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Report regarding a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a grant agreement to the South San Francisco Women’s Club for a grant award of $25,000.00 allocated to façade and tenant improvement repairs to the Women’s Club building located at 470 Grand Avenue in South San Francisco. (Katie Donner, Management Analyst I)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a grant agreement to the South San Francisco Women’s Club for a grant award of $25,000.00 allocated to façade and tenant improvement repairs to the Women’s Club building located at 470 Grand Avenue in South San Francisco.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
The South San Francisco Women’s Club, located at 470 Grand Avenue in South San Francisco, was founded in October 1914, federated in 1915 and incorporated in 1935. It is a member of the California Federation of Women’s Clubs Golden Gate District #6 of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs. Last month, the Club celebrated its 108-year anniversary in the South San Francisco community.
At the inception of the Women’s Club, the women met at Guild Hall as well as in the homes of members and dues were 10¢ a month. Their purpose was “to clean up the town and interest property owners in doing so.” The women united to start a vigorous beautification campaign. They made their husbands honorary members so they would install garbage cans, trim trees, and put gravel at the street intersections. Mrs. Martin was the first president of the Club, and she worked on beautification, health and improving the quality of life in South San Francisco. She traveled around town in a horse and buggy, dispensing homeopathic remedies, before the town had a doctor, and providing food and clothing to those in need. She organized dancing classes for youngsters and evening classes for adults, chaperoned them and kept teachers overnight in her home. The Martin home was always available for worthy causes. After Mrs. Martin’s death in 1928, the Club contributed money to the city for a fountain in her honor to be placed in Civic Center. It was the first piece of decoration in the area following the erection of City Hall in 1920. The Club was responsible for having the City Council designate the Iris as the city’s official flower in 1960.
It was always a dream of the women to own their own Clubhouse. Due largely to the efforts of Mrs. Martin, the South San Francisco Land & Improvement Co. donated a lot at Spruce and Lux on which they could build a Clubhouse. The women wanted a lot on a streetcar line, so in December 1923, they negotiated for the present lot at 470 Grand Avenue. The Club became incorporated in 1935 so that it could hold title and sign a mortgage. The women worked hard to raise money. These were depression years which presented quite a challenge. They held card parties, luncheons, dinners, auctions, drawings, rummage sales, sold cookbooks and had musical shows and carnivals. Their dream was on the way to becoming a reality when the Club officers signed a contract on March 25, 1940, with Mr. A. Pianca to build a Clubhouse for $6,475. The first floor covering for the foyer was a braided rug made by the members from discarded silk stockings. There were “kitchen showers” for dishes, flatware, and utensils. Some furniture had to be purchased, but the members were very generous in donating whatever they could. The women were very proud of their new Clubhouse and very particular about keeping it in good condition just as we are.
Several members throughout the years held office in the Society and/or served as docents at the museum. The Club encourages their members to be well informed voters. The Club held several Candidates’ Nights that were very well attended. A member of the City Council would write an article for the bulletin telling the members what is going on in the city that should be of interest to the Club. The Club has enjoyed many lovely Christmas parties, fashion shows, literary teas and interesting programs. Women with a common interest have formed sections such as literary, painting, craft, garden, bridge, pedro, canasta, sewing, golf, and bocce ball. Members have a chance to meet informally and share a good time. A group of members who loved to sing formed the Melody Belles in 1985. They were very popular and sang for many events. The Club was honored by receiving the South San Francisco Chamber of Commerce “Outstanding Citizen’s Award” in 1976.
Though lifestyles and needs of the community have changed subtly over the years, the Women’s hearts, compassion and caring for their fellow human beings have not changed. The women have remained steadfast to their original purpose of promoting the educational, civic, and social well-being of the community by supporting and initiating measures towards these ends and by cooperating with the General, State and District Federation of Women’s Clubs.
DISCUSSION
The South San Francisco Women’s Club has been a community asset for over 100 years in South San Francisco. To finance maintenance of the facility and operation of the Club the members hold community events and rent the facility to members of the community. Many of their fundraisers take place in the Clubhouse located at 470 Grand Avenue. Some of their fundraisers include rummage sales, craft and boutique sales, holiday drive, bake sales and more. The Club also rents out the Clubhouse to different community organizations and residents, one of their main sources of revenue. Renting the clubhouse helps defray the cost of upkeep, taxes, insurance, and utilities. The Club also puts their fundraised dollars back into the community through a scholarship fund, wreaths across America, knit your bit scarves for veterans, purse kits for Women’s shelters and more.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Club has not been able to rent out the Clubhouse nor host their normal events to raise funds for maintenance of the facility. The Club was not eligible for the city’s Small Business Loan Relief program which took place in 2020, nor the City’s most recent grant program, the Façade, and Tenant Improvement Grant Program, due to the Women’s Club being a non-profit entity. A one-time COVID-19 recovery grant to the Women’s Club would allow the Club to make facility repairs and upgrades needed to fully resume operations. A grant of $25,000 is proposed, the same dollar amount offered to South San Francisco businesses in the Tenant Improvement Grant Program, for façade and facility upkeep and repairs.
FISCAL IMPACT
The grant will cost the City $25,000. Funding will come from the City Manager’s Office budget which has available funds to cover the grant.
RELATIONSHIP TO STRATEGIC PLAN
Approval of this grant award to the South San Francisco Women’s Club meets the City’s priority of economic vitality to help ensure our local non-profits are able to succeed and are able to retain a presence in our downtown corridor.
CONCLUSION
A one-time COVID-19 recovery grant to the South San Francisco Women’s Club will enable the organization to have performed needed facility maintenance and to bring back their well known and loved community programs and efforts. Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution to authorize the City Manager to execute a grant agreement to the South San Francisco Women’s Club for a grant award of $25,000.00 allocated to façade and tenant improvement repairs to the Women’s Club building located at 470 Grand Avenue in South San Francisco.