City Council

(9) 21-1038 CD 15 CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION and GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE REPORT relative to a Purchase and Sale Agreement on behalf of the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) for acquisition of a property located at 1703 East 107th Street, which will serve as the Watts Towers Conservation Office. Recommendation for Council action, SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE MAYOR: AUTHORIZE the Department of General Services (GSD), with the assistance of the City Attorney, to negotiate and execute a Purchase and Sale Agreement and all documents necessary to effectuate the acquisition of the Property located at 1703 East 107th Street, APN 6065-034-019. AUTHORIZE up to $400,000 from Fund No. 209/88/88WAJX to be transferred to Fund No. 100/40/003040, Contractual Services, for the purchase price, and all expenses related to acquisition of the Property. AUTHORIZE up to $26,541.00 from Fund No. 480/30/30N244 for fencing the property after purchase, while the property is vacant and programming is initiated at the site.  AUTHORIZE up to $9,607.40 from Fund No. 480/30/30W140 for the GSD Building Maintenance Division to maintain this property annually. DETERMINE that, the acquisition, minor improvements, and use of the property for office space for the Watts Towers Arts Center Campus is categorically exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Article 19, Section 15301, Class 1, Existing Facilities; Section 15304 (f), Class 4, Minor Alterations to Land; Section 15325, Class 25, Transfers of Ownership in Land to Preserve Existing Historical Resources; and Section 15331, Class 31, Historical Resources Restoration. Additionally, the project is exempt pursuant to Los Angeles CEQA Guidelines Article III, Section 1, Class 1, Existing Facilities; and Class 4, Minor Alterations to Land, Category 6, Temporary uses of land.