Council approves new land sale policy

Citing a need to improve “transparency and consistency” in transactions involving city-owned property, the Rhinelander Common Council signed off last week on a specific policy to be followed when city-owned land is sold.

In a memo to the council outlining the procedure, city administrator Patrick Reagan noted that implementing such a policy is simply “common sense.”

“While State statute does not specifically address the procedure that a municipality must use to sell property, a policy  — which will provide transparency and consistency on behalf of the City of Rhinelander and its actions — is sorely needed,” Reagan wrote. “As far as I can tell, the only policy that currently exists is that the City is usually contacted by an individual or group that is interested in purchasing a piece of city-owned property, some negotiation happens, it is brought to the Council, and then it is sold. No appraisal is done. No bidding to get the best value. No concern for what will be done with the property once it is sold. The City needs to be transparent when we sell properties and this policy attempts to do just that. To me, this type of policy is sorely needed and is simply common sense.”

“When we’ve sold land in the past it seems like we’ve done it in various ways and the rhyme or reason can’t always be found,” he told the alderpersons during the council’s May 13 meeting. “I’m someone who likes rhyme and reason. What this (policy) basically says if this is a buildable lot based on its zoning, we’re going to have it appraised and we’re going to bid it out. If it’s smaller than that, we don’t have to do that. And council can waive this, if they so choose, if it’s in the best interest of the city.”

“I think that we should be getting maximum value for the property we’re selling,” he added.

Alderman Gerald Anderson wanted to know if the administrative team is reviewing city-owned parcels to determine if any should be sold.

Reagan stated that most often potential buyers contact the city to express interest in city-owned tracts. 

“Here and there, they tend to pop up,” he said. “I know we do understand that we have land. I’m not a big fan personally of holding on to a bunch of land unless you have a plan for it so we can always take a look at that...”

The council approved the new policy unanimously. It is as follows:

• The City Administrator shall bring to the Council the request to sell any City-owned land. Only upon Council approval shall any City-owned land be considered for sale.

• Any parcel of land owned by the City which meets or exceeds the minimum lot dimensions within the current zoning district (as determined by the Zoning Administrator) shall first be appraised to determine the property’s current, actual, cash value.

• Following the completion of this appraisal, said lot shall be placed for public bid, with the minimum bid price being the appraised value of the parcel. The minimum bid time shall be thirty (30) calendar days. The City shall advertise this bidding opportunity via a newspaper of general circulation within the City, through its municipal website, and through any social media platforms currently being utilized by the City of Rhinelander.

• All bids received shall be through a sealed bid process, in which the City Clerk shall receive bids from prospective buyers via sealed envelope. These bids shall be reviewed by staff after the bid closing day. This review shall occur in public, and bids will be read aloud and recorded by the City Clerk.

• A tabulation of these bids will be brought to the Common Council for consideration and acceptance at the next, regularly scheduled, Common Council meeting.

• The Common Council may, at its discretion, accept or reject any bid received.

• The Common Council, at its discretion and by a majority vote, may waive the bidding process should they determine that waiving the bidding process be in the best interests of the City of Rhinelander.

• Any parcel of land that does not meet the minimum lot size as set forth by City Ordinance may be sold by majority vote of the Common Council and need not adhere to the bidding process.

Heather Schaefer may be reached at [email protected].