Council endorses staff plan to solicit real estate proposals to locate urban campground

The mayor asked council to approve a two-step process to find a site for an urban campground: (1) solicit proposals from local real estate agents that state the commission percentage they seek, and (2) convene a council work‑study to set site parameters and later review candidate properties in executive session.

The mayor explained that recent real estate rules mean agents often require a signed agreement outlining commission terms before showing properties. "We're gonna have to sign a piece of paper that says we agree to pay this commission before any agent will even show us or look for any pieces of property," the mayor said, describing negotiation dynamics around agent commission rates. Councilors raised concerns about being locked into lengthy exclusive agreements and whether council members could independently approach property owners; staff and other councilors said that process details (including contract length and whether the city would be obligated if it found a site independently) would be checked.

The mayor proposed a work study next Monday at 4 p.m. to draft and refine the parameters used in a request for proposals; staff was asked to advertise and bring back proposals, and the council gave consensus support by head nod to proceed. Councilors emphasized the need to prepare agents for public opposition when a site becomes known and to avoid placing the task solely on one staff member or councilor.