To: Board of Supervisors
From: Warren Lai, Public Works Director/Chief Engineer
Report Title: Purchase of Property located at 1004 Court Street, Martinez
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Public Works Director or designee to execute a purchase and sale agreement between the County and Antone H. Fahden and Janice F. Fahden, Trustees of the Antone H. Fahden and Janice F. Fahden Revocable Trust, dated February 8, 1999, as amended (Seller) for the County’s purchase of real property located at 1004 Court Street in Martinez, at a purchase price of $838,000.00, to increase the supply of County Office space in downtown Martinez.
DETERMINE that the activity 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 the activity may have a significant effect on the environment.
ACCEPT the Grant Deed from Seller for the purchase of the property.
AUTHORIZE the Auditor-Controller to wire approximately $850,000.00, payable to Old Republic Title Company, 1000 Burnett Avenue, Suite 400, Concord, CA 94520, for credit to Escrow Number 0114004258 Attn: Melissa Zywiciel, which amount is equal to the purchase price and estimated closing costs.
DIRECT the Director of Department of Conservation and Development, or designee, to cause a CEQA Notice of Exemption (NOE) to be filed with the County Clerk and State Clearinghouse.
AUTHORIZE the Public Works Director, or designee, to arrange for payment of a $50 fee to the County Clerk for filing the NOE.
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:
Several departments have been looking for additional office space in the downtown Martinez area including the Sheriff and the District Attorney. 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 the activity may have a significant effect on the environment. Any future development, improvement, or use of the property will be subject to review under CEQA by the County.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If the Board does not approve the purchase of 1004 Court Street, the County will forgo the opportunity to acquire property adjacent to existing County facilities in downtown Martinez. The property may be purchased by another party, eliminating a unique opportunity to expand the County's downtown footprint and support future operational, service delivery, and space needs. Alternative properties in the area may be limited or available only at a significantly higher cost in the future.