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Council delays decision on selling city-owned Wisconsin property, seeks more DNR/FERC information
Summary
Council members expressed concern about potential hydro and regulatory implications of selling city-owned Wisconsin land and agreed to gather additional information from the Wisconsin DNR and other experts before ordering an appraisal or proceeding with sale paperwork.
Council members discussed a multi-parcel property in Wisconsin that the state DNR and a prospective purchaser have appraised. Staff said Wisconsin DOT/DNR had done an appraisal for the purchaser and that the city could expect a similar appraisal cost if it commissioned its own.
Several council members urged caution because the parcel is connected in the council's view to the city's hydro operation and FERC licensing; members said the city needed answers about regulatory risk and title implications before spending on an independent appraisal. One member said selling city-owned property is irreversible and urged due diligence.
City attorney/staff recommended more follow-up meetings with Wisconsin DNR representatives and utility staff to resolve outstanding questions. The council discussed the appraisal cost (noted by staff and referenced appraisal numbers near $8,000) and agreed to seek additional clarifying information from state representatives before deciding whether to proceed with a city-funded appraisal or a sale.
Motion status: No motion to proceed with an appraisal or to approve a sale was made; the item was discussed and will return to a future meeting with additional information.
