FW: BOS-April 9, 2008: Purchase of Gildred Ranch and Oak Country II properties

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From: <char.ayers@att.net>
Date: Tue, 08 Apr 2008 18:48:19 +0000
To: Charlene Ayers <char.ayers@att.net>
Subject: BOS-April 9, 2008: Purchase of Gildred Ranch and Oak Country II properties

7. SUBJECT: SET HEARING FOR 5/14/08: PURCHASE OF 1,372-ACRE GILDRED RANCH PROPERTY AND 480-ACRE HIGHLAND VALLEY-OAK COUNTRY II PROPERTY ˆ RAMONA (DISTRICT: 2)

OVERVIEW:
On November 1, 2000 (13), the Board directed the Chief Administrative Officer to work with The Grasslands Preservation Project to seek potential funding for acquisition of grasslands in the unincorporated community of Ramona, within the draft North County Multiple Species Conservation Program planning area.  Since that time the County has partnered with several nonprofit agencies to apply for and has successfully received several State and federal grants to acquire 460 acres of land with an additional 1,180 acres currently in escrow in the Ramona grasslands area.   In 2007, The Nature Conservancy acquired the 1,372-acre Gildred Ranch property.  Additionally, The Nature Conservancy has entered into a real property purchase and sale agreement with Highland Valley Partners, LLC for acquisition of the 480-acre Highland Valley-Oak Country II property.  The Nature Conservancy will purchase the property, and enter into an escrow transaction for the sale of the land in fee title to the County.  These properties are located near the Ramona Airport, west of Rangeland Road, adjacent to other grassland properties previously acquired by the County (Thomas Guide, page 1151, F, G , H, 1-7).  This request is to set a hearing for May 14, 2008 for the Board to consider, after hearing public testimony, approving purchase of the Gildred Ranch and Highland ValleyˆOak Country II properties from The Nature Conservancy, for a cost not to exceed $2,850,000 (Recommendations 3 through 5).  

FISCAL IMPACT:
If approved, this request will result in one-time current year cost not to exceed $2,850,000 for the land purchase.  Funding for this request in the amount of $2,850,000 is included in the Fiscal Year 2007-2008 Operational Plan.  The funding source is General Fund budgeted in Capital Project 1000012 ˆ MSCP Acquisitions.  In addition, budgeted funds in the Capital Project of $1,566,300 are available for related costs, including $7,800 for title insurance and escrow costs, $8,500 for staff costs to complete the purchase, and one-time costs of $1,550,000.  These one-time costs are associated with the creation of the preserve‚s Resource Management Plan including Area Specific Management Directives which includes site specific field surveys ($600, 000), a Trails Master Plan ($450,000) and associated environmental review ($150,000), as well as initial stewardship costs such as fencing and signage ($350,000).  The requested action will result in a total current year cost of not to exceed $4,416,300.  In addition, there will be an annual cost of $10,520 for Fixed Charge Assessments on both properties, including water standby fees and vector control charges, which will be paid from the Department of Parks and Recreation‚s Annual Operational Plan.  The Department of Parks and Recreation will seek funding in the Fiscal Year 2008-2009 Operational Plan budget process for ongoing costs related to operation and maintenance of the preserve.  Ongoing MSCP stewardship and monitoring are estimated at $277,800 per year for both properties.  The County will assume the responsibilities and requirements of the grant agreements, and/or deed restrictions which encumber the properties at the time of purchase.
RECOMMENDATION:
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER At the April 9, 2008 hearing: 1.          Direct the Clerk of the Board to publish the required Notice of Intention to Purchase the Gildred Ranch and Highland ValleyˆOak Country II properties in accordance with Government Code Sections 25350 and 6063.  2.          Set a hearing for May 14, 2008 at which time the Board of Supervisors may approve the purchase of the 1,372-acre Gildred Ranch property from The Nature Conservancy for $1,250,000 and the purchase of the 480-acre Highland Valley-Oak Country II property from The Nature Conservancy for a cost not to exceed $1,600,000 (total price not to exceed $2,850,000).  At the May 14, 2008 hearing, and after public testimony, consider: 3.          Finding, in accordance with Section 15325 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, that the County‚s purchase of the Gildred Ranch and Highland Valley-Oak Country II properties are categorically exempt from CEQA as these transactions involve the transfer of ownership of land to preserve open space and natural habitat.  4.          Approving the Purchase/Sale Agreement and Joint Escrow Instructions Agreement (Agreement) for the purchase of the Gildred Ranch property (Assessor‚s Parcel Numbers 276-041-06, 276-050-04, 05, 07, 08, 09, 26, 27, 28, 276-060-04, 276-101-03, 276-110-02, 09, 10, 11, 12, 276-111-02, 03, 06, 07, 276-121-01, 21, 22, 280-010-05) and Highland Valley-Oak Country II property (Assessor‚s Parcel Numbers 277-050-31, 277-111-53 and 277-121-14) from The Nature Conservancy for  $1,950,000.  5.          Approving the Purchase/Sale Agreement and Joint Escrow Instructions Agreement (Agreement) for the purchase of the Gildred Ranch property (Assessor‚s Parcel Numbers 276-041-06, 276-050-04, 05, 07, 08, 09, 26, 27, 28, 276-060-04, 276-101-03, 276-110-02, 09, 10, 11, 12, 276-111-02, 03, 06, 07, 276-121-01, 21, 22, 280-010-05) and Highland Valley-Oak Country II property (Assessor‚s Parcel Numbers 277-050-31, 277-111-53 and 277-121-14) from The Nature Conservancy for  $2,850,000.  6.          Directing the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors to execute two originals of the Purchase/Sale Agreement described in either Recommendation 4 or 5 above as specified by the Director of General Services after The Nature Conservancy determines whether it can use a $900,000 grant for the purchase of the Oak Country II property.  Direct the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors to mark the Purchase/Sale Agreement that is not executed as „void.‰   7.          Authorizing the Department of General Services Director, or designee, to execute all escrow and related documents necessary to complete the transaction, including execution of a conservation easement.


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