MEMORANDUM 08-90
TO: Mayor Hornaday / Homer City Council
FROM: Walt Wrede
DATE:
SUBJECT:
At the last Council meeting, during the Manager’s report, the Council engaged in a discussion about whether the City should proceed with soliciting bids for Lot 2 at the Old Library Site. You will recall that Lot 2 is the parcel which fronts on Main Street. Bids were solicited for this lot in December of 2007 but none were received.
After no bids were received, the Council had a discussion about why that was. There seemed to be a general consensus that advertising in the winter was a bad idea because of the Holiday Season and because properties are easier to market and tend to sell better in the summer. Council decided to wait and see how market trends evolved and / or talk about it again this summer.
During the discussion at the last meeting, I came away with the impression that the Council had many ideas about this and might want to discuss the issue in more detail. Some members seemed to be having reservations about selling the property at all. Others wanted more conversation and thought given to the best time to sell in order to maximize the benefit to the City. Some members felt that the Administration was already authorized to sell the Lot via Resolution 07-05 (attached) and to change that decision or delay it unnecessarily would break faith with the voters.
So, my purpose in bringing this memorandum forward is to give the Council an opportunity to discuss this matter in detail and to take action if it sees fit.
RECOMMENDATION: Reaffirm the direction and authorization given to the Manager in Resolution 07-05 and authorize solicitation for bids in July or as soon as is practical.
(A new appraisal is likely necessary).