Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Nicholas J. Calderon, Parks Director
Subject: Agreement with the San Mateo County Historical Association
RECOMMENDATION:
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Measure K: Adopt a resolution authorizing:
A) The waiver of the County’s formal Request for Proposals (RFP) process to select the San Mateo County Historical Association; and
B) The President of the Board of Supervisors to execute an agreement with the San Mateo County Historical Association, for the term of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $245,000 for the operation of: (i) the San Mateo County History Museum at the Old County Courthouse Building in the City of Redwood City; (ii) the Lathrop House located in the County Courthouse block in the City of Redwood City; and (iii) docent-led programs at the Woodside Store in the Town of Woodside and the Sanchez Adobe in the City of Pacifica; and
C) The Parks Director, or the Parks Director’s designee, to execute amendments to the Agreement to modify the County’s maximum fiscal obligation by no more than $25,000, and/or to modify the Agreement’s terms and/or services, so long as the modified term(s) and/or services is/are within the current or revised fiscal provisions.
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BACKGROUND:
The San Mateo County Historical Association, a not-for-profit organization headquartered in the City of Redwood City, operates the San Mateo County History Museum, Lathrop House, Woodside Store, and Sanchez Adobe pursuant to an Agreement with the County of San Mateo (“County”). The San Mateo County History Museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and is housed in the historic and beautifully renovated Old County Courthouse Building in Downtown Redwood City. At the San Mateo County History Museum, Lathrop House, Sanchez Adobe, and Woodside Store, the San Mateo County Historical Association offers educational opportunities for the public to learn about the history of the County of San Mateo as well as provides a wide range of events and programs-such as tours, lectures, discussions, and family programs-concerning the County of San Mateo’s history.
DISCUSSION:
For many years, the County has contracted with the San Mateo County Historical Association for (1) the operation of the San Mateo County History Museum and (2) to operate and provide docent-led programs at the Woodside Store, Sanchez Adobe, and Lathrop House. The proposed agreement with the San Mateo County Historical Association will, among other things, keep the San Mateo County History Museum open to the public five days per week for a minimum of 30 hours per week; the Woodside Store open for at least 14 hours per week; the Sanchez Adobe site open for at least 20 hours per week; and the Lathrop House open for at least eight hours per week.
Significantly, the San Mateo County Historical Association is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. Currently, fewer than five percent of museums in the United States hold this accreditation. It is therefore in the County’s best interest to waive the Request for Proposals process and continue to contract with the San Mateo County Historical Association to provide services related to the operation of the County’s historical sites, as the San Mateo County Historical Association is uniquely qualified to provide these services to the County.
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
This agreement will benefit San Mateo County residents of all ages by supporting access to local history through museum exhibits, educational programs, and public events. The San Mateo County Historical Association has developed its offerings through sustained community engagement, including input from residents, educators, and local partners, helping ensure programs remain relevant, inclusive, and accessible.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of the agreement is July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026, for an amount not to exceed $245,000. The agreement, funded by Measure K, is included in the Parks Department’s FY 2025-26 Recommended Budget.