To: Board of Supervisors
From: Warren Lai, Public Works Director/Chief Engineer
Report Title: Purchase of Property located at 900 Thompson Street, Martinez
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Public Works Director or designee to execute a purchase and sale agreement between the County and Gerald Jeffry Family limited partnership and Eugene H. Ross, as Sole Trustee of the E & M Ross Family Revocable Trust dated November 20, 1994 (Seller) for the County’s purchase of real property located at 900 Thompson Street in Martinez, at a purchase price of $1,000,000.00, to increase the supply of County Office space in downtown Martinez.
2. DETERMINE that the purchase of the property is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), pursuant to Article 5, Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that this activity will have a significant effect on the environment.
3. ACCEPT the Grant Deed from Seller for the purchase of the property.
4. AUTHORIZE the Auditor-Controller to wire approximately $1,010,000.00 payable to Old Republic Title Company, 1000 Burnett Avenue, Suite 400, Concord, CA 94520, for credit to Escrow Number 0114004252 Attn: Melissa Zywiciel, which amount is equal to the purchase price and estimated closing costs.
5. AUTHORIZE the Public Works Director or designee to file a Notice of Exemption (NOE) with the County Clerk.
6. AUTHORIZE the Public Works Director or designee to arrange for payment of a $50 fee to the County Clerk for filing the NOE.
7. DIRECT the Real Estate Division to have this staff report and a certificate of acceptance delivered to Old Republic Title Company for recording in the Office of the County Recorder.
FISCAL IMPACT:
100% General Fund. The annual capital budget allocation includes amounts for opportunity purchases of buildings in high need areas for County Office use.
BACKGROUND:
The Sheriff - Coroner Department - Custody Alternative Facility has been operating at this location under a lease agreement since 1985. Several departments have been looking for additional office space in the downtown Martinez area including additional space for the Custody Alternative Facility and the Detention Health division of Health Services. This building is very proximate to the Courts and the detention facility and will remain in County use for many years.
The acquisition of the property is not subject to CEQA pursuant to Article 5, Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that this activity will have a significant effect on the environment.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
The County will continue to need office space in this area and since the property is for sale, a new owner may not be willing to continue leasing this facility to the County in the future.