Agenda Item Wording:
title
Authorization to execute a month-to-month lease agreement with the Arts Consortium for use of the Oval Park Service Center building at 808 N. Court.
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Deadline for Action: 9/7/2021
Submitting Department: Administration
Contact Name and Phone Number: Devon Jones, 4190
Department Recommendation: That Council authorize staff to execute a month-to-month lease agreement between the Arts Consortium and the City of Visalia for the use of the Oval Service Center at Lincoln Oval Park for Arts Consortium programming and to serve as the Arts Consortium’s temporary office location while Self Help Enterprises constructs the Lofts at Fort Visalia project where the Arts Consortium is to lease office space. The proposed rent is $225 per month and the Arts Consortium would be responsible for all utilities and all maintenance issues other than broken windows since the City already handles that expense. The lease is being proposed on a month-to-month basis given the Tulare County Office of Education’s (TCOE) Head Start project in the Oval Park has been identified by Council as a preferred project but is still awaiting full federal funding.
Background Discussion:
The City owns the Oval Service Center at 808 N. Court. The Service Center was last used in 2018 by the Tulare County Office of Education to operate their Home Base Program. Prior to that it was used by the Visalia Rescue Mission to provide services to the community. There are no building modifications planned other than replacing broken windows and conducting general cleanup and maintenance to ensure the facility is of good condition prior to Arts Consortium getting keys. The proposed rent is $225 per month and the Arts Consortium will be responsible for all utilities and any maintenance issues. The Consortium understands that upon occupancy, any repairs, other than broken windows, would be their responsibility. Since the plan is to remove the building once TCOE begins its construction, it is not a building that the staff believes the City should put any additional money in to maintaining for a tenant. If something happens that renders the building uninhabitable for them, they will need to seek a different location.
As mentioned above, the Arts Consortium is in need of a temporary office location while Self Help Enterprises constructs the Lofts at Fort Visalia project where the Arts Consortium is to be an office tenant and provide arts programming. The lease is being proposed on a month-to-month basis given TCOE’s Head Start project in the Oval Park has been identified by Council as a preferred project but is still awaiting full federal funding. When this Head Start project secures the federal funding necessary to proceed and if the Arts Consortium’s office location is not ready at the Lofts at Fort Visalia, the Consortium understands they will need to find an alternate location.
Staff believes that it would be beneficial to have the building occupied by a responsible tenant until TCOE is ready to proceed. An occupied building is less likely to incur trespassing, and more activity in any park is a good use of a public facility.
Fiscal Impact:
$225 per month in lease revenue to the Parks Division and all utilities paid by the tenant.
Prior Council Action: 7.17.17 - authorized annual lease with TCOE at the Oval Service Center
Other: N/A
Alternatives: Do not authorize month-to-month lease agreement and direct staff to identify alternative locations for the Arts Consortium
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to authorize staff to execute a month-to-month lease agreement with the Arts Consortium for use of the Oval Service Center building in an amount of $225 per month with all utilities paid by the Arts Consortium.
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Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Attachments: Arts Consortium lease agreement