Boone council denies sale authorization for 117 West Ninth Street, orders sealed-bid process

The Boone City Council on the floor of a regular meeting voted to deny a resolution authorizing the sale of city-owned property at 117 West Ninth Street, and directed staff to reopen consideration through a sealed-bid process with bids due before the council’s next hearing. The motion to deny passed on a roll call vote with the majority in favor and one dissent.

The decision follows a public hearing in which two nearby residents — Julie Lynn Espinosa and Kristen Papples — urged the council to permit a fair, public opportunity to buy the lot. Espinosa said she has pursued the lot for nearly a year, described ongoing maintenance of the parcel, and told council, “I have an offer letter and a purchase agreement for the amount of $18,230 that I can present to you today.” Papples said her family needs a handicapped-accessible home for their youngest son and described specific accessibility requirements, saying the house would allow them “to bathe him safely” and accommodate a wheelchair.

A city staff member told the council…