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Oakland council authorizes negotiations on potential land purchase after closed session
Summary
At a March 13 special session, the Oakland City Council voted 5-0 to enter closed session under Chapter 21.5(j) of the Code of Iowa to discuss a potential land purchase and, after returning, approved a motion authorizing staff to negotiate an offer.
The Oakland City Council met in special session on March 13, 2026, and voted unanimously to authorize negotiations on a potential land purchase after a closed-session discussion, according to the public minutes.
Mayor Brant Miller called the meeting to order at 12:02 p.m. Council Members Applegate, Bernard, Ford, Perkins and Reed were noted as present, along with City Administrator/Clerk Marissa Lockwood and Public Works Director Josh Billings. Council Member Bernard moved to approve the agenda; Applegate seconded and the motion carried 5-0.
Shortly thereafter, Council Member Perkins moved to enter closed session pursuant to Chapter 21.5(j) of the Code of Iowa to discuss a potential land purchase; the minutes record the motion as seconded by “Phil.” The council voted 5-0 to enter closed session at 12:03 p.m. and returned to open session at 12:47 p.m.
After returning to open session, Council Member Bernard moved that the council "negotiate an offer as discussed in closed session;" Perkins seconded and the motion passed 5-0, authorizing negotiation of an offer. A final motion to adjourn, made by Perkins and seconded by Applegate, passed 5-0 and the meeting adjourned at 12:48 p.m.
The public minutes record the council’s authority for closed session as Chapter 21.5(j) of the Code of Iowa and do not disclose details of the property, pricing, parameters for negotiation, or any instructions to staff in the open record. The minutes also list "Phil" as the seconder of the motion to enter closed session but do not otherwise identify that person; the public record provided does not clarify whether that name corresponds to one of the council members listed earlier. No further public action or detail about the property was included in the special-session minutes.
