Cotati on Tuesday took title to properties owned by its redevelopment agency, hoping to protect them from state government.
The move was designed to shield the properties in the event Gov. Jerry Brown succeeds in abolishing redevelopment agencies, as he has proposed doing as a way to increase state revenues and help balance the budget.
Cotati, which on Tuesday transferred ownership of six properties from its agency to the city, was the latest Sonoma County city to take such an action.
"The idea is to give the the city some degree of flexibility and control over these properties," said City Attorney Robin Donoghue.
She said the transfer of title "does provide a framework for arguing that these are city-owned and out of reach" should the state try to take them over.
The state Senate could vote as early as today on a partial budget plan that includes the elimination of redevelopment agencies and cities are moving quickly to lock up their agencies' assets.
"We're just moving forward with the assumption that it's probably going to happen some time and it's probably going to happen soon," said City Engineer Damien O'Bid, who prepared the staff report.
Cotati in February committed $4.9 million in redevelopment funds to ongoing or planned projects in an attempt to tie up the money before the state could act.
Tuesday's action involved property only, including four parcels that are the site of planned transit station on the proposed SMART commute train route, about three-quarters of a mile from the city's downtown.
The projects that the city committed money to in February included the transit station building. The other properties transferred Tuesday include a Ryan Lane parcel that is slated for an affordable housing project that would provide six single-family homes for local workers.
The legal agreement under which the properties were transferred binds the city to develop them in accordance with the redevelopment agency's plans.
"That's the fundamental issue for me," said Mayor Janet Orchard, "potential loss of control over these valuable properties."
UPDATED: Please read and follow our commenting policy: