DATE: August 18, 2020
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Steven E. White, Director
Department of Public Works and Planning
SUBJECT: Request by City of Fresno to Obtain Water Line and Road Easements
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Approve City of Fresno’s request to acquire a water line easement and a public road easement on a parcel of land owned by County of Fresno at the University Medical Center campus and intersection of E. Kings Canyon Road and S. Chance Avenue, as needed for a preexisting City water line and road; and
2. Approve and authorize Internal Services to execute the easements on behalf of the County of Fresno to the City of Fresno ($0).
REPORT
Approval of the first recommended action will approve the request by the City of Fresno (City) to acquire a water line easement and a public road easement at the intersection of E. Kings Canyon Road and S. Chance Avenue for an existing City water line and road, see Location Map and Exhibits A-B. Approval of the second recommended action will authorize the County to grant these permanent easements (Easements) to the City to maintain the water main pipeline and public road at this location. This item pertains to a location in District 3.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There are no viable alternative actions. The water line and public road improvements are existing and access to maintain these public facilities is necessary. Denial of the recommended actions will result in the inability of the City to maintain the water main pipeline and road improvements consisting of a traffic signal. If the water main pipeline is not maintained, there is a risk it may break and flood County properties.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. City staff have requested that the County provide easements for their existing water line and public road on County property. The City’s use of the Easements will not unreasonably conflict with the County’s use, and it is recommended that the Easements be granted to the City without requiring a costly and time-consuming appraisal be performed, and without establishing and charging a fee for the land value. This is due to the fact that the value of the land is nominal since it has no viable alternative use.
DISCUSSION:
City staff have requested that the County provide Easements for their water line and public road improvements on the University Medical Center campus. California Government Code, section 50335 authorizes the legislative body of a local agency to convey to any public or private corporation engaged in the public utility business, an easement to lay, reconstruct, maintain, and operate water, sewer, gas or storm drain pipes or ditches over and upon any land belonging to the local agency.
The City’s acquisition of the recommended Easements will allow the City to access the water main and public road improvements and continue their ongoing maintenance and operation. This is beneficial to the County, because it reduces the likelihood of future water main breaks resulting in extensive damage to County-owned buildings.
OTHER REVIEWING AGENCIES:
City of Fresno
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
This item was initiated at the request of the City of Fresno. The City has prepared Exhibits A - B.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Location Map
Attachment A - Public Street Easement
Attachment B - Water Line Easement
CAO ANALYST:
Debbie Paolinelli