HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-11-15; Parks & Recreation Commission; 1104-1; Donation of Electric Cart for Carrillo RanchPARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION - AGENDA BILL I AB# 1104-1 I TITLE: I 0 INFO I -
MTG. DATE: 11/15/04 I RECEIPT OF DONATION AND PURCHASE OF I
ELECTRIC CART FOR CARRILLO RANCH
ACTION
STAFF: CALARCO
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Receive donation of Four Thousand, Three Hundred and Fifty ($4,350) dollars from the Friends
of Carrillo Ranch, Inc. and recommend acceptance by City Council.
ITEM EXPLANATION:
The Friends of Carrillo Ranch Inc. has generously offered to donate $4,350 to be applied towards
the purchase of a six-passenger electric cart for Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park.
Shortly after opening to the public in August 2003, it became abundantly clear that the vast
majority of visitors to the ranch were coming because they remembered seeing Leo Carrillo in the
many movies he made during Hollywood’s Golden Era (late 1920s - 1940). The 27-acre rancho,
situated in the bottom of a canyon provided obstacles too difficult for some to overcome-steep
slopes, unpaved trails, irregular surfaces, and extended periods of walking and standing. Staff
soon realized that for many of Carrillo’s biggest fans to truly enjoy their experience, they would
require some type of mobility assistance in order to cover the grounds and visit the historic
buildings in this otherwise pedestrian-oriented park.
Using the Ford Think electric cart, staff provided driving tours of the Ranch for the elderly and
disabled whenever possible. Unfortunately, the cart proved to be highly unreliable and was
regularly out of service. The popular demand for specialized tours often exceeded the capacity of
the four-passenger cart, which was not properly equipped to transport wheelchairs, walkers, or
other mobility devices.
Recognizing the need to provide this necessary service for customers, staff approached Alan
Kindle, President of the Friends of Carrillo Ranch, Inc., to seek the Friends’ partnership and
assistance with the purchase of a properly equipped cart for the Ranch.
After meeting with manufacturer and dealer representatives, and test-driving two different
models, bids were obtained. The Friends offered to donate 50% of the total projected cost of
purchase (Exhibit 1). The Friends’ logo, and Flying LC brand will be placed in a visible location
on the cart.
In the future, the cart will be used to provide staff and volunteer-operated driving tours that would
be of benefit to those unable to join conventional walking tours.
EXHIBITS:
1. Photograph of Yamaha Electric Transportation Vehicles
EXHIBIT 1