The Mount Pleasant City Council has set a public hearing on a proposal to transfer ownership of the historic Second Baptist Church property to a local nonprofit organization.
During its July 22 meeting, the Council passed a resolution setting the hearing for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 12 during the Council’s regular meeting. The hearing will be held in the City Council chambers at Mount Pleasant City Hall, 307 East Monroe Street.
The city is proposing to transfer the city-owned property, known locally as the Historic Second Baptist Church, to Historic Second Baptist Church, Inc. an Iowa nonprofit corporation, without monetary consideration.
City Administrator Joe Taylor said the goal of moving ownership to the nonprofit is to allow the organization to pursue grants and other funding opportunities to restore and maintenance the historic property without being subject to the same rules and requirements that apply to the city and governmental commissions.
The proposed transfer would be subject to a reversion agreement. Under the agreement, the city would retain the discretion to take the property back if the nonprofit dissolves or ceases to exist, or if the organization decides to sell or transfer the property.
The resolution states that the Council must hold the public hearing before the property can be transferred. Following the hearing, the Council will receive written and oral comments and may then consider the proposed transfer.
The August 12 hearing will provide an opportunity for members of the public to comment on the proposal. Written comments can also be submitted to the Mount Pleasant City Clerk’s Office at City Hall, by mail, or by email to lori@citymtpia.com.
The public hearing is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. August 12 at Mount Pleasant City Hall.