COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Brett Fulgoni, Director of Public Works
DATE: March 4, 2025
SUBJECT: Adoption of a Resolution Approving a Grant of Non -Exclusive Easements for Encroachment Purposes to Southern California Gas Company, Inc.
Description:
The City Council will consider approving the recordation of non -exclusive easements to Southern California Gas Company, Inc. at the northwest corner of Battles Road and Depot Street. This will allow Southern California Gas Company, Inc. to install and maintain infrastructure on the City-owned parcel to support their pressurized natural gas pipeline.
Environmental Notice: The activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a Resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign both non -exclusive easements to Southern California Gas Company, Inc. and authorizing the Chief Deputy City Clerk to certify the easements and forward the easements to the County Clerk-Recorder for official recordation.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Santa Maria owns APN 117 -250-029, located at the northwest corner of the intersection of Battles Road and Depot Street. Southern California Gas Company Inc. (SoCalGas) has infrastructure on the easterly side of the Santa Maria Valley Railroad alignment that requires additional testing, monitoring, and cleaning access facilities.
During the processing of the encroachment permit of this additional equipment, it was determined that SoCalGas would need easements to provide legal right to install and maintain equipment on land that is owned by the City.
DISCUSSION:
This project is located at the intersection of two secondary arterials, Battles Road and Depot Street. In review of the proposed project, Public Works identified the need to be able to have SoCalG as relocate their equipment in the event the City needs to widen 2 Battles Road or Depot Street. This limited the ability of the City to issue an easement to a non-exclusive easement to protect the City’s future interests.
Public Works staff has worked with SoCalGas to prepare the legal description and exhibits to record the non -exclusive easements. These documents have been reviewed and approved by the City Surveyor for technical accuracy.
In order to determine the value of the non -exclusive easements pro posed, SoCalGas provided an appraisal of similar easements over lands similar to the parcel owned by the City of Santa Maria. This appraisal establishes the value of the easements at $0.57/Square Foot. The total area between the two easements is 4,898 Square Foot. As such, SoCalGas has offered the City of Santa Maria $2,108 for the right to install their equipment and necessary electrical service connection on City property. The Public Works Department has reviewed the appraisal and determined the appraised value is appropriate given the limited rights provided to SoCalGas and the ability of the City to require relocation of SoCalGas infrastructure in the future.
Alternative(s)
City Council may elect to deny the non -exclusive easements to SoCalGas. In doing so, SoCalGas would need to find an alternate way to install the monitoring and maintenance equipment proposed for this project.
Fiscal Considerations
As stated above, the appraisal provided established a total value of $2,108 for both easements. In addit ion to the valuation of the easements, the City has an easement dedication processing fee of $2,925 per document, and SoCalGas has paid the requisite $7,958 prior to presenting this item to the City Council.
Impact to the Community
SoCalGas equipment will be installed on land adjacent to the existing Santa Maria Valley Railroad, between the planned Sports Complex and Minami Park. This equipment will be shielded from view with fencing, which is under review with the Community Development Department, Building Division.
ATTACHMENTS
A. Resolution
B. Non-exclusive Easement for Encroachment Purposes, Pipeline Facilities C. Non-exclusive Easement for Encroachment Purposes, Electrical Facilities D. Appraisal