Title
Supervisor Parlin recommending the Board:
1) Find that a public benefit is derived from supporting the Kelsey Community Association's (KCA) efforts to replace the exterior siding and the rain gutters to prevent more deterioration of the 120-year-old Historic Kelsey Schoolhouse; and
2) Approve and authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to sign a funding Agreement, consistent with the County’s standard form and upon the approval of County Counsel, with the Kelsey Community Association authorizing payment of the $5,000 community funding contribution in support of these efforts.
FUNDING: General Fund.
Body
Community Funding
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
Purpose of the project/organization:
The KCA owns and maintains the Old Kelsey Schoolhouse located at 6440 Garden Valley Road in Garden Valley CA, 95633. The original schoolhouse was built on this site in 1858 near several of the largest mines in the Kelsey Mining District. The original building burned in 1902, and was replaced with the current building. Classes were held in the schoolhouse until 1958, when larger schools were built on the Georgetown Divide. It was also used briefly in the 1980’s as a continuation high school.
Much of the exterior siding and the rain gutters need to be replaced to prevent more deterioration of the 120-year-old building. To secure funds for upkeep of the building, the KCA relies mostly on meager profits from a monthly community breakfast. This event is attended by many Kelsey residents as well as people from other Divide communities. Many of these attended school here or had parents or ancestors who did. Unfortunately, the funds raised are inadequate for the upkeep needed. Plans are underway to replace siding on the building exterior as needed, replace support posts and load beams on two entrance porches, repair or replace windows, replace rain gutters with leaf preventing gutters, replace 30 to 50 year old interior furnishings and appliances, and replace the 40 year old inoperative mower.
During the 2020 and 2021 Covid shutdowns, expenses were paid using part of a Certificate of Deposit that had been earmarked for building improvements. Besides resuming the monthly breakfast fundraisers and the remainder of the CD, funds are being sought by direct donations from the community, and several grant sources, including the Latrobe Fund. Continued aging of the facility is making it less desirable as a venue, leading to lower revenues.
A coordinated effort is being assembled to provide volunteer labor from other community organizations to accomplish the renovation. It is hoped that the Old Kelsey Schoolhouse can be made into a desirable meeting place once again.
How will the project support or produce a public benefit to El Dorado County:
The building is currently the only building suitable for community gatherings in the area. Besides being a school, it also served as the community center for meetings and community events since 1858. Gold discoverer James Marshall frequented the school during his residency in Kelsey for the last seventeen years of his life. It is currently rented out for various functions such as parties, receptions etc. The Kelsey Cemetery District Board of Trustees meets there monthly for a modest rent payment. The KCA and Kelsey Women’s Neighborly Circle also use the space regularly.
Kelsey has been eroded as a population center over the years, losing its postal zip code over 20 years ago. The only government vestige of the community is the Kelsey Cemetery District. The Kelsey Community Association, through its ownership and maintenance of the Old Kelsey Schoolhouse, is the glue that holds the community together. It is imperative that this continues. An updated meeting place will attract more uses, such as scout troops, ball teams (the old field is still there), community picnics, etc. Attendance at the monthly breakfasts will also increase. All of this will make the Schoolhouse self-sufficient once more. Many families living in Kelsey have ancestry going back 100 to 170 years. We don’t want to lose our community. Help save the Old Kelsey Schoolhouse.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose not to approve the funding request, and no funding would be provided in support of these efforts.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Kelsey Community Association
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The Board of Supervisors allocated $35,000 in the Fiscal Year 2021-22 budget in General Fund - Other Operations (Department 15) to be available for community funding requests supported by the Board. Approval of this item would allocate $5,000 from this amount. There is no additional impact to the General Fund due to the approval of this agreement.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Healthy Communities
CONTACT
Lori Parlin