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Receive a report regarding the process for the potential sale of the Chandler Creek property and take action as deemed necessary.
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INITIATOR: John Andrew, City Attorney
STAFF INFORMATION SOURCE: John Andrew, City Attorney
BACKGROUND: The City Council has been evaluating the potential sale of the Chandler Creek property, which was acquired in the 1950's after voters approved the sale of general obligation bonds. The funds were used for the purchase of land, construction of a dam, and other improvements to the municipal water supply of Lawton. On August 9th, 2002, City Council denied a previous request to declare this property surplus adopting the position "the municipality should hold the perpetual right to this property for the protection of the reservoir and waters thereof from contamination and pollution." Recent discussions have highlighted the need to determine whether the property can be declared surplus, and if so, to establish a clear, documented process to move forward with this consideration. The property's original purpose of protecting the reservoir must be taken into account, along with the legal requirements for selling municipal property.
CURRENT CHALLENGES:
1. Lack of a clear, agreed-upon process for potentially selling the property.
2.Concerns about maintaining the property's original purpose of protecting the reservoir.
3.Need to address the legal requirement of declaring the property surplus before proceeding with any potential sale.
On October 8, 2024, city council directed staff to provide a comprehensive, step-by-step process for the potential sale of the Chandler Creek property, including necessary actions to declare the property surplus and protect the city's water supply. That analysis is ongoing. This report will provide an update to council on the status of the analysis.
To assist in this analysis, city attorney has requested a review of the issues from McAfee & Taft. A partner from the firm is expecte...
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