City Council

TROY CITY COUNCIL FINANCE MEETING AGENDA December 21st, 2023 6:00 P.M. Pledge of Allegiance Roll Call Presentation of Agenda 3rd Quarter Review And Year to Date Review-City Comptroller Andy Piotrowski Public Forum ORDINANCES 92. Ordinance Authorizing The Sale Of Surplus Real Property Acquired By In Rem Foreclosure Of The Premises At 5 Balsam Avenue (Council President Mantello) (At The Request Of The Administration) RESOLUTIONS 121. Resolution Commemorating The 200th Anniversary Of The Original Publication Of “A Visit From Saint Nicholas (A/K/A ’Twas The Night Before Christmas)” In Troy, New York, On December 23, 1823 (Council President Mantello) (At The Request Of The Administration) 122. Resolution Commending Carmella Mantello For Distinguished Service To The City Of Troy (Council Member Steele) 1  ORD 92 ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF SURPLUS REAL PROPERTY ACQUIRED BY IN REM FORECLOSURE OF THE PREMISES AT 5 BALSAM AVENUE The City of Troy, in City Council convened, ordains as follows: Section 1. The City of Troy lawfully acquired real property at 5 Balsam Avenue (Tax Map Parcel No. 112.24-3-5) by in rem foreclosure deed filed on November 4, 2022. Section 2. Pursuant to Resolution 2023-57 (passed June 1, 2023) and section 83-3 (F)(7) of the Troy City Code, the City Council authorized the Mayor to enter into a Real Estate Brokerage and Agency Agreement with Heer Realty, Inc., for the marketing and sale of various parcels of surplus real property owned by the City, and the Mayor thereafter retained the services of Heer Realty, Inc., on behalf of the City. Section 3. Three credible purchase offers for 5 Balsam Avenue were received and reviewed by the Property Review Committee, which has recommended approval of the offer of Michael J. Flynn to purchase the property for $200,000.00, to be paid in cash with no mortgage or other substantial contingency, except attorney approval. Section 4. The City Council hereby authorizes the Mayor to execute a contract substantially in the form attached hereto for the sale and purchase of the City owned surplus real property at 5 Balsam Avenue to Michael J. Flynn, for a sale price of $200,000.00, subject to review and approval of the contract by Corporation Counsel and inclusion of such terms, conditions, and provisions as Corporation Counsel may require for the protection of the City and the public. Section 5. The City Council also hereby authorizes the Mayor to convey the parcel at 5 Balsam Avenue to Michael J. Flynn by quitclaim deed without warranty as to title or condition upon full satisfaction of the terms and conditions of the contract. Section 6. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately. Approved as to form, ____________________________ ______________________________________________ Richard T. Morrissey, Corporation Counsel 1  ORD 92 CORPORATION COUNSEL’S MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT The City acquired the parcel located at 5 Balsam Avenue (S/B/L 112.24-3-5) by in rem foreclosure deed filed on November 4, 2022. Thereafter, the City Council authorized a proposal sale of 5 Balsam Avenue as surplus real property for $40,000.00, but the selected proposer failed to complete the transaction. Given the value and condition of the property (it is in generally good condition and has an assessed value of $170,000.00) and the low range of the prior proposals, we listed the property at 5 Balsam with the City’s authorized realtor, Heer Realty, Inc., for a more professional real estate marketing program. Three purchase offers were received and reviewed by the Property Review Committee, two for $200,000.00 cash. All are attached. The Review Committee has recommended that the City Council approve the $200,000.00 cash offer of Michael J. Flynn. He owns other property in the City and has a record of excellent property management. No new offers have been received since the Council tabled the previous Resolution. Neither has anyone new indicated a willingness to pay $200,000.00 for a quitclaim deed. The attached contract will have to be updated. But the material terms will remain unchanged. Pursuant to the contract, the property will be conveyed for $200,000.00 cash to Michael J. Flynn without warranty as to condition or title by quitclaim deed as required by City ordinance. The sale restores the property to the tax rolls and places it under capable management. 2  RES 121 RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING THE 200th ANNIVERSARY OF THE ORIGINAL PUBLICATION OF “A VISIT FROM SAINT NICHOLAS (a/k/a ’TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS)” IN TROY, NEW YORK, ON DECEMBER 23, 1823 WHEREAS, the beloved poem, A Visit from St. Nicholas, more commonly known as The Night Before Christmas or 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, was first published anonymously under the title Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas in the Troy Sentinel on December 23, 1823, and later attributed to Clement Clarke Moore, who claimed authorship in 1837; and WHEREAS, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas is arguably one of the best-known verses ever written by an American, and is largely responsible for the modern conception of Santa Claus that has prevailed from the mid-nineteenth century to today; and WHEREAS, as the poem gained wide popularity, ideas about Saint Nicholas and the meaning of Christmas were transformed; and WHEREAS, before the poem was published, Santa Claus traditionally had been depicted as a thinner, somewhat dour, horse-riding disciplinarian; and WHEREAS, the poem in the Troy Sentinel painted a much happier picture and plainly was intended to delight children and the young at heart: it gave Santa eight tiny named reindeer who could magically fly from house top to house top drawing a miniature sleigh full of toys, and portrayed Saint Nick as a jolly old elf with twinkling eyes and rosy cheeks joyfully performing the hard work of miraculously distributing toys to children’s homes via the chimney on Christmas Eve; and WHEREAS, this year marks the two hundredth anniversary of the original publication of this beloved poem by the Troy Sentinel on December 23, 1823, a poem that helped change Christmas into the child-centered, gift-giving celebration it is today and that remains deeply etched in our childhood memories; and WHEREAS, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas and the 200th anniversary of its publication have even been paid tribute by Dr. Jill Biden as part of this year’s official White House Christmas display. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Troy City Council does hereby pause in its deliberations to honor and recognize this poem as a true Troy treasure that has brought countless hours of enjoyment and pleasure to young and old alike. Approved as to form, _______________________ , 2023 ______________________________________________ Richard T. Morrissey, Corporation Counsel 1  RES 121 MEMO IN SUPPORT 'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there. The children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of sugarplums danced in their heads. And Mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap, Had just settled down for a long winter's nap, When out on the lawn, there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash. The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow Gave a lustre of midday to objects below, When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer! With a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St Nick. More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, And he whistled and shouted and called them by name: "Now, Dasher! Now, Dancer! Now, Prancer and Vixen! On, Comet! On, Cupid! On, Donder and Blitzen! To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall! Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!" As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky, So up to the house-top the coursers they flew, With the sleigh full of toys, and St Nicholas, too. 2  RES 121 And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof The prancing and pawing of each little hoof. As I drew in my head and was turning around, Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound. He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot; A bundle of toys he had flung on his back, And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack. His eyes - how they twinkled! His dimples - how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry! His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow; The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath; He had a broad face and a little round belly That shook, when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly. He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself. A wink of his eye and a twist of his head Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread. He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk, And laying his finger aside of his nose, And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose. He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, And away they all flew like the down of a thistle. But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight, "Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night." 3  RES122 RESOLUTION COMMENDING CARMELLA MANTELLO FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO THE CITY OF TROY WHEREAS, on the 31st day of December, 2023, Carmella Mantello will be leaving the Troy City Council; and WHEREAS, Carmella Mantello has served the citizens of Troy for eight years as Council President ; and WHEREAS, Carmella has provided leadership, guiding the City Council in its checks and balances, holding regular financial updates to keep the Council abreast of City’s Finances; and WHEREAS, Carmella was the first to serve a four year term; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Troy City Council does hereby pause in its deliberations to honor and commend Carmella Mantello for her eight years of service, rendered in the best interests of the residents of the City of Troy; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Troy City Council transmit a copy of this Resolution to Carmella Mantello, as a token of appreciation. Approved as to form, _______________________________ Richard T. Morrissey, Corporation Counsel