Board directs surplus declaration and sale process for county parcel occupied by Merced Monuments

The Merced County Board of Supervisors heard a Public Works presentation on March 11 about a county-owned parcel (APN 035010056) that includes multiple uses and a portion occupied by tenant Merced Monuments. Public Works Director Nathan Bray told the board the county acquired the larger parcel from Southern Pacific Transportation in 1994 and entered into a lease with Merced Monuments in 1996; staff proposed finding the sale exempt from CEQA, declaring the portion occupied by Merced Monuments surplus land, and directing the public works director to advertise and solicit sealed proposals with a minimum bid of $80,000.

Michelle Boone, representing Merced Monuments and the family that has operated the business since the 19th century, told the board her family had expected first right of refusal pursuant to earlier understandings with the county and asked supervisors to "side with my family" and complete the transaction favorably. Boone said Merced Monuments has operated in the location since the 1880s and explained long-standing lease and property details.

Board members asked staff clarifying questions about parcel boundaries and nearby residences; staff explained the map displayed was illustrative (not assessor parcel map lines) and clarified that a triangle piece of land adjacent to the parcel is unoccupied. Public comment closed and the board moved to approve the staff recommendations to proceed with the surplus declaration and sale process; the motion passed as recorded in the meeting minutes.

If approved, staff will advertise a request for bids, evaluate sealed proposals, and return to the board with recommendations for potential action. The staff report included a draft purchase and sale agreement with conditions that the buyer assume tenant-improvement obligations and relocation responsibilities where applicable.