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Council authorizes talks to pursue purchase of nearly 40-acre Spence family parcel adjacent to park
Summary
Council authorized staff to enter formal discussions to possible buy an almost 40-acre parcel offered by the Spence family at $10,000 per acre; Mayor noted an appraisal but the transcript contains unclear appraisal figures; Council member McMahon recused herself from further discussion or vote.
The Ward City Council voted to allow staff to enter formal discussions with the Spence family about purchasing an almost 40-acre tract next to the park. The mayor described the parcel and said the Spence family "would like to offer that to us at a $10,000 per acre," which the mayor said would total a little less than $400,000.
The mayor told the council the parcel had been appraised but the appraisal figure is unclear in the meeting record; the mayor’s stated appraisal language in the transcript is garbled and requires verification. The mayor also noted that Council member McMahon must recuse herself from any conversation, discussion or vote on the matter.
Council members emphasized that the current motion was only to allow formal discussions, not to commit the city to purchase. The mayor said, "we haven't signed anything. We haven't done any of that. This is just a conversation." The motion to authorize formal discussions passed by voice vote.
Why it matters: Acquiring land adjacent to a park could expand public open space or support future municipal projects; the council expressed the need to review details and return to the council for any purchase decision.
Next steps: Staff to pursue formal discussions with the landowner and return proposals, appraisal documents and funding options to the council for a future decision.
