Committee approves amended mobile‑home leases for Rivercrest Drive North residents after public pleas

The Finance & Personnel Committee approved an amended resolution on Sept. 4 authorizing mobile‑home leases for residents at Rivercrest Drive North after public comments and closed‑session negotiation. The committee's vote on the amended resolution was 5 in favor with 1 abstention.

Residents spoke during the public hearing seeking stability. Virginia Crier, who said she had lived at the site since 2006, told the committee that "a lease for us is our best and really only practical solution" after describing a period last year when a nonrenewal left residents fearing eviction.

Juniper Partners' representative Linda Coleman said Juniper had submitted a proposal to the city and that the firm "adopts all of the components of the lease terms that the city wanted to see as far as we are aware" and is hopeful the council would give the proposal due consideration.

Marlene DeWald, speaking for a resident family, said some residents might not be able to accept a 10‑year lease because of age and circumstances and asked that the city ensure residents do not lose the value of their homes.

The committee considered the matter in closed session under a state statute cited by the chair before reconvening and adopting the amended resolution. Councilmember Janssen moved to adopt the amended resolution; Councilmember Northwood seconded. The motion passed 5 yes, 1 abstention.

What happens next: The approval authorizes execution of leases as described in the amended resolution; the committee discussed the item under the closed‑session negotiation procedures the council cited. The city and any private partners (Juniper Partners was present on the record) may proceed according to the approved terms and any conditions described in the adopted resolution.