Council transfers small Brook Park parcel to land-reutilization program amid public questions

Council adopted an ordinance to transfer permanent parcel 344‑31‑002 to Brook Park's Land Reutilization program on Dec. 9, 2025. Mayor Orcutt and Economic Development Commissioner Marchek described the parcel as a 0.35‑acre sliver that "fell through the cracks" and characterized the transfer as a housekeeping measure to clear the property's status.

Commissioner Marchek said the parcel provides no functional benefit to the city and recommended placing it in the Land Reutilization Corporation to allow for cleanup and potential future disposition. He told council the city would typically recoup maintenance costs and that, by ordinance, the commission cannot sell the property for more than the costs city has put into it without later council action.

Resident Louie Modick addressed the special meeting during public comment and asked whether the transfer met the ordinance's stated criteria for revitalization — a property should either be returned to tax‑generating status or used for public benefit. Modick also said he believed taxes on that property had not been paid for roughly 22 years (about $58,000 in back taxes) and asked how that balance would be handled and whether the company receiving city incentives would receive other abatements. Council members and staff said that transfers to the Land Reutilization program are a routine administrative step, that the city has processes to document cost and maintenance, and that any future sale or disposition typically comes back to council.

Council adopted the ordinance under suspension of rules as item 11513‑2025. The administration said it would provide updated packet materials and file documentation as part of the ordinance record.