HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.17.2003• •
COUNCIL WORK SESSION
February 17, 2003
4:30 p.m.
Council Chambers
Members present: Mayor Rooff, Kincaid, Welper, Greenwood, Clark, Jordan, Hurley, Getty.
Moved by Jordan, seconded by Welper that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes:
Seven. Motion carried.
The council reviewed the sale of Lots A and B generally located in Pleasant Valley Drive. Noel
Anderson, City Planner, reviewed the timeline submitted by city staff and the timeline submitted
by Jim Hoffman. Mr. Anderson reported that the property was originally bid out and a public
hearing was held. Mr. Anderson stated that the Planning office receives a lot of calls from
persons inquiring about city property, but staff doesn't know if they will actually submit a
proposal on the property.
Councilperson Jordan stated he was concerned about the timeline submitted by Jim Hoffman.
Mr. Hoffman reports that he inquired about the property on January 6, 2003 and the Building &
Grounds Committee agreed to sell the property to Mr. Blake on January 27, 2003.
Councilperson Welper stated that the property was put up for sell in September 2002, and a list
has been provided to council members of those sent a notification that the property was for sale.
Mr. Hoffman did not receive a notice as he is not recognized as a builder of houses.
Councilperson Welper stated the Planning Department received the bid from Blake Development
on January 22, 2003 and the Building & Grounds Committee accepted the bid from Blake
Development on January 27, 2003, with Mr. Hoffman submitting his bid two days later.
Councilperson Welper questioned how does the city know if someone else is going to make an
offer, and that he is concerned the council will never accept offers because someone else could
come in with an offer. Councilperson Welper stated he would like to sell the property to Blake
Development.
Councilperson Clark stated on January 27, 2003 when the Building & Grounds Committee
accepted the offer from Blake Development, they did not know that Mr. Hoffman had been
trying for two weeks to get some information on this property. Councilperson Clark stated he
would like the city to ask for sealed bids on this property. Councilperson Welper stated that Mr.
Hoffman was repeatedly told the city has other properties for sale, and he also was told that the
city had already received an offer on Lots A and B.
Council Members discussed public hearings and at what point would the city no longer accept
offers. Don Temeyer, Community Planning and Development Director, reported that someone
could come in at the time of the public hearing and make an offer, and the council would have to
review the offer prior to making a decision.
Mayor Rooff stated that the council has established a policy on the sale of property, but maybe
we need to set up a procedure.
Councilperson Getty stated that when the Building & Grounds Committee met, Blake
Development's bid was the only offer on the table. The Committee accepted Mr. Blake's bid and
referred it to the full council, and Mr. Hoffman came in between that time. Councilperson Getty
suggested opening Mr. Hoffman's bid, throwing both bids out and rebiding the property.
Councilperson Getty stated that perhaps staff dropped the ball as nobody got back to Mr.
Hoffman.
Councilperson Hurley stated he agrees with Councilperson Welper, but feels the city needs to
find a better way of advertising our property.
Councilpersons Greenwood and Kincaid would like the city to rebid the property.
Don Blake reported that city staff did an excellent job. Mr. Blake reviewed his timeline. Mr.
Blake stated that he feels he is in compliance with all criteria of the new policy. Mr. Blake stated
Council Work Session
February 17, 2003
Page 2
city staff did an excellent job, but it took effort on his part. Mr. Blake stated he feels he should
be awarded the bid on the property as he already has the site plan prepared.
Mr. Anderson reported that two signs were put up notifying the public that the land was for sale
and letters were sent to developers and other interested parties notifying them of the sale.
Mayor Rooff suggested that the city may want to use larger signs and also suggested that the sale
of city -owned property be advertised on Government Channel 15.
Councilperson Welper stated that council members are indicating that Mr. Hoffman did not know
about the sale of the property, but no matter how big an ad we put in the newspaper, if Mr.
Hoffman doesn't read the paper, he still would not know.
Councilperson Jordan stated he would like the city to hold auctions on the sale of city -owned
property.
Councilperson Hurley stated he agrees with holding auctions, but that is not what was in place
when this process started. Councilperson Hurley stated that maybe we should not change things
at this time and stay with the offer from Blake Development.
Councilpersons Welper, Hurley and Getty indicated the would like to accept Blake
Development's bid. Councilpersons Kincaid, Greenwood, Clark and Jordan indicated they
would like to open Mr. Hoffman's bid and then hold an auction on the sale of the property.
Councilperson Getty questioned if the city holds auctions on the sale of property how will we
know they have met the criteria of the city's policy. Councilperson Jordan stated that the auction
requirements will have to include a minimum bid, plus taxes.
Councilperson Clark stated he had changed his mind and would like to accept Blake's bid and
learn from this process.
Mr. Temeyer stated if the council wants to accept sealed bids or hold an auction we should
probably cancel the hearing.
Councilperson Jordan asked if the council already knows who they are going to sell property to
why do we even hold a hearing. Mayor Rooff responded that State Code requires cities to hold
hearings whenever we sell public property.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by Getty, seconded by Clark that the
meeting be adjourned at 5:08 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk
• •