Scott City will make counter-offer for land owned by UP railroad

The Scott City government will make an offer to Union Pacific Railroad soon to purchase a parcel of land on Main Street.

The Scott City Council voted 7 to 1 at its regular meeting Monday to authorize Mayor Tim Porch and city administrator Ron Eskew to enter negotiations with UP for a parcel of land on Main Street. The land is currently occupied by a parking lot used by businesses, civic organizations and churches. A historical caboose owned by the city sits on the lot as well.

UP has offered to sell the city a 40 by 44 foot section of the lot or the land occupied by the caboose and a few parking spots nearby for a price of $18,500 per acre. The city will make a counter-offer combining UP's two offers, Porch and Eskew said. The city attorney estimated the size of the land the city will offer to purchase at about 60 percent of an acre.

Ward 3 councilman Robert Tyler was the only one to vote against the offer.

Scott City pays $1,500 per year to lease the 90-by-600 foot area from UP. The city originally sought to buy the entire parcel, but that offer was rejected by the railroad.

In other action, the council:

• Voted 8 to 0 to approve an ordinance requiring outdoor appliances with doors to be secured with locks.
• Voted 8 to 0 to make the maximum penalty for nuisance violations a $500 and/or 90 days in jail. The penalty changed from a graduated fine structure to allow the maximum on the first offense.
• Voted 8 to 0 to allow fire chief to tint the windows on the city fire station, police station and city hall at a total cost of about $2,100.
• Voted 8 to 0 to start condemnation procedures at 1515 Broadway, 823 First St. East B, 1806 Fornfelt B, 311 W. Hopper St. and 1300 W. Mar Elm St. No. 30 in K&R Estates.

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182