Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Council agrees to continue maintaining Freeman Park while ownership questions are resolved
Loading...
Summary
First United Methodist Church offered to donate Freeman Park, but a contiguous parcel was sold at tax foreclosure on 04/07/2026; the board unanimously voted to continue mowing and maintaining the park as it has for decades while staff and tax attorneys resolve title and ownership questions.
City staff told commissioners that First United Methodist Church had offered to donate Freeman Park to the city, but that half the park sits on a separate parcel (ID 119094) that was set for foreclosure and sold on April 7, 2026. Staff said they contacted tax attorneys and are working with the party that purchased the foreclosed parcel to determine options.
A staff presenter noted that the city has maintained the park for more than 30 years, despite not actually owning the entire parcel. Commissioners discussed whether it was appropriate for city crews to continue mowing property not yet legally owned by the city; a parks/street staff member said the omission from recent mowing routes could be an oversight resulting from a recent route reorganization and that staff could remedy it if the parcel is determined to belong to the city or permission is obtained.
One commissioner emphasized the parcel’s historical and community significance and urged the city to remain a steward while the legal issues are resolved. The board voted unanimously to continue taking care of Freeman Park "the way we've done the last 30 years" until ownership and tax/title issues are settled.
Staff said they will continue to work with the city’s tax attorneys and provide updated advice to the board at a future meeting; staff also estimated that mowing the parcel would be inexpensive (a few hundred dollars) and committed to correcting maintenance oversights in the short term.
Next steps: staff to report back with the tax attorneys’ recommendation and a clear timeline for title resolution; the board tabled any final action until counsel provides options and confirmed that the city will continue routine maintenance until the issue is resolved.
