Finance, Assessment and Taxation Committee

COMMON COUNCIL MEETING FINANCE, ASSESSMENT AND TAXATION COMMITTEE Sonia Frederick, Chair DATE/TIME: Thursday, February 23, 2023 at 6:00 PM LOCATION: Council Chambers-2nd Floor. City Hall TOPIC(S) OF DISCUSSION/CONSIDERATION:  Ordinance Number 2.11.23 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CONVEYANCE OF CLINTON STREET COMMON ALLEY (TAX MAP PARCEL NUMBER 76.72-2-67) TO JUDITH CURRY  Ordinance Number 48.121.22 AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF THE CITY-OWNED PARCEL AT 507 FIRST STREET (TAX MAP PARCEL NUMBER 65.47- 2-25) TO SHAWN FORD PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: YES Matter in strikethrough to be deleted. Matter underlined is new material. Council Member Frederick introduced the following: Ordinance Number 2.11.23 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CONVEYANCE OF CLINTON STREET COMMON ALLEY (TAX MAP PARCEL NUMBER 76.72-2-67) TO JUDITH CURRY The City of Albany, in Common Council convened, does hereby ordain and enact: Section 1. It is hereby ordered and directed that all the right, title and interest of the City of Albany in and to the 0.01± acre parcel (tax map parcel number 76.72-2-67) adjacent to 149 Clinton Street be sold at private sale pursuant to the provisions of Local Law No. 4 of 1984 to Judith Curry. SUBJECT to all easements, restrictions and rights-of-way of record. Section 2. It is hereby determined that the aforesaid property has been abandoned for municipal or public purposes. Section 3. The form, content, terms and conditions of such conveyance shall be approved by the Corporation Counsel and shall be subject to the approval of the Board of Estimate and Apportionment, and if approved by said Board, the Mayor is hereby authorized and directed to execute a proper deed of conveyance for a valuable consideration. Section 4. This ordinance shall take effect immediately. APPROVED AS TO FORM THIS 23RD DAY OF DECEMBER, 2022 _________________________________ Corporation Counsel Matter in strikethrough to be deleted. Matter underlined is new material. To: Danielle Gillespie, City Clerk From: Brett Williams, Esq., Senior Assistant Corporation Counsel Re: Common Council Legislation Supporting Memorandum Date: December 23, 2022 Sponsor: Council Member Frederick ORDINANCE NUMBER 2.11.23 TITLE AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CONVEYANCE OF CLINTON STREET COMMON ALLEY (TAX MAP PARCEL NUMBER 76.72-2-67) TO JUDITH CURRY GENERAL PURPOSE OF LEGISLATION & SPECIFICS OF REAL PROPERTY SALE Judith Curry owns 149 Clinton Street, a parcel on which sits a one family residence. She is also the holder of a deed granting her the 60’ x 4’ alleyway adjacent to the southern side of the 149 Clinton St. property. At least as far back as 1906, these parcels have always been conveyed together. However, certain records, including the Albany County GIS system and the City’s tax rolls indicate that the alleyway is actually owned by the City of Albany. It is unclear how or why, at some point either in 1906 or before the parcel began to be exchanged among private parties, but since that time the owners of 149 Clinton St. have maintained and used the alleyway as if it was their own. Indeed, as can be seen in the below image, there is a gate across the alleyway to which it seems the City has never expressed opposition. By authorizing the City to execute a quitclaim deed transferring whatever interest it may have in the alleyway to Ms. Curry, this ordinance will merely allow the City to confirm, legally, what has already been in practice for at least the past 117 years – that the owner of 149 Clinton Street is also the owner of the adjacent alleyway Matter in strikethrough to be deleted. Matter underlined is new material. The form, content, terms and conditions of the conveyance, once authorized, will be approved by the Corporation Counsel. NECESSITY FOR LEGISLATION AND ANY CHANGE TO EXISTING LAW Under Local Law 4 of 1984, the sale of City-owned property requires Council approval by a three- fourths majority vote. This is accomplished by ordinance. FISCAL IMPACT(S) De minimis. Matter in strikethrough to be deleted. Matter underlined is new material. Council Member Robinson introduced the following: Ordinance Number 48.121.22 AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF THE CITY-OWNED PARCEL AT 507 FIRST STREET (TAX MAP PARCEL NUMBER 65.47- 2-25) TO SHAWN FORD The City of Albany, in Common Council convened, does hereby ordain and enact: Section 1. It is hereby ordered and directed that all the right, title, and interest of the City of Albany in and to the 0.06± acre parcel at 507 First Street (tax map parcel number 65.47-2-25), be sold at private sale pursuant to the provisions of Local Law No. 4 of 1984 to Shawn Ford, SUBJECT to all easements, restrictions and rights-of-way of record. Section 2. It is hereby determined that the aforesaid property has been abandoned for municipal or public purposes. Section 3. The form, content, terms and conditions of such conveyance shall be approved by the Corporation Counsel and shall be subject to the approval of the Board of Estimate and Apportionment, and if approved by said Board, the Mayor is hereby authorized and directed to execute a proper deed of conveyance for a valuable consideration. Section 4. This ordinance shall take effect immediately. APPROVED AS TO FORM THIS 21ST DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2022. _________________________________ Corporation Counsel Matter in strikethrough to be deleted. Matter underlined is new material. To: Danielle Gillespie, City Clerk From: Brett Williams, Esq., Senior Assistant Corporation Counsel Re: Common Council Legislation Supporting Memorandum Date: November 21, 2022 Sponsor: Council Member Robinson ORDINANCE NUMBER 48.121.22 TITLE AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF THE CITY- OWNED PARCEL AT 507 FIRST STREET (TAX MAP PARCEL NUMBER 65.47-2-25) TO SHAWN FORD GENERAL PURPOSE OF LEGISLATION This legislation authorizes the sale of 507 First Street to Shawn Ford, owner of the adjacent 505 First Street. This proposed property disposition request was reviewed by the Technical Review Committee on July 14, 2022, and all departmental comments have now been addressed. The form, content, terms and conditions of the conveyance, once authorized, will be approved by the Corporation Counsel. NECESSITY FOR LEGISLATION AND ANY CHANGE TO EXISTING LAW Under Local Law 4 of 1984, the sale of City-owned property requires Council approval by a three- fourths majority vote. SPECIFICS OF REAL PROPERTY SALE OR ACQUISITION (if applicable) Until recently, 507 First Street was occupied by a derelict one-family residence which was, in its state of disrepair, causing structural damage to the adjacent building at 505 First Street. The City working in concert with the County, took title to and demolished the structure on 507 First Street earlier this year. Mr. Ford had maintained the grounds of 507 for a number of years. Mr. Ford will be required to consolidate the now-vacant 507 First Street with his existing lot. FISCAL IMPACT(S) Matter in strikethrough to be deleted. Matter underlined is new material. Mr. Ford has provided an appraisal (included herewith) indicating that the fair market value of 507 First St., as a vacant parcel is $2,500. Note that the property appears on the assessment roll in its pre-demolition state; thus, the assessed value of $50,000 is not valid. Matter in strikethrough to be deleted. Matter underlined is new material.