REPORT TO THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION August 28, 2023 FROM: JENNIFER CLARK, Director Planning and Development Department SUBJECT ..Title CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF REQUEST BY THE PROPERTY OWNER TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL THE DESIGNATION OF THE FOLLOWING PROPERTY TO THE LOCAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC RESOURCES AND ADOPTION OF FINDINGS NECESSARY TO SUPPORT RECOMMENDATION PURSUANT TO FMC 12-1609. 1. THE NATIONAL FARM WORKERS ASSOCIATION LOCATED AT 1405 E CALIFORNIA AVE (46730206) ..Body EXECUTIVE SUMMARY On behalf of Paul A. Garcia, Ed. D. Center for Leadership, Equity, and Research (CLEAR) an application was filed with the permission of the property owner to designate the site of the inaugural convention of the National Farm Workers Association at the former location of the Edison Social Club as a local Historic Resource. The structure is no longer present but would be commemorated with a sign, plaque, or other educational display. BACKGROUND On September 30, 1962, Cesar Chavez, Gilbert Padilla, and Dolores Huerta gathered about 250 farmworkers in Fresno for the inaugural convention of the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA), now the United Farm Workers (UFW). Convention invitations, farmworker delegate credentials, and meeting minutes in the attached presentation clearly indicate the location was the fourth Edison Social Hall at 1405 E. California Street. The fourth Edison Social Hall was demolished in August 1973. It was a purpose-built social hall in an uncommon shape, based on the parcel. It was a dual-story industrial block building, covered in plaster with mission revival elements. The main floor was an auditorium. The Edison Social Club rented out their hall to various entities to provide a social gathering and meeting location for groups, parties, and individuals. The 1405 E. California Ave location mentioned in this application was issued permits on October 2, 1936, according to an article published in The Fresno Bee and city of Fresno building permits. The Edison Social Club was demolished by the Fresno Redevelopment Agency in 1973 as part of an urban renewal project as indicated by The Fresno Bee on August 13, 1973 The Edison Social Club primarily focused on continuing traditions rooted in the history of its members and being a place where everyone could come together and be part of the larger family. Part of its traditions was to make traditional German and Volga German foods. These are found today in its annual club celebrations where club members come and had make German sausage or Bier rocks. The Bier rocks are particularly notable as the recipe is written in Volga German and displayed proudly in their main kitchen. The German word for cabbage is "kohl" whereas the Volga German word is "k�lb." Beef in German is "rindfliesch" whereas the Volga German is "fliesch." As being part of the Fresno County's farming community, farming matters were also of importance to the club. Analysis To be considered for designation as a local Historic Resource the site must be found by the Commission and Council to meet the following criteria: SEC. 12-1607. - DESIGNATION CRITERIA. (a) HISTORIC RESOURCES: Any building, structure, object, or site may be designated as an Historic Resource if it is found by the Commission and council to meet the following criteria: (1) It has been in existence more than fifty years, and it possesses aspects of integrity to convey its significance based upon location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling or association, and: (i) It is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history; or (ii) It is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past; or (iii) It embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction, or represents the work of a master, or possesses high artistic values; or (iv) It has yielded or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history. (2) It has been in existence less than fifty years, it meets the criteria of subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section and is of exceptional importance within the appropriate historical context, local, state, or national. While the fourth Edison Social Hall no longer stands in situ, the events that occurred in this location are eligible for listing on the local register. The inaugural meeting of the NFWA is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history and it is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past. The national farmworker movement is over 60 years old. Its genesis can be traced to a pivotable event in mid-March of 1962 when Cesar Chavez resigned from the Community Service Organization (CSO). At their annual convention he proposed a resolution for CSO to organize farmworkers, but the motion failed. Chavez abruptly resigned to start his own organization. Chavez immediately travelled the state of California to determine the pressing needs of farmworkers. Through a brief and simple survey, he asked farmworkers what they preferred in wages, benefits, and working conditions. Chavez drew a map of all the towns between Arvin and Stockton. He estimated there were 86 communities, including farm labor camps. After six months some 80,000 cards were collected from eight Valley counties. On September 30, 1962, Cesar Chavez, Gilbert Padilla, and Dolores Huerta gathered about 250 farmworkers in Fresno for the inaugural convention of the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA), now the United Farm Workers (UFW). ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS Not a project pursuant to CEQA. FRESNO MUNICIPAL CODE FINDINGS Pursuant to 12-1607(a)(1)(i) and (ii), the location 444 Fresno St can be found to be eligible for listing on the local register of Historic Resources. CONCLUSION Staff recommends that the Historic Preservation Commission recommend to the City Council the designation of the site of the Inaugural Meeting of the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA) at 1405 E. California as a local Historic Resource. ATTACHMENTS: Exhibit A - Application for Listing Exhibit B - Applicant PowerPoint Exhibit C - DPR Forms Exhibit D - Public Hearing Notice & Noticing Map Exhibit E - Fresno Municipal Code Findings