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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-08-23 PacketPROCLAMATION WHEREAS, on August 25, 1920 the 19· Amendment to the U.S. Constitution gave women in this Country the right to vote; and WHEREAS, August 26 has been designated as "Women's Equality Day", in recognition of the anniversary of suffrage, and annual observances of this anniversary and of women's continued efforts toward equal rights have taken place since 1970; and WHEREAS, though much progress has been made on the long journey toward equality for all Americans, until all women have an equal opportunity to develop their full potential and to make contributions that are accepted and welcomed by our society, our freedom as a nation will be incomplete; and WHEREAS, "Women's Equality Day" should be both a celebration of past achievement and a promise for the future; a promise to promote and protect with vigor and vigilance the rights of all our citizens; a promise to decry the policies of exclusion and to pursue the ideal of equality for every American; and a promise to empower all of our people to make their rightful place as full and equal partners in the great American enterprise. NOW, THEREFORE, I, Jim Mastin, Mayor of the City of Ukiah, on behalf of my fellow City Councilmembers Roy Smith, Kathy Libby, Phil Baldwin, and Phillip Ashiku, do hereby proclaim August 26, 2000, as WOMEN'S EQUALITY DAY To commemorate the great victory of wisdom over ignorance embodied by the 19· Amendment to the Constitution and call upon the people of Ukiah to observe this day with appropriate programs and activities. Date: August 23, 2000 Jim Mastin, Mayor ITEM NO.: DATE: 5a AUGUST 23, 2000 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT SUBJECT: ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN APPLICATION FOR FUNDING AND THE EXECUTION OF A GRANT AGREEMENT AND ANY AMENDMENT THERETO FROM THE PLANNING/TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ALLOCATION OF THE STATE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROGRAM, FOR A STUDY CONCERNING THE RENOVATION OF THE HISTORIC PALACE HOTEL. The purpose of this Public Hearing is to invite comments from the public regarding the City's interest in submitting an application for funds to the State Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. The proposed project involves a Planning/Technical Assistance grant that would inform the owner of the feasibility of various alternatives for renovating the historic Palace Hotel in downtown Ukiah. This study will provide extensive analysis to determine the following issues: (a) economic impact of site restoration; (b) architectural feasibility for a mixed-use formula involving housing/retail; (c) establishment of a senior Iow income housing need formula to conform to CDBG requirements; and (d) financial cost development for a comprehensive site study. This grant will provide the analytical leverage needed to establish the feasibility for a mixed-use project and the blueprint for economic success for the Palace Hotel. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 RECOMMENDED ACTION: Hold a Public Hearing and Adopt the Resolution Approving an Application for Funding and Execution of a Grant Agreement and Any Amendment thereto from the Planning/Technical Assistance Allocation of the State Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. ALTERNATIVE COUNCIL POLICY OPTIONS: Remand to staff with direction. Appropriation Requested: N/A Citizen Advised: N/A Requested by' N/A Prepared by: Albert Fierro, Assistant City Manage Coordinated with: Candace Horsley, City Manager Attachments: 1. Resolution for Adoption. APPROVED' ,~ ~"'~"~'~~._, ~andace Horsley, anager Adoption of a Resolution Approving an Application for Funding and Execution of a Grant Agreement and any Amendment thereto from the Planning/Technical Assistance of the State Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. August 23, 2000 Page 2 GOAL The City proposes to assist the property owner develop strategies regarding how to re-vitalize the Palace Hotel in order to reach the goal of enhancing economic development in the core business area. BACKGROUND The Palace Hotel located at 296 North State Street at one time was great building in our community. However, the hotel has been vacant for approximately 12 years following a change in ownership. During this lengthy vacancy, exposure to weather, lack of maintenance, and infrastructure collapse have taken their toll on this once beautiful building. The outside of the structure is blighted and is considered an eyesore to the local business community. On July 21, staff spoke with one of the owners of the site to discuss the physical deterioration of the hotel. He told me to contact him in late August to discuss the tentative business plans he has for this historic location and the resolution of some business issues. The owner apparently has an informal "maintenance arrangement" to insure the building remains secure from trespass and vandalism. Although the Palace Hotel is listed both on the state and national lists of historic places, owners of such properties are free to maintain, manage or dispose of their property as they choose, provided no Federal monies are involved. History of the Palace Hotel · Late 1870's---Palace built of wood at corner of State and Smith streets. · 1891---Original hotel burns, rebuilt of brick. Now three stories tall. · 1914-.-Wing added. · 1929---Addition of 40 rooms completed one week before depression. · Mid 1950-1977---Used as a residential hotel that was rundown by 1977. · 1977---Hotel bought, then restored for $3 million. · 1979---Named to State historical landmarks list, then National Register of historical landmarks. · July 1981---Owner files for reorganization under Chapter 11. · January 1983---Hotel closes. Owner sites cash problems. · September 1983---Owner losses Chapter 11 protection. Hotel closes, staff laid off. · November 1984---Building sold during bankruptcy auction for $600,000. Reopens, taking in long-term welfare tenants. · July 1985---Palace restaurant reopens. · April 1986---Palace Bar and Grill declares bankruptcy. · July 1986---Palace Bar and Grill reopens. · Late 1987---Restaurant closes. · December 1987---Hotel declares bankruptcy. · August 1988.--Hotel closes. · January 1990---Hotel sells for $115,000 at property tax delinquency sale. Adoption of a Resolution Approving an Application for Funding and Execution of a Grant Agreement and any Amendment thereto from the Planning/Technical Assistance of the State Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. August 23, 2000 Page 3 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENET BLOCK GRANT FUNDS (CDBG) Under the State of California Department of Housing and Community Development, the City of Ukiah is eligible to apply for an Economic Development, Planning/Technical Assistance (ED P/TA) grant totaling $35,000 with a requirement that the City match 25% of the grant or $8,750. This grant will allow the City to work with the property owner in assisting with extensive analysis to determine the following issues: (a) economic impact of site restoration; (b) architectural feasibility for a mixed-use formula involving housing/retail; (c) establishment of a senior Iow income need formula to confirm to CDBG requirements; and (d) financial cost development for a comprehensive site study. This grant will give the City and the property owner analytical leverage needed to establish the need for a mixed-use project and the blueprint for economic re-vitalization. Without technical and economic development assistance from the City this property will continue to languish and have a negative impact on surrounding business properties. CONCLUSION The study will assist the owners to develop a comprehensive plan to restore the Palace Hotel so that the structure will not be relegated to the wreaking ball and history. The hotel is sitting on prime business development land, and it is time to see movement on its future niche in the downtown core. Staff is recommending that the public hearing be held and that Council adopt the resolution approving the application for funding. RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF UKIAH APPROVING AN APPLICATION FOR FUNDING AND THE EXECUTION OF A GRANT AGREEMENT AND ANY AMENDMENTS THERETO FROM THE PLANNING/TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ALLOCATION OF THE STATE CDBG PROGRAM BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and the City Council of the City of Ukiah as follows: SECTION 1 The City Council has reviewed and hereby approved an application for up to: $35,000 for a Palace Hotel Reuse Study. SECTION 2 The Mayor and the City Council have determined that federal citizen participation requirements were met during the development of this application. SECTION 3 The Mayor and the City Council hereby approve the use of the General Fund in the amount of $8,750 to be used as the City's Cash Match for this project. SECTION 4 The City Manager is hereby authorized and directed to act on the City's behalf in all matters pertaining to this application. SECTION 5 If the application is approved, the City Manager is authorized to enter into and sign the grant agreement and any subsequent amendments with the State of California for the purpose of this grant. PASSED AND ADOPTED this AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: day of ,2000, by the following roll call vote: Jim Mastin Mayor ATTEST: Marie Ulvila City Clerk ,! Ci'cy Ul ah city of Ukiah Application For COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT For 2000- 2001 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLANNING/TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE Submitted To: The California Oepartment of Housing and Community Development August 2000