County negotiates small lot-line adjustment near new jail site to clear utilities and storm-pond area

County staff described a negotiated lot-line adjustment and purchase agreement with a private property owner that would clear utilities from the planned storm-pond area at the new jail site and produce an unencumbered southeast parcel for county use.

Tom said property owner Richard (Rich) Seager holds a private easement that includes a water line crossing the parcel and additional utilities that currently run under the planned storm pond. Under the agreement Seager will extinguish that private easement, remove the utilities, obtain a lot-line adjustment from the City of Bemidji, and the county would convey a small area to Seager and then quickly re-convey the adjusted parcel so the county receives an unencumbered southeast corner. Tom said the sliver involved is less than 8,000 square feet and that the agreed purchase price is $15,052.

Tom said the transaction requires Seager to obtain city approval for the lot-line adjustment; if Seager cannot secure the adjustment, the agreement terminates and the county’s design already accounts for the existing easement so there would be no operational impact. Tom said because the property was originally donated to the county by the late Mr. Fankhamel, the county obtained written consent from him for the transaction prior to proceeding.

Tom described the transaction as a pair of quitclaim deeds (county to owner and back) and said the county attorney recommended the approach; he added that closing will be handled through the county recorder’s office and that the board chair will be asked to sign at closing.

Commissioners thanked staff for resolving complex title and utility issues and noted the transaction will make the storm-pond and site layout simpler if the lot-line adjustment is approved by the city.