DIDSBURY - Council has approved a new policy integrating the process for the sale of municipality-owned property in Didsbury.
The move came by way of motion at at December council meeting.
“It’s a brand new policy and this is being created from scratch,” said deputy mayor Curt Engel. “This policy is integration a new process. I think the policy is very good.”
Coun. Dorothy Moore said, “I’m definitely in favour of it because we need to have something like this in place.”
Coun. Bill Windsor, “I’m very pleased with where it is. This is a great start to having our policy for land sale, acquisition and expropriation in place.”
Policy #011-24 Sale, Acquisition, and Expropriation of Land Policy came before council following review by the Policy and Governance Committee.
The policy integrates a “new process for the sale of municipality-owned property, acquisition of land by the municipality, and expropriation. The process for land sale and acquisition established a clear process for the initiation, implementation, and execution of the sale of municipality-owned lands.”
Under the policy’s land sales section, council shall identify, by resolution, the lands that are to be considered or listed for sale, and a property appraisal and/or property valuation shall be undertaken for the lands to be sold.
“If council decides to continue with a plan to sell, the town shall go to open market through a request for proposal process to select a realtor to undertake the sale on behalf of the town. The realtor shall gather offers for purchase and ensure they include clear information in a presentation to council.”
Council shall be the sole discretion in awarding the successful offer to purchase, and council must approve the deposit required for the land sale, but generally will be 10 per cent.
Under the policy’s land acquisition section, land acquisitions may be undertaken via a blind purchase via a realtor and “when the town is interested in acquiring lands, council shall provide that direction regarding exploration through a resolution of council.”
The expropriation section, states, in part, that “administration will advice council of land identified for potential expropriation for the purposes specified in the provincial Municipal Government Act” and the budget for expropriation may be considered during budget deliberations, and amended as required, by motion of council.
The new policy also includes a financial section which states, in part, that “expenses for professional services incurred in relation to the consideration of the sale or acquisition of land will be approved by motion of council and determined on an individual basis.
“Where funds are received from a sale of land, the proceeds from the sale shall be applied as follows: Payment of professional fees including but not limited to costs for legal and realtor services, payment of all outstanding land sale expenses, and all remaining proceeds from the sale of land will be dealt with on an individual basis and approved by motion of council.”
The policy also outlines the information that may be included in a press release regarding sales, acquisitions or expropriation, including the value of the sale, the date of the sale, and in the specific case of acquisition, any mutually agreed terms of sale.
The new policy, which is available for viewing on the town’s website, was approved unanimously.
