A member of the city council may recommend acceptance of a bid other than the highest bid for a parcel of surplus land provided that the recommendation is made in writing to the chairman of the committee 14 days prior to the hearing on bids for the parcel and contains the following information:
(a) The name of the recommended bidder;
(b) The amount of the recommended bid;
(c) The purpose for which the recommended bidder seeks to purchase the surplus land and why such a purpose is in the best interest of the city; and
(d) A sworn statement that the member making the request has no economic interest in the proposed sale of the surplus land, and whether the member has accepted a campaign contribution of more than $50.00 from the recommended bidder during the 12-month period immediately preceding the recommendation.
Whenever a recommendation is made for acceptance of other than the highest bid, the chairman of the committee shall notify all other bidders by certified mail of the recommendation and shall provide the other bidders with an opportunity to be heard by the committee before a final decision is made. The recommending member shall appear at the committee hearing and be available for questioning by committee members concerning the recommendation. The city council may accept a bid other than the highest bid as provided herein, only upon making a finding that the lower bid is in the best interest of the city. The finding shall include a description of the intended use of the surplus land and the reason for the finding. In determining the best interest of the city, the committee may consider, among other things, such public benefits as housing, economic development and recreational open space.
A deed conveying surplus land which is sold to a party other than the highest bidder shall contain such restrictions and covenants as maybe appropriate to ensure that the surplus land is devoted in a timely manner to the use described in the finding referred to in this section.
(Added Coun. J. 10-14-92, p. 22212)