Laserfiche WebLink
If the Board votes to reject the Partial Assignment language and <br />directs staff to pursue alternatives with the state beyond what has <br />already been negotiated, then the County will at minimum need to <br />secure from the seller a 60 day extension to the County's purchase <br />Option. The seller, Robert Cairns, has told staff that if the <br />Option is to be further extended, the County AA)( need to provide <br />compensation beyond the $100 option fee that has already been paid. <br />Mr. Cairns has indicated that he will be at the September 10, 1996 <br />Commission meeting to answer any questions. <br />Staff maintains its recommendation (presented to the Board on <br />August 27, 1996) that, although the Partial Assignment of Option <br />Agreement does not provide an absolute guarantee that the Cairns <br />Tract will forever remain in its intended conservation use, the <br />Agreement is sufficient because the county's 50 year lease <br />arrangement - coupled with P2000 surplus restrictions and local <br />land use controls - provides practical assurance that the Cairns <br />Tract will stay in its intended conservation use. <br />RECOMMENDATION <br />Staff recommends that the Board of County Commissioners authorize <br />the Board Chairman to execute the Partial Assignment of Option <br />Agreement, as written, subject to the County obtaining a lease <br />acceptable to County staff, and authorize staff to continue with <br />closing of the Cairns Tract in coordination with the State. (Note: <br />staff is requesting that the Board approve two separate Partial <br />Assignment of Option Agreements for the Cairns Tract: one for the <br />portion of -the project owned by Robert Cairns as trustee, and one <br />for the portion owned by Robert Cairns as an individual.) <br />Commissioner Macht reported that the LAAC members were asked <br />point blank whether their objections to the purchase pertained to <br />the characteristics of the property or the cost. Their answer was <br />clearly the cost. They supported the desirability of acquiring the <br />property. <br />Commissioner Macht stated that he has had a very difficult <br />time with this purchase. He sees the desirability of purchasing <br />the property, but he also fears that the opportunity to purchase it <br />may be lost. Considering the uniqueness of the property, it would <br />be irreplaceable. Thus, he has come to the conclusion that he <br />would support staff's recommendation with the proviso that the <br />50 <br />September 10, 1996 <br />� O <br />