REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on a Resolution Declaring the Loyalton Ranch Property Surplus
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Deliver and Enhance High Quality Efficient Services and Infrastructure
BACKGROUND
The City of Santa Clara owns and maintains approximately 10,270 rural acres of undeveloped land in Lassen and Sierra Counties near the California-Nevada border. The property is located in northeastern California, about 30 miles north of Truckee, CA, 110 miles northeast of Sacramento, CA, and about 20 miles northwest of Reno, NV. The land is referred to locally as the Trosi Ranch, and within the City as the Loyalton Ranch Property. The City purchased the property with electric utility funds in 1977 for $1,613,850 or $157/acre. The City's Electrical Department, doing business as Silicon Valley Power (SVP), is responsible for the maintenance of the property.
On December 14, 2021, the City Council discussed a potential sale of the Loyalton Ranch Property and directed staff to develop a strategy for the sale of the Loyalton Ranch Property and present it to the City Council at a future meeting. On March 8, 2022, the City Council voted to Note and File the Strategy and Next Steps for the sale of the Loyalton Property, as follows:
1. Complete an updated Appraisal for the property.
2. Schedule tours of the property for Councilmembers who are interested to visit the site.
3. Schedule for Council consideration declaration of the property as Surplus Land.
DISCUSSION
Updated Appraisal
Valbridge Property Advisers completed an appraisal for the property (Attachment 1). The property was appraised at $4,370,000. As discussed on the March 8, 2022 Council Report, staff also explored hiring additional "local" appraisers to perform a separate appraisal for comparison purposes. Six firms were contacted but none were able to provide the service, mostly due to capacity constraints.
City Council Loyalton Site Visits
On April 26, 2022, Councilmembers Becker, Hardy and Pa...
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