DEPARTMENT: SAFD
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Charles N. Hood
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Council District 1
SUBJECT:
San Antonio Fire Museum Society Lease Agreement
SUMMARY:
An Ordinance authorizing the execution of a three -year lease agreement with two additional one-year terms between the City, acting as Landlord, and the San Antonio Fire Museum Society, a non-profit corporation for the operation of the Museum. This agreement includes the first floor and basement and the adjacent building known as EMS Supply of the building commonly known as the old Fire Station #1 located at 801 E. Houston Street.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The San Antonio Fire Department Museum Committee was formed in 1996 with members of Fire Station 19. The museum committee converted to the San Antonio Fire Museum Society in 2006. The SA Museum Society became a non-profit corporation in 2008 and a board of directors comprised of 15 members was created on January 29, 2010.
As a committee, members traveled to other Fire Department Museums within the state, including Houston, Dallas, New Braunfels and the Texas State Fire Museum in Beaumont. The Committee also attended the Fire Museum Network seminars held in conjunction with the National Fire Chiefs Conventions. Over 100 artifacts have been collected dating back to the early 1900's. These items include helmets, alarm boxes, rope line guns, a photographic collection, and nozzles. The Committee is also in possession of a restored 1951 International fire truck which is used for parades, fairs and firefighter's funeral. The Committee also has a fully restored 1927 American La France fire truck and in the future will have a 1953 Mack pumper, all of which are original to San Antonio. Restorations have been completed in house by retired fire fighting personnel. An 1891 horse drawn steamer will also be available for display once the museum opens.
City Council authorized a two-year Lease Agreement for Fire Station #7 on January 15, 2009 and a one-year renewal on March 31, 2011 and August 2012. The Fire Museum Society utilizes the space for reconstructing antique apparatus and collecting and storing antique fire items and historical records.
ISSUE:
This ordinance authorizes the execution of a three-year lease agreement with two additional one-year terms between the City, acting as Landlord, and the San Antonio Fire Museum Society, a non-profit corporation. This agreement includes the first floor and basement and the adjacent building known as EMS Supply located at 801 E. Houston Street.
The San Antonio Fire Department Museum opened on October 9, 2013. The use of the first floor and basement and the adjacent building known as EMS Supply is dedicated to the operation of the museum. It displays the firefighting-related antique apparatus, antique furniture and accessories that the SAFD has collected or may in the future collect from older fire stations. The San Antonio Fire Museum is a safe and accessible location that will preserve the historical records and artifacts of the Fire Department. A gift shop is also located in this area. SAFD will retain the second floor for community safety and education purposes.
SAFD will be responsible for maintenance of the facilities as landlord. Members of the SA Fire Museum Society will sign a waiver stating that their participation is strictly on a volunteer basis, without any pay or compensation of any kind, and without any liability of any nature on behalf of the City; all services are performed at their own risk. The SA Fire Museum Society will further indemnify the City of San Antonio of any third party claims associated with their operation.
ALTERNATIVES:
If City Council does not approve this lease agreement, the San Antonio Fire Department would not have a dedicated facility to preserve historical records and artifacts in a safe and accessible location. Various locations have been utilized in the past which resulted in damage to some artifacts.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes the execution of a three-year lease agreement with two additional one-year terms between the City, acting as Landlord, and the San Antonio Fire Museum Society, a non-profit corporation. The annual maintenance charges for this location are approximately $5,000.00 and will be funded through the FY 2014 Adopted Fire Department General Fund Budget.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance to authorize the execution of a three-year lease with two additional one-year terms with the SA Fire Museum Society, a non-profit corporation for the lease of the building commonly known as the old Fire Station #1.