TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute any and all documents necessary for the conveyance of the property described in Exhibit "A" to the City of Long Beach from the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Long Beach. (Districts 1,2)
DISCUSSION
mission of eliminating blight, improving neighborhoods, promoting economic development and enhancing the quality of life for residents, businesses and community stakeholders for decades. In recent years, the 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. The Agency has accumulated 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 investment in certain areas.
On March 7, 2011, the Agency Board approved staff's recommendation to execute any and all documents necessary for the conveyance of property to the City of Long Beach (City) from the Agency and authorized the Executive Director to execute any and all documents necessary for the conveyance of the assets related to those properties to the City from the Agency. Unfortunately, several properties were inadvertently omitted from the list of properties approved by the City Council on March 8, 2011; therefore, staff is requesting that the list be modified to include the additional Agency-owned land as listed on Exhibit "A". The Agency Board approved conveyance of the additional properties at a special meeting on March 14, 2011.
Given the current budget environment in the State, the Agency's ability to carry out its mission may be limited, and it is unknown whether these properties could be developed by the Agency for their intended use. However, transferring the properties to the City pursuant to Section 33220(g) of the California Health and Safety Code would allow for the potential redevelopment of these properties within local control and in accordance with the redevelopment plans. It is, therefore, recommended that these properties be transferred to the City. These actions are prudent and necessary to protect the future development of these properties and to allow the continued revitalization of key neighborhoods and business corridors absent the existence of the Agency.
The City's Environmental Planning Officer has determined that the proposed transfer of properties to the City qualifies for a Categorical Exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act.
This letter was reviewed by Chief Assistant City Attorney Heather A. Mahood on March 9, 2011, and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on March 10, 2011.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on March 22, 2011, in order to effectuate the conveyance of land as soon as possible.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no impact to the General Fund (GP) associated with this recommendation. The appropriations transfer approved by the City Council on March 8, 2011, transferring existing Redevelopment Fund (RD) balances to the Capital Projects (CP) Fund in the Department of Development Services (DV) will cover any expenses associated with the transfer. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
AMY J. BODEK, AICP MICHAEL P. CONWAY
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER