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Board refers overhaul of La Crosse surplus‑land sale rules for clearer wording
Summary
The La Crosse Board of Public Works on Nov. 24 referred Ordinance 25‑1097 — which would repeal and recreate City Code §2405 to clarify how city‑owned surplus land is declared and sold — to next week for revised language specifying which body oversees sales and which department will facilitate the process.
The La Crosse Board of Public Works voted to refer Ordinance 25‑1097 to next week after city staff and board members asked for clearer language spelling out which governing body will oversee the sale of city‑owned land and which department will facilitate the sale.
Julie (city staff presenter) said the ordinance is intended "to make sure our process for the sale of city‑owned land is not ambiguous," citing questions that arose during recent sales, including the Monitor Street property. She told the board the draft removes a requirement that the Board of Public Works maintain department surplus‑property listings, clarifies when an RFP should be used, and adds that purchase amount should be one of the weighted factors when deciding to whom property is sold. The draft also would generally bar tax‑exempt status for sold properties for 20 years unless the council approves otherwise.
Why it matters: The change would standardize the process for identifying surplus city land and for declaring and completing sales. Board members said that without clearer language future transactions could be inconsistent, and that specifying which internal office coordinates the sale will help departments follow a single, predictable process.
Board discussion focused on whether the council would be approving only a sale price or the overall terms of a sale, and on which department should administer the sale process. Director Matt Gallagher asked how advertising costs would be handled; Julie said departments have typically absorbed Tribune advertising costs and put up signage, and that the planning department could facilitate the process if the board prefers. Several members recommended the resolution require the council to state which governing body will oversee the sale and whether an RFP should be used, and to state that the planning department will facilitate the remainder of the sale process.
The ordinance had been presented to the Economic Development Committee (ECDC), which unanimously approved it with one amendment: removing the word "price" from the sentence that requires Common Council approval to finalize a sale. Board members agreed that change warrants incorporating the ECDC amendment and clarifying the draft's verbiage.
Director Trey moved to refer the ordinance to next week so staff could provide clarified wording; Council Member Goggin seconded. The motion to refer passed unanimously. The ordinance will return for consideration with revised language clarifying which governing body oversees a given sale and how the planning department will be involved.
