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Council to solicit proposals for sale or lease of decommissioned wastewater ponds north of city
Summary
Staff asked whether council wants to pursue sale or lease of roughly 304 acres of decommissioned wastewater ponds outside city limits; council favored issuing an RFP to gauge interest while reserving the right to decline offers and keeping in mind Polk County jurisdiction, adjacent police firing range and prior environmental studies.
City staff briefed the council on interest from a private party in purchasing or leasing a tract of decommissioned wastewater ponds north of East Grand Forks. The primary area consists of about 304 acres of former ponds with roughly 60 acres the city would retain for the existing equalization basin; an additional 41 acres of tillable land north of 450th Street was also described.
Staff recommended issuing a request for proposals that would ask prospective buyers or lessees to explain intended uses, development plans and offered prices. Staff noted the city previously had a purchase agreement with a public agency, and earlier environmental work (phase I and II) had been completed during that process; those materials are available for consideration.
Council discussion focused on leasing versus selling, potential agricultural uses, the need for soil and use‑limit information (what crops are viable), the adjacency of the police firing range and Polk County permitting because the parcels lie outside city limits and would require county approvals for use changes.
A majority of councilors favored going to market through an RFP process, reserving the right to decline offers and considering lease options to preserve flexibility; staff will prepare an RFP with property details and past environmental reports for council review.
