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Council weighs RFP to lease or sell decommissioned wastewater pond and adjacent parcels
Summary
Staff presented a draft RFP to advertise five parcels (largest ~303.88 acres) that were part of a decommissioned wastewater pond; council members favored leasing options and asked for an open RFP allowing mixed proposals and staff review before council action.
City staff presented a draft request for proposals Oct. 14 to lease or sell five parcels tied to a decommissioned wastewater pond north of East Grand Forks city limits. The largest parcel (Property A) is about 303.88 acres; additional adjacent parcels B, C and D were included in the draft RFP, with the RC Flyers Club footprint excluded.
Mr. Hutton told the council that properties B, C and D contain native topsoil but that parts of C and D received road construction debris after the 1997 flood; Property A has variable topsoil depth with residual biosolids from the decommissioning and has been farmed with alfalfa and hay. He said current zoning for the land is county agricultural and any development beyond agricultural uses would require county zoning approvals or annexation and subsequent review.
Council discussion favored advertising both lease and purchase options to test market interest while retaining council discretion to reject proposals. Members asked whether staff could seek 'best and final' offers and whether a future annexation path would be available for development proposals; staff said those options are feasible and that initial staff review would align proposals with the city’s land‑use plan before returning options to council.
No final council action was taken; staff said they would set an advertised closing date if the council directed moving forward and planned at least a three‑week advertising period in the city paper and on city channels.
