To: Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Regional Parks
Staff Name and Phone Number: Steve Ehret, (707) 565-1107
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): 1st
Title:
Title
Donation of Mix Property - Addition to Hood Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve
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Recommended Actions:
Recommended action
Approve a resolution of the Board of Supervisors authorizing those actions necessary for the County to acquire the Mix Property in fee through a donation from the Sonoma Land Trust. (First District)
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Executive Summary:
Regional Parks is proposing to accept the donation of fee title to approximately 41.7 acres of undeveloped land (the “Mix Property”) adjacent to Hood Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve (“Park”) along Santa Rosa Creek. The Sonoma Land Trust (“SLT”) acquired the Mix Property in 2018 and offered to donate the land to Regional Parks at no cost. The addition of the Mix Property will protect significant natural resource attributes, including one of the few redwood stands in the Upper Santa Rosa Creek watershed and high quality steelhead spawning habitat.
Discussion:
On March 27, 2017, the Board of Directors of SLT authorized the proposed acquisition of the Mix Property and its subsequent conveyance to Regional Parks. In addition to the aforementioned redwoods and excellent aquatic habitat, SLT’s Board and funding partners were moved and inspired by the Mix Property’s location within a significant regional wildlife corridor spanning from Blue Ridge in Lake County to the Marin County coast. The Mix Property has access only from the existing Park and will serve as a buffer from the expanding development along Los Alamos Road and Cougar Lane.
Regional Parks is seeking authorization to take all necessary actions to complete the transfer of fee title to the Mix Property from SLT to Regional Parks. SLT will transfer the Property to Regional Parks at no cost and will contribute $3,000 towards the costs of a survey of the Mix Property’s boundaries. Regional Parks will be responsible for paying the premium for a title insurance policy, estimated at $550, and for a boundary survey and placement of signage together estimated at $16,000.
The Grant Deed (on file) will restrict the Mix Property to general park use. Allowable uses are limited to public recreational use, educational opportunities and scientific research. In allowing these uses, Regional Parks shall give priority to the conservation, protection, and restoration of the property’s ecological functions. Additionally, Regional Parks cannot convey, lease, or otherwise encumber all or any portion of the Mix Property without the prior approval of SLT, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.
Given the steep topography and its location, this acquisition is not anticipated to support new recreational development in the foreseeable future, but will protect and buffer existing trails, natural resources, and the wilderness experience provided at the Park. No significant new additional management costs are anticipated to result from the acquisition.
Prior Board Actions:
May 22, 2018: BOS accepts the County of Sonoma Capital Improvement Plan 2018 - 2023 including “Hood Mountain Expansion”.
Fiscal Summary
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Expenditures |
FY 18-19 Adopted |
FY19-20 Projected |
FY 20-21 Projected |
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Budgeted Expenses |
16,550 |
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Additional Appropriation Requested |
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Total Expenditures |
16,550 |
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Funding Sources |
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General Fund/WA GF |
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State/Federal |
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Fees/Other |
16,550 |
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Use of Fund Balance |
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Contingencies |
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Total Sources |
16,550 |
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Total expenses for closing costs, boundary survey and signage are estimated at $16,550. Appropriations are available within the FY 2018-19 Hood Expansion CIP Budget. Regional Parks will assume minimal additional management responsibilities. Anticipated annual maintenance will include volunteer patrols to inspect the boundary. Regional Parks already has a Volunteer Coordinator included in the budget, no additional funds are needed to support volunteers for this task.
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Staffing Impacts: |
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Position Title (Payroll Classification) |
Monthly Salary Range (A - I Step) |
Additions (number) |
Deletions (number) |
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
n/a
Attachments:
Resolution, Map
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
Grant Deed restrictions, Certificate of Acceptance, Notice of Exemption