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Recommendation to Approve Eric Levitt, City Manager, Lisa Maxwell, Assistant City Attorney, and Debbie Potter, Community Development Director, as Real Property Negotiators for the Potential Sale or Lease of the Carnegie Library Building at 2264 Santa Clara Avenue and the Foster House at 1429 Oak Street. (City Manager)
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To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Alameda (City) has been has received private party interested in purchasing the Alameda Carnegie Library Building and the adjacent Foster House Carnegie). The inquiry initiates the need to identify real property negotiators to represent the City in connection with such prospective negotiations. As such, staff is recommending that the City Council designate City Manager Levitt, Assistant City Attorney Maxwell and Community Development Director Potter as the real property negotiators, which will allow them to meet with City Council in closed session to discuss price, terms and conditions related to a possible sale or lease, offer the Carnegie for sale or lease in a manner compliant with all applicable law and represent the City in negotiations with a public or private party.
BACKGROUND
In 2018, the City circulated a request for qualifications from parties interested in restoring and leasing the historic Alameda Carnegie Library. After reviewing qualifications and proposals and discussing term, price and conditions, no deal was reached.
In late 2019, the City was approached by a private party to explore the potential sale of the Carnegie.
DISCUSSION
Under Government Code Section 54956.8, Title 5, Division 2, Part 1, Chapter 9, the City Council must identify the real property negotiators for negotiation of the terms, price and conditions concerning real property, like the Carnegie. Staff recommends that the negotiators be Eric Levitt, City Manager, Lisa Maxwell, Assistant City Attorney and Debbie Potter, Community Development Director for the potential sale or lease of the Carnegie. This will allow City Manager Levitt, Assistant City Attorney Maxwell and Community Development Director Potter to negotiate on the City’s behalf, based on direction provided by the City Council.
ALTERNATIVES
City Council may:
- Approve Eric Levitt, Lisa Maxwell and Debbie Potter as real property negotiators for the potential sale or lease of the Carnegie;
- Identify other staff as negotiators; or
- Choose not to negotiate the potential sale or lease of the Carnegie.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact from the approval of real property negotiators.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action has no effect on the Alameda Municipal Code.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Approval of real property negotiators is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15301, as topic at hand involves the negotiation of the possible sale of property.
CLIMATE IMPACTS
This action has no climate impacts.
RECOMMENDATION
Approve Eric Levitt, City Manager, Lisa Maxwell, Assistant City Attorney, and Debbie Potter, Community Development Director, as real property negotiators for the potential sale or lease of the Carnegie Library Building at 2264 Santa Clara Avenue and the Foster House at 1429 Oak Street.
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
The City Manager requests approval of the real property negotiators.
Respectfully submitted,
Gerry Beaudin, Assistant City Manager
cc: Eric Levitt, City Manager