Council Authorizes Feasibility Study on Potential Property Exchange with Caltrans

The council authorized staff to study the feasibility of a potential property exchange with Caltrans involving properties along First Street near Main and Los Angeles streets and to return with reports to the Transportation and Information Technology and General Services (ITGS) committees.

Councilmember Holden raised concerns about acquiring property that contains businesses and historic buildings and about the city’s financial exposure before a state deal is finalized. "Before we go that far, we haven't even cut the deal with the state as to what they would give up in terms of dollars," Holden said, urging staff to determine numbers before disrupting existing businesses.

Mister Deaton explained the motion authorizes feasibility work so the city can assess financial and logistical options and return to the council before any acquisition or exchange is completed. Councilmembers requested that the reports be returned to the Transportation and ITGS committees; the clerk opened the roll and the vote was recorded as 13 ayes.

The action authorized study and reporting; no property purchase or exchange was executed during the meeting and council instructed staff to return with financial details and feasibility findings.