Title
Consider recommendations regarding the Donation of approximately 77-acres of land in an unincorporated area of the County of Santa Barbara, Assessor Parcel Numbers 059-020-059, -041, -042, -048, -039 and -058, and Acquisition of approximately 24-acres of land in an unincorporated area of the County of Santa Barbara, Assessor Parcel Numbers 059-020-040, -049, -050, -051 and -052 (003994), First District, as follows: (4/5 Vote Required)
a) Approve and authorize the Chair to execute the original and duplicate original Donation Agreement and Escrow Instructions, between the County of Santa Barbara (County), as Recipient, and Channel Islands Restoration, Inc., a California public benefit, non-profit corporation, as Donor, to the County of the property consisting of approximately 77-acres located, in the unincorporated area of Santa Barbara County, known as Assessor Parcel Numbers 059-020-059, -041, -042, -048, -039 and -058, (Parcels);
b)Approve and authorize the Chair to execute the Purchase Agreement and Escrow Instructions between the County of Santa Barbara (COUNTY), as Buyer, and Channel Islands Restoration, Inc., a California public benefit, non-profit corporation, (OWNERS), as Sellers, to purchase the property consisting of approximately 24-acres of land in an unincorporated area of the County of Santa Barbara, known as Assessor Parcel Numbers 059-020-040, -049, -050, -051, and -052, (LOTS);
c) Authorize the Director of General Services, or designee, to execute any and all escrow documents and complete the due diligence required to facilitate the terms and conditions of the proposed donation and acquisition;
d) Approve and authorize the Clerk, upon satisfaction of the terms and conditions of the Donation and Purchase Agreements and Escrow Instructions, to execute the Certificate of Acceptances consummating the donation and purchase and accepting title to the LOTS and Parcels;
e) Approve and authorize the Director of General Services, or designee, to expend funds in conjunction with the donation, in a total amount not to exceed $5,000.00, plus title and escrow fees, including staff costs, processing fees and any other costs required to facilitate the transaction pursuant to the Donation Agreement and Escrow Instructions;
f) Approve and authorize the Director of General Services, or designee, to expend funds in a total amount not to exceed the purchase price $1,965,000.00, plus title and escrow fees, including staff costs, processing fees and any other costs required to facilitate the transaction pursuant to the Purchase Agreement and Escrow Instructions;
g) Approve and authorize the County Executive Office, or designee, to transfer State Grant Funds from the California Natural Resources Agency, minus any State’s fees and costs in an amount not to exceed $300,000.00, upon receipt of funds from the State of California;
h) Approve Budget Revision Request 0008853; and
i) Determine that the recommended actions are exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15316 - Acquisitions of land in order to establish a park where the land is in a natural condition and either a management plan has not been prepared or a management plan proposes to keep the area in a natural condition, and 15325 - Transfers of ownership interests in order to preserve open space or to preserve land for park purposes, and direct staff to file and post the Notice of Exemption on that basis.