RESOLUTION NO. (N.C.S.)
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A CONVEYANCE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE BIG SUR LAND TRUST AND THE CITY OF SALINAS TO TRANSFER 73- ACRES IN CARR LAKE (APNs 003-212-016, 261-191-001, 261-191-007, 003-212-007, 003-212-015, AND 003-821-033) WHEREAS, since approximately 2008, the City of Salinas (City) and Big Sur Land Trust (BSLT) have been working toward the development of a park and open space area within Carr Lake (Carr Lake Park Project, or “Project”); and WHEREAS, since 2017, BSLT has been planning, designing, permitting, and fundraising for a two-phase park project, with the goal of the entire 73-acre property to be owned and managed by the City as a public park; and WHEREAS, the Carr Lake Park Project (Project) site includes APNs 003-212-016-000, 261-191-001-000, 261-191-007-000, 003-212-007-000, 003-212-015-000, and 003-821-033-000; and WHEREAS, on March 19, 2024, the City Council authorized execution of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City and BSLT to coordinate and memorialize the planning, development, ownership, and long-term management of the Carr Lake Park Project, now named Ensen Park; and WHEREAS, Phase 1 includes the development of a six-acre (6) neighborhood park with traditional park amenities such as restrooms, picnic tables, a skate spot, trails, parking lots, basketball courts, and a gazebo and/or playground; and WHEREAS, Phase 2 includes development of a sixty-seven-acre (67) open space area with restoration of creek and wetland habitat, planting, fencing, signage, and trail construction; and WHEREAS, pursuant to the MOU and State Coastal Conservancy Grant BSLT received to undertake the Project, upon completion of Phase 1 improvements, the 6-acre neighborhood park area, the residence commonly known as the “Front House” and the water well are to be conveyed to the City by BSLT for ongoing management, maintenance, and upkeep by March 2025; and WHEREAS, the 67-acre restoration area including the structure commonly known as the “Back House” is to be conveyed upon completion of Phase 2 in spring of 2026; and WHEREAS, pursuant to the MOU, a Conveyance Agreement, has been drafted for consideration by the City Council; and WHEREAS, Government Code Section 65402(a) requires a report to the planning agency (Planning Commission) as to the conformity of the property acquisition and proposed future development to the General Plan prior to City Council consideration of any property acquisition; and WHEREAS, on January 15, 2025, the Planning Commission accepted staff’s report and established findings supporting the conformity of the conveyance of Ensen Park to the 2002 Salinas General Plan; and WHEREAS, the City of Salinas has determined that the proposed action is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (CEQA Guidelines Section 15378). Environmental impacts of the Carr Lake Park Project were analyzed in accordance with CEQA. An Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration (ISMND) adopted by the City Council on September 14, 2021, found that the Project will not have a significant effect on the environment.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the that the Salinas City Council authorized the Mayor to execute a Conveyance Agreement (Exhibit “A”) transferring approximately 73 acres identified as the Carr Lake Park Project/Ensen Park between the Big Sur Land Trust to the City of Salinas for the purpose of public park use and management.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 25th day of February 2025, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
APPROVED:
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Dennis Donohue, Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________
Patricia M. Barajas, City Clerk