HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/18/2001 - STAFF REPORTS (6) Date: April 18, 2001
To: City Council
From: City Librarian
DISPOSITION OF FORMER CROCKER BRANCH LIBRARY BUILDING AND
ADJACENT PARCELS
Recommendation:
That the City Council approve the disposition of the .99 acres of land at 2555 North Via
Miraleste, including the building formerly known as the Francis Crocker Branch Library,
through an auction procedure which would ensure receiving "fair market value," with the
proceeds to benefit the Palm Springs Public Library.
Summary:
The Library Board has managed the former Crocker library building and adjacent
parcels, first as a library and later as rental property since 1962. The Board now wishes
to sell the property, and requests that City Council, which holds title, approve of its
disposal and determine the appropriate method of disposition, with the proceeds to
benefit the capital needs of the Library Center.
Background:
At its November 8, 2000 meeting, the Library Board expressed its wish to sell the former
Crocker Branch Library, along with the adjacent parcels of land on North Via Miraleste,
directly across the street from Victoria Park. The decision was not made without a good
deal of discussion over some months and a review of all options. The Board concluded,
however, that funding for a branch library does not appear to be available in the
foreseeable future. Further, as a number of capital improvements are needed at the
Library Center, it would be prudent to use the current real estate market to advantage
and dispose of the property at this time. Community input on the sale was welcomed at
all Board meetings, and the meeting agenda of February 14, 2001, requesting public
comments was published in The Desert Sun and posted at the branch building. One
person came to the meeting and commented only on the use of the building for day care.
The property is part of a parcel of land that was purchased from the Palm Springs
Unified School District in 1962. These parcels were designated for use as the North,
later, the Francis Crocker Branch Library. Although the City holds title, apparently, funds
from the library tax, then in place, were used to purchase the land for the library and its
possible expansion; and, according to Library Board minutes, it was built, furnished,
equipped and maintained with library funds. The Crocker Branch, along with the Melba
Bennett Branch, was closed after passage of Proposition 13 in 1978. The Bennett
branch was sold. The Crocker Branch and the adjacent "expansion" parcels to the
north, approximately 21,608 square feet in total, were rented, first to the Stroke Activity
Center, and then to the Ed-U-Care day care center, which has occupied it for over fifteen
years. The Library Board has managed the property and made improvements when
necessary.
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The City Attorney was consulted on the method of disposition, as the City of Palm
Springs does not have a specific procedure for doing so. Under the California
Government Code, any reasonable method may be chosen: (1) listing the property with
a real estate agent, (2) preparing an RFP request, or (3) conducting an auction, with the
proviso that in each case a minimum amount equal to the appraised value is required.
He advises that the method most commonly used to dispose of City property is an
auction.
An alternative method would be to declare the property "surplus" prior to the chosen
method of sale. If the City Council makes a determination that the property is "surplus"
then the notifications to other public agencies specified under Government Code Section
54222 must be followed, and a sixty-day time period for response be provided, before
any other method of sale may commence.
Counsel indicates that it would be appropriate, and staff recommends, that the auction
method, rather than the surplus method, be authorized. Notice will be widely
disseminated, including publication in local newspapers and on the Internet. A minimum
price, not less than that of the appraisal, will be established and the City will retain the
right to reject all bids.
The Palm Springs Planning Commission will review the possible sale on April 25, 2001,
in order to make a finding of conformance with the General Plan. As the Crocker Library
building is no longer designated as a library, this procedure will be done only for
clarification; it is not required under the Government code statute applicable.
Fiscal Impact:
Based upon the November 11, 2000, appraisal by R. F. Sweet & Associates, it is
possible that over$200,000 could be realized from the sale of the property. Depending
upon the nature of the purchaser and the uses to which it is put, the entire parcel could
revert to the tax rolls, which would benefit the General Fund. Pursuant to City Council
action of March 21, 1979, which stated that "the proceeds derived from the sale and/or
lease of the branch libraries...should enure to the library fund," the Library Board
anticipates that the revenue from the sale will be paid into the Trust Fund.
Margaret RN des, City Librarian
APPROVED
David H. Ready, City Mfg Harold E. Good, Procurement Manager
Attachments: 1. Exhibit "A" Legal Description of Property
2. Minute Order
REVIEWED BY DEPT.OF FINANCE
_1
4Q
EXHIBIT "A"
Being a portion of the Southeast quarter of the Northwest quarter of Section 2 T.4S.
R.rE. S.B.B. & M. more particularly described as follows:
Beginning at the Northwest corner of said Southeast quarter of the
Northwest quarter;
Thence South 00°17' 16" West 673.25 feet to the TRUE POINT OF
BEGINNING;
Thence North 89157' 20" East 100.00 feet;
Thence South 00017' 16" West 429.24 feet;
Thence South 89157' 20" West 100.00 feet;
Thence North 00117' 16" East 429.25 feet to the TRUE POINT OF
BEGINNING
6 � 3
MINUTE ORDER NO. 6837
APPROVING THE DISPOSITION OF THE
.99 ACRES OF LAND AT 2555 NORTH
VIA MIRALESTE, INCLUDING THE
BUILDING FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE
FRANCIS CROCKER BRANCH LIBRARY,
THROUGH AN AUCTION PROCEDURE
WHICH WOULD ENSURE RECEIVING
"FAIR MARKET VALUE", WITH THE
PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT THE PALM
SPRINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY.
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I HEREBY CERTIFY that this Minute Order, approving the disposition
of .99 acres at 2555 North Via Miraleste, including the building
formerly known as the Francis Crocker Branch Library, through an
auction procedure which would ensure receiving "Fair Market Value",
with the proceeds to benefit the Palm Springs Public Library, was
adopted by the City Council of the City of Palm Springs, California, in
a meeting thereof held on the 18th day of April, 2001.
PATRICIA A. SANDERS
City Clerk