Friends of San Damiano ask for expanded use of Frank Gallus House; council tables license

Kara, speaking for the Friends of San Damiano, urged the council to modify a proposed short-term license that would limit use of the Frank Gallus House to 10 days per calendar month and four hours per day. She told the council the restriction would hinder the group's ability to establish office hours, run rental programs such as weddings, and build organizational capacity, and requested roughly six to eight hours per day during a seasonal window from mid-April to mid-October to allow work while water service and warmer conditions permit.

Attorney Bill Cole and council members questioned the durability and safety of using the Frank Gallus House as regular office space. Cole said the building does not meet current building and fire codes and described the proposed license language as intended to prevent establishment of a permanent base of operations at the site. Council members also pressed the Friends on crowd-management plans after noting a listed 500-person capacity for some events; Kara said only a few large events would approach that size and said event exemptions and safety reviews would be coordinated with the city administrator and staff.

After discussion, the council took up Resolution 26-6-2907, the interim short-term license for use of the San Damiano property. A councilmember moved to table the resolution to the next meeting and it was seconded. The motion carried on a voice vote and the interim license was tabled for further review and potential revision.

Next steps: The item will return to a future council meeting for further consideration; staff and the Friends of San Damiano may revise the proposed license language to address safety, occupancy monitoring and seasonal office needs.