The Common Council on Oct. 7 approved a contract with TerraVenture Advisors LLC authorizing up to $52,000 in HOME funds for relocation services tied to the city’s rehabilitation of 1644 Packard Ave. The action followed questions from Alder Audra Weidner about the timing of relocation planning relative to the city’s purchase of the property.

Weidner said state statute anticipates relocation plans be completed before an offer to purchase is made. City staff and the city attorney said the city closed on the property Aug. 15 and later discovered multiple tenants in the building. Director Williams said staff subsequently signed leases with three tenants and that the city requested up to $52,000 to cover relocation logistics and unforeseen costs, while also noting that several tenants had already secured next-step housing or were in the process of moving.

City Attorney explained the city and the Community Development Authority must follow state relocation requirements when purchasing property containing tenants and that relocation assistance and plans are a standard part of federally assisted acquisitions. Director Williams said staff asked for a worst-case planning figure and that actual costs are expected to be lower than the appropriation. He also said one tenant has already located alternative housing and another couple is pursuing purchase options with the city’s housing programs.

Council action: motion to approve the TerraVenture contract and up to $52,000 in HOME funds carried by vote (14-0 recorded). Alder Weidner said the city should ensure future acquisitions include a relocation plan before closing, per her reading of state relocation law.

Why it matters: Relocation planning affects tenants’ immediate housing stability and triggers legal obligations tied to federally funded housing activities. Alder Weidner urged the city to adopt a practice of completing relocation planning before offers to purchase any property with known occupants.