Legislation Details

File #: HIST-2303    Version: 1 Subject:
Type: Historical Status: Action Item
In control: City Council Meeting Agenda
On agenda: 4/17/2006 Final action: 4/17/2006
Title: Authorization to: 1) Enter Into Lease with the County of Los Angeles for the Culver City Courthouse Property; and 2) Enter into Sublease with the Western States Black Research and Educational Center for the Culver City Courthouse Property.
Attachments: 1. A-3__06-04-17_Administration_County_Lease_Agreement.doc
City of Culver City, California City Council Agenda Item Report RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the City Council authorize the City to: 1) Enter into a lease agreement with the County of Los Angeles (“County”) for the Culver City Courthouse property located at 4130 Overland Avenue (“Courthouse”); and 2) Enter into a sublease agreement with the Western States Black Research and Educational Center (“WSBREC”) for the Courthouse property. BACKGROUND: In 2004, the City was informed that pursuant to the State’s Trial Court Facilities Transfer legislation, which authorized the closure of several courthouses throughout California, the Los Angeles County Superior Court would be ceasing its activities in the Culver City Courthouse effective March 31, 2005 and transferring those activities to the Santa Monica Courthouse. In order to review and discuss the potential impacts the Courthouse closure would have on the City, the City Council named Council Members Vera and Corlin to the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on the Los Angeles County Courthouse in Culver City (“Subcommittee”). The Subcommittee’s charge was to discuss the issues surrounding the Courthouse closure, formulate potential security alternatives for County consideration, and develop recommendations to keep the Courthouse in Culver City open and operational. The Subcommittee determined that it would be cost prohibitive for the City to operate the Courthouse Building. Meeting Date: 04/17/06 Item Number: A-3 AGENDA ITEM: Authorization to: 1) Enter Into Lease with the County of Los Angeles for the Culver City Courthouse Property; and 2) Enter into Sublease with the Western States Black Research and Educational Center for the Culver City Courthouse Property. Contact Person/Dept.: Shelly Wolfberg (Administration) or Heather Iker (City Attorney) Phone Number: (310) 253-6008 or (310) 253-5660 Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X] Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [] Public Notification: Supervisor Yvonne B. Burke, 2nd District; County of Los Angeles Real Estate Division; Western States Black Research and Educational Center; and Master Notification List (4/12/06) Department Approval: Martin R. Cole (04/13/06) CAO Approval: Jerry B. Fulwood (04/13/06) City Controller Approval:City of Culver City, California City Council Agenda Item Report Over the past several years, WSBREC has approached City, County and Federal representatives to seek support for a home for its museum in Culver City. The Subcommittee took this into consideration, and an Agenda Item was brought to the City Council on May 9, 2005. At that meeting the City Council voted to encourage the County to enter into a lease agreement with the Western States Black Research and Educational Center for the Courthouse property. Upon further discussions with County staff, the City was informed that the County would require a lease with the City of Culver City, and the City could enter into a sublease with WSBREC. Negotiations regarding the lease and sublease were discussed with the City Council and staff in Closed Session on October 10, 2005. DISCUSSION: Staff has worked diligently with WSBREC and the County during protracted lease negotiations to work out various issues, which are summarized as follows: 1. The lease and sublease agreements will concurrently begin on the date they are executed by the County and WSBREC and terminate on June 30, 2007. Tenancy could continue on a month-to-month basis thereafter. 2. Both the County and WSBREC agree that all operating responsibilities and repair for damage to the Courthouse property will be borne by WSBREC. 3. All insurance policies for WSBREC’s operation of the Courthouse property will be the responsibility of WSBREC. 4. Subject to confirmation from the State Judicial Council that the Courthouse property is not to be transferred to the State under the Trial Court Facilities Transfer legislation, and in the event the County decides to sell the Courthouse property during the term of the lease agreement, the County will offer the Courthouse property for sale to the City. The City will have the right of first refusal on the sale of the Courthouse property. The execution of both the lease and sublease agreements are pending approval of the lease agreement by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. It is anticipated that the item will be heard by the Board within a few weeks. FISCAL ANALYSIS: There is no fiscal impact to the City.City of Culver City, California City Council Agenda Item Report ATTACHMENTS: None. MOTION: That the City Council: 1. Authorize the City to enter into a lease agreement with the County of Los Angeles for the Culver City Courthouse Property located at 4130 Overland Avenue; and 2. Authorize the City Attorney to prepare and the Chief Administrative Officer to execute the lease documents; and 3. Authorize the City to enter into a sublease agreement with the Western States Black Research and Educational Center; and 4. Authorize the City Attorney to prepare and the Chief Administrative Officer to execute the sublease documents.