DATE: June 30, 2026
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Edward Hill, Chief Operating Officer/Interim Director of General Services
Steven E. White, Director, Department of Public Works and Planning
SUBJECT: Release of Declaration and Easement Agreements for the Olive Campus
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute two Release of Declaration and Easement Agreements with Pacific Bell Telephone Company related to communications equipment located at 5555 East Olive Avenue, Fresno, California 93727.
REPORT
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. Approval of the recommended action will authorize the Chairman to execute two Release of Declaration and Easement Agreements (Release Agreements) with Pacific Bell Telephone Company (Pacific Bell), which allowed Pacific Bell to temporarily operate communications equipment located at 5555 East Olive Avenue, Fresno, California 93727 (Olive Campus) after the County purchased the property. This item pertains to a location in District 3.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There are no viable alternative actions. If your Board does not approve the recommended action, Pacific Bell will continue to hold the rights to operate communications equipment at this location.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The total cost associated with the recommended Release Agreements is $20, funded by Behavioral Health Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment revenue. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Department of Public Works and Planning Capital Projects - Olive Building Improvements Org 8872, Fund 0400 FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION:
On October 20, 2020, the Board approved the form of the Real Estate Sale Contract for the County’s purchase of 5555 East Olive Avenue and 5520 East Hedges Avenue, Fresno, California 93727 (APN 455-223-12) from Pacific Bell, which included easement agreements granting Pacific Bell temporary access to operate existing communications equipment. The Board also authorized the Director of Internal Services to execute the final form of the Real Estate Sale Contract.
As such, on December 14, 2020, the Director of Internal Services executed three easement agreements, titled:
• Grant of Easement Agreement Monopole Cellular Transport (#1);
• Declaration of Easements for Communications Equipment (Olive MPOE with Equipment Room (#2)); and
• Declaration of Easements for Communications Equipment (MPOE with 4 Equipment Rooms (#3)).
The Olive Campus is currently under construction by the Department of Public Works and Planning (Public Works). During project design, the County contacted Pacific Bell to determine whether the existing underground easements are still necessary, as they could impact the site design and require modifications to planned improvements. Pacific Bell inspected the site and determined that two of the three easements are no longer needed. On September 29, 2025, Public Works received an email from Pacific Bell finalizing its decision to terminate Easements #2 and #3.
Approval of the recommended action will authorize the Chairman to execute the recommended Release Agreements for Easements #2 and #3. Easement #1 for the Monopole Cellular Transport will remain on title.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #6, October 20, 2020
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Release of Easement #2
On file with Clerk - Release of Easement #3
CAO ANALYST:
Amy Ryals