The Westland City Council approved sale of the surplus property at 6123 Skyline Drive to Portlock Company LLC and authorized the city manager to execute closing documents, while naming ICON as the backup bidder.

Council opened a public hearing on the property after staff summarized the site history and the recent marketing process. Public Works Director and City Engineer Eric Leis told the council the city purchased the lots as part of the Bolton Reservoir project and that the parcels were declared surplus in resolutions adopted after project completion. Elizabeth Anderson, the city’s listing agent, reported three offers were received after a public listing and that the highest net offer totaled $826,350 after an escalation clause and related terms.

The council heard a letter and in-person comments from representatives of ICON, who asked the council to re-open the process to let the highest bidders make best-and-final offers. ICON representatives said the property had a long prior relationship with their firm and asked for additional opportunity to compete. City staff and the listing agent described the public offering timeline, the equal-access marketing approach and how escalation clauses and buyer agent compensation practices produced the highest net offer.

After discussion, council members said they considered fairness of the published process, the public notice requirements and the city’s fiduciary duty to follow the method used to solicit offers. To reduce the city’s risk of reopening a completed public solicitation and to preserve a consistent process for future sales, the council approved the staff recommendation to accept Portlock Company LLC’s offer and to place ICON in a formal backup position in case the primary transaction fails. The motion passed on a roll call vote: Council President Baumgartner — yes; Councilor Groner — yes; Councilor Bonnington — yes; Councilor Bridal — yes; Mayor Bielanski — yes.

The council record shows the property was acquired for utility purposes, that proceeds from a sale are restricted to the Water Fund and that staff will return final closing documents for execution by the city manager. Council members and staff said the decision followed a transparent, advertised offer deadline and that reopening the sale after publishing detailed offer terms would risk undermining that process.

Council directions included confirming the sale documents and placing ICON in backup status; no additional study or new conditions were directed during the hearing.

The council concluded the public hearing and authorized city staff to finish the transaction and return any final administrative documentation required to complete the sale.