City property sale to United Methodist Church on hold

A request for clarification of a legal description and consideration as to a possible restriction in sale of additional city property resulted in a delay Tuesday for sale of city property to the United Methodist Church.

Scott Bixenman, chair of the church's administrative council, appeared at Tuesday's public hearing on the property sale to address the accuracy on the legal description.

The church earlier submitted an offer of $1,500 on "Lot #4" on the former Westmar campus to fill its parking needs along with the option to purchase "Lots #5 and #6" adjacent to the site.

Council members, adhering to Bixenman's requested clarification moved into discussion as to whether a clause in the purchasing agreement for the property was too restrictive.

Council Member Delana Ihrke said she felt the restriction, which requires future possible sale of Lots #5 and #6 be "to a college or institute of higher learning," could prevent sale of the property. She added that no such buyers were presently seen as available.

Her concern was echoed by Councilman Ken Nelson.

The council proceeded on a unanimous vote to reject the church's purchase offer.

Council members did accept a $6,000 offer from Kay Powell, Le Mars, for city right-of-way property in the 700 black of Lombardi Road following a public hearing on the property sale.

A second offer, submitted by Linda and David Meis, was withdrawn prior to Tuesday's hearing with Meis explaining that his discussion with Powell's husband, Steve Powell, had assured him that maintenance efforts on the property could easily be worked out by Powell and himself.

Powell had said earlier his interest in purchasing the property was the result of his own earlier efforts to maintain the area and to do more extensive work at the property site.