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La Center council authorizes mayor to negotiate parkland purchase, caps spend at $575,000 plus closing costs
Summary
Council authorized the mayor to negotiate a purchase-and-sale agreement for land to add park acreage, using park impact fees and some REET funds; the authorization caps spending at $575,000 plus closing costs and requires final council ratification before closing.
The La Center City Council on Jan. 22 authorized the mayor to negotiate and enter into a purchase-and-sale agreement for a parcel of land intended to expand the city's park inventory, with a spending cap of $575,000 plus closing costs and a requirement that the council ratify the final agreement before closing.
Public works staff presented the item as part of the city’s park plan, saying the city’s current park inventory is about 23.5 acres while the comprehensive plan projects a need of 34.9 acres — a roughly 11-acre deficit over the planning horizon. Tracy Coleman (Public Works) said the city was approached by a landowner rather than actively soliciting sites and recommended beginning negotiations with an appraisal requirement and a spending limit tied to park impact fees and a portion of REET funds.
Coleman told council the city would not exceed a spending of "$575,000 plus closing costs" and that the purchase would be funded primarily from park impact fees; she said the city currently has “425 or 450,000” in park impact fees and expects to collect about $227,000 in park impact fees in 2025. The staff report and attached sample purchase-and-sale agreement include a clause requiring final council ratification of the full property description and price before the city closes the transaction.
Council members discussed the tradeoffs between acquiring land now and spending money on improvements to existing parks. One council member noted that park impact fees must be used for new facilities or additions and cannot be used for maintenance. After discussion the motion to authorize the mayor to negotiate the purchase — subject to the $575,000 plus closing costs cap and final council ratification — passed by voice vote.
No specific street address or parcel was released during the meeting; staff said that withholding the precise location during negotiations protects the city’s bargaining position and avoids the risk of third parties purchasing the property before the city completes its due diligence and appraisal process. Coleman promised to return to council with appraisal results and full transaction details before any closing.
The authorization directs staff to begin negotiations only and requires a subsequent public council vote to finalize any purchase.
