DEPARTMENT: Library Department
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Ramiro S. Salazar
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: 1
SUBJECT:
Amendments to the existing Landa Gardens Master Plan Agreement with the Landa Gardens Conservancy to continue grounds maintenance and extend the current terms.
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes amendments to an existing agreement with the Landa Gardens Conservancy (LGC) for grounds maintenance.
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.
In April 2009, the San Antonio Public Library formally acknowledged and accepted the improvements made to the grounds 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 had been implemented and the day-to-day maintenance of the Landa Gardens had been established.
The San Antonio Public Library Board of Trustees approved the amended Landa Gardens Master Plan Agreement with the Landa Gardens Conservancy in September 2014.
In October, 2014, City Council authorized amendments to the agreement whereby the Library Department contributes an amount not to exceed $15,000 per year to assist the LGC with the annual maintenance of the Landa Library grounds. This amended Agreement also extended the length of the total Agreement from 23 years to 40 years.
In January 2020, the Landa Gardens Conservancy and the San Antonio Public Library Board of Trustees mutually agreed to propose amendments to the agreement to further clarify the day-to-day maintenance of the Landa Gardens and use of the Landa Library grounds by stakeholder groups and external third-parties.
The Landa Gardens Conservancy has invested over 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
ISSUE:
The proposed amendments to the agreement serve to further acknowledge and agree that the LGC has fulfilled the terms and conditions of the original agreement (Ordinance 2006-05-18-0598) and its 2014 amendments (Ordinance 2014-10-30-0835) and has also funded the restoration of a historic fountain and changed it into a planter and has funded and commissioned a number of faux bois tables and benches for the grounds. 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 term of the agreement is for five (5) years with automatic eight (8) additional five-year (5) terms. The total term of the agreement, with automatic renewals is 45 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.
• Details pertaining to the use of the Landa Library grounds by external third-parties and Landa Library stakeholder groups.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should this amendment to the agreement not pass, the City and LGC will continue to operate under the current agreement (Ordinance 2014-10-30-0835).
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes amendments to the existing Landa Gardens Master Plan Agreement with the Landa Gardens Conservancy to continue grounds maintenance and extend the current terms an additional five years, with options to renew and automatic renewals, and an estimated annual amount of $15,000.00 towards maintenance from the San Antonio Public Library General Fund Budget.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this amendment to the current agreement and its 2014 Amendment (Ordinance 2014-10-30-0835) with the Landa Gardens Conservancy (LGC). The Landa Gardens Conservancy has invested over $1.5 million in improvements for the Landa Branch Library grounds. This public-private partnership is in the best interest of the City of San Antonio.