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Kennett City discusses offering 908 North Main to adjacent neighbor but takes no vote
Summary
Councilmembers discussed conveying 908 North Main to an adjacent neighbor under a recorded maintenance agreement (including a possible five‑year maintenance condition and city right to reclaim), and directed staff to draft contract language, but the council did not take a formal vote at the meeting.
At a Kennett City Council meeting, councilmembers discussed conveying the city‑owned lot at 908 North Main to an adjacent neighbor under a recorded agreement that would require the neighbor to maintain the property; the council did not take a formal vote on the matter.
Council members said the neighbor’s request is consistent with past decisions to offer a right of first refusal to adjacent property owners when the city takes ownership of parcels. Councilmembers and staff discussed standard recording fees and the city’s practice that buyers typically pay filing costs, and noted the city would record any agreement to create a clear public record. The council directed staff to draft a contract setting maintenance expectations, including a potential five‑year maintenance period and a provision allowing the city to retake the property if it is not maintained.
Discussion centered on maintenance, cost responsibility and the mechanics of transferring city property. A councilmember said, “we would offer right of first refusal to the neighbors,” describing the practice applied when the city has taken ownership of other parcels. Council members and staff clarified that recording fees are normally paid by the purchaser and that, for property already owned by the city, there is no separate tax cost to convey the parcel. Staff (Terry) was asked to prepare written contract language and to ensure the conveyance would be recorded.
Councilmembers and staff discussed practical enforcement: adding an explicit maintenance term, using a recorded agreement to make the arrangement binding, and preserving the city’s right to reclaim the lot if maintenance lapses. During the discussion a motion was made to allow the neighbor to take ownership under a contract requiring maintenance and payment of usual filing costs; however, the council did not hold a vote on that motion during the meeting.
The matter could return to a future council agenda after staff prepares draft contract language and a recorded conveyance is drafted. The council did not adopt any ordinance or complete a conveyance at this meeting.
