School seeks land swap for softball field; library site on city land considered

School district representatives informed the council that the district wants to obtain the parcel that holds the softball field to build classrooms and that the property is restricted to public use because it was improved with a grant. The district proposed an in-kind trade with the county; the school indicated it could purchase roughly three acres adjacent to the city’s 10-acre holding to assemble the acreage necessary for a trade valued in kind.

Mayor Beverly Pyle told the council the City could not simply give the land; the district would need to either trade or purchase property of equal or greater value. The council suggested the school contact local landowners (the Mankins) about purchasing adjacent acreage, and the mayor said she would investigate options and follow up.

Separately, Eva White of the Library Board discussed siting a new library on city property. Board members noted the candidate site flooded during recent rains; Mayor Pyle and Bill 'Mara were asked to review topographic maps to assess the parcel and to preserve space for other municipal needs such as a garage and fenced yard. The council recorded no final agreement; it approved using city acreage toward a potential trade in a subsequent meeting and set a target date for city occupancy vacating a shared space (Aug. 2 after a scheduled meeting) to allow the school to proceed.