City sells property in Highland Park

The Havre City Council approved the sale of a piece of city-owned property in Highland Park Monday night.

Before the last City Council meeting on Nov. 3, Havre resident Rick Svedahl had offered the city $10,000 to buy the 2.18-acre piece of land, located west of Optimist Park and north of Ninth Street. At that meeting, the council rejected the offer after Havre Mayor Bob Rice told them an informal appraisal by a local Realtor suggested the property's value was double that.

Before Monday's meeting, Svedahl doubled his offer to $20,000 and gave the city an earnest check for $2,000. The council approved the sale by a 7-0 vote. City Council member Jack Brandon was not present for the vote.

Rice told the council before the vote Monday that it could reject the request and choose to get an official appraisal, but that the city would have to pay for it.

City Council President Rick Pierson made the motion to accept the offer.

"Mayor Rice, I've lived up in Highland Park for 41 years and the only thing I've ever seen growing on that property is sage brush and plastic bags," he said.

Svedahl said today he plans to build a garage on the property this summer to house six cars he inherited from his older brother, who died in January.

"I inherited some cars and they need a place to go," he said.

Svedahl said the garage, which will be about 42 by 50 feet, should be done by the end of next summer.

The property is not zoned for commercial use, Rice said, and Triangle Telephone has two easements across it.

The council took up some other business Monday night.

Senior Patrol Officer Gabe Matosich was promoted to the rank of sergeant in the Havre Police Department.