Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
La Crosse ECDC approves revisions to surplus-land ordinance and removes limiting word in subsection 7
Summary
Staff presented a third-amended surplus-land ordinance to clarify which governing body oversees property sales, require RFPs where appropriate, and make sold parcels taxable by default; commissioners amended out the word "price" from subsection 7 and approved the ordinance.
City staff presented a third-amended ordinance to clarify the citys surplus-land procedures, and the Economic & Community Development Commission approved the changes after one amendment.
Staff said the revisions require a council resolution that states which governing body and department will oversee the sale process for surplus land, clarifies when a request-for-proposal (RFP) process should be used, and sets a default that sold parcels should be taxable unless the council approves otherwise. Staff also said one edit adds a 20-year restriction on tax-exemption claims for certain properties following sale, responding to an audit finding.
Members discussed past cases (the Monitor Street fire station, Southside/Northside library properties and the former St. James Policing Center) to illustrate when the city has been uncertain which body should handle a sale and whether an RFP was appropriate. Several members said sending a parcel through multiple recommending bodies can complicate negotiations and that the common council remains the final approving body via resolution.
A commissioner moved to amend the draft ordinance to remove the word "price" from subsection 7 so that resolutions can plainly approve terms of sale (not only a single numeric price); the motion was seconded and adopted by voice vote. After that amendment, Commissioner Mark moved to approve the updated ordinance and the commission approved it.
Staff and commissioners also discussed public-notice language in the draft that references published display ads in the Tribune and noted the city will continue to use multiple outreach channels, including online posting and distribution to economic-development partners, to attract competitive proposals.
The ordinance revisions were approved in open session; staff said the item will proceed through legal review and then to council for final action as part of the standard municipal process.
