DEPARTMENT: Library Department
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Ramiro S. Salazar
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: 1
SUBJECT:
Amendment to agreement (Ordinance 2006-05-18-0598) with Landa Gardens Conservancy (LGC) for the continued grounds maintenance of the Landa Gardens at the Landa Branch Library (233 Bushnell).
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes the amendment to an existing agreement with the Landa Gardens Conservancy (LGC) for grounds maintenance of up to $15,000 from the Library General Fund Budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Landa Gardens Conservancy (LGC) was established as a 501(c) (3) non-profit in August 2004 for the purpose of improving the grounds of the Landa Branch Library (233 Bushnell). Shortly thereafter, the LGC commissioned a Landa Gardens Master Plan which provided for the creation of user friendly spaces, landscaped bed, improved lighting, an irrigation system, additional and improved parking, age-specific playgrounds and construction of a pavilion. In August 2005, the San Antonio Public Library Board of Trustees approved the Master Plan and Pavilion and the Historic and Design Review Commission approved the Pavilion (September 2005) and Master Plan (November 2005). In order to facilitate the construction of improvements outlined in the Master Plan, City Council authorized an agreement with the LGC on May 18, 2006, Ordinance 2006-05-18-0598. The Library Board of Trustees approved the agreement in April 2006.
The Landa Gardens Conservancy has invested approximately $1.5 million since 2006 in capital improvements and ongoing maintenance of the ground, the playground and parking lot of the Landa Branch Library.
In April 2009, the San Antonio Public Library formally acknowledged and accepted the improvements made to the ground of the Landa Branch Library by the Landa Gardens Conservancy.
In May 2014, the Landa Gardens Conservancy and the San Antonio Public Library mutually agreed to amend the agreement as the capital improvements outlined in the Master Plan have now been implemented and the day-to-day maintenance of the Landa Gardens have been established.
ISSUE:
The proposed amendment to the agreement serves to acknowledge and agree that the LGC has fulfilled the terms and conditions of the original agreement (Ordinance 2006-05-18-0598) and in doing so removes the Phase One, Capital Construction, section of the agreement. Additionally, mutually agreed changes relating to the operational aspect of the Landa Gardens are part of this amendment:
• Details pertaining to systematic maintenance and other normal ground upkeep and maintenance by both City and LGC.
• The Library will continue to provide water to the Grounds for irrigation use and subject to City water conservation policies; however, the LGC will pursue water conservation measures.
• The LGC will continue to raise funds for an endowment for the continued maintenance and improvements of the Landa Gardens and the City will contribute up to $15,000 yearly towards the cost of maintaining the Landa Grounds to supplement funds provided by LGC for the grounds. LGC will provide the City with an annual maintenance schedule.
• The term of the agreement is for five (5) years with automatic seven (7) additional five-year (5) terms. The total term of the agreement, with automatic renewals is 40 years. The length of the term provides stability for the Landa Gardens Conservancy to continue its fundraising efforts by demonstrating a long-term commitment to the Landa Gardens.
The San Antonio Public Library Board of Trustees approved the amended Landa Gardens Master Plan Agreement with the Landa Gardens Conservancy in September 2014.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should this amendment to the agreement not pass, the City and LGC will continue to operate under the original agreement (Ordinance 2006-05-18-0598)
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes funds in the amount of $15,000 to Landa Gardens Conservancy for maintenance of the Landa Branch Library grounds to be paid from the Library General Fund Budget.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this amendment to the agreement (Ordinance 2006-05-18-0598) with the Landa Gardens Conservancy (LGC). The Landa Gardens Conservancy has invested over $1.3 million in improvements for the Landa Branch Library grounds. This public-private partnership is in the best interest of the City of San Antonio.