Purpose

This bill would permit St. Louis County to sell certain land by private sale rather than through the usual public sale and bidding processes. The targeted lands include tax-forfeited property and county fee-owned land, with the goal of returning land to private ownership where it serves the county’s land management interests and to resolve encroachment issues. The conveyances would require review and approval by the attorney general.

Main Provisions

• Sec. 1: Private sale of tax-forfeited land in St. Louis County

  • Notwithstanding the standard public sale provisions in Minnesota law (and other applicable laws), St. Louis County may sell by private sale the tax-forfeited land described in Sec. 1.c.
  • The conveyance must be in a form approved by the attorney general. The attorney general may adjust the land description to correct errors and ensure accuracy.
  • Land description (Sec. 1.c): Government Lot 2 in St. Louis County, EXCEPT the South 760 feet, and EXCEPT the part of Government Lot 2 shown as Parcel 75 on MnDOT Right of Way Plat No. 69181, Section 18, Township 62 North, Range 20 West.
  • Rationale (Sec. 1.d): County officials have determined that returning this land to private ownership would best serve the county’s land management interests and help resolve a structure encroachment.

• Sec. 2: Private sale of county land in St. Louis County

  • Notwithstanding the public sale and competitive bidding requirements of Minnesota Statutes chapter 373 (and other law), St. Louis County may sell by private sale the county fee-owned lands described in Sec. 2.b.
  • Land description (Sec. 2.b): Lands located in Section 34, Township 51 North, Range 18 West, Brookston, described as:
  • Lots 1, 2, 3, 10, 11, and 12, Block B, including part of the vacated alley adjacent and including part of vacated 3rd Avenue adjacent (Brookston).
  • Lots 4 through 9, Block B, including part of the vacated alley adjacent and including part of 3rd Street S adjacent to Lots 6 and 7, and including part of 3rd Avenue adjacent to Lots 4 through 6 (tool house, Brookston).
  • The part of the South Half of the Northeast Quarter lying southerly of the Brookston Plat and westerly of County State-Aid Highway 31.
  • Rationale (Sec. 2.c): The county has determined that its interests would be best served if these lands were sold.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Creates targeted exceptions to mandatory public sale and bidding requirements for specific properties in St. Louis County, allowing private sales instead.
• Requires attorney general involvement to approve conveyances and to correct land descriptions as needed.
• Specifies particular parcels and descriptions, including tax-forfeited land and county fee-owned land, that may be transferred privately under these authorities.

Practical Implications

• Transfers could occur more quickly than through standard public sale processes.
• Some lands may be moved from public to private ownership to address encroachments or to better align with county land management goals.
• The attorney general’s role provides a layer of accuracy and oversight for the land descriptions and conveyance documents.

Relevant terms - private sale - tax-forfeited land - St. Louis County - attorney general - Government Lot 2 - Parcel 75 - MnDOT Right of Way Plat No. 69181 - Section 18, Township 62 North, Range 20 West - encroachment / structure encroachment - public sale - competitive bidding - Minnesota Statutes chapter 373 - county fee-owned lands - Section 34, Township 51 North, Range 18 West - Brookston - vacated alley - 3rd Avenue - 3rd Street S - tool house - County State-Aid Highway 31