To: Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Public Infrastructure
Staff Name and Phone Number: Johannes J. Hoevertsz, 707-565-2550
Vote Requirement: 4/5th
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
License for Sonoma Veterans Memorial Building Lounge
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
A) Delegate authority to the Director of Public Infrastructure to execute the revocable license agreement with the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Bear Flag Post 1943 for management and operation of the Sonoma Veterans Memorial Building Veterans Lounge, at 126 First Street West, Sonoma, California for up to five (5) years commencing July 1, 2023, and expiring June 30, 2028, substantially in the form of the agreement attached to this report the final terms and conditions of which shall be subject to approval by County Counsel. (4/5th Vote Required)
B) Find that the use of the premises by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Bear Flag Post 1943 is necessary to meet the social needs of the County by providing options for patriotic, fraternal and benevolent activities and that the County does not need the property for the term of the license agreement, pursuant to Government code section 26227.
(4/5th Vote Required)
end
Executive Summary:
The County of Sonoma owns seven Veterans Memorial buildings. These facilities serve residents by providing facilities where Veterans groups, individuals, non-profit and fraternal organizations may gather, and provide arts, faith-based, and other events supporting the community. Veterans organizations use the facilities for regular meetings and memorials. In addition, some Veterans organizations conduct fundraising events. The buildings also function as emergency evacuation centers and shelters in the event of disaster. The County manages, operates, and maintains the Sonoma Veterans Building, and directly provides event management services for the benefit of the public concerning all other areas and uses of the building.
Discussion:
Currently the Department of Public Infrastructure (SPI) manages events, operates, and maintains the Veterans buildings in Sonoma, Guerneville, Petaluma and Cotati, ensuring that all Veterans Buildings are maintained within resources available and managed consistently to facilitate use by Veterans and the community.
Furthermore, SPI seeks authorization to renew the following license:
• Sonoma License Agreement
Under this agreement the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) in Sonoma is granted non-exclusive use of the lounge room in the building for patriotic, fraternal, or benevolent purposes and other scheduled events, and to serve alcohol consistent with their license with the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. County can terminate the use on 30 days’ notice. County retains the right to license out all other areas in the Building for events, parties and other gathering at rates determined by County in its discretion, including the lounge when not in use by the VFW for the scheduled events.
Strategic Plan:
This item directly supports the County’s Five-year Strategic Plan and is aligned with the following pillar, goal, and objective.
Pillar: Healthy and Safe Communities
Goal: Strengthen operational effectiveness, fiscal reliability, and accountability
Objective: Align the Board of Supervisor’s strategic priorities, policy, and operational goals with funding and resources.
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Procedural Authority. Regarding all requested items, Government Code Section 25536 (SCC 2-175) allows the Board to contract for use of dedicated Veterans buildings and, on four-fifths (4/5) vote, to enter into leases, concessions, and management contracts involving County-owned property devoted or held for recreation purposes, without following otherwise applicable procedural rules.
Government Code Section 26227 states: "the Board of Supervisors may contract with other public agencies or private agencies or individuals to operate those programs which the Board of Supervisors determines will serve public purposes. In the furtherance of those programs, the Board of Supervisors may make available any real property of the County, which is not and, during the time of possession, will not be needed for County purposes, to be used to carry out such programs, upon terms and conditions determined by the Board of Supervisors to be in the best interests of the County and the general public.” Staff is recommending and requesting that the Board find that the use of the Lounge by the VFW will meet the social needs of the County by providing options for patriotic, fraternal and benevolent activities for the reasons stated above.
Prior Board Actions:
September 18, 2018 - Adopted the updated Veterans Memorial Building Use Policy.
June 5, 2018 - Approved multiple actions: Adopted a resolution amending the Board of Supervisor’s Resolution #94-0290 regarding the County’s Veterans Memorial Buildings Advisory Committee; and Authorized execution of license agreement with the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Bear Flag Post 1943 for use of the Sonoma Veterans Memorial Building Veterans Lounge.
June 23, 2015 - Authorized General Services Director to authorize adjustments to the current rate structure on a case-by-case basis for the Cotati, Guerneville, Petaluma, Santa Rosa, Sebastopol and Sonoma buildings to allow rentals for smaller blocks of time.
July 26, 2005 - Adopted the Veterans Memorial Building Use Policy.
March 2, 1994 - Approved resolution #94-0290 adopting updated administrative policy on advisory body roles and relationships for the Veterans Memorial Buildings Advisory Committee.
Fiscal Summary
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FY 22-23 Adopted |
FY23-24 Projected |
FY 24-25 Projected |
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
There are no direct fiscal impacts as a result of this Board Item.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
Revocable License Agreement with The Veterans of Foreign Wars Bear Flag Post #1943 for Sonoma Veterans Memorial Building
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None