Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-01-17; Parks & Recreation Commission; 100-6; Pine School AcquisitionI. PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION - AGENDA BILL - TITLE : STATUS REPORT ON THE PINE SCHOOL ACQUISITION INFO 0 ACTION STAFF: BEVERLY RECOMMENDED ACTION : Accept and file staff update. ITEM EXPLANATION : Due to the number of requests for information that we have recently received with regard to the future and current status of the Pine school acquisition, listed below is some general information regarding the current situation. The Pine School acquisition is currently in escrow. Initially, the escrow was scheduled to close January 3 , 2000. However, that date looks a little premature now because there are some title issues that are needing to be resolved. Both parties are currently working on resolving those issues. The City is also in the process of preparing an ALTA survey for extended title insurance coverage. That survey may provide necessary information to satisfy issues related to the preliminary title report. There is also a minor issue awaiting resolution which is related to indemnification for any toxic waste which may have been generated on site by the district over the last 40 years (excluding asbestos, which we know exists to some degree within the structures). Our environmental consultant believes toxic levels are not significant, if they exist at all. This is mostly a protective measure, covering the City. Although December 17 is the last day that children are expected to attend regular class at the Pine elementary school, the District has exercised their option to extend their use of the school buildings through June 30, 2000. In discussing this issue with Gaylen Freeman, the new Assistant Superintendent of Business services, replacing John Blair, he feels the District will vacate the site by the end of February or March 2000. At that time the City would assume responsibility for all functions associated with the school buildings. The reason for exercising the lease option is to allow CUSD ample time to remove relocatable classrooms off site and to clear the classrooms of all belongings, desks, computers ,etc. City staff feels it is important to work accommodatively with the District and to provide them the time necessary to vacate the site in a timely fashion in order to make this transition period as smooth as possible for BOTH parties involved. The Centro de lnformacion will continue to operate on site, as it currently exists, until CUSD vacates the site . At that time , pending review and approval of an interim use strategy, that program may expand into the adjacent classroom on an interim basis. The future of Centro beyond that time will ultimately be addressed through the park master planning and development process. The Kidz Club after school program is anticipated to continue on site as it has been. Perhaps a room can be made available for the program, however, that will need to be arranged with the district. In all likelihood, additional room can be secured within the next few weeks. 34 AB# 100-6 ,- Page 2 Mid-year budget requests will include funding for some initial and minor rehabilitation work for building repairs, ongoing maintenance, security, utilities, etc.; the Public Works General Services Manager has been notified and requested to submit funding amounts. It is anticipated that during the interim use period, the Pine school facility will be operated primarily for expanded City recreation, arts, and /or library programs or associated uses. Its use could also expand to other departments, as needs or opportunities may be realized. The facility may also include community use, however, that use would be subject to the existing Facility Rules and Regulations policy that currently governs all other requests for City facility rentals by residents and non-resident organizations. The physical condition of the buildings is going to be a major consideration prior to making the facility available for community programming. More specifically, how much of an investment is (or should) the City put into rehabilitating a structure that will eventually be razed for the development of a community park. A more comprehensive report of the Pine School interim use strategy should be distributed for review sometime in early January. 35