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16-0503_ECOLOGY CENTER, THE_E1a_Correspondence Packet 5Matisse Reischl Subject: FW: The Ecology Center -Lease Agreement From: Marin Vaughn [ _ Sent: Tuesday, May 03, 2016 11:33 AM To: Maria Morris Subject: The Ecology Center -Lease Agreement To Mayor Pam Patterson and Mayor Pro Tem Kerri Ferguson: 5/3/2016 Ela I am writing this message in support of the proposed 20 year lease agreement to allow The Ecology Center to continue their important work at the Congdon House in San Juan Capistrano. The Ecology Center provides real, approachable and actionable solutions for residents and visitors to improve their lives and reduce their environmental impact. As an educational hub, The Ecology Center provides a really unique learning experience for future generations and in 2015 alone, impacted over 30,000 students, educators and parents through the many school program offerings, including the Grow Your Own school garden initiative and Eco -Labs field trips. The Ecology Center is a genuine asset to the San Juan Capistrano community and more broadly, a true treasure in Orange County. As a parent, I seek out experienced and passionate people and places to help me take a thoughtful approach and help me to model the values that I want to instill in my children. The Ecology Center is one of those special places, full of the special people, that continue to look to as a resource for my family on our journey toward a sustainable and an intentional way of living. Sincerely, Marin Vaughn Correspondence Packet 5 Matisse Reischl Subject: FW: The Ecology Center - lease agreement -----Original Message ----- From: James Sieger Sent: Tuesday, May 03, 2016 1:40 PM To: Maria Morris Subject: The Ecology Center - lease agreement Maria, 5/3/2016 Ela My wife and I are in support of the twenty year lease agreement for the Ecology Center. In this day and age our youth need as much exposure as possible to the many ways that we can all work together to conserve our world's resources. Please tell Councilman Allevato that Jim Sieger says Hello(Tiffany and Sams Activities Director, SCHS). Jim Sieger Marco Forster Middle School Principal, Retired Tove Sieger Sent from my iPhone Matisse Reischl Subject: FW: Support for The Ecology Center From: Andrew Sieger _ Sent: Tuesday, May 03, 2016 11:53 AM To: Maria Morris Subject: Support for The Ecology Center Dear Mayor Pam Patterson and Mayor Pro Tem Kerri Ferguson, I am writing to support the 20 year lease agreement between San Juan and The Ecology Center. 5/3/2016 Ela Over the past 6 years, I've watched with excitement and pride as the Ecology Center has become an enriching and integral part of the San Juan and South OC community, and a favorite place to visit, learn, and spend time in the gardens or at events with friends and family. As a San Clemente/San Juan native, I'm excited by the prospect of a 20 year commitment that will allow the center to grow as a community and regional resource, and importantly, keep the Kinoshita property agricultural and community oriented. What an incredible asset The Ecology Center has become! Thank you for your past support of the center, and please approve the 20 year lease of The Ecology Center! Andrew Andrew Sieger Architect Capistrano Unified School District Excellence in Education CnIP1sTRa1410 San Juan Elementary School 31642 EI Camino Real • San Juan Capistrano • California 92675 (949) 493-4533 . FAX (949) 240-9174 May 3, 2016 Hon. Pam Patterson, Esq., Mayor Hon. Kerry K. Ferguson, Mayor Pro Tem Hon. Sam Allevato Hon. John Perry Hon. Derek Reeve Dear Honorable City of San Juan Capistrano Council Members: This letter is in support of The Ecology Center's lease in San Juan Capistrano. San Juan Elementary School has collaborated with The Ecology Center for more than 4 years to develop, create, and implement an Edible Learning Garden at our school. The staff at The Ecology Center has teamed with our teachers and parents to establish a vision, so that students will benefit from hands-on science activities and a well-established interactive food garden for many years to come. Our classes have taken field trips to The Ecology Center to participate in their informative and well-managed programs. Students and staff have been motivated to not only manage our own school garden, but have also created gardens in their own homes. Teachers have benefited from the standards-based lessons that were provided and the staff has been at our school many times to help us implement the curriculum. Our students continue to benefit and learn about water conservation using the barrels that we installed in our garden to capture rain water. They have also learned how to grow their own food with planting guides and composting bins. Attached are images of our garden and learning murals that were all created by volunteers who gained their inspiration at The Ecology Center. Our garden is truly a sustainable learning environment. Please consider providing your support for The Ecology Center. Our partnership has changed the school community and made us more responsible citizens as we continue to teach new generations to grow their own food, conserve water, and appreciate the local ecology. Please feel free to contact me if you would like additional information or if you have any questions. 'Sincerely, ' /; �'' ✓ Silvia Mazzeo Pule Principal 5/3/2016 Ela Matisse Reischl Subject: FW: The Ecology Center From: Margot r Sent: Tuesday, May 03, 2016 10:43 AM To: Maria Morris Subject: The Ecology Center Dear Mayor Pam Patterson and Mayor Pro Tem Kerri Ferguson, 5/3/2016 Ela I'm writing in support of The Ecology Center, and the renewal of a 20 -year lease. I've had incredible experiences at the space and find it to be a life -changing force that drive great value in the community. In 7 short years, The Ecology Center has built a national destination - from a dirt lot and a once abandoned farm house. They are thought leaders in water conservation as well as sustainable food and gardening. As you can see with this recent article on the cover of the Food section of the OC Register last week, they attract world leaders, like Alice Waters - one of the most famous chefs in the world to lead their upcoming farm dinner to raise funds for their school garden program which provides mentorship for all San Juan Capistrano schools. http://www.ocregister.com/articles/waters-713621-farm-gardens.htm]. We thank you for your support and look forward to more programming at The Ecology Center for many years to come. Sincerely, Margot Stephenson Social Media Strategist Matisse Reischl Subject: FW: The Ecology Center -Lease Agreement From: Marin Vaughn Sent: Tuesday, May 03, 2016 11:33 AM To: Maria Morris Subject: The Ecology Center -Lease Agreement To Mayor Pam Patterson and Mayor Pro Tem Kerri Ferguson: 5/3/2016 Ela I am writing this message in support of the proposed 20 year lease agreement to allow The Ecology Center to continue their important work at the Congdon House in San Juan Capistrano. The Ecology Center provides real, approachable and actionable solutions for residents and visitors to improve their lives and reduce their environmental impact. As an educational hub, The Ecology Center provides a really unique learning experience for future generations and in 2015 alone, impacted over 30,000 students, educators and parents through the many school program offerings, including the Grow Your Own school garden initiative and Eco -Labs field trips. The Ecology Center is a genuine asset to the San Juan Capistrano community and more broadly, a true treasure in Orange County. As a parent, I seek out experienced and passionate people and places to help me take a thoughtful approach and help me to model the values that I want to instill in my children. The Ecology Center is one of those special places, full of the special people, that continue to look to as a resource for my family on our journey toward a sustainable and an intentional way of living. Sincerely, Marin Vaughn 5/3/2016 ,w r SAN JUAN CAPISTPANO Ela ' Chamber of Commerce Tuesday, May 3, 2016 RE: Agenda item ExA — Support Lease Extension for The Ecology Center Mayor Patterson and Members of the City Council: I am writing to encourage you to support a long-term lease extension for The Ecology Center. The Ecology Center is an indispensable asset for the City of San Juan Capistrano. Their unique programming, ability to bring in new audiences and their fantastic care for and improvements to the historic Congdon House are all reasons that we hope will encourage you to create a long lasting agreement to ensure they remain in San Juan. The Ecology Center's educational opportunities are great today but are becoming increasingly important as time goes on. As we strive to conserve water and lessen our impact on the environment, this facility offers residents and businesses a wealth of great and easy-to-use information on how to make meaningful progress in those efforts. In addition, their many events and programs bring a unique demographic into San Juan Capistrano. During recent visits, I met people from all over Southern California who might not have visited San Juan if not for the draw of this great facility. Many of the visitors become volunteers and begin making frequent trips to our community — often patronizing local businesses during their time in town. Finally, it is worth noting what tremendous stewards of the historic property The Ecology Center has been. The house and surrounding property look amazing and are have been cared with the same passion and enthusiasm that drives their entire operation. Please renew the agreement with this outstanding community partner and do so in a way that allows them to fully invest in their San Juan Capistrano location. They've done amazing things already but I'm genuinely excited to think about what they can accomplish without the limitations of short term lease agreements. On behalf of the Chamber of Commerce and the 300+ local businesses we represent, I thank you for your consideration. Sincerely,` •� 1. `�• ��. Mark Bodenhamer San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce Matisse Reischl 5/3/2016 Ela Subject: FW: SUPPORT: 20 -year lease agreement with The Ecology Center and the City of San Juan Capistrano -----Original Message ----- From: Kirk Vartan Sent: Tuesday, May 03, 2016 1:17 PM To: Pam Patterson; Kerry Ferguson; Sam Allevato; John Perry; Derek Reeve Cc: Maria Morris; Subject: SUPPOR 1: 20 -year lease agreement with The Ecology Center and the City of San Juan Capistrano Dear Mayor Pam Patterson and Mayor Pro Tem Kerry Ferguson: As life in our society continues to struggle to utilize the resources around us effectively, Evan Marks and The Ecology Center in San Juan Capistrano are leaders is creating a better community. The work to create food and substantial community benefit for residents and visitors is so important as we face the challenges ahead. Localizing our food production will notably help create better communities, but it will help to protect our food security in our regions. I am located up in San Jose/Santa Clara area and we are looking to replicate and emulate the incredible work of the Ecology Center and make it a reality up in northern California. Our country and the world look to California for innovation and to help lead us in sustainable practices. This is a perfect example of what is needed. Please, allow them to have a 20 -year lease with your city (and give them like four 20 -year options on the property). The work they are doing is inspiring others and providing a path for us all. These are the kinds of project/programs we all need in our cities so we can be healthy and to begin to reverse the lack of community engagement. Create a sense of place like this is a jewel for your city and any city that adopts this kind of Center. I look forward to the good news tomorrow when I hear you have extended their lease. Kind regards, Kirk Vartan San Jose, CA (native New Yorker) cc: City Clerk Maria Morris A Slice of New York A New York Experience in the Bay Area 3443 Stevens Creek Blvd. (San Jose) 1253 W EI Camino Real (Sunnyvale) SJ: (408) 24 -SLICE / SV: (650) 938-NYNY www.aSliceOfNY.com www.911 memorial.ora Matisse Reischl Subject: FW: The Ecology Center Lease From: Tony de Witte [ Sent: Friday, April 29, 2016 1:27 PM To: Maria Morris Subject: The Ecology Center Lease 5/3/2016 Ela To Mayor Pam Patterson, Mayor Pro Tem Kerri Ferguson, et al, As a resident of San Juan Capistrano, at Rancho Del Avion on Alipaz St., I'd like to make it known that I am in full support of the city extending its lease agreement with the Ecology Center at the Kinoshita Farm. Rancho Del Avion is right across the street. And for many years I have taken advantage of the Center's resources and educational programs. My grade school daughter has also benefited from the many programs geared toward kids on ecology, conservation, and horticulture. The Ecology Center is a prized asset to our community and I for one would like to see it stay. It makes me proud that San Juan Capistrano is one of the few cities in our area to offer an enterprise such as this and at such a historical site! Tony de Witte San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675 Matisse Reischl Subject: FW: Please vote yes to renew TEC lease From: evan marks Sent: Tuesday, May 03, 2016 3:13 PM To: Derek Reeve Cc: Maria Morris Subject: Please vote yes to renew TEC lease Dear Derek, 5/3/2016 Ela Tonight you will be discussing and voting on the renewal of the lease agreement with The Ecology Center. I respectfully ask for your support of the lease agreement. The Ecology Center board of directors, staff and myself have been and continue to be committed to being good stewards of this property and having this educational, community facility be a special asset for San Juan Capistrano. As you know, we have an immense amount of pride for preserving the cultural and agricultural heritage of this great community. In seven short years, The Ecology Center has become a trusted local, regional and national model of stewardship best practices for our shared community. We are excited to continue our partnership with the City of San Juan Capistrano - to build a strong, long-term educational resource for our community. I humbly request you vote in favor of The Ecology Center agenda item to approve staff recommendation on the renewal of the lease agreement. Sincerely, Evan Marks [-'.van Marks 1 EAccutive Direclor 32701 Alipaz Street, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675 i3. f) VI/ i4 ; 1223 TheEcologyCenter.org Facebook I Instagram I Twitter Matisse Reischl Subject: FW: The Ecology Center - lease agreement From: Save San Juan Capistrano Sent: Tuesday, May 03, 2016 2:48 PM To: Maria Morris; Pam Patterson; Kerry Ferguson Subject: The Ecology Center - lease agreement Mayor Patterson and Mayor Pro -Tem Ferguson - Please consider renewing the lease for The Ecology Center for 20 years in San Juan Capistrano, 5/3/2016 Ela It's now more critical than ever to keep open space and ecological/environmental/agricultural areas available in our town center for the community to enjoy. Evan Marks and The Ecology Center have done a great job educating the community and surrounding communities about the impact we all contribute to our environment and how we can help one another. Thank you for considering this lease extension. -Pam Z San Juan Capistrano resident for over 20 years Matisse Reischl Subject: FW: The Ecology Center From: Wahlquist, Gary Sent: Tuesday, May 03, 2016 3:55 PM To: Maria Morris Cc: evan marks I Subject: The Ecology Center Dear Mayor Patterson and Mayor Pro Tem Ferguson, 5/3/2016 Ela I understand that you are considering entering into a lease agreement with The Ecology Center during your city council meeting tonight. I've had the benefit of meeting Evan Marks and experiencing the unique offerings at The Ecology Center. Evan is truly a pleasure to know and work with. He is passionate about what he does and the benefits he works to provide to both the community and the environment. The programs offered at The Ecology Center are of the highest quality. I was very impressed with the thoughtfulness and creativity behind the various projects they pursue. I can't think of a better person or organization for you and your city to support and partner with. My hope is that you continue to enjoy the wonderful relationship forged with The Ecology Center, allowing them to be a committed community member in San Juan Capistrano for years to come. Warm regards, Gary Wahlquist I Public Affairs Manager, Global Development I Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Phone: 714-781-1530 1 Cell: 818-397-4133 1 gary.wahlqtjist@disriey.com