The meeting was called to order by Mayor Russell at the above mentioned date and time.

Invocation (Pledge of Allegiance)

Roll Call of Members Present

Council members present: Bill Bellows, Gabe Campbell, Norm Carlson, Jr., Sherm Chamberlain, Shirley Gibson and Bill Haggard.
Council members absent: None.

DDA members present: Dan Barron, Fred DiMartino, Mary Feindt, John Kurtz, Hugh Mason, Jeff Porter, John Taylor and Jeannine Wallace.
DDA members absent: None.

Inquiry Regarding Possible Conflicts of Interest: None.

General Business

Acquisition of Old Middle School Site

City Manager Michael Wiesner asked DDA members and City Council to consider acquisition of the Old Middle School site and the School Administration Building property for the future use by the community. If developed, the properties could possibly be used for a new Library building, a City park, and overflow parking for downtown. The Old Middle School site has been appraised at $835,000; the Administration Building was appraised at $140,000. According to the School, a developer has shown interest in the property. The Library has a right of first refusal.

Mr. Wiesner recommended to Council and the DDA to consider amending DDA District boundaries to include the Old Middle School site and the School Administration Building property, so that DDA funds could be used to purchase the property. He also recommended that the City obtain the right of first refusal.

Council and the DDA discussed possible uses of the property; the unknown future of the Library and the School Administration Building; demolition of the Old Middle School versus renovation; and the issue of a parking lot bordering a residential district.

Roger Postmus encouraged Council and the DDA to purchase the property for future community use. Bob Timms asked if the City had considered other property for additional downtown parking. Jacque Merta reported that the Chamber of Commerce decided at a recent meeting that they would like to see the property purchased for community use.

Motion made by DDA member John Taylor and seconded by DDA member Dan Barron to approve expansion of the DDA District boundaries to include the Old Middle School site and the School Administration Building property [the expansion might need to be contiguous with current boundaries]; to consider the acquisition of the same; and to obtain the first right of refusal on the sale of the property. Motion adopted unanimously.

Motion by Councilman Carlson and seconded by Councilman Chamberlain to authorize Staff to study and consider City acquisition of the Old Middle School site and the School Administration Building property, and to obtain the first right of refusal on the sale of the same.

Motion adopted by the following yea and nay vote:

Yeas: Council members Haggard, Gibson, Chamberlain, Carlson, Campbell and Bellows.
Nays: None.
Absent: None.



Adjourn

It was generally agreed to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 7:42 p.m.