Douglas council rejects taxpayer payoff for Mehan parcel, approves federal easement sale and other measures

The Douglas Mayor and Council on May 13 rejected a proposal to accept a donated 6.35-acre parcel from Ray Mehan that would have required the city to pay about $33,454.27 in outstanding taxes, and approved an easement sale to the federal government that will fund drainage work tied to the Raul Castro Port of Entry expansion.

The meeting’s most contentious action came when Council considered the second reading of Ordinance No. 26-1230. Staff described the parcel (assessor’s parcel number 410-12-035) as unimproved land adjacent to the golf course with an assessed value of $36,378 and outstanding taxes dating to 2008. Mr. Pedroza briefed the Council on access limitations and potential infrastructure costs. Mayor Jose Grijalva said he opposed using public funds to cover a private owner’s tax liability and questioned whether a public appraisal or market valuation should be obtained first. The motion to approve the ordinance failed 2-5; Council Members Gustavo Durazo and Ray Shelton voted in favor, and Mayor Grijalva, Council Members Ida Pedrego, Jose Montaño, Maria Dillman and Richard Acosta voted against the measure.

Council members who opposed the measure argued the city should not underwrite private investment risk. Council Member Richard C. Acosta said constituents would prefer the owner put the parcel on the market rather than asking the city to pay the taxes. Council Member Pedrego and others recommended obtaining an appraisal before committing public funds.

Separately, councilors approved placement and first reading of several other municipal ordinances and agreements. They adopted Ordinance No. 26-1231 on second reading (7-0), which amends Chapter 2.02 of the Douglas Municipal Code to formally allow governmental updates by visiting agencies and to take effect immediately under the ordinance’s emergency clause. The Council also approved the first reading of Ordinance No. 26-1229, which aligns the code to reflect the Douglas Airport Authority’s long-standing advisory role rather than authority powers (placement and first reading passed 7-0).

On a matter tied to federal port expansion, the Council approved the first reading and placement of Ordinance No. 26-1233 authorizing the sale of an exclusive permanent easement over portions of city parcels (APNs 408-31-002E and 408-31-002H) to the U.S. General Services Administration. The GSA will construct a new drainage channel for the Raul Castro Port of Entry, pay the city $188,472 for the easement and cover construction costs. The city will assume long-term maintenance responsibility under a separate agreement to be negotiated later; the first reading passed 7-0.

The Council also accepted the donation of two small parcels from M & M Morris Properties LLC (Ordinance No. 26-1232) that had been subject to illegal dumping and liens; outstanding taxes totaled $393.31 and the first reading and placement passed (6-0 on placement; first reading approved). Staff recommended acceptance given the low tax liability and potential for future use.

On the consent agenda, Council approved Resolution No. 26-1733 to accept Operation Stonegarden grant funding ($289,500 allocation for overtime, mileage and equipment) and clarified that the Stonegarden equipment allotment in this instance was limited (Sergeant Gamez stated roughly $1,500 would be used for vehicle restriping) and that the Flock camera system was not being purchased with Stonegarden funds. Resolution No. 26-1734 (an intergovernmental agreement for opioid settlement disbursement) and routine expenditures and minutes were also approved.

What happens next: the Mehan parcel ordinance failed at second reading and will not transfer to the city unless the owner reintroduces the matter under different terms. The GSA easement proceeds and the ordinances that passed will proceed through implementation steps identified by staff, including a forthcoming maintenance agreement for the new drainage channel.