Decorah City Council wants to lease the Folkedahl parking lot for five years

The Decorah City Council voted 4-3 Monday night to propose a five-year lease of the property on West Main Street owned by Marc Folkedahl of Decorah that is currently being used as a parking lot.

Folkedahl had also offered the city the option of buying the property--including the adjacent two-story house--for $330,000.  City council members turned down that option on Monday night.

Instead the city will propose a five-year lease on the parking lot.  City council member Steve Luse, who suggested the five-year term, said such a rental agreement would create a "more stable" situation.