Council approves resolution to correct historic conveyance records with the Berkley School District

City staff presented a resolution on May 18 to correct discrepancies in ownership records between the city and the Berkley School District dating from the mid‑20th century and to record conveyances that align legal title with long‑standing intent.

Miss Van Vleck told the council that while transfers occurred beginning as far back as 1954 through 1975, staff recently discovered there were no documented conveyances recorded for particular parcels in exhibit B and exhibit C of the packet. She said the proposed conveyance documents attached as exhibits D and E would resolve the discrepancy by recording the parties’ intent and accurate boundary descriptions.

Van Vleck said the city worked with legal counsel and Spalding de Decker to identify boundaries and produce the conveyance materials. She added that the district’s recent construction activity prompted closer review of property lines and that staff do not rule out other similar corrections in the future: “We do think there are a couple other small piece[s] of property... This is the biggest ... and most significant, but we may be coming to [council] in the future,” she said.

Council members asked why the discrepancy could have persisted for decades; staff suggested inconsistent conveyance instruments (metes and bounds versus lot references) and unrecorded instruments as possible causes. The council voted unanimously to approve the resolution to convey property to and from the Berkley School District.

The resolution authorizes staff to execute the attached conveyance documents so deeds and related records accurately reflect the parties’ interests going forward. Spalding de Decker representatives and staff said they will make exhibit materials available after the meeting for council members who wish to review the large‑format maps.