OSWEGO – At this week’s Administrative Services Committee meeting Councilor Nathan Emmons, through Kevin Caraccioli, City Attorney, requested consideration from the Common Council to approve a Property Disposition Policy and Procedure for city-owned real estate.
There is a policy in place, but it generally pertains to foreclosed property, he explained.
The new policy would revise the way in which the city may come into ownership of a property, while refining the manner of disposing of such properties.
Currently, there are a number of city-owned parcels that could be disposed of and the new policy would streamline the process thereby allowing more tax-exempt, city-owned properties to be purchased by private individuals and allowing the parcels to return to the taxable assessment rolls of the city.
“Last year, the city received 16 foreclosed properties. This year, we’ll receive between eight and more than 10. There is a lot coming into our portfolio, so to speak,” Caraccioli told the committee. “There’s no sense to hold on to it. We want to get it back on the tax rolls.”
The proposed changes in the policy would encompass any property the city receives, he said.
He has received calls from neighbors of such properties, and others, seeking to buy the property, he said.
However, the city has to go through a process where everyone has an opportunity to take part in.
The proposal would allow for some flexibility in that regard; a bidding process, either by public auction or by sealed bids, he said.
“Gone are the days of knowing your councilor and putting a deal together that never sees the light of day until the deed is filed,” Caraccioli said. “We’ve moved beyond that. This process simply streamlines what we have to do. It reduces the process from three pages to two pages and from 19 steps to 15 steps.”
The city has the option of selling the property or using a realtor.
The committee sent the proposal to the full council for consideration.
In other business:
The Engineer’s Office requested approval for the low bid of $174,000 received for the Eastside Wastewater Treatment Plant Roof Project that was submitted by WCA Roofing.
The other four bids were all more than $216,000 with the highest being $274,000.
The Engineer’s Office also requested approval for Change Order No. 6 for the general contract with Marcellus Construction Co. for the Combined Sewer Separation – Second 25% project in the amount of $0 for additional work for unforeseen conditions.
Deborah Coad, City Chamberlain, requested a budget amendment to the Sewer Fund line Item G 9950.0900 transfer to Capital Projects in the amount of $148,439 as reimbursement to P 1663 for the purchase of the excavator.
Thomas Kells, DPW Commissioner, requested a blanket authorization to hold auctions through Auctions Unlimited anytime it is deemed necessary without the requirement of council approval for each listing.
A list of items going to auction will be supplied to council before each auction, he said.
The Wastewater Department requested permission for Timothy Woodard to travel from October 22-27. This is for the Grade 3 Supervision and Technical Operations Course at SUNY Morrisville Environmental Training Center.
It’s the second of four courses needed to acquire his Operator Training License.
Caroline Anderson, Animal Control Officer, requested a budget amendment to the 2017 Animal Control operating budget in the amount of $15,000 to account A.3510.102 Personal Services-overtime.
Randall Griffin, Fire Chief, requested several intra-departmental transfers to cover the overtime expenses due to long-term injuries and vacant officer positions.
The six transfers total $63,500.
Kevin Caraccioli, City Attorney, requested consideration from the Common Council to approve an amendment to Article XIII of the Charter, pertaining to the Water Department and a process for appealing charges incurred by property owners who believe they have a meritorious defense for non-compliance.
The proposed new section, C13-11, would establish an administrative hearing process whereby a special committee of the Common Council, to be known as the Audit, Finance and Budget Committee would be established and appointed by the mayor, would conduct a hearing based upon a written complaint filed by an aggrieved property owner.
All of the requests were forwarded to the full council for consideration.
Discover more from Oswego County Today
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.