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City and county weigh cleanup options for five tax-deeded properties in Wolf Point
Summary
City and county officials reviewed a tax-deed list showing five county-owned properties within Wolf Point and discussed an MOU for cleanup, potential Brownfields funding, logistics and priorities for which lots to clear first.
City and county representatives on Oct. 23 discussed cleanup options for five tax-deeded properties inside the Wolf Point city limits and a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to clarify city assistance on county-owned properties.
A city representative present (referred to as Chris in the transcript) reviewed an emailed tax-deed list and said five properties appear within city limits and that a couple of lots could be prioritized to provide the greatest "bang for the buck" if cleaned. Unidentified Speaker 3 emphasized logistical concerns — utility shutoffs, surveys and potential environmental unknowns — and said the city would take the list to its council for consideration; the city’s council meeting schedule was cited (next meeting Nov. 17) for follow-up.
County participants said the county obtained several properties via tax deed and has completed work on some lots (for example, 524 Main and 731 2nd Avenue North were discussed as having been cleared or taken down). Speakers said sale via the Department of Commerce involves specific accounting and stipulations, which complicates county efforts to resell properties. Possible funding sources mentioned included Brownfields grants and municipal cleanup funds, but speakers did not commit specific grant applications.
Participants agreed on next steps: the city will review the list at its council meeting, county staff will supply supporting documentation and both entities will coordinate on logistics and budget implications; no formal county vote to transfer or spend funds on cleanup was recorded at this meeting.
Quotations in context: an unnamed city representative said the list contained five properties "within city limits" and the county speaker recommended prioritizing properties where cleanup would demonstrate visible improvement and spur further action.
What happens next: the city will consider the tax-deed list at its next council meeting and report back; county staff will prepare documents and work with city staff to develop a cleanup plan and explore potential funding.
