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Sunnyside council declares 70 Ray Road surplus, directs sale with conditions
Summary
After debate about the property’s history, water rights and past plans, the Sunnyside City Council voted 6–1 to declare the 70 Ray Road property surplus and move to list it for sale via a commercial broker.
The Sunnyside City Council on a 6–1 vote declared the city’s 70 Ray Road property surplus and authorized staff to list the parcel for sale through a commercial broker.
The resolution followed a presentation from the city manager that summarized the city’s 2022 purchase and a recent appraisal. “Appraisal concluded that the as is market value of the fee simple interest at $540,000, which includes $245,000 in surplus land value,” Mike (city manager) told the council, naming CBRE as the appraisal firm. He also said the property includes a 4,500-square-foot industrial building on a 2.72-acre parcel and that the city has leased the space to Masterbuilt on a month-to-month basis at $1,000 a month.
Council members discussed the property’s original intended uses and conditions the city should preserve if it sells. Councilor Hart disputed a line in materials that said the parcel had been purchased for a dog shelter, saying the original intent had been a fire training center or a future fire station. Hart pressed staff for clarity about how sale proceeds would be allocated and about retention of the site’s well and water rights.
City staff told the council the well currently serves the building and Sunnyview Park restroom and that retaining the well and water rights would be possible and is recommended. The city’s water operator, Giuliano, explained that the well is treated as a municipal Class A water system and that city staff perform sampling and maintenance. Staff said an easement and metering arrangements would be required if the property is sold and the city retains water rights.
The council also asked about the purchase transaction and a reported discrepancy between a letter of intent price and the recorded purchase amount; staff said they would research and report back. Several council members urged that proceeds be allocated back to the accounts that originally funded the purchase rather than to the general fund.
Motion and vote: Deputy Mayor (mover) put the measure forward and Councilor Hancock seconded. The roll call recorded Councilor Hancock: yes; Councilor Ripley: yes; Councilor Prostel: yes; Councilor Vasquez: yes; Councilor Hart: no; Deputy Mayor: yes; Mayor Dean Burisma: yes. The motion passed. No immediate final action on sale terms was taken; staff will proceed to list the property and return with any sale terms, proposed easements and title updates.
Why it matters: The property was acquired by the city in September 2022 and was discussed previously for multiple civic uses, including a fire-training center and animal shelter; selling it would return capital to multiple city funds but raises questions about long-term park and public-works infrastructure tied to the site.
What’s next: Staff will retain the well and water rights where feasible, work with the broker identified in the presentation (Russ Roberts of Keller Williams Giacomo Valley) to list and market the property, and return to council with details on title, easements, metering and the allocation of sale proceeds.
