Saturday, October 1, 2016

Dunwoody calls for Special Called City Council Meeting on Wednesday October 5th, 8 am for Real Estate item.


The Dunwoody City Council was going to hold a special called meeting on Tuesday the 7th but that has been changed because of a holiday to now Wednesday morning at 8 am.  A special called early morning City Council meeting followed by a yet to be named "Action Item" doesn't happen very often therefore I wanted to bring it to your attention in case you are interested.

Agenda (same as above) & watch live on Wednesday can be found on the link.  The video will break for executive session but it will restart if we present a business item immediately following.

I am not allowed to say much else on an executive session item until it is publicly announced but if this meeting is about purchasing real estate, there is policy that will be followed.
  • Policy states that "City staff will negotiate for “Letters of Intent” with land owners on properties the City Council has provided direction staff with direction on “terms and price”.
  • City staff will make the “Letter of Intent” public on the city website and through a press release within 48 hours of the city receiving a fully executed copy of the “Letter of Intent”. 
  • City staff will present the “Letter of Intent” at a public meeting, and at that time request a Resolution from the City Council authorizing the City Manager to execute a sales contract to purchase the property using the Letter of Intent as the guidelines for a contract. (PUBLIC HEARING REQUIRED) 
  • City staff will publish the executed sales contract on the city website. 
  • City staff will conduct due diligence on the property including at a minimum but not limited to: i. Environmental testing (Phase I required, Phase II and specialized testing if warranted) ii. Production of an ALTA survey of the property iii. Production of a MAI appraisal of the property iv. Complete title work on the property v. Other reasonable due diligence activities as warranted 
  • City staff will present the findings of the due diligence on the property at a public meeting and request a Resolution from the City Council authorizing the City Manager to execute any and all closing documents to complete the purchase of the property. (PUBLIC HEARING REQUIRED)
Looking at the City meeting schedule, I see an odd "Other Public Meeting" added to the schedule for Wednesday October 12th at City Hall at 6 pm?   I wonder if these things are related?

Another crazy thing (besides me talking in code on what is probably a very open secret to some), if this is a real estate deal honed and moved forward by the City Council it was probably done in the best interest of most residents but because there are Public Hearings, the City Council members can not lobby heavily for or against the item until which time the public process is complete and the public hearings are over.   That being said Council wouldn't push forward an item from executive session unless a majority of Council were in favor.  If the City of Dunwoody announces a "Letter of Intent" on Wednesday we would like you to fully review all aspects of what ever is announced, study the details and to provide feedback when appropriate.  Thanks

If I have confused a few readers, I apologize but I need to walk the tightrope of confidentiality as a City Council member, yet as a blogger disseminate public information to have you informed of public meetings and involved on what we are doing.  Long story short, everything will be fully apparent soon.

We live in interesting times!

2 comments:

Paula Caldarella said...

Thank you John for the information as there is a lot of rumor-mongering making its round in the community. I look forward to a decision that is a win-win for all parties.

Kcaj said...

Please proceed with the swap! Austin NEEDS to be rebuilt for so many reasons; technology, efficiency, security, and capacity concerns. Surely a new elementary school will benefit both local neighborhoods (tax payers)and Dunwoody as a whole more than seasonal, limited use/access rec. sport facilities. Go for it!