The commission directed staff on Jan. 13 to hold a workshop within three months to build a formal process for handling unsolicited property offers and public–private partnership (P3) proposals, and to pause staff action on P3 unsolicited offers pending that workshop.

Staff presented a compiled spreadsheet of unsolicited offers received through Jan. 5, some dating back to 2020. Commissioners criticized inconsistent notice and engagement: several commissioners said they had not been copied on offers for properties in their wards, and others described proposals stuck in administrative limbo for years. Commissioners emphasized transparency and a consistent process that explains allowable uses, zoning and notification protocols.

The commission unanimously approved a motion to schedule a workshop within three months and instructed staff to contact each proposer to confirm continued interest and provide guidance on the new process. Commissioners discussed examples such as several infill lots and a large waterfront parcel that staff said might not be the city's highest-and-best use and could be candidates for sale or redevelopment if a policy framework is in place.

Commissioners also discussed the public-policy balance between solicited marketing and unsolicited proposals, the need to specify acceptable uses up front if the city plans to offer property for sale, and how to retain bargaining leverage while being fair to proposers and the public. Staff agreed to provide a recommended process, notification rules and a list of city-owned parcels for proactive solicitation at the workshop.