Council approves revised agreement allowing sale of 300 Keokuk Street with three‑year right of first refusal

The council at a special meeting on June 1 unanimously approved a revised agreement that allows the sale of 300 Keokuk Street and limits the buyer’s right of first refusal to three years.

The mayor opened the meeting and said, “We are, talking about item number 4, approval of agreement with proposed buyer of 300 Keokuk Street.” He told the council the ordinance and exhibit previously approved by the council included a perpetuity provision that councilor legal staff and members agreed should be struck, and that the buyers requested a sunset on the right of first refusal to allow the sale to proceed.

“What it is before you is the revised agreement,” said Mister Hovlett, describing the document prepared for reapproval after the edits. After a motion was made and seconded, Mister Bateman asked a clarifying question: “Just for clarification, the only thing we're voting on is dropping down the right of refusal to 3 years.” The mayor and Mister Hovlett confirmed that other items in the buyers’ letter were not part of the vote.

Alderman Becky moved to approve the revised agreement; Alderman Clemons seconded. The mayor conducted a roll call; Mister Clemons, Missus O'Donoghue, Mister Anderson, Mister Bateman, Mister Becky, Miss McCollum and Mister Parrott all voted yes. The motion passed unanimously, clearing the way for the buyers to move forward to closing.

The mayor noted timing concerns tied to funding and referenced Lincoln College in that context. He said approving the change brings the matter to a close and will allow subsequent conversations about related components, including museum matters, to proceed.

The council then moved to adjourn. Alderman O'Donoghue made the motion to adjourn, Alderman Parrott seconded, and the meeting ended at 6:32 p.m.