TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Steven Lederer, Director, Public Works
REPORT BY: Steven Lederer, Director, Public Works
SUBJECT: Request Board Direction on the Future of the Napa County Fairgrounds
RECOMMENDATION
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SET MATTER 11:00 AM - Napa County Fairgrounds
Director of Public Works requests the Board receive a presentation regarding the Napa County Fairgrounds and provide staff direction as to next steps in determining the future use of the property.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In 2022, the County and the City of Calistoga (City) entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement (PSA) to allow the City to purchase the Fairgrounds property from the County ($225K/acre, $15,885,000 total), contingent upon the City arranging sufficient financing. The City terminated the PSA in March of 2023, following a failed vote of the Calistoga residents to a financing measure that would have funded the purchase and improvement of the property.
Prior to entering the PSA with the City, staff believes the last Board direction was to commence the Surplus Lands Act (SLA) process to surplus the property for disposal. However, once Calistoga expressed interest in purchasing the entire property, the County relied on an exemption in the SLA that allows transfer of property between public agencies to be exempt from the SLA. Since that exemption is no longer applicable, if the Board desires to dispose of the property, through sale or long-term lease, the Board will need to either formally declare the property surplus under the SLA or declare it as exempt surplus land (assuming one of the SLA exemptions applies) as a first step.
Several potential options for the future of the property are provided below for the Board's consideration. Consistent with past direction from the Board, staff recommends that the County take the initial steps to begin the SLA process and that staff return to the Board to consider a formal declaration of surplus property. Staff seeks Board direction as to w...
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