Albert Lea council approves disposal and sale of city-owned lot at 1116 James Avenue

The Albert Lea City Council on Jan. 13 approved a resolution declaring no public interest in city-owned property at 1116 James Avenue and then authorized the sale of the parcel, which staff said cannot be developed because of utility easements.

City Manager (name not specified) told the council the only continued public use of the property would be an easement that does not require city ownership and that dividing the lot and adjoining pieces to neighboring properties would better serve setback needs and green-space use. "This hearing is a discernment. If the property at 1116 James Avenue continues to have a public use, the only continued public use, would be, an easement that does not require City ownership. Staff recommends disposal," the City Manager said during the staff report.

No members of the public spoke during the three calls for comment. Councilor Rachel Christensen moved to adopt a resolution declaring no public interest in the parcel; Councilor Baker seconded. The clerk called the roll and the motion carried with all members voting aye.

The council then voted to approve a resolution to sell the property. The City Manager said the property is constrained by utility easements and "better serves neighboring property owners for their setbacks, if divided and added to their properties, or just continued enjoyment of green space." The motion to sell, moved by Councilor Anderson and seconded by Councilor Holland, carried with the council saying "aye." The staff recommendation included splitting the lot and adjoining portions to neighboring parcels and placing a mortgage on any grant tied to correcting outstanding code violations where applicable.

Actions recorded in the meeting indicate the council took formal action to (1) declare no public interest in the parcel and (2) authorize sale and disposition by splitting and adjoining portions to neighboring properties. Both actions were approved by the council during the Jan. 13 meeting.

The decisions do not change the existence of the utility easements that staff identified as the constraint on redevelopment; staff said any continued public use would be limited to easements and would not require city ownership.

Councilors who participated in the roll call during the disposal resolution included Rachel Christensen (mover), Baker (second), Holland, Olson, Van Beek, Anderson and Mayor Rich Murray; the subsequent sale resolution was moved by Anderson and seconded by Holland and approved by voice vote.

The council did not set a purchase price in the remarks on the record and directed staff to proceed with the disposal process consistent with the approved resolution.