Combined Committee of the Whole & City Council Meeting – May 26, 2026

The meeting began with the Committee of the Whole (discussion only, no votes) followed by the City Council business meeting. Major discussion centered on an unsolicited purchase offer for city-owned property at 402 South Main Street. The Council later approved a consent agenda including multiple resolutions, two proclamations, and two property line adjustment ordinances.

Consent Calendar

• New Business Items 3–9 & 11 – Approved unanimously without discussion:
  • Resolution for Cybersecurity Services – Authorized an agreement with Heartland Business Systems for renewal (amount not to exceed $200,291.49).
  • Resolutions Setting Public Hearings – Four resolutions setting June 9, 2026 public hearings for right-of-way vacations (VAC26-0002, VAC26-0005, VAC26-0011) and a utility easement vacation (VAC26-0013).
  • Resolution Awarding Bid IFB-26-31 – Awarded asphalt materials bid to Emery Sapp & Sons, Inc. for street repairs/resurfacing (lowest bid).
  • Resolution Awarding Bid IFB-26-33 – Awarded mastic sealer bid to Innovative Roadway Solutions, LLC for $236,484.70 (sole bid).
  • Resolution for Special Election – Called for a special election to fill the Ward 1, Position 2 council vacancy (replacing Council Member Gayatri Richardson).
• Utility Board Items 1 & 2 – Approved:
  • Shewmaker Phase 1 Amendment #4 – Authorized $602,604.00 for Garver Engineering for construction administration services on the Shewmaker Basin Interceptor Improvements (6,700 linear feet of 24" interceptor).
  • Change Order #1 – 48" Water Transmission Line Relocation – Accepted $212,171.18 change order from Garney for construction changes, adding 41 days to schedule.

Discussion Items

• City Property at 402 South Main Street (Committee of the Whole) – City staff presented an unsolicited purchase offer at the appraised price (approximately $3 million) for the downtown parcel currently used for library employee parking. Council members debated whether to accept, reject, or postpone the offer. Several members expressed concern about exacerbating downtown parking shortages, particularly at the library, and noted the city lacks a formal process for handling unsolicited real estate offers. Mayor and staff requested 180 days to explore options including a potential public-private partnership for a parking garage on the adjacent library surface lot. Council consensus was to let the offer expire without action and to develop a standard procedure for future unsolicited offers. No formal vote was taken as this was a Committee of the Whole discussion.
• Amendment #1 for SW 2nd & 'O' Drainage Improvements (New Business Item 10) – Staff explained the amendment reduces the storm sewer scope to approximately 200 feet to bring the project within budget (as directed by Council). The original design that ran north-south along O Street was eliminated; the revised design only serves the southernmost section near the highway. Council questioned the cost savings and timeline; staff confirmed the redesign is nearly complete and the project will be rebid. The resolution was approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• 402 South Main Street Offer – The unsolicited purchase offer was allowed to expire (Council consensus to reject/not act). Staff will return with a formal process for handling unsolicited real estate offers and further analysis of parking solutions, including a parking garage cost estimate.
• Consent Agenda Items – All listed items passed unanimously (roll call vote: 7-0).
• New Business Item 10 – Resolution approving Amendment #1 with Olsson Inc. passed unanimously.
• Planning Items (PLA26-0008 & PLA26-0011) – Both property line adjustment ordinances passed unanimously (roll call vote: 7-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made during the City Council portion.