At a meeting on March 16, the council gave the go-ahead to city staff to prepare a tentative map so that the property can be sold.

Public Works Director John Cherbone said preparing a tentative map for the property would increase its value by $1 million. The costs to prepare the map, the environmental study and other associated costs add up to $100,000.

The North Campus, formerly the site of Grace United Methodist Church, was purchased by the city in 2002 for $4.5 million. At that time, the property had an appraised value of $6.3 million.

Cherbone said the entire process of preparing the property for sale would take between six and seven months. According to an estimate, a public offer for sale will be announced by September.

Jack Mallory, chairman of the newly formed Saratoga Citizens Committee to Save the North Campus, spoke at the council meeting. The committee hopes to buy the property for use by Saratoga's seniors. Mallory pleaded with the council for more time.

"We know that you have made your decision to sell this site, but, as you are aware, the citizens committee is working hard to purchase the property and save this land for community uses," he said. "We recommend that you give us time to put together a plan to raise the funds before you start spending $100,000 plus staff time and other costs to sell the land."

Mallory asked for an additional 90 days. He said the committee would look at different fundraising opportunities during that time. "We have a committee that includes 20 active members of the community. One senior from the community, without asking, has offered $10,000," he said.

Councilwoman Ann Waltonsmith requested that the council give the citizens group some time to raise money.

Vice Mayor Norman Kline and Councilman Nick Streit were in favor of moving ahead with the tentative plan process.

"Let them come back after 30 days. They should be able to tell us by then if there is support for their plans," Kline said.

Streit said he wanted to keep the process going while taking periodic progress reports from the citizens committee.

Mayor Kathleen King agreed with
the two.

Cherbone said the next step in the process would be a budget resolution that asks the city council to fund the preparation of the tentative map.

Mallory said later that the citizens committee would use all resources at its disposal to present a viable alternative to the city council.

"We will be reviewing the city's capital improvement and remodeling plans, grants for the current senior center, and other plans prepared by the city to make sure we present a financially viable, complete and long-range plan," Mallory said.

He said the committee would have an open house at the North Campus on April 24 so that more people in the community could get acquainted with the building on Prospect Road.

"Many do not know its location as there is no sign on the property," Mallory said.