Fremont City Council Meeting: 01/14/25 07:00 PM
3300 Capitol Avenue Div/Dept: Community Services
Fremont, CA 94538 Category: Agreements and Contracts
SCHEDULED
Sponsors:
COUNCIL STAFF REPORT (ID # 5335) DOC ID: 5335 A
Updated: 1/8/2025 8:31 PM by Susan Gauthier A Page 1
SPECIAL USE AGREEMENT FOR THE OPERATION OF THE PATTERSON HOUSE AT THE ARDENWOOD HISTORIC FARM REGIONAL PRESERVE - Five Year Special Use Agreement between the City of Fremont and East Bay Regional Park District for the Operation of the Patterson House at the Ardenwood Historic Farm Regional Preserve.
Contact Persons:
Name: Irene Jordahl Michael Sa
Title: Recreation Superintendent II Deputy Director of Community Services
Div/Dept: Community Services Community Services
Phone: 510-494-4322 510-494-4372
E-Mail: [email protected] [email protected]
Executive Summary: Staff recommend the City Council authorize the City Manager or her designee to execute a Special Use Agreement between the City of Fremont and the East Bay Regional Park District for a 5-year term through December 2029 for the management of the historic Patterson House at Ardenwood Historic Farm Regional Preserve, with an annual payment of $92,640 increased annually by 2.0%.
BACKGROUND: The Ardenwood Historic Farm Regional Preserve (Ardenwood Farm) is a City-owned property in the City of Fremont. The East Bay Regional Park District (District) and the City of Fremont (City) entered into a Management Agreement in 1982 for the District to operate Ardenwood Historic Farm. The Management Agreement was renewed in 1997 and, most recently, in 2010 for an initial term of 50 years with an option to renew for an additional 49-year term. The original Management Agreement made provisions for the City to restore, operate, and interpret the Patterson House. The Patterson House is a 19-room Queen Anne Victorian farmhouse, which operates as a museum of local history and Victorian life.
The 2010 Management Agreement stated that the City and District enter in to and revise, as needed, a separate “Special Use Agreement.” This shorter-term agreement was established to provide greater flexibility in how the Patterson House is incorporated into the overall operation of Ardenwood Historic Farm and identifies compensation to the City for the tours and programs offered at the Patterson House, and management of the Patterson House. The Patterson House is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS: This Special Use Agreement has defined District and City responsibilities regarding the Patterson House operation for a five-year interval. The District and City will continue to support the Ardenwood Land Use Plan, Business Plan, and the Mission, Vision and Goals of the District and the Park and Recreation Master Plan of the City.
The City maintains an onsite staff office in the building adjacent to the Patterson House known as the “Cook House”, which is also included in the Special Use Agreement. Activities or programs outside of the Patterson House premises as defined in the Agreement may require a separate permitting process. The Special Use Agreement will waive the fee for up Council Staff Report (ID # 5335) Meeting of January 14, 2025 Updated: 1/8/2025 8:31 PM by Susan Gauthier A Page 2
to five Special Event Permits annually for City programs offered from time to time in other areas of Ardenwood Historic Farm. The City and District continue to partner on items of historical significance at the park and the tours offered by City enhance the visitor experience at Ardenwood Historic Farm.
FISCAL IMPACT: The District shall compensate the City for providing Patterson House tours to the public and scheduled groups at $92,640 per year, to be increased annually by 2.0%. The payment partially covers City costs for Patterson House management providing interpretive services, house maintenance and operations.
Revenue and expenditures for the current year were included in the Recreation Cost Center (Fund 189) FY 2024/25 adopted operating budget. Staff will include future year revenue estimates and expenditure appropriations in those future year proposed operating budgets.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: The proposed agreement is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) in that the activity is covered by the general rule that CEQA applies only to projects that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. Providing tours and maintenance for an existing facility will clearly not have a significant effect on the environment and, thus, CEQA does not apply, and no further environmental review is necessary.
ATTACHMENTS: None.
RECOMMENDATION: Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute a Special Use Agreement with the East Bay Regional Park District for operation of the Patterson House in Ardenwood Historic Farm for a five-year term, January 2025 – December 2029, with an annual payment of $92,640 increased annually by 2.0%.