On January 2010, Council requested PRPL Staff to study a procedure to evaluate parkland for potential disposal.  In January of 2011, after 2 reviews of the evaluation procedure, Council gave direction to staff to proceed with evaluation of parklands.  In January of 2012, the Parks, Recreation and Cemetery Board (PRC Board) formed a sub-committee to work with staff to evaluate and recommend properties to be sold.  Of the more than 500 properties evaluated, 38 properties were identified as having the potential to be sold.  At the June 17, 2013, Work Session, Council gave direction for Staff to proceed with the sale of Lampman and Ramada Parks properties that had been previously identified. Within the last month staff was made aware of interest in purchasing a parcel of parkland in Briarwood Subdivision, which had been previously identified by the Sale of Parkland Committee and Staff as being suitable for sale.    

The Sub-Committee recommended to the PRC Board, and the Board adopted the recommendation to utilize the proceeds from the sale of parkland in the following order:

• Pay for costs incurred in the sale process.
• Proceeds to pay for park improvements in the area where the land was sold.
• Proceeds to pay for development of Community and Regional parks in Billings.

Staff, the Sale of Parkland Committee, and the Parks, Recreation and Cemetery Board recommend to Council the sale of Lampman, Ramada and Briarwood parklands.  See Attachment A Resolution.

City Council may:

• Accept the recommendation to sell Lampman, Ramada and Briarwood parklands, or,
• Approve the sale of part of these parkland parcels; or,
• Not approve the sale of these parkland parcels and provide direction to staff.
      
   

The sale of these parkland parcels will generate revenue and reduce liability exposure to the City. 

Staff, along with the Sale of Parkland Committee through the Parks, Recreation and Cemetery Board, recommends the sale of Lampman, Ramada and Briarwood parklands.