COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Environmental Services Agency

DATE:

February 6, 2006

BOARD MEETING DATE:

February 28, 2006

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None Required

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Marcia Raines, Director, Environmental Services Agency

SUBJECT:

Memorandum of Understanding between the County of San Mateo and the Friends of Huddart and Wunderlich Parks

RECOMMENDATION:

Approve a resolution authorizing the President of the Board of Supervisors to execute a Memorandum of Understanding between the County of San Mateo and the Friends of Huddart and Wunderlich Parks for the restoration and operation of the Folger Estate Stable.

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Preserve and provide people access to our natural environment.

Goal(s) 15: Residents have nearby access to green space, such as parks and recreational opportunities.

The Memorandum of Understanding between the County and the Friends of Huddart and Wunderlich Parks (Friends) for the restoration and operation of the Folger Estate Stable contributes to the goal as it supports the Friends’ efforts to fundraise and restore a historical site that in the future will provide expanded educational and recreational opportunities for citizens of San Mateo County.

BACKGROUND:

Since 1996, the Friends with the support of the “If Not Now When” fund, have been assisting Park Rangers by providing educational programs through the development and management of volunteer efforts in the parks and providing financial support for park programs and volunteer activities. The Friends, formerly administered through the Peninsula Community Foundation, are incorporated as a public benefit 501c3 non-profit organization.

The Wunderlich Park area was donated, including the Stable and attendant buildings, to the County in 1974. The County presently leases the stable. Various efforts since 1980 to effect repair and restoration of the stable have not been accomplished primarily due to lack of funds.

The Friends have identified the restoration of the Folger Estate Stable as one of their priority goals. The Folger Estate Stable has been designated the Folger Estate Stable Historic District, placed on the National Register of Historic Places and listed in the California Register of Historical Resources.

DISCUSSION:

The Friends are proposing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the County to restore and operate the Stable building. Through donor support and with monies specifically earmarked for this proposed project, they are prepared to raise the funding and materials to contract the restoration of the Stable, as well as a plan for ongoing maintenance, operation and management of programs and services to be provided at the Stable. This project will be undertaken as a public-private partnership with the County.

A Folger Estate Task Force, headed by Supervisor Gordon, was established with representatives from the Friends and various County departments. The proposed MOU was written by County Counsel and developed through Folger Estate Task Force discussions. On December 14, 2005, the Board of Supervisors approved a letter to the Friends in support of the restoration project.

The County supports this effort by the Friends to restore and participate in long-term operation and management of the Stable Building. The MOU outlines the responsibilities for the County and Friends throughout the restoration process and the subsequent operation of the facility. The Friends will raise sufficient funds to complete the restoration based upon County approved reconstruction plans and County administered construction contracts. Following restoration, the County and Friends will enter into a lease operation of the facilities administered through the Parks and Recreation Division. At all times, the County will have final approval and management responsibility for ensuring public benefit and access to the facility.

The County and the Friends acknowledge that without the provision of funding by the Friends, the restoration of the Stable building could not be undertaken and further deterioration of the Folger Stable would be inevitable, which would be a loss to the residents of the County.

The County’s Parks and Recreation Commission considered the proposed MOU at their regular meeting of February 2, 2006 and unanimously voted to recommend approval to the Board of Supervisors.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The MOU between the County and The Friends of Huddart and Wunderlich Parks outlines the financial commitments. The County portion of the partnership is valued at approximately $500,000 of services that include grading, permits, and minor maintenance. The Friends of Huddart and Wunderlich Parks will provide approximately $3 million to the project through private fund raising.