City staff presented a proposal on Oct. 23 to initiate the formal process to vacate a 20‑foot unimproved alley between Reed Avenue and Cook after repeated encampments and public‑safety concerns in the alleyway.

The alley, dedicated to the city in 1910 but unimproved, has been the site of periodic encampments and hazardous debris, staff told the Community Planning and Transportation Committee. Staff said one cleanup found used syringes and estimated encampments have numbered as many as 30 to 40 people at times.

Staff described the statutory and local process for vacating an alley: the council would adopt a resolution declaring intent to close, staff would provide notice to planning commission, affected departments and franchise utilities, mail notice to abutting owners and those within 300 feet, then move the matter through planning commission and council readings. If council proceeds, staff would file a verified application in district court and follow the court's notice and hearing schedule. Under state law referenced by staff, vacated alley rights revert to the abutting property owners (the 20‑foot alley would split as roughly 10 feet to each side unless otherwise adjusted).

Staff said CDBG funds have been identified to assist with reestablishing fence lines for abutting property owners if the alley is vacated and ownership returns to adjacent owners.

Presentations, concerns and consensus
Staff told the committee they had received complaint calls from neighbors about camping, trash and unsafe conditions; staff also reported prior multi‑agency cleanups involving sanitation, police, mental-health outreach and other partners. A council member noted gas meters and other utilities in backyards may require easements and access if the alley is vacated; staff said they would identify those utilities and preserve necessary easements.

Committee members asked that the city do door‑to‑door outreach to abutting residents and not rely solely on mailed notices; staff said they will distribute door hangers and mailings as part of the notice process.

The committee expressed consensus for staff to proceed with the closure process and required notifications. Staff outlined a timeline example: adopt a resolution of intent (staff suggested Nov. 25 as a target date), routing to planning commission in January, first and second council readings in February, then a district‑court verified petition and hearing (state law requires court filing and public notice procedures before final vacation). Staff emphasized they will coordinate with utilities and noted that residents are not authorized to trespass on city‑owned alley areas while the property remains city‑owned; vacating would transfer rights to adjacent owners per state law.

Ending
Staff will begin outreach to abutting property owners and prepare the draft resolution of intent, utility and franchise-holder notifications and the planning‑commission packet. No formal council action to vacate the alley was taken at this CPT meeting; staff will return with the formal steps and timelines for council consideration.