[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Watertown: Art.
I, 6-6-1977; Art. II, 2-14-1983. Section 16-6 amended during codification;
see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Disposition of real estate — See § 247 of
the City Charter.
[Adopted 6-6-1977]
A.
Real estate acquired by the City of Watertown by purchase
at sales held by the City Comptroller of the City of Watertown of real estate
sold by him for delinquent taxes may be sold or leased at private sale at
a negotiated price without advertisement. The City Manager is hereby designated
as the official of the city to accept offers for the purchase of such real
estate from prospective purchasers thereof. Each offer shall be in writing
subscribed by the person making such offer, which shall be accompanied by
a deposit in the form of cash, a certified check or money order made payable
to the City of Watertown in a sum equal to ten per centum (10%) of the offer
or ten dollars ($10.), whichever is the greater sum; if the offer is accepted
by the Council, it shall apply on the purchase price, and if rejected, such
offer shall be returned within ten (10) days of final action of said Council
to the person submitting the offer. The deposit shall be kept in the custody
of the City Comptroller pending action by the Council.
[Amended 10-21-1991 by L.L.
No. 6-1991]
B.
The price of such real estate shall be fixed by the City
Manager, subject to the approval of the Council.
C.
The offer shall be submitted by the City Manager to the
Council for approval, together with his recommendation, which may be oral
or in writing.
D.
No real estate which has been assigned by the Council
to a public use shall be sold at private sale.
E.
The Council shall, by resolution, either accept or reject
the offer as it deems the best interest of the city requires; if such offer
is accepted, the resolution of acceptance shall authorize, empower and direct
the Mayor to execute a deed of conveyance or lease, whichever is appropriate.
A.
All real estate acquired by the city at sales conducted
by the City Comptroller of real estate sold by him for delinquent taxes commonly
known as "tax sales," as designated by the City Manager, and all other real
estate, or a franchise acquired by the city in any other manner, including
purchase, devise or gift, shall be sold or leased at public auction to the
highest bidder, after public notice, published at least once each week for
three (3) consecutive weeks in the official newspaper of the City of Watertown.
[Amended 10-21-1991 by L.L.
No. 6-1991]
B.
The resolution authorizing the offer of sale at public auction shall direct the City Comptroller of the City of Watertown to conduct such sale, that he submit the highest bid to the Council for approval or rejection, provided that all bids at public auction for the sale of real estate, as described in Subsections (a) and (b) of Local Law No. 1-1977,[1] shall be subject to a minimum upset bid equal to the fair value
of said real estate, or of such franchise, which shall be fixed by the City
Manager. The resolution shall provide that the highest bidder deposit at least
ten per centum (10%) of the bid price at the time of said bid with the City
Comptroller, that each lot or parcel of real estate shall be offered for sale
for cash only and shall contain a reservation of the right to the Council
to reject any and all bids.
[Amended 10-21-1991 by L.L.
No. 6-1991]
[1]
Editor's Note: See § 247 of the City Charter.
C.
The City Comptroller shall immediately submit the highest
bid to the Council, and pending its action, he shall retain the deposit in
his custody.
[Amended 10-21-1991 by L.L.
No. 6-1991]
D.
If the bid is accepted by the Council, it shall be applied
on the purchase price, and if rejected, such deposit shall be returned by
the City Comptroller within ten (10) days of final action by the Council to
the person submitting such bid.
[Amended 10-21-1991 by L.L.
No. 6-1991]
E.
Upon submission of the highest bid by the City Comptroller
to the Council, it shall, by resolution, either accept or reject such bid.
If it shall accept such bid, the resolution of acceptance shall authorize,
empower and direct the Mayor to execute a deed of conveyance or lease whichever
is appropriate.
[Amended 10-21-1991 by L.L.
No. 6-1991]
F.
A resolution approving an offer of sale or lease of real
estate or a franchise at private sale or approving the highest bid at public
auction shall be adopted by a vote of three-fourths (3/4) of all of the members
of the Council.
G.
No franchise shall be granted or be operated for more
than fifty (50) years.
[Adopted 2-14-1983]
[Amended 10-21-1991 by L.L.
No. 6-1991]
A list will be prepared and kept current in the office of the City Comptroller
of all city-owned property available for purchase.
This listing will be displayed on a map in the Municipal Building and
publicized appropriately with direct circulation to banks, realtors, neighboring
property owners and others with potential interest in the city property.
The city will negotiate on the sale of any parcel at the request of
an interested party after announcement at a public Council meeting of the
intent to commence those negotiations. This will allow any other interested
parties to come forward before a sale is consummated. After negotiations are
completed, the Council shall be advised by resolution that will provide for
approval of said sale as negotiated.
[Amended 10-27-1986]
The sale price negotiated for any parcel will reflect consideration
of such things as assessed value, costs of administration, outstanding bills
for taxes, utilities and assessments and any other outstanding claims, as
provided by Title XVII, § 247, of the City Charter.
The City Council will have final approving authority for any sales agreements,
upon clearance by the Corporation Counsel and recommendation of the City Manager,
as provided by the City Charter, the Municipal Code and local laws.
