REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
October 30, 2014
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
THROUGH: ANDREW J. BENELLI, PE, City Engineer/Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Traffic and Engineering Services Division
CRAIG L. HANSEN, Supervising Real Estate Agent
Public Works Department, Real Estate Services Section
BY: PETE CALDWELL, Senior Real Estate Agent
Public Works Department, Real Estate Services Section
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to a water well parcel on Wilson Avenue south of E. Lansing at the Herndon Canal
1. Adopt finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b) (3) and Categorical Exemption pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15312 for the sale of a small abandoned water well parcel
2. Approve the quitclaim sale of a small abandoned water well parcel on Wilson Avenue south of E. Lansing at the Herndon Canal APN 434-230-01t, to adjacent property owners Wilson Avenue Properties, LLC and Leif Haneborg, Trustee of The Mangen Trust created March 11, 2003 (located in Fresno County)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
1. Adopt finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) and Categorical Exemption pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15312 for the quitclaim sale of a small abandoned water well parcel on Wilson Avenue south of East Lansing Avenue at the Herndon Canal to adjacent property owners Wilson Avenue Properties, LLC and Leif Haneborg, Trustee of The Mangen Trust created March 11, 2003.
2. Authorize the City Manager or his designee to execute the Agreement for Purchase and Sale of Real Property and complete the sale of excess land to adjacent property owners Wilson Avenue Properties, LLC and Leif Haneborg, Trustee of The Mangen Trust created March 11, 2003.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In order to eliminate maintenance costs and return land to the tax roll, it is proposed the City sell a small abandoned well parcel to the adjacent property owners. The site contains approximately 1,500 square feet and is located on Wilson Avenue south of East Lansing Avenue near the Herndon Canal. The parcel is too small for independent development and can only be utilized by the adjacent property owners. Staff estimates the sale price at $100 which will be divided in half for a price of $50 for the land to each of the adjacent property owners. The parcel will be sold "as is" to adjacent owners Wilson Avenue Properties, LLC and Leif Haneborg, Trustee of The Mangen Trust created March 11, 2003.
BACKGROUND
The City owns a number of abandoned water well parcels which are no longer in use or needed by the City. This site was quitclaimed from County of Fresno Water Works Department to the City of Fresno in the 1990's. The City Water Division plans to dispose of these parcels, which are either too small, irregularly shaped, or lack adequate access to be developed independently. Because of these characteristics, the sites can only be utilized by adjacent property owners. The sales price of the sites is established by analysis of the size, shape, location, frontage, access, use potential, potential benefit added to the adjacent parcel, and subsequent negotiations with the prospective buyers. The sale price for this site is in the range of prices the City has received for similar surplus well sites. Wilson Avenue Properties, LLC and Leif Haneborg, Trustee of the Mangen Trust created March 11, 2003, the adjacent property owners, were contacted by the Real Estate Section of Public Works Department to determine if they were interested in purchasing the parcel from the City of Fresno and agreed to purchase their half of the well site. The documents signed by the property owner have been approved as to form by the City Attorney's Office.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff has performed a preliminary environmental assessment of this action and, pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, section 15061(b) (3), has determined with certainty that there is no possibility that this action may have a significant effect on the environment, because it is merely a change of ownership. Therefore, this action does not constitute a project for CEQA purposes. Furthermore, this is exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15312 (Class 12 Categorical Exemption), regarding the sale of surplus government property, and none of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 are applicable.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not considered because the City's sale of property does not include a bid or award of a construction or services contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
There will be no General Fund dollars required to sell this parcel. Each of the adjacent property owners has deposited $50 with the City of Fresno to cover the recording fees to purchase the parcel.
Attachment: APN Vicinity Map