When, in the judgment of the Council, it would be in the best interest of the City to vacate a street, alley, portion thereof, or any public grounds, the Council may do so by ordinance in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

   Any proposal to vacate a street, alley, portion thereof, or any public grounds shall be referred by the Council to the Planning and Zoning Commission for its study and recommendation prior to further consideration by the Council. The Commission shall submit a written report including recommendations to the Council within 30 days after the date the proposed vacation is referred to the Commission.

   The Council shall cause to be published a notice of public hearing of the time at which the proposal to vacate shall be considered.

   No street, alley, portion thereof, or any public grounds shall be vacated unless the Council finds that:

   1.   Public Use. The street, alley, portion thereof, or any public ground proposed to be vacated is not needed for the use of the public, and therefore, its maintenance at public expense is no longer justified.

   2.   Abutting Property. The proposed vacation will not deny owners of property abutting on the street or alley reasonable access to their property.

   When in the judgment of the Council it would be in the best interest of the City to dispose of a vacated street or alley, portion thereof or public ground, the Council may do so in accordance with the provisions of Section 364.7 of the Code of Iowa.

   The City may not dispose of real property by gift except to a governmental body for a public purpose or to a fair.