HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - No. 2019-36RESOLUTION NO. 2019-36
A RESOLUTION OF THE LODI CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A LETTER OF INTENT TO SUPPORT
THE EXPANSION OF WORLD OF WONDERS SCIENCE MUSEUM
WHEREAS, the World of Wonders Science Museum (WOW) is engaged in the early
stages of planning and fundraising for the expansion of the museum for the purpose of
educating young people in science, and inspiring youth to engage in the discovery and
exploration of the sciences; and
WHEREAS, the WOW Board of Directors is reaching out to the investment community
and other potential benefactors to fund the expansion; and
WHEREAS, the future model for the WOW includes partnerships in educating youth
from across the Central Valley, training teachers of science, and serving as a destination
science hub for clubs, competitive science teams, and advanced classroom learning; and
WHEREAS, investors' willingness to participate in philanthropic, community-based
projects is increased by the local government's resolution to pledge support, administrative
actions, and resources in a proper manner according to legal requirements; and
WHEREAS, funding and right-of-way abandonment decisions are required to proceed
through noticed public hearings in connection with a project application; and
WHEREAS, City Council desires to express its support for the request of the WOW
Board of Directors in a nonbinding fashion and subject to compliance with all applicable public
processes; and
WHEREAS, the WOW Science Museum Board of Directors seeks support for its
proposals, including the closure of right-of-way on Sacramento Street between Pine and Elm
Streets (not including the intersections), providing a safe, traffic -free plaza for students,
parents, teachers and the general public alike. The Plaza would provide assembly areas for
arriving and departing classes, an outdoor teaching amphitheater, a Central Valley specific
custom carousel, room for outdoor science and technology exhibits, all defined as a link
between their existing and proposed facilities. The structure will contain an additional 30,000
square feet of hands-on exhibit space, classrooms, workshops, cafe and planetarium, The use
of remaining Solar Surcharge funds will help offset the cost of a solar installation on the new
building, use of other renewable energy incentives, use of public benefits funds designed for
"demonstration projects" within the expansion, installation of a Electric Utility funded solar
project on the roof of the Downtown Parking Garage (subject to FTA approval), and provisions
for parking buses and other vehicles at the former indoor sports center site with an intent to
identify a long-term parking solution in the future in accordance with legal requirements.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Lodi City Council does hereby authorize
the City Manager to execute a Letter of Support in a form acceptable to the City Attorney with
the WOW Science Museum Board of Directors for the following five principles:
1) Council support to abandon the street right-of-way on Sacramento Street between
Elm and Pine Streets (not including the intersections) and work with WOW on a
legal structure to allow use of the Right -of -Way similar to restaurants in the
downtown area.
2) Council support for use of approximately $300,000 in remaining Solar Surcharge
funds to help offset the cost of a solar installation on the new building, in addition to
other renewable energy rebates/incentives from the Electric Utility to help offset the
costs of eligible energy efficiency investments in the proposed expansion.
3) Council support to the extent possible to utilize public benefits funds designed for
"demonstration projects," within the expansion.
4) Council support for the installation of an Electric Utility funded solar project on the
roof of the Downtown Parking Garage. Completion of this project will be subject to
approval by the Federal Transit Administration and would produce power for Lodi's
ratepayers, not for the WOW. This adjacent solar array would be designed to
demonstrate the benefits of a socially responsible alternative energy system to
students and public alike.
5) Work to help establish a place for buses to park for visitor access.
Dated: March 6, 2019
I hereby certify that Resolution No. 2019-36 was passed and adopted by the City
Council of the City of Lodi in a regular meeting held March 6, 2019, by the following votes:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS — Johnson, Kuehne, Mounce, Nakanishi, and
Mayor Chandler
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS — None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS — None
ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS — None
NNIFER 1V. FERRAIOLO
City Clerk
2019-36