Seaside council approves purchase of Del Monte property for affordable-housing fund

The Seaside City Council voted to finalize the city's purchase of property at 1591 Del Monte Avenue, authorizing use of affordable-housing funds and directing staff to complete the acquisition.

The action, approved during the council's Dec. 19 regular meeting, authorizes a purchase-and-sale contract for $1,150,000 and uses the city's affordable-housing fund for acquisition and incidental costs. Mayor Ian Oglesby presided over the vote. Council discussion included questions about the appraisal and staff's timeline for review.

Council member Alex Miller asked about the appraisal and timing, saying, "I was just curious on the appraisal on this, if we got an appraisal and when the appraisal was done and when we received it." A staff representative responded that the city had an appraisal and that the appraised value came in higher than the negotiated price. The councilmember and staff described the purchase as consistent with the city's recent efforts to acquire and preserve affordable units.

Public comments included residents who urged active city investment in the property. Linda Cunningham, speaking as a private citizen and a member of the Homelessness Committee, asked whether the purchase covered a single building or the whole complex and said, "Either way, I think the city can do better than how it looks right now, and I really support the city getting in there, putting some investment in, and making it better for everybody." Merrill Schoetz, president of Del Monte Manor, said the association would "be glad to work with the city on any project they can pull forward."

Council members moved and seconded the purchase authorization and called for the vote following the public-comment period; the motion carried and the council directed staff to take "all actions to finalize the acquisition" using the affordable-housing fund. The staff said the council already had prior direction on pursuing similar acquisitions and had negotiated a lower purchase price after receiving the appraisal.

The item was handled as a pulled consent item that then received public comment and approval on the record. The council did not specify a formal timetable for rehabilitation or tenant-related actions at the meeting.

The council did not provide a full breakdown of the affordable-housing fund balance at the meeting; staff said the purchase aligns with the city's multiyear efforts to secure and steward affordable units.

For now, the acquisition is authorized and staff are directed to complete closing and follow-up work; council members described the purchase as a step toward stabilizing and expanding the city's affordable-housing stock.