HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 3.D 02/05/2018DATE: February 5, 2018
Agenda Item #3.D
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council through City Manager
FROM: Heather Hines, Planning Manager
SUBJECT: Resolution of the Petaluma City Council Supporting Application for the Certified
Local Government Historic Preservation Program and Authorizing the City
Manager to Execute Related Certification Agreements
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt the attached Resolution Supporting Application
for the Certified Local Government Historic Preservation Program and Authorizing the City
Manager to Execute Related Certification Agreements,
BACKGROUND
The Certified Local Government (CLG) Program is a nationwide program established in 1980 as
an amendment to the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. The program is intended as a
partnership between local governments, the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), and the
National Park Service (NPS). It was designed to aid local governments and encourages direct
participation of local governments in the identification, evaluation, and registration of historic
properties.
Benefits to communities that obtain CLG status include eligibility for grant funds for
preservation planning activities such as developing a historic context, conducting a survey, or
updating a preservation ordinance. Grant funds are awarded annually as matching grants to
CLGs through a competitive application process.
DISCUSSION
With adoption of Ordinance 2597 in 2017 to reconstitute the Historic and Cultural Preservation
Committee as a separate decision making body and associated appointment of five committee
members, including two qualified professionals as required by the CLG program, Petaluma is
compliant with all criteria for application. The attached resolution is an application submittal
requirement to demonstrate the City Council's support for CLG certification.
Application for CLG certification will facilitate the City's ability to directly and indirectly satisfy
several goals and objectives set forth in Chapter 3 of the 2025 General Plan. Pertinent General
Plan policies and objectives are listed below in bold typeface followed by a brief discussion of
the proposed resolution as it relates to each policy and objective.
3- P -1 -F: Pursue CLG Status
Approval of the proposed resolution will allow the City to meet the requirements needed to apply
for CLG certification. Once adopted staff will complete the application packet for SHPO review.
3- P -1 -L: Ensure City Staff responsible for decisions affecting historic resources are well
versed in historic preservation theory and practice
Approval of the proposed resolution will facilitate the City's application for CLG certification
which will in turn present new opportunities for staff and committee members to attend trainings
to maintain an up to date understanding of historic preservation theory and practice.
3- P -2 -E: Take Advantage of CLG Program benefits, such as grant funding
Once Petaluma obtains CLG certification, the City will be eligible for grant funding for
preservation efforts, be able to participate in preservation training, and utilize technical support
from SHPO.
3 -P -4: Foster appreciation for Petaluma's cultural heritage and encourage greater public
participation in education regarding resources
Approval of the proposed resolution demonstrates the City's commitment to obtaining CLG
certification specifically and the commitment to historic preservation more generally. Further,
resources that will become available to the City with CLG certification will allow the City to
bolster educational programs related to historic preservation and increase outreach to encourage
greater public participation in the preservation of the City's resources.
3- P -4 -1): Provide opportunities for ongoing education on historic preservation for City staff
and elected /appointed officials
Approval of the proposed resolution will further the City's application for CLG certification
which in turn will make available educational opportunities and technical trainings to ensure that
City staff, committee members, and elected officials are conversant in contemporary issues
related to historic preservation.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
Preparation of the Certified Local Government application is being completed by the Planning
Division as Base Level Hours with the fee for services agreement between M -Group and the City
of Petaluma with no cost to the General Fund.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution
2
ATTACHMENT 1
RESOLUTION OF THE PETALUMA CITY COUNCIL
SUPPORTING APPLICATION FOR THE CERTIFIED LOCAL GOVERNMENT
HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROGRAM AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO EXECUTE RELATED CERTIFICATION AGREEMENTS
WHEREAS, the United States Congress under the National Historic Preservation Act of
1966, amended (16 U.S.C. 470), has authorized the establishment of a Certified Local
Government Program; and
WHEREAS, the State of California, represented by the State Historic Preservation
Officer, is responsible for the administration of the program within the state and the
establishment of necessary rules and procedures governing the application by local agencies
under the program; and
WHEREAS, adopted procedures established by the State of California require
application for the Certified Local Government Historic Preservation Program to be
accompanied by a resolution of the local government's elected officials approving application
prior to submission of said application to the state; and
WHEREAS, Petaluma's General Plan includes language in Chapter 3: Historic
Preservation to pursue Certified Local Government status through the California State Office of
Historic Preservation; and
WHEREAS, in 2017 the Petaluma City Council adopted Ordinance 2597 to reconstitute
the duties of the Historic and Cultural Preservation Committee as a separate decision making
body and appointed five members to the Committee to meet necessary criteria for eligibility for
certification as a Certified Local Government.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of
Petaluma hereby:
1. Supports the filing of an application for certification under the Certified Local
Government Program; and
2. Authorizes the City Manager to coordinate, process, and execute all contracts,
agreements, amendments, and ancillary documents within the scope of the Certified
Local Government application for certification.
3