The council’s decision to proceed with the sale of the property on Hotwell Street took center stage, sparking a debate among council members and concerned citizens. Attorney Matthew Thomas, acting as special counsel for the city, provided insights into the background of the property, which had returned to city possession after unmet development benchmarks were identified. Following a fire at the site, the council aimed to expedite the sale by issuing a request for proposals (RFP). However, the process came under fire for the speed at which it was conducted and the apparent absence of documentation required to assess the bidder’s financial capacity.

One council member voiced frustration over the perceived rushed nature of the sale, emphasizing, “I think we need to respect what a process is and as it’s laid out, just follow that process.” Concerns over the evaluation criteria were further underscored by the revelation that out of six reviewers, four had rated the proposal as insufficient due to missing documentation. The criteria for a “highly advantageous” rating demanded substantial supporting documents, including financial statements and letters of reference, which were reportedly absent in the current proposal.

The debate intensified as council members examined the implications of deviating from standard procedures, even when only one bidder was involved. The issue of transparency became a focal point, with members arguing that subjective reasoning should not influence the decision-making process. One council member stressed, “We can’t pick and choose when it’s convenient to follow rules,” emphasizing the necessity for objective documentation to validate any ratings given.

Amid these discussions, the council acknowledged the potential of the project but remained committed to upholding the integrity of the procurement process. They recognized the need for a more robust pre-bid process to ensure all criteria were clearly explained and understood by potential bidders. A commitment was made to communicate these concerns to the administration for future bidding processes, emphasizing the need for improved communication and understanding of evaluation criteria.

In parallel, the council heard from citizen Alance Hathaway, who raised concerns about abandoned properties in the city, specifically the Duro Finishing site and Hotwell School. Hathaway described these locations as unsecured, with broken windows and open doors, posing public safety risks and potential health hazards from hazardous materials like asbestos. His testimony emphasized the importance of addressing these abandoned sites to protect the community, urging the council to take decisive action against property owners to secure the locations adequately.

Despite the council’s focus on the property sale, Hathaway’s comments served as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges posed by abandoned properties in Fall River. His call to action highlighted the need for a comprehensive approach to managing these sites.

As the meeting drew to a close, a motion was made to refer the proposal to the full council with a positive recommendation.