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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes2005-001 I I I Sponsored by: Shealy CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA RESOLUTION 2005-01 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER AND STAFF TO APPLY FOR A GRANT FROM "SAVE AMERICA'S TREASURES" IN ORDER TO STABILIZE AND PRESERVE THE JESSE LEE HOME WHEREAS, the Jesse Lee Home is one of Seward's nine properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places; and WHEREAS, the Jesse Lee Home is in dire need of stabilization and preservation; and WHEREAS, the "Save America's Treasures" grant program, which has funds available for restoring historic properties; and WHEREAS, in 2004 the City of Seward applied for a "Save America's Treasures" grant for the first time, which was not approved but encouragement was provided to reapply during the next grant cycle, and WHEREAS, the City Manager and staff are requesting Council authorization to apply for a grant from "Save America's Treasures"; and WHEREAS, this type of a grant requires a one hundred percent (100%) match which will be sought from the Rasmuson Foundation and other non-City sources; and WHEREAS, if matching sources are not obtained, the grant will not be used and the City will not incur any costs; and WHEREAS, the State of Alaska appropriated grant funds totaling $65,000 for a historic structure report for the Jesse Lee Home in 2002; and WHEREAS, the historic structure report was produced by ECI/Hyer, Inc. in conjunction with the City of Seward Jesse Lee Home Advisory Board and was approved by Council Resolution 2003-57; and WHEREAS, the historic structure report can be used as a supporting document for applying for grant money for stabilization and rehabilitation of the structure; and WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the community to stabilize and preserve the historic properties with which the City of Seward has been entrusted. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA that: CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA RESOLUTION 2005-01 Section 1. The City Manager and staff are authorized to apply for a grant from "Save America's Treasures" for the Jesse Lee Home. Section 2. This resolution shall take affect immediately upon its adoption. PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the city of Seward, Alaska, this 10th day of January, 2005. AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: ATTEST: THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA ~~ Jk;t;v Vanta Shafer, Ma r Dunham, Clark, Amberg, Shafer Va1datta Branson, Lorenz None (City Seal) c; ,,'11111"'8, ..,'I O~ C'r:7. t",., ,'\ __I < f- '-.J..... ~J/.'J ',\~'" ...... ~~ '~""""'." """''1..-:) 1'/, ~ c} ,"O?t.?OA..i ;'" i<) ~. :: .......v "(:::,'"'0, ," \\ :: ::s ___ () '. ;~ I.~ : ~ '::': "''' . ~ . T Q .-"' : 0: ..)=~.~'~J\.,;u : 0 ~ ~" . . - ", . -<>._ .. ''U ~ I. .9 ~ 'C.;) (") -'.V'lt ",t),..'_."""" :: ",::.. {,}.\.... '.~ .~/,".: 1 '\ ~ ,..0 ...1':' .~ ...'" <1' AI .~ _ I .' ..f" -'" ..' ~'~,~,',~~~ OF ;~t(~~~..;*~ .'t3c~au.'i.I\' Council Agenda Statement Meeting Date: January 10, 2005 Through: Phil Shealy, City Manager From: Malcolm G. Brown, Planner Agenda Item: Council authorization to apply for a grant for the Jesse Lee Home from “Save America’s Treasures” BACKGROUND & JUSTIFICATION: In 2002 the Alaska State Legislature appropriated $65,000 for the City of Seward for a historic structure report for the Jesse Lee Home, one of the nine properties in Seward which are on the National Register of Historic Places. The historic structure report was prepared by ECI/Hyer, Inc., under the guidance provided through Council by the Jesse Lee Home Advisory Board, which was made up of citizens appointed by Council. The historic structure report was approved by Council Resolution 2003-53 in May of 2003. The report was then forwarded to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for presentation to the Legislature in order to obtain subsequent funding for structure stabilization and rehabilitation. Due to State revenue constraints, the State has not been able to provide funding for stabilization during this budget cycle. The Seward Historic Preservation Commission (SHPC) has learned that “Save America’s Treasures” is a grant source for historic structures needing stabilization and preservation. The grants are administered by the National Park Service (NPS) in partnership with the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities. The minimum grant request for historic property projects is $250,000 for the Federal share, the maximum grant request is $1 million dollars. The grants require a dollar-for-dollar non-Federal match, which can be cash, donated services or use of equipment. The intent is to communicate with the Rasmuson Foundation to see if they will be able to provide a match or locate another entity which can provide matching funds for this type of an activity. If the grant is received and no matches are found, the grant would not be used and the City would not incur any costs. When the City of Seward applied for a grant during the summer of 2004, the grant was not awarded, but a new grant cycle has begun. The grant applications must be received no later than February 1, 2005, and the grant applications must be approved by Council. Diane Kaplan is the President and CEO for the Rasmuson Foundation, and has been enthusiastic about the Jesse Lee Home’s prospects for rehabilitation. Staff has kept her apprised of the SHPC’s ongoing efforts to publicize the need to rehabilitate the Jesse Lee Home. Staff appreciates the guidance she has given on grant procedures and contacts and also that she also stated that the Rasmuson Foundation is willing to entertain a proposal. It is also hoped that the Rasmuson Foundation might be able to find other sources to match this type of a grant, which is a service they commonly provide. The grant application will build on the structural stabilization recommendations in the historic structure report approved by Council in 2003 and will use the report’s cost estimates. The long range goal after stabilization is to: rehabilitate the structure, find a long term user who will develop it in such a manner that it will still be recognized for its historical significance, and have a memorial for the Alaska flag. The portion used for the flag memorial would be a public resource available for ceremonies community events. CONSISTENCY CHECKLIST: Yes No 1. Comprehensive Plan (1990) X ____ The Comprehensive Plan supports saving historic buildings. 2. Strategic Plan (1999) X ____ The Strategic Plan encourages the recognition, rehabilitation and preservation of Historic Sites and Buildings. FISCAL NOTE: Applying for this grant will have no costs to the City other than the staff time. If the grant is received and a donor is not found to provide the match, the grant will not be used and the City will not incur any costs. Approved by Finance Department:__________________________________________________ RECOMMENDATION: Council approve Resolution 2005-01, authorizing the City Manager and staff to request a grant from “Save America’s Treasures” for the Jesse Lee Home.