TITLE
Recommendation to accept a Historic Preservation Grant from the California Department of State Parks, Office of Historic Preservation (OHP), in the amount of $40,000;
Authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all necessary documents with OHP relating to the Grant awarded to the Department of Development Services, for professional planning services to prepare a focused historic context statement on suburbanization, race and housing;
Increase appropriations in the Grants Fund Group in the Development Services Department (DV) by $40,000, offset by grant revenue; and
Increase appropriations in the Grants Fund Group in the Development Services Department (DV) by $60,000, offset by revenue previously received. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The California Department of State Parks, Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) recently awarded the City of Long Beach (City), a Historic Preservation Grant (Grant), in the amount of $40,000, to prepare a focused historic context statement on suburbanization, race and housing in the City’s post-war period. A historic context statement provides a broad overview of a City’s history and serves as the starting point for landmarking and other historic preservation efforts. The City’s current historic context statement lacks sufficient detail regarding the postwar period and particularly in the dynamics of new housing construction vis-à-vis redlining, racial covenants and demographic change in the City. The Grant will fund essential work for the City’s historic preservation program and improve future decision-making through accurate, up-to-date and complete research information. The work program includes extensive public engagement as part of the one-year effort. Preparation of this focused context statement is part of a larger effort to broaden the City’s historic preservation efforts to equitably cover topics and geographies of relevance to all Long Beach residents.
To complete the study, the City will contract with a qualified historian or historic preservation consulting firm with experience in developing historic context statements. The consultant would be responsible for research, development of the context statement, and conducting outreach with the community and local experts. City staff will be responsible for oversight of all aspects of the project, including review and comment on all drafts, providing access to relevant City files and GIS data, and assisting with the outreach effort.
This matter was reviewed by Assistant City Attorney Michael J. Mais on August 12, 2019 and by Budget Analysis Officer Julissa Jose-Murray on August 14, 2019.
SUSTAINABILITY
This grant aims to document and preserve existing historic structures throughout Long Beach. Implementation of this Grant will support stability within the neighborhoods by preventing unnecessary demolitions and construction waste, and ultimately allow property owners more information on which to base future improvements, including energy upgrades completed in a manner appropriate for a historic property.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on September 10, 2019, to meet the timing and procedural requirement of OHP. Failure to execute the grant agreement by October 1, 2019, may result in forfeiture of the grant award.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total cost of the historic preservation survey to be undertaken is estimated at $100,000. The recommended action will allow the City to access $40,000, in professional services funded by the Grant from OHP. The Grant requires the grantee to have sufficient funds available to complete the project, which the Department anticipates as an additional $60,000. This amount is available using revenues previously received and intended for historic preservation.
An appropriation increase in the amount of $40,000, in the Grants Fund Group in the Development Services Department (DV) is requested, offset by grant revenue received from OHP. The Department also requests an appropriation increase of $60,000 in the Grants Fund Group in the Development Services Department (DV), offset by revenue previously received for historic preservation purposes. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of staff duties and is consistent with adopted City Council priorities. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
LINDA F. TATUM, FAICP
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER