Staff Report. Acquisition of 2 parcels totaling approximately acres in the Stubbe/Cottonwood Canyon Conservation Area.

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1 Item 6B Staff Report Subject: Contact: Acquisition of 2 parcels totaling approximately acres in the Stubbe/Cottonwood Canyon Conservation Area. Jim Karpiak, Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy (jkarpiak@cvmc.ca.gov) Recommendation: Approve Resolution authorizing acquisition of 2 parcels totaling approximately acres in the County unincorporated jurisdiction of Stubbe/Cottonwood Canyon Conservation Area at a cost not to exceed $12,000 plus closing and demolition/clean-up costs not to exceed $33,000. Background: An appraisal was completed in the Stubbe/Cottonwood Canyon Conservation Area (SCCCA, one of CVCC s priority conservation areas), the fair market values of target properties were determined, and contingent offer letters were sent to potential willing sellers. One landowner accepted the contingent offer and has executed an Agreement for the Purchase and Sale of Real Estate with CVCC. Today, staff requests CVCC s consideration of the purchase of the following parcels (collectively, the Property) based on the accepted contingent offer: APN and : totaling approximately 10.0 acres for a purchase price of $12,000 ($1,200 per acre) plus closing and demolition/clean-up costs totaling approximately $33,000. CVCC has long pursued the subject parcels for acquisition and conservation in the SCCCA due to their critical importance as the wildlife movement corridor linking the San Jacinto Mountains and the San Bernardino Mountains, which has been identified as one of the 15 most critical corridors in Southern California. Protection of this corridor has long been a priority conservation objective of the CVMSHCP. Additionally, all parcels are near other land already owned by CVCC making for efficient long-term management. The wildlife agencies and property owners in this area recently met to discuss ongoing and longterm management issues. These two parcels were discussed specifically because they have old dilapidated structures with continuous vagrancy issues. Because the parcels are crucial to the protection of the long-term functionality of the wildlife movement corridor, everyone at the meeting agreed that it would be best to remove the structures for efficiency of long-term management. CVCC had already appraised the parcels and the appraiser did not assign any value to the structures; he noted that for his analysis the derelict improvements were assumed to have no contributory value because they were more of a liability than an improvement. Unfortunately; the demolition costs far exceed the value of the property. Because the acquisition of this property is very critical, CVCC offered to pay for demolition costs and secure the area after close of escrow to limit future access and create a more effective long-term management plan for the area. The offer in the purchase agreement is contingent upon (1) approval by the CVCC; (2) Sellers ability to provide CVCC a standard owner's policy of title insurance subject only to exceptions

2 approved by CVCC. (3) All debris and structures shall be removed after close of escrow and is the sole responsibility of the Buyer. Staff requests CVCC consideration and approval of the purchase of the Property for use as a nature preserve with recreational options consistent with habitat values in perpetuity to advance the goals and objectives of the CVMSHCP. Fiscal Impact: Funding is available for a total cost not to exceed $12,000 plus closing costs not to exceed $33,000 in CVCC s Land Acquisition Fund. Contract Finalization: Upon CVCC approval, the Executive Director will negotiate and execute all necessary contracts and documents, and take such other actions as required to affect the acquisition of the Property. Attachments: 1. Resolution Map Showing Location of the Parcels

3 Item 6B Attachment 1 Resolution No: A RESOLUTION OF THE COACHELLA VALLEY CONSERVATION COMMISSION AUTHORIZING ACQUISITION OF APN(s) and WHEREAS, the Coachella Valley Conservation Commission ( Commission ) is a public agency of the State of California formed by a Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement; and WHEREAS, the Commission implements the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan/Natural Community Conservation Plan ( Plan ); and WHEREAS, the primary means of conservation under the Plan is acquisition of land from willing sellers; and WHEREAS, APN(s) and comprising approximately 10.0 acres, as further described in Exhibit A ( Property ), are within or adjacent to the Stubbe/Cottonwood Canyon Conservation Area of the Plan, containing critical biological resources as the wildlife movement corridor linking the San Jacinto Mountains and the San Bernardino Mountains, which has been identified as one of the 15 most critical corridors in southern California; and were appraised by the Commission in 2019; and WHEREAS, the owners have accepted a contingent offer for the Commission to purchase the Property at the fair market value determined by an appraisal; and WHEREAS, acquisition of the Property would advance the goals and objectives of the Plan; and NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Commission approves the purchase of the properties using the Land Acquisition Fund at a purchase price of $12,000.00, plus closing and demolition/clean-up costs estimated not to exceed $33,000.00; and FURTHER, the Commission hereby authorizes the Executive Director to negotiate and execute all necessary contracts and documents and take such other actions as necessary to effect the acquisition of the Property. The foregoing Resolution was passed by the Coachella Valley Conservation Commission this 26th day of April APPROVED: Linda Evans Chair Tom Kirk Executive Director

4 Exhibit A Legal Description of Real Property to be acquired The land referred to herein is situated in the State of California, County of Riverside, described as follows Acres in the West half and the East half of the Southwest quarter of the Southwest quarter of the Northeast quarter of Section 6, Township 3 South, Range 3 East, San Bernardino Base and Meridian, in the County of Riverside, State of California, according to the official plat thereof. APN(s) and

5 RUSHMORE HAUGEN LEHMANN Acquisition of 2 Parcels Totaling Approximately 10 Acres in the Stubbe/Cottonwood Canyon Conservation Area Legend Proposed Parcel Acquisitions Acquisitions Since 1996 CVMSHCP Conservation Areas Parcels Streets COTTONWOOD TAMARACK 10 ^ Ü 0 G:\ovizcarra\Maps for Presentations\color\CVCC April2019\stubbe_cottonwood_color.mxd Miles Disclaimer: Maps and data are to be used for reference purposes only. Map features are approximate, and are not necessarily accurate to surveying or engineering standards. CVAG and the County of Riverside make no warranty or guarantee as to the content (the source is often third party), accuracy, timeliness, or completeness of any of the data provided, and assumes no legal responsibility for the information contained on this map. Any use of this product with respect to accuracy and precision shall be the sole responsibility of the user.