REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
AND RECORD OF ACTION
February 25, 2025
FROM
DAN MUNSEY, Fire Chief/Fire Warden, San Bernardino County Fire Protection District TERRY W. THOMPSON, Director, Real Estate Services Department
SUBJECT
Title
Amendment to Revenue Lease Agreement with Morongo Basin Aligning Resources Challenging Homelessness for Fire Station 35 in Joshua Tree
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Acting as the governing body of the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District:
1. Find that approval of Amendment No. 1 to Revenue Lease Agreement No. 20-61 with Morongo Basin Aligning Resources Challenging Homelessness, for Station 35 is an exempt project under the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15301 - Existing Facilities (Class 1).
2. Approve Amendment No. 1 to Revenue Lease Agreement No. 20-61 with Morongo Basin Aligning Resources Challenging Homelessness, extending the term five additional years, for a total contract period of March 1, 2020, through February 28, 2030, for the use of approximately 2,760 square feet of space, comprising the entirety of the building of Station 35 located at 6562 Sierra Ave in Joshua Tree, for a total revenue in the amount of $5.
3. Find that leasing Station 35 to the Morongo Basin Aligning Resources Challenging Homelessness, for a total revenue of $5, is in the public interest and serves a public health and safety purpose.
4. Direct the Real Estate Services Department to file the Notice of Exemption in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act.
(Presenter: Dan Munsey, Fire Chief/Fire Warden, 387-5779)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of these actions will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost) as this is a revenue agreement. The total revenue of this five-year lease amendment is $5 ($1 annually). Lease payments will be made directly to the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District (SBCFPD) South Desert Service Zone unit (6100352454). Sufficient appropriation is included in SBCFPD’s 2024-25 budget and will be included in future recommended budgets, as necessary.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
On February 11, 2020 (Item No. 73), the Board of Directors (Board) approved Revenue Lease Agreement No. 20-61 (Agreement) with Morongo Basin Aligning Resources Challenging Homelessness (Morongo Basin ARCH) for the use of 2,760 square feet of office and storage space. The lease was for the purpose of providing assistance information to transient individuals and storage use for donated personal property at the SBCFPD-owned Station 35 located at 6562 Sierra Avenue in Joshua Tree. SBCFPD and Morongo Basin ARCH desire to extend the term of the Agreement for an additional five years, for a total contract period of March 1, 2020, through February 28, 2030.
Approval of Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement will allow Morongo Basin ARCH to continue to serve individuals and families experiencing homelessness in the Morongo Basin by providing assistance information and distributing food, clothing, and hygiene products. Services are specifically marketed to transition age youth but are also available to anyone in need. The use of the space is restricted to office and storage purposes and no overnight sleeping or living quarters are permitted.
The project to approve the Lease Amendment was reviewed pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act and determined to be categorically exempt under Guidelines Section 15301 - Existing Facilities (Class 1) because the proposed lease agreement is to secure property to operate within the existing structure with negligible or no expansion of existing use.
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Summary of Lease Terms |
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Lessee: |
Morongo Basin ARCH |
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Location: |
6562 Sierra Avenue, Joshua Tree, CA 92252 |
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Size: |
Approximately 2,760 square feet of Fire Station 35 |
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Term: |
Five Years |
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Rent: |
Annual: $1 |
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Custodial: |
Provided by Tenant |
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Maintenance: |
Provided by Tenant |
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Utilities: |
Provided by Tenant |
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Insurance: |
The Certificate of Liability Insurance, as required by the Lease, is on file with RESD |
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Holdover: |
Month-to-month basis upon the same provisions of the Lease |
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Right to Terminate: |
SBCFPD may terminate with 90-day notice |
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Parking: |
Sufficient for Lessee’s needs |
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (John Tubbs II, and Rick Luczak, Deputies County Counsel, 387-5455) on January 22, 2025; Finance (Ivan Ramirez, Administrative Analyst, 387-4020) on January 24, 2025; and County Finance and Administration (Valerie Clay, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on January 27, 2025.