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Resident questions Baker Street land purchase, cites large gap between assessment and price paid
Summary
A resident asked the council why the city bought an acre on Baker Street and said public records show an assessed value near $29,168 while the city paid about $79,000; council/staff said the parcel was purchased to expand park access and parking and that significant work will be needed before public use.
During the citizen‑comment portion of the Nov. 4 work session, Betty L., who gave her address during remarks, asked the council to explain why the city purchased an acre on Baker Street and what it plans to do with the parcel.
Betty L. told the council she inspected public records and found the county valuation listed the parcel at "$29,168" and said she believed the city "paid $79 plus" for the property. "It seems to me like you should have done looking into the future before you made the deal," she said, arguing the city "goofed on that one." Betty also praised city volunteers and thanked staff for recent food‑truck events.
A council/staff speaker responded that the intention behind the purchase was to expand parking and park access and to preserve the parcel for potential future amenities, such as a stage or amphitheater, while noting the property will require extensive work before it could be used for events. No appraisal or market analysis was presented at the meeting and no formal explanation of the acquisition process or negotiation details was offered; the matter was discussed but not resolved at the session.
The council did not take formal action or vote on the purchase during the Nov. 4 meeting; staff indicated more work and planning are required before development or programming of the parcel.
