Council committee approves purchase of property near filtration plant and renews police lease

The Finance Committee recommended approval of a resolution authorizing purchase of real property at 816 West Wagner for $200,500. Seth (City Utilities representative) said the lot sits immediately north of the 3 Rivers Filtration Plant, that the city will demolish the house and shed on the parcel, and that funds for the purchase will come from water revenue. He said the city is proactively acquiring adjacent lots as they become available and estimated an expansion timeline of roughly 5–10 years; staff said an exact construction timeline is not yet set.

During the same committee the council considered S25-10-12, a four‑year lease for police department office and storage space at 6033 Maplecrest Road totaling $140,000 ($35,000 per year). Chris Carmichael (property manager) said the new lease is largely a renewal with modest adjustments to recorded square footage. Council members asked about the original lease terms and historic costs; staff said the original 2019 lease started at $20,000 per year.

The committee discussed neighborhood complaints about maintenance of parcels on Wagner Street raised by a public commenter (Mr. Speakman); City Utilities acknowledged the concerns and said it will increase maintenance frequency, meet with neighbors ahead of near-term construction and continue outreach as expansion plans are developed. The resolution and lease both received committee recommendations (purchase: 6 in favor, 1 against; lease: 6 in favor, 1 opposed).