City Will Pursue Sale Of Triangle Park

The Wolf Point City Council voted on a 6-2 margin to pursue the sale of Triangle Park during its monthly meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 21.

The issue arose after Town Pump expressed a desire to purchase the park in order to expand its business on U.S. Highway 2 in Wolf Point.

Councilman Dean Mahlum made the motion, which was seconded by councilman John Plestina.

Carrie Manning and Craig Rodenberg were the only two council members who voted against the motion.

Rodenberg said he was split on the issue. He would like to see a business expand, but he doesn’t want to lose a green area.

Earlier in the meeting, Mahlum reported the parks and recreation committee approved by a 2-1 vote to recommend that the city pursue selling the park.

Mahlum said that local newspaper publisher Darla Downs said at the meeting that the city couldn’t sell the property on a sale price from Town Pump. The property needed to go out for bid.

Mayor Chris Dschaak admitted that he hasn’t researched yet if that is the required process. “I dropped the ball on it,” the mayor said.

Dschaak noted the city has the right to refuse any and all bids. The city is only agreeing to authorize the sale and not agreeing to a certain price or a specified buyer.

City attorney Montana Wilson will now research the proper process to offer the park for sale.

Mahlum said the funds received for the property must be earmarked to update or improve a different park or create a new park.

During a meeting in October, Town Pump’s officials stated a proposal that includes paying the city $20,000 for the property.

The company will use the land to expand its building and to add diesel islands and gas pumps. Town Pump officials said the assessed property value of the park land is $10,383. The process is anticipated to take a couple of years.