Real Estate Committee

CITY OF MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. Real Estate Committee – 2022 City Hall, One Roosevelt Square Mount Vernon, NY 10550 REAL ESTATE COMMITTEE Derrick Thompson – City Council President Dr. Darren Morton – Comptroller Stephanie Vanderpool – Assessor Donna M. Jackson, Secretary 914-665-2332 REAL ESTATE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES Meeting held on Friday, October 28, 2022 at 4:00 pm in City Hall, 1 Roosevelt Sq., Mayor’s Conference Room, Mount Vernon, NY. https://www.facebook.com/mountvernonny/videos/797893814836607/ 1. Meeting Called to Order: 4:06 PM; Meeting notice read by Deputy Clerk Jackson 2. Roll Call: a. Committee Chair Derrick Thompson, b. Comptroller Dr. Darren Morton, c. Assessor Stephanie Vanderpool, Corporation Counsel representative d. Joyce Brown, City Attorney e. Secretary to the Real Estate Board, Deputy Clerk Donna Jackson All members present; we have a quorum. 3. Approval of Minutes: Motion to accept the Real Estate Committee Meeting minutes of September 30, 2022 a. Committee Chair Derrick Thompson, motion b. Assessor Stephanie Vanderpool, Corporation Counsel representative, seconded c. Comptroller Dr. Darren Morton Roll Call; All members voted “Aye”; Minutes accepted into the record 4. Guests: Esther Osimeh, William Smith, Floyd Adams, Barat ____-, Nancy Jordan, Joseph Williams. a. Guest Presentations i. Ester Osimeh expressed her interest in the property located at 331 South Second Avenue. ii. William Smith, representing the company “It Was All A Dream Home Renovations LLC”, is interested in the sale of tax deeds, and also read a letter into the record and submitted a proposal to rehabilitate 89 various zombie homes in the City of Mount Vernon. iii. Floyd Adams requested a list of appraisals done on city-owned properties in Mt. Vernon. Commissioner Vanderpool explained that the Committee is in process of reviewing the list.  Page 2 iv. Barat Sengh submitted an offer on a property located at 328 South First Avenue on May 3, 2022. Assessor Vanderpool noted that the City is conducting an appraisal on the market value and they will reach out once it is reviewed. v. Nancy Jordan representing Four Corners LLC, is interested in 230 South 3rd Avenue. She would like to put in an application at market value. Her business associate, Joseph Williams, questioned if there was a zoning requirement, or if she should approach the City’s Planning Board, and the latter was affirmed yes. There was a further question on City properties and potential land banks. Comptroller Morton noted that the city would most likely do an RFP, and if the city does not own a property the City cannot accept an offer on a property. Citizens can go to the city website, to the public portal, and explore the database on city-owned properties: http://mountvernon.onlinepropertyassessment.com/ . b. Further Responses to Guest Presentations Comptroller Morton responded to Mr. Smith and clarified that the Real Estate Committee has jurisdiction over properties owned by the City. Some may not be in use by the municipality. Parcels may be easements and street corners, or an easement attached to a person’s property. The City controls properties it owns. Zombie homes owned by citizens require a process to remedy them, and there is a structured period before foreclosure is an option. The Planning, Buildings, and Department of Public Works have an internal committee that examines zombie homes to determine if they need to be leveled for safety reasons, and/or what maintenance needs to be conducted. 5. Correspondence: The following correspondence was received and read to the Committee by the Secretary: a. A letter from Frank Leonardo of Leonardo Printing Corp. regarding outstanding property taxes. b. A letter from Markis Latty regarding outstanding property taxes. c. Discussion in connection to Correspondence: • Comptroller Morton noted that his office has sent “Dear Occupant” notices to property owners with outstanding taxes requesting they come in by Sept 30th or face legal action. Council President Thompson encouraged listeners and homeowners to know where key documents (Deeds, tax papers) are and know if you are in good standing with payments. • Comptroller Morton further noted that the real estate property tax law is very clear. Unfortunately, being in receipt of a tax notice or not having a tax notice does not absolve the property owner of the responsibility to pay the taxes. While the compassionate view of the city is that we want residents to remain in their homes, the City is bound by the law, and the laws are specific for redemption, etc. 6. Comments/Open Floor a. Comptroller Morton noted that his office is completing the property appraisal process, the In Rem process is being finalized and checked for accuracy. He appealed to listeners stating, “If you know you are delinquent in taxes, please contact the Comptroller’s office. You are accruing interest every month that taxes are not paid.” b. Council President noted and responded to three questions submitted via Zoom (online). c. The next Meeting Date for the Real Estate Committee will change to NOVEMBER 18th the Friday before Thanksgiving because the last Friday in November falls on Thanksgiving holiday.  Page 3 d. In-person guest Mr. Joseph Williams asked about education efforts to ensure mount Vernon residents are informed about Real Estate issues. Comptroller Morton responded about having future town halls in 2023 to educate the public. Council President Thompson also noted that the Council of the Whole will conduct a seminar on how to remain in your property. To reach the Office of the Comptroller residents can call (914) 665-2304. e. Assessor Vanderpool left the meeting at 4:45pm. A quorum still exists. 7. Adjournment: Motion to Adjourn made at 4:55 PM by Committee Chair Derrick Thompson, seconded by Comptroller Darren Morton, and passed by Roll Call.