major modifications being made. Mr. Mack said he had talked with Chief of Police Clark. Chief Clark said if Council decided to move the Historical ~ociety Into the Cornwall Building, he felt the Police Department should be permitted to remain in the building as share tenants. He felt no improvements should take place on the site until the house Is removed. Chief Clark asked that no costs for improving.thee property for Historical Society be billed to Police Department. He said a term lease is preferred, as the Police Department needs to expand and they are looking at different sites that might be suitable. During discussion several points were made, such as: COUNCILMAN GALLAGHER: Allow the Historical Society to use the property for at least six months, or until July, so improvement costs can be figured into the fiscal budget. After July, the lease should be on a month-to-month basis under a "Gentleman's Agreement". The City is losing money on the Cornwall property--something like $20,000 per year. Councilman Gallagher suggested the Society consider buying a doublewide trailer to put on City property for temporary use. He also suggested the use of sea containers, which are approximately 12' x 60', of steel construc- tion and capable of being securely locked. He mentioned the use of both the Whiteley and Cornwall properties by the Society until July I, 1984. COUNCILMAN MILLIS: The City wants to sell the Whiteley property as soon as possible. The City paid dearly for Cornwall property so the Police Department could have parking faci lit i es. He said the people of the City treasure their past and he would like to see the City have the Historical Society Museum somewhere in the town. He felt the Historical Society should give consideration to putting a temporary Museum on City property until they have money for something on County property. COUNCILMAN HOGAN: The City and the Historical Society should have a lease that can be terminated by agreement of both parties. The Society needs to have a place now and they do have a building plan, but it is about five years down the road. MRS. PAT VANDEVEER: The Historical Society is looking for a place for a small Museum, and Cornwall would probably be better, because of the vandalism on the Whiteley property. The Society could complete a building in about five years, but the County will only grant a ten year lease. Some money is available for the building project and other events to raise more money are planned. She said once the Museum is open to the public, they will be eligible for grants from various sources. The Society has received offers of location from Pismo Beach, Nipomo and Santa Maria, but would prefer to locate in Arroyo Grande. Mrs. Vandeveer said the Historical Society has to accept offerings when they are made (such as on the occasion of a death); and the Society needs a working place for' the sorting, inventorying,&cataloging where the goods will not get damp and deteriorate. She said the Society would like to start the building with an atrium, and add a room at a time as money permits. -'---'--'''-~------------'''-~'''-'---- -_.--.----'--- ~ , . . CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING DECEMBER 6, 1983 ARROYO GRANDE, CALIFORNIA PAGE TWO. City Manager Mack illustrated a concept for attracting the public into the Village area and combining the Museum site with an antique shop, art gallery, and such, surrounding the atrium. Mayor Smith directed Staff to put the Historical Society item on the agenda for the next Council meeting. Mayor Smith adjourned the Special Session at 8:23 P.M., to the Joint Session with the Parks and Recreation Commission, at 6:30 P.M. on December 13, 1983. vJ'r1AVJcl~ MAYOR ATTEST: