REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director Public Works Department BY: RANDALL W. MORRISON, PE, Assistant Director Public Works Department, Engineering Division JASON A. CAMIT, PLS, Chief Surveyor Public Works Department, Engineering Division, Right of Way Section SUBJECT ...Title HEARING to consider the vacation of a portion of the northeast corner of North Van Ness Avenue and East Weldon Avenue (Council District 1) 1. ***RESOLUTION - Ordering the vacation of a portion of the northeast corner of North Van Ness Avenue and East Weldon Avenue (Subject to Mayor's Veto) ...Body RECOMMENDATIONS Staff recommends the City Council conduct the required public hearing and at the close of the hearing, adopt the attached resolution ordering the vacation of a portion of the northeast corner of North Van Ness Avenue and East Weldon Avenue. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The City of Fresno is proposing to vacate a portion of the northeast corner of North Van Ness Avenue and East Weldon Avenue. The purpose of this vacation is to accommodate Development Permit Application Number P21-05164. This development permit is for the proposed construction of a public pocket park at the northeast corner of North Van Ness Avenue and East Weldon Avenue. BACKGROUND This portion of North Van Ness Avenue and East Weldon Avenue was originally dedicated by Map of College Addition recorded in Book 8 of Record of Surveys at Page 48, Fresno County Records. The City of Fresno is proposing to vacate a portion of the northeast corner of North Van Ness Avenue and East Weldon Avenue to accommodate the development and construction of a public pocket park at the northeast corner of this intersection. The Engineering Services Division, other City departments and utility agencies have reviewed the proposed vacation and determined that the public street right-of-way proposed for vacation is unnecessary for present or prospective public street purposes as described in Exhibit "A" and as shown on Exhibit "B", subject to conditions of approval as listed in Exhibit "C", said exhibits are included in the attached Resolution to Vacate. The City is not disposing of any land and therefore the Surplus Land Act is not applicable. The City Attorney's Office has approved the attached Resolution to Vacate as to form. The vacation, if approved by the Council at the public hearing, will become effective when the vacating resolution is recorded in the office of the Fresno County Recorder, but not until the City Engineer determines that the conditions listed in the attached resolution have been satisfied and accepted by the City. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS Related Council actions for the proposed project are scheduled to be considered by Council during the same, June 9, 2022, City Council meeting. The actions include the recommendation for Council to adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, based on Staff determination as prepared by Krazan & Associates and approved by the City Attorney's Office. The proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration covers the proposed vacation as a component of the project. LOCAL PREFERENCE Local preference does not apply because the vacation of a public street easement does not involve bidding or contracting. FISCAL IMPACT This vacation is located in Council District 1 and will be paid through the General Fund as part of the approved PARCS FY22 budget. Attachments: Van Ness Weldon Vacation Vicinity Map Resolution To Vacate Van Ness Weldon