TITLE
Recommendation to declare specified properties as surplus; and authorize City Manager to execute any and all documents necessary for the conveyance of property described in Exhibit A to the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Long Beach from the City of Long Beach upon completion of the declaration of surplus process.
(Districts 1,2,6)
DISCUSSION
In recent years, the Redevelopment Agency (Agency) has taken a leadership role in basic neighborhood revitalization initiatives to improve public safety, leverage private investment, create jobs, and fund public infrastructure projects. Over the years, the Agency accumulated various land holdings throughout its redevelopment project areas in order to remove blighting influences, assemble parcels suitable for commercial or residential development, construct public facilities including parks and open space, and to leverage additional investments.
In March 2011, the Agency transferred a majority of its properties to the City of Long Beach (City) due to the current State budget environment, including proposed legislation to eliminate redevelopment. To date, the Legislature has not acted on the legislation, and the Agency is continuing to fulfill its core mission of eliminating blight, improving neighborhoods, promoting economic development, and enhancing the quality of life for residents, businesses, and community stakeholders.
The Agency has identified disposition and development opportunities for the properties listed in Exhibit A and is requesting that the City convey the identified properties back to the Agency once the declaration of surplus process is complete in order to dispose of and develop the properties. Upon the completion of the disposition or development negotiations for any of these parcels, staff will return to City Council for their approval of an agreement such as purchase and sale, owner participation, disposition and development.
In compliance with Government Code ยง54220 (Chapter 621, statutes of 1968), on the dates specified in Exhibit A, staff notified the State that the City was declaring its property as surplus. Further, in accordance with past practice, a memorandum was circulated to all City departments to determine their interest in, or objection to, declaring these parcels surplus. To date, neither the State nor any City departments have expressed an interest or objection.
The City's Environmental Planning Officer has determined that the transfer of property contemplated qualifies for a Categorical Exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act.
This letter was reviewed by Chief Assistant City Attorney Heather A. Mahood on June 6, 2011, and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on June 3, 2011.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on June 21, 2011, in order to permit the conveyance of property to the Agency, upon completion of the declaration of surplus process.
FISCAL IMPACT
There will be no fiscal impact and no local job impact as a result of the recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
AMY J. BODEK, AICP
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
MICHAEL P. CONWAY
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORK
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER