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Allegan council discusses Low Street parcel sale, recuses two members after potential conflicts
Summary
Council reviewed possible sale of a contaminated city-owned parcel on Low Street and accepted recusals from two council members; a local business representative objected to how their purchase proposal was discussed at an earlier meeting.
City of Allegan — Council discussed process and preliminary information on a potential sale of a city-owned parcel on Low Street, including assessed value, possible contamination remediation costs, and interest from private parties. Two council members were excused from the item because of declared conflicts of interest.
Staff told council the last city assessment (2017) valued the parcel at $15,900 and estimated a true cash value of roughly $31,800, but noted a formal market valuation would require an appraiser or realtor. The city manager cautioned that contamination cleanup costs are unknown without a Phase I/II environmental study: "Without contracting with an environmental firm to conduct a phase 1 and or phase 2, there is no way to formally know the full contamination of the site," he said.
During the discussion, Councilor Westover and Mayor Pro Tem Morgan requested to be excused for the item because of potential conflicts; the council voted to recuse both members.
Later in the meeting, Tanya Schafer, identifying herself as a partner in Tantric Properties (Tantric Brewing Company), said she was surprised the council discussed her company's proposal at a prior meeting without notice and raised procedural concerns, including that a recused council member was addressed during that prior discussion. "The proposal was not on the agenda. I was not notified to be present," Schafer said, and requested the council address fairness and transparency in future proceedings.
What’s next: Staff will continue fact-finding and return with more detailed market valuation options and information about environmental testing and remediation cost estimates; the council recorded the recusals and did not complete a property sale at this meeting.
