An agreement between the City of Knox and Dean Wells has been reached on a building owned by Mr. Wells across from City Hall. Originally, Mr. Wells had offered the building and adjoining parking area to the City for $125,000. After securing two appraisals on the property, it was determined the City could offer no more than the average of the two which was $103,250. Mayor Rick Chambers announced that Mr. Wells would accept that price.
After a discussion on the matter, the Council voted 4-1 to purchase the property, with Councilman Ron Parker voting against. Parker expressed concern that the future is financially unknown and maybe the City should hang onto the funds.
Councilman Greg Matt seemed to express the sentiment of the other Council members when he said an opportunity to secure the property might not come around again, and eventually, the City’s need for space can be reduced with the purchase of the building. It was discussed, too, that eventually the police department might be moved into the new building.
Terms of the purchase are $28,250 down with payments of $25,000 a year until the end of the contract. It would also come with 5% interest.
In other news:
City Attorney David Matsey told Mayor Rick Chambers and the City Council members this week that he would look into the status of the bankruptcy petition filed by the owners of the Stelrema plant located north of Knox. The City of Knox is owed $92,000 made from a revolving loan extended to the company by the City. It was revealed that they have not been making payments on that loan.
Matsey said he would get back with the information that he finds on the matter.
