Council declines to waive competitive bid requirement for 695 E. University parcel; directs staff to solicit offers

City staff asked the council on Sept. 11 to waive the city’s competitive procurement requirement so the city could negotiate directly with the Islamic Society of Brevard County, which submitted an unsolicited proposal to purchase city‑owned property at 695 East University Boulevard (a parcel the city declared surplus after relocating housing staff). Staff said the society owns adjacent property and requested to buy the city parcel.

Staff presented recent appraisals: $250,000 (2022) and $350,000 (2025). The Islamic Society’s offer was described in the meeting as $220,000. Council members expressed discomfort accepting an unsolicited offer substantially below the most recent appraisal and voted by consensus not to waive the competitive solicitation requirements. Council directed staff to prepare and publish a competitive solicitation for the surplus parcel and noted that any sale and contract would return to the council for final approval.

Staff said that if the city issues a solicitation the Islamic Society could still submit a bid and that staff would complete required survey and title work and then bring a purchase and sale contract back to council for approval.