Board rejects single elevator bid, authorizes staff to list Horace property after bidder speaks

The Metro Flood Diversion Authority on Aug. 28 moved to reject a single auction bid for the Horace elevator and authorized staff to list the property with commercial realtors after discussion in the land management committee and a presentation by the auction winner.

Commissioner Breitling reported that the land-management committee recommended rejecting the single bid because it was "dramatically less than the reserve required on that property" and recommended authorizing the technical committee to negotiate with one or more realtors to list and market the property. "Since we're looking to try to save the taxpayer money, we believe that the appropriate way is to authorize the technical committee to negotiate with one or more realtors to list that property," Breitling said.

During the meeting, the auction winner, identified as Mr. Dwyer, addressed the board and said he had won the auction and had submitted a letter the prior day, which included recent comparable sales and a city of Horace resolution supporting the winning bid; Brent Holper, city administrator for Horace, accompanied him. Mr. Dwyer asked the board to consider the submitted materials and the city’s support.

After discussion, the board first voted to accept the land-management committee recommendations, including rejecting the elevator bid. The roll call recorded affirmative votes from Mayor Dardis, Mayor Mahoney, Commissioner Breitling, Mister Hendrickson, Mister Ebinger, Miss Kolpak, Mister Campbell, Mister Greenberg and Mister Steen. The motion carried.

The board then voted to authorize staff to list the property as recommended by Commissioner Breitling. That motion also passed on a roll call with the same affirmative votes.

Land-management staff reported recent acquisition and disposal activity across the project area: completion of the first eminent domain trial in Cass County, closing 38 parcels totaling nearly 670 acres, and an increase in upstream mitigation parcel acquisitions. Staff also noted an initial auction of excess lands with six parcels offered and four meeting reserve pricing. Key disposal figures the board reviewed included eight parcels totaling about 95 acres moving through disposal policy and dozens of other parcel transactions in negotiation.

Board members voiced no additional objections during the motions. The authority directed staff and the technical committee to proceed with marketing and negotiation per the approved motions.