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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes2007-037 Sponsored by: Yoder -- CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA RESOLUTION 2007- 037 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA AUTHORIZING THE NEGOTIATION FOR THE CONVEYANCE OF BLOCK 6 ALSO DESCRIBED AS: TIS R lW SEC 10 SEWARD MERIDIAN SW 0000004 ORIGINAL TOWNSITE OF SEWARD FEDERAL ADDN (SCHOOL RESERVE) BLK 6 TO THE STATE OF ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF LABOR ALASKA VOCATIONAL TECHNICAL CENTER (A VTEC) FOR EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES WHEREAS, the State of Alaska ("State") through the Alaska Vocational Technical Center (A VTEC) has formally requested the conveyance of the real property described as "Block 6" TIS R 1 W SEC 10 Seward Meridian SW 0000004 Original Townsite of Seward Federal Addn (School Reserve); and WHEREAS, the State desires to consolidate their underlying land holdings for the A VTEC facility to further support the mission of their educational programs; and \ .... WHEREAS, the subject property is currently occupied with the Old Armory Building in use by the A VTEC program and the new Distance Learning Center Building also used by the A VTEC program, driveways, parking and landscape; and WHEREAS, Block 6 is currently leased to the State of Alaska for purposes of operating an educational facility with a term through the year 2054; and WHEREAS, the City of Seward, finds that ownership of Block 6 by A VTEC for educational facilities is an appropriate community development use of the land and the use required of the original patent; and WHEREAS, the public utilities and drainage features exist across and/or within the subject property that will require field location, verification and corresponding easements for their preservation and maintenance. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA that: Section 1. The Seward City Council hereby authorizes negotiation for the conveyance of Block 6, also described as: TIS R 1 W SEC 1 0 SEWARD MERIDIAN SW 0000004 ORIGINAL TOWNSITE OF SEWARD FEDERAL ADDN (SCHOOL RESERVE) BLK 6 to the State of Alaska, Alaska Vocational Technical Center, for educational facilities. ... CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA RESOLUTION 2007-037 J Section 2. The Seward City Council authorizes the City Manager to begin negotiation with the State of Alaska for the disposal of Block 6 OTS to achieve terms satisfactory to both parties for the transfer ofthe parcel subject to the following provision: The State of Alaska shall provide, or cause to be provided, a field assessment for existing and potentially required drainage features, utilities and other features of the right-of-way, in cooperation with City of Seward staff, to be preserved by easement or other forms of reservation prior to final platting. Section 3. This resolution shall take affect immediately upon its adoption. PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the city of Seward, Alaska, this 23rd day of April, 2007. THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA / . l ~~7! ItA- -I (~~ - r Vanta Shafer, Mayor j ... AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: Dunham, Valdatta, Thomas, Bardarson, Amberg, Shafer None Schafer None ATTEST: \\\\"::'s":""t>, ~,.. _lOr ..;;.; t1/... ~~ ~.. ~~........ ''YA')'? ~ a- ...'O~?O~.;:.; #0 '<:. ~ . C; .~.~. ... .'~ '0....,. : ;--- ~ .~ ~ : 0 i R'F\b T : Cl 9 ~ \ "-'_do",\.U 1 ;; - . -.- . q ... .~ . .... ~ .(\ ..y(" ~."..' <:->00 ~ ~ "~ ..,'AI!: 1 '\~ ....J.:.. ,'>It .,~ ""))j~:'.....l....,.. C...,'" ....."'" "". is OF ~\.Y'.;:,;;." "ffllll\"\\~ J (City Seal) Council Agenda Statement Meeting Date: April 23, 2007 Through: Marvin Yoder, Interim City Manager From: D. Scott Williams, City Planner Agenda Item: Negotiate Conveyance of Block 6 of Original Townsite BACKGROUND & JUSTIFICATION: The State of Alaska (State) through the Alaska Vocational Technical Center (AVTEC) has submitted a formal request to the City of Seward to convey the real property known as “Block 6 of the Original Townsite of Seward Federal Addition.” The platting and details of the conveyance will occur after Planning and Zoning Commission and Council approval to negotiate the terms of the proposed conveyance. The property is currently occupied with the “Old Armory” Building and Distant Learning Center and being used as classrooms and offices for the AVTEC program and is located between A and B Streets, and First and Second Avenues. Block 6 is currently owned by the City of Seward and leased to the State at no cost through June 30, 2054. The City acquired the parcel from the federal government in 1954, for construction of a National Guard Armory. The Armory was used jointly by the adjacent high school as a gymnasium. When the Kenai Peninsula Borough was created and assumed school powers in 1964, the property (land and building) was transferred to them. After the new high school was constructed in 1979, the building(s) remained empty for a few years. Subsequently, the Borough leased it to the U.S. Forest Service as headquarters for the Young Adult Conservation Corps and 1 then transferred the property to the State for refurbishment into the AVTEC facility.” The ownership of the property apparently reverted back to the City of Seward sometime after the abandonment by the KPB school district. (However, a title report is needed to confirm title to the property, and it is recommended that the State obtain a title report and provide a copy to the City. Any conveyance by the City should be made only by quitclaim deed.) Previous analysis of the property known as Block 6 reveals that the original transfer of ownership by patent from the federal government to the City of Seward requires that the parcel be used for “educational” purposes or the parcel would revert back to the federal government. Additionally, the land is occupied with a building currently used for the AVTEC program. The City of Seward has no other planned use for the property, and it seems reasonable to commit the land to educational 1 Excerpted from a Memo from Kerry Martin to Scott Janke 10/05/99 purposes by others. The ownership of Block 6 by the State will allow for further site development in the future based on regulations that require land ownership by a grantee/program. The Seward Planning and Zoning Commission recommended the conveyance of Block 6, OTS to the State by Resolution 2007-07 (attached). Items to be negotiated with the State include, but are not limited to, compensation to the City for the transfer and/or payment of the City’s costs to complete the transfer, the need for inspection of the property for any environmental concerns, and addressing any issues concerning easements, drainage, and utilities. Council approval of another resolution containing the essential terms and conditions of the transfer will be required following a public hearing. If the City does not obtain an appraisal, that resolution will need findings stating that the public interest will not by an appraisal, and if not sold for fair market value, a finding is needed stating that it is in the public interest to dispose of the property for less than fair market value. Upon completing the transfer, the existing lease will be terminated. RECOMMENDATION: The administration recommends Council authorize the City Manager to begin negotiations for the transfer of ownership of Block 6, OTS as described subject to the following provision: The State of Alaska shall provide, or cause to be provided, a field assessment for existing and potentially required drainage features, utilities and other features on the parcel, in cooperation with City of Seward staff, to be preserved by easement or other forms of reservation prior to final platting. In the event that public utilities must be relocated as a result of this conveyance, the cost of such relocation will be borne by the State of Alaska. CONSISTENCY CHECKLIST: Where applicable, this agenda statement is consistent with the Seward City Code, Charter, Comprehensive Plans, Land Use Plans, Strategic Plan and City Council Rules of Procedures. Other: _______________________________________________________________________ FISCAL NOTE: The negotiation of conveyance of this property is not expected to result in additional costs to the City, nor affect the tax-exempt status of the property. Approved by Finance Department: ________________________ RECOMMENDATION: City Council approves Resolution 2007-______.