Baldwin City Council approves staff moves to secure substation site, lease-purchase Blackjack Battlefield and backs housing grant resolution

Baldwin City Council voted to allow staff to move forward on a land acquisition for a new electrical substation and approved a 12‑month lease-purchase agreement intended to preserve Blackjack Battlefield while the city explores financing options.

The council approved a motion to let staff negotiate and enter into a contract to acquire the property identified as 130 Baker Street. Council discussion that preceded the vote noted the acquisition would be funded by selling the city—s Maple Leaf Motel lot and described the transaction as a near break‑even on paper. Glenn told the council he had met the landowner and that the owner was open to selling on previously discussed terms; the motion to authorize negotiation and acquisition was moved, seconded and passed by voice vote.

The council also approved a lease‑purchase agreement with the property owner of Blackjack Battlefield. Staff described the Blackjack Group as financially unstable and said the 12‑month lease includes an option for the city to purchase the property for what the owner owes on the loan. The lease was presented as a short‑term step to keep the site in public hands while the city pursues financing and preservation options.

"This is the purpose of saving that property to keep it in public hands," a council member said during debate on why the city should buy time to pursue preservation. During public comment Stu Young, the building and zoning inspector, told the council "there is established documentation that there's an illegal dump site out there," referencing a Douglas County Commission discussion from 2006 and urging the council to check the record.

Council members clarified lease terms on the record: the lease document lists a purchase price of $257,000 and staff said the proposed monthly lease payments are interest‑only, so principal would not be reduced by those payments. One council member asked where monthly payments would come from; staff said they would likely be paid from the general fund and acknowledged the payment would reduce reserve balances.

Separately, the council passed a resolution supporting a Modern Housing Income (MIH) grant application from a local developer, identified in the meeting as Mike Burns. Staff said the developer is seeking to fund construction of duplexes and fourplexes on a vacant parcel east of town; council members said a resolution of support is standard for competitive grant applications.

What happens next

Staff were directed to execute the authorized steps: negotiate the purchase for 130 Baker Street, finalize the lease‑purchase paperwork for Blackjack Battlefield, and transmit the council's resolution of support with the MIH grant application. The council set no immediate purchase obligation on Blackjack beyond the lease period and did not adopt a final funding plan for any acquisition.