02-15-2000 - Letter Supporting Hurst Ranch Historical Foundation's State Funding RequestTO: City Manager and City Council
FROM: Artie Fields, Assistant City Manager
City Manager's Office
City, of Wat C0%4=
Memorandulm
AGENDA
ITEM NO. J-1a
DATE 2-15-00
Q) PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER
SUBJECT: LETTER SUPPORTING HURST RANCH HISTORICAL
FOUNDATION'S STATE FUNDING REQUEST
SUMMARY: The Hurst Ranch Historical Foundation requests a letter su I pporting
a request to Assemblyman Pacheco for $800,000 from the State budget.
BACKGROUND:
The Hurst Ranch Historical Foundation has a special relationship with the City of West
Covina, which has allocated $800,000 for the Foundation to develop the Hurst Ranch
Historical Center. Two City Council Members:. Council Member Wong '
and Council
Member Herfert serve as the required city council representatives and School Board
Member Steve Cox serves as' the required school board representative on the
Foundation's Board of Directors. If the Foundation is'ever dissolved, Article VII of the
Articles of Incorporation provides that the assets shall be. distributed to the City of West
Covina.
The Foundation is currently finishing Phase I of the project. In order to complete Phase
2, the construction.of the visitor center, the Foundation is requesting that Assemblyman
Pacheco apply for $800,000 from the State budget as a Members Budget Request.
DISCUSSION:
'Each year during the process of refining the California budget, legislators may submit
member's budget requests for various projects within their districts. These requests. cover
such items as local parks, transportation, , and infrastructure improvements.
Assemblyman Pacheco has notified the.Cilty that he is accepting "members requests"
Ahrough March 17th (see Attachment 1). Due to limited fimding, Assemblyman Pacheco
is suggesting that it is in the best interest of the requestor, to submit projects that are not
too expensive as they may be in -jeopardy of being denied, while less expensive projects
are more likely to, be accepted.
After conferring with the Assemblyman's staff and discussing the needs,of the project,
the Foundation is applying for $800,000 to pay for the construction costs of the
musebm/visitor center. The Foundation has been told that -a letter of support from the
City of West Covina musfaccompany this request (see Attachment 2).. The Foundation
is, therefore, asking the Council for this letter of support. Attached is a copy of the letter
being submitted by the Foundation.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the CityCouncil approve the attached letter supporting the'Hurst
Ranch Historical. Foundation's request to Assemblyman Pachec . o for $800,000 from the.
State budget for the construction co-sts'of the museum/visitor center.
Reviewed and approved by:
i ie Field
e Fields
Assistant City Manager
Attachments: City of West Covina'support letter
Letter from Assemblyman Pacheco
Application letter from the Hurst Ranch Historical Foundation
ATTACHMENT
I
STATE CAPrr01L
COMMrrTEES:
P.O. BOX 942M9
SACRAMENTO, CA 94249-W6O
&Hfurnin leg istafuri
VICE -CHAIR, INTERNATIONAL
AND DEVELOPMENT
(P16) 319-2060
TRADE
FAX (916) 319-2160
VICE -CHAIR, LOCAL GOVERNMENT
*BUDGET
DISTRICT OFFICE
17870 CASTLETON STREET
* EDUCATION
* NATURAL
SUITE 205
RESOURCES
CITY OF INDUSTRX CA 91748
* BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE TWO:
(626) 839-2000 - ROBERT"BOB"PACHECO
EDUCATION FINANCE
FAX (626) 839-2005
ASSEMBLYMEMBER, SIXTIETH DISTRICT
SELECT COMMiTTEES:
CALIFORNIA PORTS
CALIFORNIA-MEXICO AFFAIRS
LONG-TERM PLANNING FOR
COMMERCIAL AND GENERAL
ZE
M AVIATION AIRPORT CAPACITY
February 4, 2000
Daniel Hobbs, City Manager
M
-City of West Covina
71.
1444 West Garvey Avenue South/P.O. Box 1440
C_ __J —
West Covina, CA 91793
<
Dear City Manager Hobbs:
_�J
I am pleased to provide you with the opportunity to apply for funding under the
2000-01 California
Budget. Each year during the process of refining the budget, legislators may submit "member's budget
requests'! for varied projects that require funding within their districts. In the past we have received
requests for local parks, transportation infrastructure, and school facilities impriovements. Last year we
were successful in receiving funding for several parks and community centers.
I have included a form distributed last. year from the Assembly Committee' on Budget for your use.
Please attempt to complete all portions of the form. When completing these budget requests, relevant
information should include a brief description of the'project, associated -,costs and any background.
research or action initiated on such projects. Many variables determine eligibility for'funding;
therefore, it is critical to thoughtfully consider the types and expenses of the projects that you choose to
submit to my office.
Due to th ' e limited funds that may be available and the, fact that most legislators will be submitting
similar requests, it 'may be in your interest to submit projects that are not too expensive. You are free
to submit as many requests as you feel appropriate. It is imperative to note that projects 'that are too
costly may be in jeopardy of being denied, while less expensive projects are ..more likely to be
accepted.,. While there are no guarantees that requests will be funded, we need to do our best to make
your request look attractive. Please prioritize your proposals so that I may be able to effective I ly lobby
for those projects that are of most importance.
Please submit your requests to my Capitol office no later than March 17d, 2000.. If you have any
questions or concerns regarding the above matter, please.do not hesitate'to contact JoElla Cudney in
my Capitol office at (916) 319-2060.
Sincerel
ROBERT"BOB"PACHECO
RP:kag
Printed on Recycled Paper
ATrACHMENT 2
February 15, 2000
Assemblyman Robert Pacheco
601h District
State Capitol
Room 4177
Sacramento, California 95814
Dear Assemblyman Pacheco:
The City of West Covina at the Council Meeting'of February 15, 2000 approved the
request for State budget funds as a Member's Bu ' dget Augmentation submitted to your
office by the Hurst Ranch Historical Foundation. The Hurst Ranch Historical. Foundation
is in the process of developing a visitor center and historical museum that will preserve
and present a part of the rural history of the San Gabriel Valley.
The Hurst Ranch Historical Foundation was created on October 18, 1997,. m.nety-nine
years, after the Hurst family first settled in the San Gabriel Valley as pioneers. Their
descendents, Charles J. Hurst (now deceased) and Annabelle Hurst Babson and their
families have donated to the Foundation almost three acres of real property and
improvements, together with antiques, agricultural artifacts, antique, weapons, and'other
collectibles. With real property and collections totaling approximately $1,000,000, the
Foundation has presented the community with a unique opportunity: the creation of an
exceptionally distinct historical museum and the creation of a much needed community
center complex.
Recognizing the intense need for such a center, the City of West Covina' has granted the
Foundation funds totaling $800,000. In addition, the Foundation has raised almost
$ 100,000 through such- fimd raising programs as annual membership drives, special
events, personal solicitations, and a personalized brick sale. Utilizing a potion of these
funds, the Foundation has worked hard to complete Phase I of their project and the site
reflects many of these changes. First among these has been the renovation of the Hurst
Ranch house which now functions as the Children's Learning Center, as well as
providing displays of domestic life on the farm. As a result of this work, kindergarten
classes from all the local districts attend field trips in which they get a "hands-on"
experience of pioneer farm life. Displays of artifacts and photographs professionally
designed and installed by Universal Display, are now in place in two of the existing barn
buildings. These state-of-the-art exhibits include multi -media and hands-on. features,
r,
telling a fascinating and dynamic story about ranching and early community development
here in,the San Gabriel Valley. Orange trees have once again been planted o n- Orange
Avenue and the final stages of Phase 1 are underway. This includes the completion of
the central courtyard, orientation room, handicap bathrooms, and catering kitchen. At that
point, the Hurst Ranch will be capable of hosting community events and will be able to
rent the site to raise funds.
The- City of West Covina is very eager for the Foundation'to begin construction of
Phase 2, the 10,000 square foot visitor center. Not only will this. building function as the
main museum building; it will also serve as a beautiful. community center with the
capacity to host 5 00 quests. Currently there is no s U-ch site in the City of West Covina.
The Foundation's request for $800,000 in from.the 2000-1 California Budget will cover
the cost of construction.
The West Covina City Council has always been very committed to the Hurst Ranch -
project. Both City staff and Council Members have been actively involved in all aspects
of planning. - Two City Council Members, Council Member Ben Wong and Council
Member Steve Herfert, currently sit on the Board of Directors, as does a representative of
the West Covina School Board, Steve Cox.
It is our sincere hope that your office will be able to help secure the funds from the State
budget that will enable this worthwhile project to be completed.
Sincerely,
Kathy Howard
Mayor