To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): District 4
Staff Name and Phone Number: James Gore 707-565-2241
Vote Requirement: 4/5th
Supervisorial District(s): Fourth
Title:
Title
World War II Memorial
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
A) Authorize the use of $50,000 of Lytton Tribal Mitigation funds toward a memorial honoring World War II fighter pilots stationed at the Santa Rosa Army Airfield, to be erected at the Windsor Town Green.
B) Adopt a budget resolution appropriating $50,000 from the Lytton Tribal Mitigation fund to the Fiscal Agent: Windsor Historical Society. (4/5th Vote Required) (Fourth District)
C) Authorize the County Administrator to enter into a funding agreement, approved as to form by County Counsel, with fiscal agent to disburse funds.
(4/5th Vote Required) (Fourth District)
end
Executive Summary:
This item seeks Board authorization of the use of $50,000 of Lytton Tribal Mitigation funds toward a memorial honoring World War II fighter pilots stationed at the Santa Rosa Army Airfield to be erected at the Windsor Town Green.
Discussion:
The Santa Rosa Army Airfield, located where the Sonoma County Airport now stands, was home to a World War II military pilot training center from January of 1943 until November of 1945. In mid-1941 the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors began securing options to purchase land northwest of Santa Rosa as an inducement to the Department of the Defense to build a military airfield. After acquiring 337 acres for a project, the County of Sonoma leased the land to the Federal Government in July 1942 for Army Air Corps use. Subsequently, 1,150 acres were purchased for construction of additional military facilities at the location. The original airfield consisted of two 5,400-foot runways, perimeter taxiways, 36 hardstands, three refueling pits, storage capacity for 125,000 gallons of fuel, and other necessary services.
On January 18, 1943, the Army Airfield officially opened the 493rd Base Headquarters and the Air Base Squadron was activated. During the next three years during World War II, the airfield became a training ground for hundreds of pilots learning to operate both single and twin-engine fighter planes before being deployed oversees. As a training base, accidents and crashes were a common occurrence in Windsor and the surrounding area. It is estimated that over 240 airplanes were lost during that time, with 59 pilot fatalities.
The Windsor Historical Society and community members are leading the implementation of a memorial at the Windsor Town Green to honor those World War II fighter pilots who lost their lives while stationed for training at the Santa Rosa Army Airfield. The Windsor Historical Society has compiled and confirmed the death certificates for each of the 59 pilots to be honored. Mrs. Alves and the Historical Society will secure additional funds to cover all direct costs related to this project. Prior to beginning fundraising efforts, staff is seeking conceptual approval so donors are assured the project can move forward once funded. Although not currently in a position to assist financially, the Pacific Coast Air Museum is in full support of the project.
The Sonoma County Agricultural and Open Space District has approved the installation of a memorial on the specified land under easement at the Town Green.
The County of Sonoma executed an agreement with the Lytton Rancheria of California in 2015 and amended on August 7, 2018. The agreement describes mitigation funds paid to the county to address offsite impacts of the development, including impacts to parks, road impacts in addition to administrative and consultant costs reimbursements. The FY 22-23 Lytton Tribal Mitigation fund balance is $4.6 million.
This item seeks Board authorization for the use of $50,000 of Lytton Tribal Mitigation funds toward the memorial at the Windsor Town Green honoring World War II fighter pilots stationed at the Santa Rosa Army Airfield.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
N/A
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY 22-23 Adopted |
FY23-24 Projected |
FY 24-25 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
|
|
|
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
$50,000 |
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
$50,000 |
|
|
|
Funding Sources |
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|
|
|
General Fund/WA GF |
|
|
|
|
State/Federal |
|
|
|
|
Fees/Other |
|
|
|
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Use of Fund Balance |
$50,000 |
|
|
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Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Total Sources |
$50,000 |
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
This item will be funded by Lytton Mitigation Fund Balance; the FY2022-23 projected ending fund balance is approximately $4.6 million and the use of these funds for this purpose is within the parameters of this fund, as described in the “Discussion” section above.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
Budget Resolution
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
N/A