Title
Supervisor Parlin recommending the Board:
1) Find that a public benefit is derived from supporting the Independent Order of Oddfellows' Georgetown Momento Lodge 37 501c(3) efforts for the restoration /residing of the weathered side of the building and window replacement/restoration to preserve a historic building; 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 Independent Order of Oddfellows Georgetown Momento Lodge 37 authorizing payment of the $5,000 community funding contribution in support of these efforts.
FUNDING: Community Funding.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The Oddfellows Hall in Georgetown was originally built in 1859. It is El Dorado County Historic Site Number 17. The Odd Fellows Lodge #37 held its first meeting there in 1889. Not long after that, the Native Son’s began holding their meetings there. The weathered sides of the structure exterior are in need of restoration. Siding and windows are failing, and this allows rain, snow, and various pests to enter the building. This restoration and residing will protect the original siding and properly seal the building again. Windows will removed, be re-glazed as necessary get new putty, and restored to their original condition. This first phase of exterior work is about 25 feet above ground. The second phase is on the weathered side at ground level. We don’t have funds for that project. After the restoration work, the building will be painted again. Labor is being provided free by craftsmen from the Oddfellows and Native Sons of the Golden West Georgetown Parlor. Funds for materials have been provided by the Native Sons Historical Preservation Foundation, The Georgetown Rotary, The Georgetown Preservation Society, The International Order of Oddfellows Grant, and contributions from members of the community via direct donations and attendance at fund raisers. We have about 2/3 of the necessary funds to purchase materials. We will complete the work to the limit of our funds but more money will help complete the project this year.
Public Benefit
The Oddfellows Hall is the primary community center of Georgetown and has been for well over 100 years. It hosts a wide diversity of events and groups including several Music on the Divide Concerts each year, Community Meetings of all kinds including the Republican Women of the Divide, weekly exercise classes, Holiday Events to include the annual Christmas Food Basket and Holiday Craft Fairs , Weddings, memorial services, Fire Department Events including fire academy Graduations and their annual Halloween Dance, Rotary fund raisers including their annual auction and their annual crab feed, River Folk and KFOK radio fundraiser events, and Political Forums that include election year candidate forums and town hall meetings with our congressional representative. This project will help ensure the people of Georgetown will benefit from the use of this historic building for many years to come.
A funding agreement is required in order for the County to process the payment to the Independent Order of Oddfellows Georgetown Momento Lodge 37 . Approval by the Board provides the finding that a public benefit is derived from supporting this endeavor.
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
Independent Order of Oddfellows Georgetown Momento Lodge 37
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The Board of Supervisors allocated $50,000 in the Fiscal Year 2020-21 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
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Healthy Communities
Improved health, well-being and self-sufficiency of El Dorado County communities, residents and visitors. Encourage and support through policy and resources the pursuit of local, state and federal, private and public funding opportunities to support and promote healthy communities
CONTACT
Lori Parlin