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Lawrence council approves surplus declaration, moves RFP forward for 266–272 Jackson Street after ordinance debate
Summary
After debate over whether the city ordinance requires council approval of request-for-proposals (RFPs), the Lawrence City Council voted to declare 266–272 Jackson Street surplus and to proceed with the RFP process. Council members and staff disagreed about past practice and whether the council must approve RFP text; the city attorney will review.
The Lawrence City Council voted to declare the property at 266–272 Jackson Street surplus and to proceed with the request-for-proposals process after debate over whether local ordinance requires the council to approve RFP documents.
Council discussion centered on whether approving an RFP for surplus property is a legal requirement or a courtesy that staff has offered in prior cases. City staff said presenting full RFP paperwork to council had been a courtesy; some council members said the city’s ordinance requires council approval of RFPs and asked the city attorney to review that provision. A council member also said the city already faces litigation related to property decisions and that timing was a concern.
City staff member Ms. Pascual, who led the presentation, told the council she seeks transparency and said, “I tell people we don't give away property. We don't have special, you know, accommodations for people, and I'm straightforward with that.” Other councilors pressed for consistency with past practice and for clarity about what the ordinance requires before future surplus-property RFPs are posted.
There was an underlying motion to approve the surplus designation and move forward with the RFP; Councilor Marmol moved the motion and Councilor Santiago seconded. The chair called the question after discussion and the motion carried.
Councilors also discussed neighborhood impacts, including parking near the Jackson and Berkeley streets area, and cited a prior contentious Water Street matter as an example of how surplus property discussions can provoke heated public comment. The city attorney said he would review the ordinance language and provide an opinion at a later meeting.
The council’s approval sends the surplus declaration and the RFP process forward; staff said they will return with documentation as determined by the attorney’s review and standard practice.
