Submitted By: Public Works
Prepared By: David Rebensdorf, Public Works Director/City Engineer
Subject:
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CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN EASEMENT FOR RIGHT OF WAY, CONSTRUCTION, AND MAINTENANCE FOR THE RESERVOIR NO. 5 SITE FROM RANCHO SAN CLEMENTE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE, FINALIZE AND EXECUTE THE EASEMENT, ACCEPTING THE EASEMENT RIGHTS AS DEDICATED AND FINDING THE ACTIONS CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
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Fiscal Impact:
There is no fiscal impact for acceptance of the easement.
Summary:
City staff have been working with Rancho San Clemente Community Association (RSCCA) to resolve access to the Reservoir No. 5 site. On October 7, 2025, the City Council approved a Temporary Agreement for right of entry, construction and maintenance which will be replaced by the proposed Easement Deed as shown in Attachment 2 with Exhibit A (legal description) and Exhibit B (Plat Map) forthcoming similar to Attachment 3 and the area shown below. The resolution before the City Council would approve and accept the easement, authorize the City Manager to execute the easement and find the actions categorically exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act.
Background:
Reservoirs 5 and 5A provide potable water storage for City customers at the highest elevations of the City. The site also hosts telecommunication facilities for numerous companies and public safety agencies to improve connectivity in a City where coverage can be challenging due to the hilly topography. When Rancho San Clemente was developed in the 1980-90's, Reservoir 5A and a waterline along the Ridgeline Trail were constructed to provide service to the community. Unfortunately, no documents have been found to reflect recorded easements for the purpose of providing the City and City lessee access to the reservoir site or for the waterline that serves the community.
City staff have been working with RSCCA to re...
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