City to vet bids, plan fall auction and downtown RFI for city-owned properties

The City Council president said after an executive session that city staff will reverify bidders’ proof of funds for offers submitted one to two years ago, return with recommendations on those properties, and move remaining parcels without viable bids to a planned auction this fall. “We have slated that an auction will occur in the fall of this year, for those remaining properties,” the City Council president said. The president said properties identified for municipal use will be offered to city departments for final confirmation; if a department declines, the property will go to the auction list. The president also said a cluster of parcels in the Fourth Avenue downtown area will be grouped and released through a Request for Information to encourage development consistent with the city’s comprehensive plan. City officials will follow up on some properties through the corporation counsel and report back, the president said. The council exited the executive session and recorded roll-call votes on the motions to leave and to adjourn. Roll call recorded Michelle Martin, the City Council president and Assessor Vanderpool each voting “Aye” on the motions. Staff will return to the council with vetted recommendations and a finalized auction date and then forward the full package to the council for final approval.