DATE: November 28, 2023
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: John Zanoni, Sheriff-Coroner-Public Administrator
SUBJECT: Fresno Sheriff’s Memorial - Education Center Agreement
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Determine that certain specified areas (as described in the recommended Agreement) in the Fresno County Sheriff Area 2 Substation property are not, and during the time of possession, will not be needed for County purposes, and that making the specified areas available to the Fresno Sheriff’s Memorial Foundation to design and build the Fresno Sheriff Memorial and Education Center will serve public purposes and is necessary to meet the social needs of the population of Fresno County; and
2. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute an Agreement with Fresno Sheriff’s Memorial Foundation to use portions of the Fresno County Sheriff Area 2 Substation property to design and build the Fresno Sheriff Memorial and Education Center, effective November 28, 2023 through November 27, 2033 with two (2) additional ten (10) year terms ($0).
REPORT
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. The Fresno Sheriff’s Memorial Foundation will pay all costs associated with constructing and maintaining the Memorial and Education Center. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
If the recommended actions are not approved, the Fresno Sheriff Memorial and Education Center will not be completed.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. The Foundation will pay all costs associated with constructing and maintaining the Memorial and Education Center, including but not limited to design and build, and no County funds shall be used for this purpose.
DISCUSSION:
The Fresno Sheriff’s Sergeants Association (FSSA) Board believes that its actions should primarily be based on internal causes, including supporting those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, their families, and the organizations that support and honor them.
In accordance with Gov. Code § 26227, the County may make available to a nonprofit corporation or association any real property of the County which is not, and during the time of possession, will not be needed for County purposes, to be used to carry out programs, upon terms and conditions determined by the Board of Supervisors to be in the best interests of the county and the general public, and to meet the social needs of the population of the county, including the areas of health, law enforcement, public safety, rehabilitation, welfare, education, and legal services. By allowing the use of specified portions of the new Area 2 Substation (the Substation), the Foundation will provide educational services to local school children and visitors, and will fulfill the social needs of Fresno County, by providing support to the families of Fresno Sheriffs who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
The recommended agreement provides that the Foundation may use an outdoor patio area at the Substation to construct its Memorial, and portions of three spaces in the Substation building to construct an Education Center. The Foundation will pay all costs to construct the Memorial and Education Center, and no County funds will be used. Additionally, the Foundation will provide all necessary maintenance and repairs of the Memorial and Education Center, at the Foundation’s cost.
The Foundation anticipates the phases of the project will be as follows:
Phase 1 - Fresno Sheriff Memorial - Successfully COMPLETED
Phase 1 of the project includes funding of the initial design and concept for the Memorial, funding the Wall of Honor and other key features, and endowing the Family Financial Relief fund with capital necessary to support an immediate response to a line of duty death. Its success has greatly impacted the momentum to reach the Foundation’s goals of establishing the Memorial Center, providing financial relief to families, and paying tribute to our fallen heroes.
Phase 2 - Memorial Expansion and Statue Additions
Due to overwhelming support from the community, in late 2022, expansion of the initial Memorial Project was approved. The footprint and scope of work grew to encompass nearly 4 times the original proposed design of the Memorial, allowing more visitors to enjoy the reflection and solace offered at the Memorial. The Memorial Design has been enhanced and now includes a spacious Memorial Courtyard, Donor Garden, custom made personalized Memorial Statues, and other intentional design details that draw the visitors’ attention to the sacrifices made and traditions of law enforcement. The Memorial Expansion footprint encompasses the long-term plan of working with the future Memorial Center, organized field trips for Fresno County students, and a curriculum that details the history of the Fresno County Sheriff’s Department dating back to 1856 and forwarding to present day.
Phase 3 -Fresno Sheriff Memorial Center & Endowment
The Memorial Center Complex, planned at the location of the Metro Substation, will encompass both the Fresno Sheriff Memorial and an extensive Educational Center. The Educational Center will be housed inside the Substation and be open to the public at large. It will continue to tell the story of those memorialized on our Wall of Honor, explore the history of the Sheriff’s Office, and provide character education for our communities’ youth. The Memorial Center will be state of the art, and will include interactive kiosks and video screens, hands-on activities, and approximately 20 exhibits. Phase 3 will also address the long-term sustainability of the Memorial Center, providing funds for maintenance of the Memorial and Education Center, as well as an endowment to respond to line-of duty deaths.
To complete these goals, the FSSA founded the Fresno Sheriff’s Memorial Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. They commenced a private Capital Campaign and have been joined by the Fresno area’s community and political leaders. Over $1 Million has already been received towards the project, with pledges reaching almost $2 Million.
The groundbreaking for the Fresno Sheriff Memorial is scheduled for February 6, 2024. This will kick-off the Public Capital Campaign. Completion of the Memorial is anticipated in the Fall of 2024, with the schedule for the Educational Center Groundbreaking and Construction to be determined based on available funding.
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Determination
Staff prepared an Environmental Review (ER No. 8506) for the proposal and determined the approval of the recommended actions are exempt from CEQA pursuant to Categorical Exemption Section 15301 - Existing Facilities (interior or exterior alterations and additions to existing structures), and Section 15061(b)(3), the common sense exemption, as the Memorial and Education Center lack the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. The proposed improvements will involve only minor modifications and are incidental to the use of the already constructed facility.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #3, September 6, 2022
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with Fresno Sheriff’s Memorial Foundation
CAO ANALYST:
Fine Nai