Finance committee authorizes purchase of four parcels from Madison Crushing and Excavating for future parkland

The Madison Finance Committee on June 15 approved register item 93444, authorizing the city to execute a purchase-and-sale agreement with Madison Crushing and Excavating, Inc. to acquire four tax parcels for future parkland. The committee voted unanimously to adopt the authorization after brief questions from members.

Alder O'Brien read the item into the record, describing the parcels as including property at 3328 Nelson Road and portions of parcels listed as 5185 Reiner in the Town of Burke and the City of Sun Prairie, and stating the acquisition would include a public access easement to allow access to the new parkland.

Lisa, a parks department staff member, told the committee she had spoken with county grant administrators and assessed a "very high likelihood" the city could secure a Dane County grant to help fund the purchase. "It likely would be around 20% of the total purchase price," she said, adding that the county is interested in preserving the land but generally not in owning it long term. Staff said the city would apply for the grant and return to the finance committee and Common Council for authorization when the grant request is prepared.

Committee members also asked about the parkland acquisition fund balance and whether there are outstanding encumbrances. Staff said they did not have the exact fund balance at the meeting and agreed to provide the figure by email after the session. Staff confirmed the East Madison Little League closing on another property has not yet occurred.

On details of the purchase-and-sale agreement, Lisa said the PSA attached to the legislation is a draft and that sellers have verbally agreed to terms. Staff said the purchase price is not expected to change, that they proposed a $50,000 reimbursement to the sellers to install a fence to allow public access, and that survey costs may vary. Staff told the committee the final PSA will be attached to the Common Council item expected on July 23.

The committee adopted the consent agenda with item 13 removed earlier; it then moved to adopt item 13 itself. Both motions were seconded and, according to the chair, passed with unanimous support. The committee adjourned after the votes.

The finance committee’s action authorizes staff to finalize and execute the agreement subject to the final PSA terms and any necessary grant approvals; staff will bring the final PSA to the Common Council on July 23 for formal consideration.