Resident asks council about buying unused alley; council outlines surplus and survey steps

A resident raised interest in purchasing a narrow strip of land running behind homes on Railroad Street and asked what steps the city requires. Council members and staff advised obtaining a current plat/survey, checking county/probate records to verify ownership, and noted that if the city owns the parcel it must be declared surplus and offered to adjacent owners (with public hearing) before sale.

Council suggested adjacent owners coordinate to share the cost of a survey and, if neighbors are not interested, to provide notarized statements indicating lack of interest. Staff also said they would check existing city surveys and consult the city attorney to determine whether an administrative surplus procedure is required; the resident volunteered to obtain the county plat map and return with documentation at the next meeting.