City of Santa Ana
Public Works Agency
www.santa-ana.org/pw
Item# 20
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Staff Report
October 4, 2022
TOPIC: Exchange of Real Property
AGENDA TITLE:
Approve an Agreement with the County of Orange for Exchange of Real Property and Adopt a Resolution Declaring City Property as Exempt Surplus Land
RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. Adopt a resolution declaring City-owned property as exempt surplus land pursuant to California Government Code § 54220 et seq. for the purpose of a real property exchange with the County of Orange.
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute an Exchange of Real Property agreement between the City of Santa Ana and the County of Orange, a political subdivision of the State of California, for proposed property exchange of the Civic Center Plaza of the Flags area and the Civic Center Library Parking Structure subject to non-substantive changes approved by the City Manager and the City Attorney.
DISCUSSION
In the mid-1950s, the City acquired and combined parcels to create the City's portion of the Civic Center block between Civic Center Drive, Ross Street, Santa Ana Boulevard, and Flower Street. Since then, the City has added to the property and conveyed segments to other government agencies, and now some of the ownership boundaries do not coincide with buildings and other improvements. The parking structure adjacent to the City's Main Library, which is operated by the County of Orange, is partially within City of Santa Ana property. The parcel containing the Plaza of the Flags and the parking structure underneath it which is utilized by City staff and agencies, along with the Japanese Garden structure, are owned by the County (Exhibit 1 ).
To correct the misalignment, on March 31, 2022, the Orange County Chief Real Estate Officer and City of Santa Ana City Manager entered into a non-binding Letter of Intent (Exhibit 2), with the express interest of exchanging a County-owned 2.2-acre parcel in the Civic Center (Parcel A), for a City-owned 0.7-acre parcel (Parcel B).
EXHIBIT 2
Agreement with County of Orange Exchange of Real Property October 4, 2022
Within County -owned Parcel A is the Plaza of the Flags and parking structure area below, as well as the Japanese Garden and a portion of the Ross Annex Parking Structure.
County staff have indicated that the Parcel A is not needed for County purposes. Parcel A is also located directly adjacent to Santa Ana City Hall. The Plaza is generally used by the City for special events and activities throughout the year, including farmer' s markets and as an ice- skating rink during the winter, for which approval must be requested from the County of Orange. The City's ownership of the property will allow the City to utilize the Plaza without going through a County permitting process.
Within City -owned Parcel B is a portion of the Library parking structure. The County administers the parking within the Civic Center and under the various agreements with the City for the operation of the Civic Center, collects the revenues for the upkeep of the Civic Center area. Parcel B is not needed for City purposes.
In addition, if the exchange is approved by the City and the County of Orange, the property ownership boundaries which currently run through the Library parking structure and the Ross Annex parking structure will be adjusted so that the structures are wholly contained within one ownership. In order to consolidate ownership of the Santa Ana Library Parking structure and assist the City in the activation of the Plaza of the Flags area, the County and the City share a mutual interest in the exchange of parcels. Based on the opinions of City staff, valuation of the parcels subject to the exchange is equivalent.
Prior to completion of the property conveyance, the City must declare Parcel B as surplus land, and therefore, is exempt surplus land pursuant to Government Code section 54221( f)( 1)( c).
Staff recommends the approval of the attached Agreement for the Exchange of Real Property ( Exhibit 3), which sets out the parameters for the exchange, and adoption of the resolution declaring Parcel B as exempt surplus land pursuant to the Surplus Land Act Exhibit 4).
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
There is no environmental impact associated with this action.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action.
Agreement with County of Orange Exchange of Real Property October 4, 2022
EXHIBIT( S)
1. Location Map
2. Letter of Intent
3. Draft Property Exchange Agreement
4. Resolution
By: Submitted By: Nabil Saba, P. E., Executive Director — Public Works Agency Approved By: Kristine Ridge, City Manager