Council signals plan to seek ownership of Mill Island, proposes public hearing on eminent domain

The Little Falls City Council discussed securing legal ownership of an unclaimed island adjacent to Mill Park and said it will call for a public hearing to consider eminent domain.

The item matters because the city wants clear jurisdiction over the land next to Mill Park for park management and regulation. Council members said no private or utility owner has claimed the parcel and the city has discussed the matter with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

Greg said the city has been trying to establish whether the parcel is owned by Minnesota Power or the city and that “nobody's really claiming ownership of it.” He told the council, “we'd have a call for a public hearing to, proceed with eminent domain so that we could have ownership of it and make it part of Mill Park on the West Side.” Council members asked about liability; one asked whether liability would increase if the city acquired the island, and Greg replied it would be “nothing more than what we currently have at any of the parks.”

City staff reported the DNR has been consulted and indicated it is “fine with it,” according to the discussion. The council did not vote on any ordinance or motion at the meeting; members discussed scheduling a public hearing at a future council meeting so the city can explore a formal eminent-domain process.

Council members did not set a timeline or take formal action at the work session. The council’s announcement of a forthcoming public hearing is an administrative step to allow public comment and to develop the record needed if the city proceeds with condemnation proceedings.

If the council places the matter on a future agenda, the public hearing and any subsequent action would be the formal decision point. For now, council members said the city will continue investigating ownership and jurisdiction before taking a formal vote.