Title
a. Approve a Memorandum of Understanding by and between the County of Monterey and the City of Salinas regarding the mutual planning and implementation of a multi-agency campus style government center located in downtown Salinas; and,
b. Authorize the Chair of the Board to execute the Memorandum of Understanding.
Body
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors take the following actions:
a. Approve a Memorandum of Understanding by and between the County of Monterey and the City of Salinas regarding the mutual planning and implementation of a multi-agency campus style government center located in downtown Salinas; and,
b. Authorize the Chair of the Board to execute the Memorandum of Understanding.
SUMMARY:
The County of Monterey ("County") and the City of Salinas ("City") have drafted a Memorandum of Understand (MOU) wherein the two agencies would collaborate on planning for a multi-agency campus style government center located in downtown Salinas, building upon the mutual resources and the current and anticipated facilities needs in and around downtown Salinas (Attachment 1, MOU). Each agency owns and/or occupies a significant share of downtown properties, and the County and the City each recognize that the continued concentration of government offices in downtown Salinas is beneficial for the efficient and effective provision of many government services and functions. In addition, a well-planned government center could be beneficial for the economic health and well-being of downtown Salinas. Therefore, an MOU has been drafted where County and City would agree to provide resources necessary to develop a comprehensive planning and implementation program for a Government Center.
It is anticipated that implementation of any such plan would result in a new/revised MOU. There are a number of items that the County and City wish to address. We intentionally tried to keep this MOU focused to planning a Government Center as a starting point understanding that we may need subsequent agreement(s) depending on the outcome of this effort.
This MOU would not constitute an entitlement for development. Such development would be the subject of other actions by public entities or of permits to be sought at later times. As such, this MOU would not constitute a project for purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Any future development shall be subject to all requirements of law, including CEQA.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Staff with the Resource Management Agency (RMA), RMA-Public Works, RMA-Planning, and City of Salinas (Community and Economic Development Department) worked together to develop a focused scope of work that could be accomplished using existing staff resources. This draft MOU has been reviewed by legal counsels for both the County and the City.
FINANCING:
The parties agree to provide staff and financial resources necessary to develop a comprehensive planning and implementation program for a Government Center. The Resource Management Agency (RMA), RMA-Public Works, and City staff developed a focused scope of work that could be accomplished using existing staff resources. There would be no financial impact because County staff involved in this effort is included as part of the FY 2011-12 budget.
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Prepared by: Carl P. Holm, AICP, Acting Deputy Director, RMA
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Approved by: Benny J. Young, P.E., Director, RMA
Attachments:
Attachment 1 - MOU