Vinita council authorizes legal action, potential public sale for apparently abandoned airport hangar

Airport manager and legal counsel Mr. Wilson told the council on March 17 that the city previously sued a separate hangar lessee (Tom Shelton) and is now addressing two leases held by the late Joe Reed. Mr. Wilson said he sent a breach notice to Mr. Reed, who then died; the probate opened, a personal representative was appointed and later withdrew or died, and the apparent sole heir (Mr. Reed’s daughter) has not completed probate nor taken control of the property.

"We can consider this property to be abandoned," Mr. Wilson said, describing roughly 18 months of inactivity and unsuccessful attempts to resolve the probate. He recommended issuing a notice that the property and personal property (the hangar and its contents) would be treated as abandoned, publishing notice to unknown occupants, and conducting a public sale under statute to recoup rent, attorneys’ fees and sale costs. Mr. Wilson said any excess proceeds would be deposited with the court for distribution to an eventual rightful owner through probate.

The council moved (Young) and seconded (recorded as Laird) a motion to authorize Mr. Wilson to take whatever legal action is necessary; the motion carried by unanimous vote. The action directs legal staff to begin the notice and public-sale process in accordance with applicable statute but the transcript did not quote a specific statutory citation or provide a timetable for sale.

Why it matters: the council authorized a process that could remove an unused hangar, recover municipal costs, and transfer surplus proceeds to the court pending probate outcomes. The matter involves property law, probate delay and potential sale of personal property on municipally owned land.

Next steps: Mr. Wilson was authorized to issue abandonment notice and commence public-sale proceedings under applicable statute; the council did not set sale dates during the meeting.