BILL ANALYSIS Ó
SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION
Senator Isadore Hall, III
Chair
2015 - 2016 Regular
Bill No: SB 1119 Hearing Date: 4/12/2016
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|Author: |Wolk |
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|Version: |3/28/2016 Amended |
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|Urgency: |No |Fiscal: |Yes |
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|Consultant:|Felipe Lopez |
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SUBJECT: Surplus state property: Napa County Regional Park and
Open Space District
DIGEST: This bill extends the sunset date, which expired on
January 1, 2015, to January 1, 2021, for the state to sell the
area known as the Skyline Park in the County of Napa. The bill
also revises the current authorization for the state to sell the
Skyline Park from the County of Napa to the Napa County Regional
Park and Open Space District.
ANALYSIS:
Existing law:
1)Authorizes the Director of the Department of General Services
(DGS) to sell or exchange, at fair market value based upon an
appraisal approved by DGS, all or part of a specified parcel
of state property only to the County of Napa upon those terms,
conditions, reservations, and exceptions the director
determines are in the best interest of the state, by January
1, 2015, and subject to other requirements.
2)Requires reimbursement of DGS for any cost or expense incurred
in the disposition of the property from the proceeds of the
disposition of the property.
3)Requires the proceeds from this sale to be deposited in the
Deficit Recovery Bond Retirement Sinking Fund Subaccount until
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the bonds associated with this subaccount are finally paid.
This bill:
1)Extends the current sunset date, which expired on January 1,
2015, to January 1, 2021, for the state to sell, at fair
market value, the area known as the Skyline Park in the County
of Napa.
2)Revises the current authorization for the state to sell the
Skyline Park from the County of Napa to the Napa County
Regional Park and Open Space District.
3)Revises the reference to the Deficit Recovery Bond Retirement
Sinking Fund Subaccount, given that the principal and interest
on the bonds has been provided and no more bonds are
outstanding.
4)Directs, consistent with the California Constitution, that
proceeds be paid into the Special Fund for Economic
Uncertainties, which is continuously appropriated.
Background
Purpose of the bill. According to the author the bill, "seeks
to extend the sunset date for the state to sell or exchange, at
fair market value, the area known as the Skyline Park to the
Napa County Regional Park and Open Space District. Skyline
Wilderness Park has been operated as a public park for more than
three decades. Several years ago, state law authorized the sale
of Skyline Park to Napa County so the land would be used as a
public park in perpetuity. The three year authorization period
expired on January 1, 2015."
The author further argues that, "an earlier effort by the County
of Napa to purchase the property did not succeed because the
County and the State could not agree to the fair market value
for the property in time. This bill seeks to give the County of
Napa more time to continue negotiations for the sale of the
Park."
The Skyline Wilderness Park. The Skyline Wilderness Park is an
850-acre parcel public park located on the grounds of Napa State
Hospital in Napa County. The Park includes 12 miles of hiking,
riding, and bicycling trails, a native plant garden, horse
SB 1119 (Wolk) Page 3 of ?
arena, and an archery range.
According to the author, "the Skyline Wilderness Park is a
highly valuable public amenity, not only for recreation but also
to protect a pristine watershed and preserve a rich wildlife
habitat. Additionally, this property was placed on the surplus
property list by the Department of Mental Health. The
Department retains sufficient property near the present hospital
for any foreseeable expansion."
Currently, the County leases the park from the State of
California at $100 per year. However, the park has in the past
been placed on a list of State surplus property. The lease has
a term of fifty years, which expires in 2030.
Napa County has placed a cent local tax on the November ballot
to raise funds for the purchase of the Park. The sunset
extension would allow time for a local vote and time to raise
the needed revenue.
Napa County Regional Park and Open Space District. The Napa
County Regional Park and Open Space District was formed on
December 12, 2006 when the County of Napa Board of Supervisors
certified that the voters approved its formation at the election
on November 7, 2006. The purpose of the District is to plan,
improve, and operate a system of public parks, trails, outdoor
recreational facilities, and outdoor science and conservation
education programs, as well as to protect and preserve natural
areas, wildlife habitat and other open space resources.
Special Fund for Economic Uncertainties. Along with the Budget
Stabilization Account (BSA), the Special Fund for Economic
Uncertainties (SFEU) is one of two state budget reserves that
help insulate the budget from situations where revenues
underperform budget assumptions. Unlike the BSA funds, which
are more restrictive, SFEU funds can be appropriated by the
Legislature at any time, for any purpose, by a majority vote.
The 2015 budget plan assumed 2015-16 would end with a $1.1
billion SFEU reserve.
Prior/Related Legislation
AB 2279 (Evans, Chapter 595, Statutes of 2010) authorized DGS to
sell or exchange, at no less than current fair market value, the
Skyline Park to the County of Napa by January 1, 2015, upon
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terms and conditions DGS deems are in the best interest of the
state.
AB 600 (Hall, 2009) would have authorized DGS to lease
state-owned property (the Compton Armory, to the City of
Compton) at fair market value for a period not to exceed five
years, with an option to extend the least to 25 years. (Vetoed
by Governor Schwarzenegger)
SB 678 (Wiggins, 2007) would have authorized DGS to sell or
exchange at current fair market value, by January 1, 2010, to
the County of Napa, certain property located in the County of
Napa under specified conditions. (Vetoed by Governor
Schwarzenegger)
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: Yes Fiscal
Com.: Yes Local: No
SUPPORT:
County of Napa (Sponsor)
Napa County Regional Park and Open Space District
OPPOSITION:
None received
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: According to the Napa County Regional
Park and Open Space District, "the importance of the park to the
residents of Napa County cannot be overstated. It is within a
few minutes' drive for over 80 percent of the residents of Napa
County. It provides an exceptional experience for hikers,
equestrians, mountain bicyclists and campers, and accommodates
an archery range, a disc golf course, a small horse arena, and a
native plant garden. Our District and our community are
committed to raising the funds needed to acquire the park."