HomeMy WebLinkAboutE-17 Staff Report - School House Move ContractCONSENT ITEM
E-17
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
VIA: SERGIO GONZALEZ, CITY MANAGER
DATE: AUGUST 15, 2022
SUBJECT: RATIFICATION OF EMERGENCY AND AWARD OF CONTRACT TO
AMERICAN HEAVY MOVING AND RIGGING, INC TO MOVE THE OLD
SCHOOLHOUSE BUILDING LOCATED AT 403 N. ANGELENO AVE. TO
VETERANS FREEDOM PARK LOCATED AT 213 E. FOOTHILL AVE.
BACKGROUND:
“The Old Schoolhouse” is considered valuable from an architectural standpoint due to it being one
of the only surviving single room wood framed schoolhouses in the San Gabriel Valley. In the
early 1900s new facilities were constructed at what was then called Riley School. While white
students enjoyed the new facilities, Azusa’s Mexican children were housed in the older wood
framed Schoolhouse to learn English and participate in Americanization classes. The Schoolhouse
also served as a polling location where Mexican residents were only allowed to cast their vote. In
1946, the Schoolhouse was saved from demolition by the Azusa School Board of Trustees due to
its historic value and relocated to its present location (403 N. Angeleno Ave.) where it has stood
for last 72 years.
The Ad Hoc Committee comprised of 2 members from the Azusa City Council and 2 members
from the Azusa Unified School District Board have had several discussions about the importance
of preserving the building, which ultimately led to an agreement whereby the City would take
possession and work to restore it.
On February 22, 2022, the City Council authorized the City Attorney and City Manager to finalize
an agreement that transfers the ownership of the Old Schoolhouse from Azusa Unified School
District to the City of Azusa. The agreement was finalized on March 15, 2022 and requires the
City within twelve months of executing the agreement.
APPROVED
CITY COUNCIL
8/15/2022
Old School House Relocation Contract Award
August 15, 2022
Page 2
On July 1, 2022 the City was informed that the “The Old Schoolhouse” Preservation and
Relocation Project was awarded $3 million dollars in the approved 2022-2023 State of California
General Fund Budget. Funds will be used to prepare the area, including significant work to be
performed in the future landing site between the Durrel House, home of the Azusa Historical
Society and Barnes House, the City’s first permitted home. In addition, the Santa Fe Depot will
only be steps away, complimenting what will become “Historic Row.” Remainder of the funds
will be used to move the building, hire an architectural historian to ensure the City is complying
with all applicable laws related to this restoration project.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends that the City Council take the following actions:
1) That the City Council waive purchasing procedures finding it in the city’s best interest to
approve a sole source contract award to American Heavy Moving and Rigging, Inc; and
2) Approve the amount of $88,475 which includes a ten percent contingency amount; and
3) Authorize the use of up to $500,000 from the undesignated excess reserves.
ANALYSIS:
The Old School house currently sits on the Angeleno property, secured by fencing with tattered
plastic covering the roof. Nevertheless, recent thunderstorms have penetrated the roof structure.
Further, the Old Schoolhouse structure remains vulnerable to other weather events that have the
potential to further damage the integrity of the structure and cause imminent danger to the integrity
of the structure, demanding immediate action to prevent or mitigate the loss property For those
reasons, the City Manager has determined that immediate actions for the protection of the structure
are necessary to protect the structural integrity of the roof and other components. Consistent with
California Public Contract Code sections 22035 and 22050, Section 2-253 of the Azusa Municipal
Code provides:
“The bidding procedures of this article may be dispensed with in the case of emergency. An
emergency shall exist when the service, repair, or replacements are immediately necessary to
permit the continued performance of essential operations or services of the city, or result in
excessive costs if not immediately remedied, or to avoid the immediate danger to life, health, or
property. The city council delegates authority to the city manager to declare such procurement
emergency. If the purchase is $50,000.00 and over, the city manager shall give notice of the
purchase process to the city council.”
In this case, dispensing of the bidding requirements and awarding a sole source contract will
expedite the project and begin the process to reinforce this historic structure. Once the site is
adequately prepared to receive the building, appropriate city departments will coordinate the move
of the building. Staff is recommending a sole source award pursuant to AMC 2-520(B) Sole Source
due to the fact that American Heavy Moving and Rigging (AHMR), Inc is the only known local
(Pomona) firm, has exemplary qualifications for moving unique, large structures such as historic
buildings and homes such as the Old School House. In addition, AHMR is fully insured to ensure
Old School House Relocation Contract Award
August 15, 2022
Page 3
the preservation of this historic building. Most-notably, AHMR performed the move of a historic
building, the USC Firehouse 15 in 2015.
In addition, an Architectural Historian will be retained to ensure that the restoration complies with
all applicable laws related to historic structures.
This action requires 4/5 vote by the City Council and ratified continually until the work is done.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funds received from State budget allocation will be used to reimburse the City for all expenses
related to this project. At this point, staff is requesting the transfer of $500,000 from the
undesignated excess reserves which have a current fund balance of approximately $9,300,000.
Upon receiving grant funds, which is anticipated in a few months, staff will reimburse the City
and establish and appropriate Capital Improvement Account. Staff would like to coordinate the
move of the building as soon as possible to avoid inclement weather and disruptions to Slauson
Middle School, where the building currently sits.
CEQA:
Prior Environmental Impact Report (EIR) certified by the Azusa Unified School District for the
Project. Notice of Determination filed with the Los Angeles County Clerk’s Office on May 5,
2022. This action merely implements prior actions related to the Project and the certified EIR.
Attachments:
1) MOU Between City and AUSD Regarding Old Schoolhouse Building
2) Proposal and Contract from American Heavy Moving and Rigging, Inc.
3) Exhibit Inviting Informal Bids to Prepare Future Site of Building
Attachment 1
DURELL HOUSE
AZUSA HISTORICAL
SOCIETY
NEIGHBORHOOD
WELLNESS
CENTER
VETERANS FREEDOM PARK
DEMOLITION SITE
CITY OF AZUSA CIVIC CENTER
COURT YARD DEMOLITION EXHIBIT FOR INFORMAL BIDS
213 EAST FOOTHILL BOULEVARD
SCOPE OF WORK
SCOPE SPECIFICATIONS:
Attachment 3