REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL April 30, 2015 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 the sale of abandoned water well parcel located on Cedar Avenue south of Dakota Avenue: 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 a grant deed and certificate of parcel merger to sell a small abandoned water well parcel known as, APN 437-090-57T, to the adjacent property owner Iglesia Del Dios Vivo Columna Y Apoyo De La Verdad La Luz De Mundo-Fresno, CA (located in District 4) ..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 sale of a small abandoned water well parcel (APN 437-090-57T), to the adjacent property owner. 2. Authorize the City Manager or his designee to execute the Grant Deed and the Agreement for Purchase and Sale of Real Property in order to complete the sale of excess land to the adjacent property owner. 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 owner, Iglesia del Dios Vivo Columna Y Apoyo de la Verdad la Luz de Mundo - Fresno, CA. The site contains approximately 4,123 square feet and is located on the west side of Cedar Avenue south of Dakota Avenue. The parcel is too small for independent development. The estimated value of the parcel is $10,000. The adjacent property owner has deposited funds with the City to cover the entire purchase of the parcel. The parcel will be sold "as is". BACKGROUND The City owns a number of abandoned water well parcels which are no longer in use or needed by the City. 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 are best utilized by an adjacent property owner. The sale price is established by analysis of the parcel's size, shape, location, frontage, access, potential use, potential benefit added to the adjacent parcel, and subsequent negotiations with the prospective buyers. This site was transferred from the County of Fresno Water Works Department to the City of Fresno in the 1990's. The adjacent property owner was contacted by the Real Estate Section of Public Works Department to determine if they were interested in purchasing the parcel from the City. The sale price is in the range of prices the City has received for similar surplus well sites. The adjacent property owners agreed to the terms and conditions of the sale and provided staff with a deposit of $10,000 and executed the purchase and sale agreement. The documents 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. The adjacent owner has deposited $10,000.00 with the City of Fresno to cover the recording fees and to purchase the property. Attachment: Vicinity Map