RESOLUTION NO. 24-___
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA,
CALIFORNIA, APPROVING A MASTER AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY OF LOS
ANGELES TO PROVIDE FOR THE SUBSTITUTION OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA FOR THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES AS THE TRUSTEE OF WILLIAM S. HART PARK,
AUTHORIZING THE FILING OF PLEADINGS WITH THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY
SUPERIOR COURT PROBATE DEPARTMENT SEEKING APPROVAL OF SUCH
SUBSTITUTION AND DETERMINING THAT THIS ACTIVITY IS EXEMPT FROM CEQA
WHEREAS, William S. Hart bequeathed to the County of Los Angeles in trust certain real property known as William S. Hart Park (Park) for use as a public park in his 1944 will (Will). The Will included conditions for the Park:
1) that the Park shall be forever used and maintained by the County and its successors- in-interest and estate, exclusively as a public park and pleasure grounds and for exhibition purposes, for the amusement, recreation, health and pleasure of its inhabitants;
2) subject to proper restrictions imposed by the County, the Park shall be open to public use at all times;
3) no charge or fee shall be made for admittance to the Park, with the exception of nominal fees set by the County for overnight camping;
4) the Park shall be named “William S. Hart Park;”
5) a placard shall be maintained at the entrance with the following words: “This Park has been dedicated by WILLIAM S. HART for the benefit of the American Public of every race and creed;”
6) the County shall construct and maintain road and paths for public access, comfort stations, picnic grounds, lighting, irrigation, storm drains, vegetation, and a museum;
7) a security guard shall be maintained in the museum at all times when the museum is open to the public;
8) no business shall be conducted in the Park; and
9) no oil, gas, or mineral extraction shall be conducted in the Park.
In the event that these conditions were not adhered to, the Will provided that the property would revert and go to the State for the same uses and purposes; and
WHEREAS, the Will also provide for $150,000 in trust to be known as the “William S.
Hart Park Fund” (Park Fund) for use in the operation and maintenance of the Park, and approximately $130,000 remains in such Park Fund; and
WHEREAS, William S. Hart died in 1946 and the County has operated the 156-acre Park since that time. The Park includes open space, historic facilities, a museum, trails, campgrounds, a gift shop and animals; and
WHEREAS, the County of Los Angeles acquired 26 acres of property within the current boundary of to the Park (Adjacent Property) after Hart’s death; and
WHEREAS, the City of Santa Clarita was incorporated in 1987. Upon incorporation, the City comprised 39 square miles, with a population of 110,000 and took over the maintenance and operations of the 8 parks then in existence within the City’s boundaries, with the exception of the William S. Hart Park; and
WHEREAS, the City of Santa Clarita now comprises approximately 73.6 square miles with a population of 228,000 people, and currently owns and operates 38 parks; and
WHEREAS, the County of Los Angeles is desirous of transferring the Park to the City of Santa Clarita, by having the City become the substitute trustee for the Park and the Park Fund, to operate and maintain the Park consistent with the requirements of the Will. The County is also desirous of transferring the Adjacent Property to the City for use in conjunction with the Park, including maintenance and operation of same, subject to a partial leaseback to the County of a portion of the Adjacent Property for a temporary period to accommodate transitioning; and
WHEREAS, the City is desirous of assuming the responsibility for maintenance and operation of the Park as the substitute trustee, as well as the maintenance and operation of the Adjacent Property and is capable and has the resources to undertake these responsibilities; and
WHEREAS, the City and County have negotiated a Master Agreement (attached) that provides for the transition of title and responsibilities from the County to the City for the operation and maintenance of the Park and Adjacent Property, including the real property, museum, museum collection, and animals; and
WHEREAS, the County has represented that the Secretary of State, who monitors and supervises charitable trusts such as the trust governing the Park, does not have any objection to the City assuming the role of trustee for the Park and the Park Fund; and
WHEREAS, the substitution of trustee requires the approval of the Los Angeles County Superior Court Probate Department.
NOW THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita, California, does hereby resolve as follows:
SECTION 1. The City Council approves the attached Master Agreement and all associated exhibits and authorizes the City Manager or his designee to undertake all actions contemplated by and/or necessary to effectuate the provisions of the Master Agreement and the transition of the title, maintenance and operation responsibilities for the Park, Park Fund, and Adjacent Property from the County to the City.
SECTION 2. The City Council authorizes the filing of all necessary pleadings with the Los Angeles Superior Court Probate Department in conjunction and cooperation with the County of Los Angeles to effectuate the substitution of the City for the County as the trustee for the Park and the Park Fund and authorizes the City Attorney and/or City Manager or his designee to execute same.
SECTION 3. The City reviewed the environmental impacts of this transaction under the California Environmental Quality Act (Public Resources Code §§ 21000, et seq. “CEQA”) and the regulations promulgated thereunder (14 Cal. Code of Regs. §§ 15000, et seq., the “CEQA Guidelines”). The substitution of trustee and the transfer of property and continued operation of the Park and Adjacent Property by the City will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment (14 Cal. Code Regs. § 15060(c)(2))—the property is currently improved as a park and will remain so; (2) the Park and Adjacent Property includes existing facilities that will be operated and maintained by the City (14 Cal. Code Regs. § 15301); (3) the substitution of trustee and the transfer of property and continued operation of the Park and Adjacent Property by the City will preserve the Park, including certain historic structures and open space areas (14 Cal. Code Regs. § 15325); (4) there is no possibility that this transaction will have a significant effect on the environment given the limited physical changes that may result from operation and maintenance activities for existing improvements and facilities (14 Cal.
Code Regs. § 15061(b)(3)).
SECTION 4. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this resolution.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 9th day of July, 2024.
______________________________
MAYOR
ATTEST:
_______________________________
CITY CLERK
DATE:__________________________
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss.
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA )
I, Mary Cusick, City Clerk of the City of Santa Clarita, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution No. 24- was duly adopted by the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita at a regular meeting thereof, held on the 9th day of July, 2024, by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS:
______________________________
CITY CLERK