The committee’s primary focus was on the proposal to declare a portion of land on Main Street, known as Bullnose Park, as surplus for leasing purposes. The mayor clarified that this area was not officially designated as a city park, allowing the possibility of leasing it for commercial use. Interest from a restaurant at the same address had spurred the proposal, with discussions revolving around whether a Request for Proposals (RFP) would be necessary, contingent upon the interest and valuation of the site. The mayor assured the committee that any existing structures, such as a fountain, could be relocated to maximize the space for potential leaseholders. A standard 20-year lease was suggested, with provisions for termination if the business ceased operations within a specified timeframe.

Concerns were raised about the lease’s length and the impact on local residents and businesses, particularly regarding access to adjacent city properties and flower beds. The committee emphasized the need to balance commercial development with maintaining public access to the space, reflecting broader concerns about the direction of city development efforts.

Another discussion involved the land at 13-17 West Line Street. The mayor noted the unique circumstances surrounding the parking lot due to prior planning board decisions that allocated spaces to private entities, placing a maintenance burden on the city while allowing private benefit. The proposal to sell the lot and issue an RFP aimed to streamline processes and clarify rights. However, apprehensions about potential parking shortages arose, particularly with ongoing construction at Rear Main Street. The mayor reassured the committee that the construction would be completed by December, though concerns about interim parking availability persisted.

The committee also reviewed a measure authorizing the mayor to enter into an intermunicipal agreement for veteran services with the Town of Hbertson, effective January 1, 2026, to June 30, 2028. This agreement was prompted by the resignation of Hbertson’s veteran service officer due to deployment. It proposed charging $2 per person based on population, maintaining current staffing levels without additional hires. Questions surfaced about the staffing of the veteran services office and Templeton’s status in the agreement, revealing potential confusion from an email by the former director of veteran services. The mayor clarified that Templeton had not yet signed on to the agreement.

Further considerations involved a downtown property under a license agreement with Massav Rentals. The committee explored the implications of selling or leasing this property, emphasizing the need for transparency and public participation through an RFP, despite the property’s exemption from such processes due to its size. The committee debated the sale price, previously set at $1,000, amid concerns over prior rejected proposals. A consensus emerged on the need for additional property valuation information before making a recommendation to the council.

In financial updates, City Treasurer Collector Jennifer Demick provided a detailed report on tax collections, highlighting 52% collection of preliminary real estate tax bills and 55% for personal property bills. She noted challenges with check printing, which led to temporary hand-written payroll checks. Improvements in the water department’s billing module were also underway to facilitate easier online payments. Additionally, the transition to Hub International for liability insurance was discussed, with ongoing efforts to reconcile accounts with the Community Development Planning department.

The committee also addressed the appropriation of additional funds from available enterprise funds for various accounts for fiscal year 2025. The mayor explained the necessity of formalizing unappropriated anticipated revenues by October 1 to meet tax recap requirements, facilitating year-end closeouts and the setting of fiscal year 2026. The discussion included reserve accounts for enterprise accounts and the general fund, with transfers requiring council votes to ensure transparency.