Finance, Assessment and Taxation Committee

COMMON COUNCIL MEETING Finance, Assessment and Taxation Sonia Frederick, Chair DATE: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024 TIME: 5:30PM LOCATION: Council Chambers-2nd Floor, City Hall TOPICS OF DISCUSSION:  Ordinance 11.51.24 AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF 92 ALEXANDER STREET (TAX MAP PARCEL NUMBER 76.64-2-11) TO BENJAMIN MORTON  Ordinance 67.112.24 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF A PORTION OF TAX MAP PARCEL NUMBER 65.74-1-36, LOCATED BETWEEN LIVINGSTON AVENUE AND THIRD STREET, TO THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD HISTORY PROJECT OF THE CAPITAL REGION, INC. D/B/A UNDERGROUND RAILROAD EDUCATION CENTER  Resolution 105.92.24 A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL REAPPOINTING STEPHEN MCLAUGHLIN AS A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF ASSESSMENT REVIEW PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: YES Council Member Johnson introduced the following: ORDINANCE 11.51.24 AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF 92 ALEXANDER STREET (TAX MAP PARCEL NUMBER 76.64-2-11) TO BENJAMIN MORTON 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 0.03± acre parcel at 92 Alexander Street (tax map parcel number 76.64-2- 11) be sold at private sale, pursuant to the provisions of Local Law No. 4 of 1984 to Benjamin Morton. 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 approval by the Board of Estimate and Apportionment, and if approved by the said Board, the Mayor is hereby authorized and directed to execute a proper deed of conveyance for valuable consideration. Section 4. This ordinance shall take effect immediately. APPROVED AS TO FORM THIS 25TH DAY OF APRIL, 2024 ______________________________ Corporation Counsel Matter in strikethrough to be deleted. Matter underlined is new material. To: Shaniqua Jackson, City Clerk From: Brett Williams, Senior Assistant Corporation Counsel Re: Common Council Legislation Supporting Memorandum Date: April 25, 2024 Sponsor: Council Member Johnson ORDINANCE 11.51.24 TITLE AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF 92 ALEXANDER STREET (TAX MAP PARCEL NUMBER 76.64-2-11) TO BENJAMIN MORTON GENERAL PURPOSE OF LEGISLATION Benjamin Morton, the owner of the vacant parcels at 98, 96, and 94 Alexander Street, wishes to obtain the adjoining City-owned parcel at 92 Alexander Street in order to expand his existing garden. Mr. Morton has satisfied all City requirements to purchase the property. NECESSITY FOR LEGISLATION AND ANY CHANGE TO EXISTING LAW The sale of City-owned property requires Common Council approval. FISCAL IMPACT Mr. Morton will be obtaining the property through the mow-to-own program, pursuant to which he mowed and otherwise maintained the lot on behalf of the City for at least one year. He has performed this requirement to the satisfaction of the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services. Matter in strikethrough to be deleted. Matter underlined is new material. Council Member Robinson introduced the following: ORDINANCE 67.112.24 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF A PORTION OF TAX MAP PARCEL NUMBER 65.74-1-36, LOCATED BETWEEN LIVINGSTON AVENUE AND THIRD STREET, TO THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD HISTORY PROJECT OF THE CAPITAL REGION, INC. D/B/A UNDERGROUND RAILROAD EDUCATION CENTER 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 a 0.07± acre portion of tax map parcel number 65.74-1-36, located between Livingston Avenue and Third Street, be sold at private sale, pursuant to the provisions of Local Law 4 of 1984 to the Underground Railroad History Project of the Capital Region, Inc., d/b/a Underground Railroad Education Center; 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 approval by the Board of Estimate and Apportionment, and if approved by the said Board, the Mayor is hereby authorized and directed to execute a proper deed of conveyance for valuable consideration. Section 4. This ordinance shall take effect immediately. APPROVED AS TO FORM THIS 5TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2024 _____________________________ Corporation Counsel Matter in strikethrough to be deleted. Matter underlined is new material. To: Shaniqua Jackson, City Clerk From: Brett Williams, Esq., Senior Assistant Corporation Counsel Re: Common Council Legislation Supporting Memorandum Date: November 5, 2024 Sponsor: Council Member Robinson ORDINANCE 67.112.24 TITLE AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF A PORTION OF TAX MAP PARCEL NUMBER 65.74-1-36, LOCATED BETWEEN LIVINGSTON AVENUE AND THIRD STREET, TO THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD HISTORY PROJECT OF THE CAPITAL REGION, INC. D/B/A UNDERGROUND RAILROAD EDUCATION CENTER GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE LEGISLATION The Underground Railroad History Project (“URHP”), which owns 184-190 Livingston Avenue and 97-99 Third Street, as well as the former residence of Stephen and Harriet Myers, abolitionists and key figures in the local Underground Railroad, located at 194 Livingston and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The URHP is working to establish and construct a museum and educational center on the parcels they own. In order to do so, they will need to obtain a portion of the City-owned parcel 65.74-1-36, a paper alley which runs between their parcels. The remaining portion of the parcel, which URHP does not wish to purchase, is adjacent to a City- owned property and will likely be consolidated therewith. NECESSITY FOR LEGISLATION Sale of City-owned property requires Common Council approval. FISCAL IMPACT An appraisal performed by Conti Appraisal and Consulting, LLC on behalf of URHP valued the portion of the property which URHP wishes to obtain at $8,000. Matter in strikethrough to be deleted. Matter underlined is new material. Council Member Frederick, on the behalf of Committee on Finance, Assessment and Taxation, introduced the following: RESOLUTION 105.92.24R A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL REAPPOINTING STEPHEN MCLAUGHLIN AS A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF ASSESSMENT REVIEW WHEREAS, the Common Council of the City of Albany has the authority, pursuant to Section 523 of the New York State Real Property Tax Law, to appoint members to the Board of Assessment Review; and WHEREAS, the term of such Board members shall be for five years; and WHEREAS, Stephen McLaughlin was appointed to serve a five year term which expires on September 30, 2024; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Stephen McLaughlin is hereby reappointed as a member of the Board of Assessment Review for a term expiring September 30, 2029. Matter in strikethrough to be deleted. Matter underlined is new material. To: Shaniqua Jackson, City Clerk From: Brett Williams, Esq., Senior Assistant Corporation Counsel Re: Common Council Legislation Supporting Memorandum Date: September 6, 2024 Sponsor: Council Member Frederick, on behalf of the Finance Committee RESOLUTION 105.91.24R TITLE A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL REAPPOINTING STEPHEN MCLAUGHLIN AS A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF ASSESSMENT REVIEW GENERAL PURPOSE OF LEGISLATION This resolution reappoints Stephen McLaughlin as a member of the Board of Assessment Review. NECESSITY FOR LEGISLATION AND ANY CHANGE TO EXISTING LAW Mr. McLaughlin’s term ends on September 30, 2024 and he has expressed interest in continuing to serve on the Board. The Common Council appoints members to the Board, by resolution, pursuant to Real Property Tax Law § 523(b). FISCAL IMPACT(S) None. Matter in strikethrough to be deleted. Matter underlined is new material.