Adopt resolution authorizing the County Administrator or his designee to execute an Easement Deed located in the North Davis Meadows (NDM) County Service Area granting the City of Davis an easement for waterlines and incidental purposes over a County-owned parcel (APN 041-220-028) for the NDM Water Consolidation Project; and further authorize the County Administrator or his designee to undertake any other necessary actions to complete the transfer of the Easement to the City of Davis. (No general fund impact) (Webb/Pavlova)

The North Davis Meadows County Service Area (NDM CSA) Water Consolidation Project (Project) will extend the City of Davis water distribution system to serve the NDM CSA's domestic and fire flow water demands. The project consists of installing meters on all NDM CSA service connections.  Thereafter, all NDM CSA residents will be water customers of the City of Davis and will be directly billed by the City.

The County owns the property situated in the NDM CSA between Spanish Bay Court and Blackhawk Place, identified as APN 041-220-028 (Parcel E on the Subdivision Map) where a portion of the Project waterline will be constructed and maintained.  The County is constructing the Project, but the City will own and maintain the Project, including the waterline in the Easement area, once construction is completed. Accordingly, the County must dedicate a waterline easement on a portion of its property to the City of Davis for maintenance of the Project.  A legal description and plat map of the Easement is included with the Easement Deed (Attachment B) and an aerial map indicating the Easement area is provided in Attachment C.

Once the Easement is granted to and accepted by the City, the City will have unrestricted access for the purpose of repairing, testing, maintaining, operating, and replacing the waterline and related Project purposes, as well as rights of ingress and egress to the Easement area. Additionally, the City has the right to trim, cut down, clear away, or otherwise manage any trees or brush, as well as remove any obstructions within the Easement, at the City's expense. Approved uses retained by the County within the Easement area include landscaping, paving driveways or parking areas, trails, paths, sidewalks, and any other uses that will not interfere with the City’s access to and use of the Easement for the Project. Prohibited uses include, but are not limited to, permanent structures, wells, buildings, or any other obstructions or excavation within the Easement area.

The grant deed package is provided as Attachment B to this staff report. Should the Board approve the recommended action, the grant deed will be executed by the County Administrator or his designee and notarized, then sent to the City of Davis for formal acceptance and execution. Finally, the grant deed will be recorded with the County Recorder, thus completing the grant of the easement. Staff recommends that the Board of Supervisors adopt the resolution (Attachment A) granting the easement to the City of Davis.

Staff has collaborated with the City of Davis, Supervisorial District 2, the Public Works Division, and the Office of County Counsel.