Iola City Council members said no thanks to a proposed land swap that would have transferred a portion of Meadowbrook Park to the nearby First Baptist Church.
Council members voted, 5-2, Monday to reject the swap, which would have involved the church acquiring about 3 acres of land near the city’s disc golf course and donating that to the city in exchange for the portion of Meadowbrook Park that lies south of Meadowbrook Road.
First Baptist members proposed the swap earlier this year in an effort to accommodate a church expansion project.
Even though the city rejected the proposed trade, Council members were hopeful to find ways to help the stressed church find ways to expand.
The Council directed City Administrator Sid Fleming to approach church leaders with another proposal, involving land the city owns near the church on the other side of Cottonwood Street.
Councilman Jon Wells suggested the city transfer that land to the church for use as a parking lot, thus allowing the church to expand instead onto its existing parking lot.
“It would serve their needs,” Wells said, and it would rid the city of having two extra vacant lots to mow.
THE VOTE capped a brief-but-spirited discussion revolving around whether the swap would meet three requirements set forth by the state. (The state has a role in the proposal because Meadowbrook Park was built in 1972 using federal funding.)
The swap would be valid only if the parcels in question have “reasonably equivalent” fair market value, usefulness and location.
While no First Baptist members were at Monday’s meeting, Terry Sparks wrote in a letter to the city indicating the church’s willingness to improve the property for the entire community.
“We have tried to assure you that this swap will probably enhance the current park,” Sparks wrote, by adding playground equipment to the area.
“We see no reason why the neighborhood would not continue to have use of this area after we build a building.”
The church would be limited, even with a swap, because much of Meadowbrook Park lies in a flood zone.
Sparks’ letter resonated with Councilwoman Nancy Ford, who said she was intrigued enough to continue looking into the swap.
“I really think the church wants to do what’s best, not only for their congregation, but also for the city,” she said.
Ford noted having a larger disc golf course would allow the city to host tournaments, which in turn would attract out-of-towners to Iola.
Even so, several spoke out against the swap, inlcluding nearby residents Donna Lower Nordt, Deb Greenwall and Wes Orzekowski. The same trio attended the Council’s Aug. 22 meeting in opposition.
“With fair market value, usefulness and location, (the trade is) just not equal,” Greenwall said. Greenwall said Meadowbrook is used by folks of all ages for a variety of reasons. If the swap were approved, she said, the land by the disc golf course would be limited to a single use, and would be much less accessible for much of the community.
Councilwoman Beverly Franklin agreed.
“If we want more land for the (golf course) down south, then we should buy it,” she said. “I feel for the church, but our park there is a treasure. Kids play on it all the time. I just don’t want to see the city lose it.”
“I don’t think it’s a good idea for the city to do this,” Councilman Don Becker added. “I’m not opposed to the church’s expansion. I wish all churches could expand.”
Becker, Wells and Beverly Franklin were joined by Aaron Franklin and Austin Sigg in voting to reject the proposal. Ford was against. Sandy Zornes initially abstained from voting but later told the Register she switched her vote in favor of pursuing the land swap. Councilman Bob Shaughnessy was absent.
