RECOMMENDATION(S): (CONT'D)
DETERMINE that the activity will not have a significant effect on the environment and is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Article 5, Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines, and
DIRECT the Director of the Department of Conservation and Development, or designee, to file a Notice of Exemption with the County Clerk.
AUTHORIZE the Public Works Director, or designee, to arrange for payment of a $25 fee to the Department of Conservation and Development for processing, and a $50 fee to the County Clerk for filing the Notice of Exemption.
DIRECT the Real Estate Division of the Public Works Department to have the above referenced Grant of Easement delivered to the District for acceptance and recording in the Office of the County Clerk-Recorder.
DIRECT the Real Estate Division to cause the District’s payment of the purchase price and County-cost reimbursement to be deposited into the General Fund.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The County will be paid $5,000 for the value of the easement, and will be reimbursed $8,000 for its administrative and environmental review costs for this transaction. All funds will be deposited into the General Fund.
BACKGROUND:
West County Wastewater District maintains a pump station and force main (sewer line) on a portion of the above-referenced property which is owned by the County. The District is currently undertaking its La Honda Force Main Sewer Replacement Project – a project to replace the force main, which includes the replacement of 190 linear feet of an aging 6-inch Ductile Iron Pipe (DIP) force main with dual 6-inch High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) force mains. Upon review of this parcel, the District was unable to find a recorded easement for a portion of the force main that connects to the pump station. Therefore, to correct this title omission, the County will convey a 920-square-foot easement for sewer purposes to clarify the District’s rights and complete its project. The District will pay the County $5,000 for the value of the easement and will reimburse the County’s costs to process this transaction, including CEQA environmental review and filing costs. The Real Estate Division has determined that the conveyance of the easement will not substantially conflict or interfere with the County’s use of this property, and that the value of the easement is less than $5,000. The conveyance of the easement is in the public interest insofar as it is for a public sewer facility.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
The District will not have the necessary permanent rights for maintenance and access to the facilities installed.