CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Meeting: May 21, 2024
Subject
Lease agreement with the Regents of the University of California for the Rolling Hills 4-H Club for facilities at the McClellan Ranch Preserve.
Recommended Action
Authorize the City Manager to execute a new lease agreement with the Regents of the University of California for the Rolling Hills 4-H Club for facilities at the McClellan Ranch Preserve for a period of ten years, through August 31, 2034.
Discussion
The City currently maintains a lease agreement with the Regents of the University of California, allowing the Rolling Hills 4-H Club to utilize the grounds and facilities at the McClellan Ranch Preserve. The existing five-year lease is set to expire on August 31, 2024.
Understanding the partnership forged between the Rolling Hills 4-H Club and the Cupertino community over the past 45 years, the City has negotiated a new lease substantially similar to the current lease with the exception that the new lease would have a term of ten-years and expire on August 31, 2034. The City maintains the flexibility to terminate the agreement, if desired, during the ten-year period.
The Rolling Hills 4-H Club has a longstanding history of collaborative efforts with the City and other agencies at the McClellan Ranch Preserve. In lieu of paying rent to the City for their use of the premises, the Rolling Hills 4-H Club has actively contributed to the community through a variety of hands-on programs aimed at empowering young people to learn leadership, citizenship, and life skills. Moreover, the Rolling Hills 4-H Club have been actively involved in community-based events such as the Cherry Blossom Festival, Audubon Wildlife Day, Audubon Society Fundraiser for Education programs at McClellan Ranch Preserve, and the Audubon Society Camp at McClellan Ranch Preserve.
The Rolling Hills 4-H Club would not change the area of operations from the currently utilized area. The Rolling Hills 4-H Club would continue offering program services to the Cupertino community under the new lease, which includes educational visits for school groups, tours for summer camps, accommodations to groups visiting the bee apiary, nature-based experiences, beekeepers guild classes, barn tours, after school 4-H project-based classes, participation in the City’s Earth and Arbor Day event, and participation of 4-H members and volunteers through McClellan Ranch Ambassadors. Additionally, the Rolling Hills 4-H Club anticipates introducing new initiatives, such as virtual animal tours and educational talks on agriculture and animals, to further enrich the community's engagement and learning experiences.
To further advance youth development and community enrichment initiatives at the McClellan Ranch Preserve, the City recommends that City Council authorize the execution of the new ten-year lease agreement. The Regents of the University of California has agreed to the lease agreement as outlined in Attachment A.
Sustainability Impact
No sustainability impact.
Fiscal Impact
None.
California Environmental Quality Act
The execution of the lease agreement is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under CEQA Guidelines section 15301 (operation/maintenance of an existing facility). _____________________________________
Prepared by: Daniel Degu, Economic Development Manager
Reviewed by: Chad Mosley, Director of Public Works
Tina Kapoor, Deputy City Manager
Matt Morley, Assistant City Manager
Approved for Submission by: Pamela Wu, City Manager
Attachments:
A – Draft Rolling Hills 4-H Club Lease Agreement