Title
Adoption of Resolution Supporting a Conveyance of the Surplus Federal Property on McKay Avenue for Park and Open-Space Purposes and Approve the Work Plan pursuant to City Council's Direction on January 21, 2015. (City Manager 2110)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: John A. Russo, City Manager
Re: Adoption of Resolution Supporting a Conveyance of the Surplus Federal Property on McKay Avenue for Park and Open-Space Purposes and Approve the Work Plan pursuant to City Council's Direction on January 21, 2015
BACKGROUND
At its Special Meeting on January 21, 2015, the Alameda City Council, by a 3-2 vote, gave direction to Staff regarding "Collaboration between City of Alameda and East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD)." In summary, the policy direction given to staff was to take steps to support the EBRPD in its dispute with the Federal Government over the future of Crab Cove and to establish a foundation for a better working relationship with the EBRPD in the aftermath of the Park District's having initiated expensive and protracted litigation against the City over Crab Cove.
DISCUSSION
The Council direction also listed four specific actions which staff was to undertake:
1) Settle any remaining issues related to the aforementioned litigation regarding Crab Cove;
2) Petition the Federal Government to cease eminent domain efforts regarding McKay Avenue;
3) Establish a Council-EBRPD liaison committee.
4) Ask the City's lobbyists in Washington and Sacramento to speak with Alameda's legislators about supporting the EBRPD in its plans for Crab Cove.
Actions Taken
1) All remaining legal issues between the City and the EBRPD which are related to Crab Cove have been settled.
2) Attached to this report is a draft Resolution "Supporting a Conveyance of the Surplus Federal Property on McKay Avenue for Park and Open Space Purposes." This draft Resolution, which was prepared with the help of EBRPD staff through its direct discussions with Mayor Spencer, will be sent to the General Services Administration, assuming that Council approves this action tonight.
3) Staff has been informed that the City and the EBRPD had a liaison committee many years ago. At the time of publication of this report, City Clerk Lara Weisiger is researching this matter and should be able to give Council an oral report tonight regarding the composition of that committee, if it actually existed. If it did, Staff will initiate a dialogue with EBRPD to revive the dormant committee with the same composition. If no record of such a committee can be found, then Staff, with Council's concurrence, will propose to EBRPD the creation of a liaison committee with the same composition and meeting schedule (quarterly) as the City/AUSD liaison committee.
4) Assistant City Manager Nguyen will instruct the City's lobbyists to engage our legislative representatives in support of the EBRPD's plan for Crab Cove.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact from the introduction of this resolution.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
City of Alameda Ordinance No. 3102, adopted July 15, 2014 rezoned this property for an Open Space designation.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guideline section 15061(b)(3)
RECOMMENDATION
Adoption of resolution supporting a conveyance of the surplus federal property on McKay Avenue for park and open-space purposes and approve the work plan pursuant to City Council's direction on January 21, 2015.
Respectfully submitted,
John Russo, City Manager
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Juelle Ann Boyer, Interim Finance Director