Title
Recommendation to Approve Jennifer Ott, City Manager, Abigail Thorne-Lyman, Base Reuse and Economic Development Director, John McManus, Managing Director, Cushman & Wakefield, and Len Aslanian, Assistant City Attorney, as Real Property Negotiators for Building 11 at 1190 West Tower Avenue (Wisk Aero). (Base Reuse and Economic Development 29061822)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jennifer Ott, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Staff is recommending that City Council designate Jennifer Ott, City Manager, Abigail Thorne-Lyman, Base Reuse and Economic Development Director, John McManus, Managing Director, Cushman & Wakefield, and Len Aslanian, Assistant City Attorney, as the real property negotiators for a potential lease for Building 11 located at 1190 West Tower Avenue, which will allow them to meet with City Council in closed session to discuss price and terms related to lease of the premises in a manner compliant with all applicable laws and to represent the City of Alameda (City) in negotiations with a public or private party.
BACKGROUND
Wisk is a company working to develop autonomous electric aircraft that are able to take off and land vertically. Wisk is a fully-owned subsidiary of the Boeing Company, currently headquartered in Mountain View, CA. (Source: Wisk website at <https://wisk.aero> )
Building 11 is currently vacant. It was formerly leased to Google/Makani. The Council recently elected not to proceed with a lease for the building with Science Corp. The Council recently visited Building 11 as part of the December 8, 2023 Alameda Point leasing tour, which was the final building visited at the end of the tour.
DISCUSSION
Under Government Code Section 54956.8, Title 5, Division 2, Part 1, Chapter 9, City Council must identify, in an open and public session, the real property negotiators for negotiation of the price and terms concerning real property, such as the Premises. Staff is recommending that City Council approve Jennifer Ott, City Manager, Abigail Thorne-Lyman, Base Reuse and Economic Development Director, John McManus, Managing Director, Cushman & Wakefield, and Len Aslanian, Assistant City Attorney as the real property negotiators for the lease for the premises, which will allow them to meet with City Council in closed session to discuss price and terms for this property in a manner compliant with all applicable laws and to represent the City in negotiations with a public or private party.
ALTERNATIVES
• Approve Jennifer Ott, City Manager, Abigail Thorne-Lyman, Base Reuse and Economic Development Director, John McManus, Managing Director, Cushman & Wakefield, and Len Aslanian, Assistant City Attorney as real property negotiators for the Premises.
• Identify other staff as negotiators.
• Choose not to negotiate terms related to the Lease with Wisk for the premises, and thus do not identify negotiators.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact from the approval of real property negotiators.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action is consistent with the Alameda Municipal Code. This action is subject to the Levine Act
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action does not constitute a “project” as defined in California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378 and therefore no further CEQA analysis is required.
CLIMATE IMPACTS
There are no identifiable climate impacts or climate action opportunities associated with the subject of this report.
RECOMMENDATION
Approve Jennifer Ott, City Manager, Abigail Thorne-Lyman, Base Reuse and Economic Development Director, John McManus, Managing Director, Cushman & Wakefield, and Len Aslanian, Assistant City Attorney as the real property negotiators for the lease of the premises located at 1190 West Tower Avenue.
Respectfully submitted,
Abby Thorne- Lyman, Base Reuse and Economic Development Director]
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Margaret O’Brien, Finance Director