| Item Title: | Economic Development - Los Portales Museum and Old County Jail Service Agreement-Renewal | | Submitted By: | Jose Quinonez, A.Z.S., C.M., Director, Economic Development Department (915) 546-2177 | | Subject: | Approve and authorize the County Judge to sign the Historic Site Tourist Promotion and Preservation Services Agreement with the San Elizario Genealogy and Historical Society, a Texas nonprofit corporation, for the tourist promotion of the historic Los Portales Museum and Old County Jail located in San Elizario, Texas for $42,188 from October 1, 2018 through September 30, 2019. Funding is available in SR-TOURPROM-LOS PORTALES. (Contract No. 2018-0705) | | Background: | The Los Portales Museum and Old County Jail, located in San Elizario, are Registered Texas Historic Landmarks (RTHLs) owned by the County. Los Portales Museum, formerly known as Casa Garcia, is an 1870s territorial style building that is now operated as a museum and visitors center. The Old County Jail is an adobe building built after San Elizario was established as El Paso's first county seat in 1850. It is considered to be the only jail the infamous bandit Billy the Kid broke in to. The County contracts with the San Elizario Genealogy and Historical Society, a nonprofit organization, to operate these facilities. The Genealogy Society has volunteer docents that interpret the museum's displays. They provide visitors with information about the history of the area from its early native residents through the days of the Spanish conquistadors to its hosting of County government. Los Portales and the Old County Jail are open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM plus special events. This service is an eligible hotel occupancy tax (HOT) activity. The Society submits an application for funds on an annual basis. These funds support a docent and provide resources for the facilities' operational needs. The Society plans informational programs public and private tours, as well as large scale events such as the annual Rio Grande Festival and San Elizario Historic Conference in April. This arrangement has been a productive partnership that provides the County with active support and the opportunity to make these assets available to tourists visiting our community. | | Fiscal Impact: | This Agreement is for $42,188 and funds are available in:
SR-TOURPROM-LOS PORTALES
COSR-6014-0000000-431-70-70000-0001-PORTA-601305 | | Recommendation: | Approve and authorize the County Judge to sign the Historic Site Tourist Promotion and Preservation Services Agreement with the San Elizario Genealogy and Historical Society, a Texas nonprofit corporation, for the tourist promotion of the historic Los Portales Museum and Old County Jail located in San Elizario, Texas for $42,188 from October 1, 2018 through September 30, 2019. Funding is available in SR-TOURPROM-LOS PORTALES. (Contract No. 2018-0705) | | Prior Action: | Commissioners Court has approved renewal of this agreement each year for several years. The most recent renewal was approved February 26, 2018. | | Strategic Plan: | .. | | Strategic Plan Information: | |
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