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Hooper City Council adopts new ordinance to govern leasing of city property after contested debate
Summary
After hours of debate about conflicts, renewals and valuation standards, the Hooper City Council approved an ordinance creating a new chapter on leasing city‑owned property and removed a proposed clause that would bar employees’ relatives from buying city parcels. Council also directed staff to inventory current leases and report back.
The Hooper City Council on March 5 approved Ordinance 0202602 to create a new chapter governing leasing of city‑owned property, following a contentious discussion about whether the mayor or the council should authorize leases and whether municipal employees or family members should be barred from purchasing city property.
The motion to adopt the ordinance was made by Council Member Hill and seconded; the council later amended the proposal to limit the action to creation of Chapter 6 (leasing rules) and to remove the disputed §2‑5‑5 language that would have broadly restricted family members, straw purchasers and municipal employees from acquiring city property. The amended ordinance passed on a roll‑call vote: Hill — “I,” Rahalto — “I,” Craig — “I,” Hancock — “I,” Fowers — “I.”
Why it matters: the ordinance establishes a formal process for future leases of city parcels, including criteria for what the council will consider “desirable, fair and appropriate” use, and clarifies that the measure is not retroactive to existing long‑term leases. Council members said the change aims to reduce the city’s maintenance burden on vacant parcels and create revenue opportunities, but several members objected to language they saw as punishing city employees or relatives who might offer fair bids for publicly noticed dispositions.
Council members and staff debated specific valuation approaches — some recommended referencing USDA/NASS pasture rates or other fair‑market proxies rather than relying solely on assessed tax values — and discussed enforcement and maintenance conditions to prevent uncared‑for lots. Council members asked staff to produce an inventory of existing leases (their terms, renewal provisions and maintenance obligations) so the council could prioritize reviews where expiration or enforcement issues are imminent.
Council members repeatedly emphasized that the ordinance as approved will apply to new leases; it does not automatically alter or terminate existing agreements, including multi‑decade trail leases entered in 2014 and later. The attorney reiterated that the ordinance is not retroactive and that any existing lease with renewal language would follow its written terms unless renegotiated.
Votes at a glance - Ordinance 0202602 (Chapter 6 — Leasing of City‑Owned Property, as amended): Adopted on March 5, 2026. Roll‑call recorded as ‘I’ from the five members present; the motion carried. - Riverdale Senior Center vouchers (approving up to 20 $30 city vouchers, estimated $600/year): Adopted by voice vote earlier in the meeting (see separate item).
Next steps: Council directed staff to compile and present a list of current leases, their expiration or renewal provisions, and any outstanding code or maintenance compliance issues. The council also asked the attorney and staff to refine any lease templates (including suggested valuation guidance) for future agenda review.
