(A) Acquisition of property. As authorized by Council, the Urban Renewal Director, with the appropriate advice and assistance of the Law Director, shall cause the necessary steps to be taken to acquire parcels of land in the project area in accordance with the urban renewal or redevelopment plan, including, but not limited to, negotiating for such parcels and obtaining appraisals, title examinations and reports. The Mayor shall execute contracts for any of such services and appropriate documents to transfer title to the city. However, in the event appropriation of property is necessary, Council shall initiate and carry out the necessary proceedings, with the appropriate assistance of the several officers, employees, boards and commissions of the city. Acquisition may take place at any time after compliance with §§ 252.08 and 252.09 of this chapter.
(B) Preparation for disposition of property. After any necessary appropriations of city moneys and authorization of expenditures by ordinances of Council; Council action, where appropriate, to rezone property, vacate or dedicate streets or other public places and provide for the establishment and preservation of open space areas; certification of funds by the City Auditor, where appropriate; and preparation of or approval of legal form of contracts by the Law Director; the Mayor shall make the contracts and cause the purchase of the necessary supplies and materials and the provision of the necessary labor for such city activities as may be necessary to carry out the urban renewal project, including, but not limited to, the following:
(1) The demolition, rehabilitation or repair of structures, whether voluntarily by the private owners thereof or by the city for demonstration purposes in limited numbers;
(2) The removal of pavement, sidewalk, lighting and trees;
(3) The capping, removal and relocation of city-owned utility lines;
(4) The grading and construction of site improvements and supporting facilities;
(5) The temporary lease, rental or permission to let others use structures or parcels of land while owned by the city;
(6) The necessary relocation activities;
(7) The enforcement of any applicable provisions of law or conforming agreements relative to building, zoning and platting; and
(8) The repair or rehabilitation of land and structures remaining in private ownership.
(C) Disposition of property. Council may authorize by ordinance the transfer, lease or conveyance of any real property in accordance with and for the purpose of the plan, subject to such lawful terms, conditions, restrictions and covenants, including covenants running with the land, to assist in carrying out the purposes of the plan. All dispositions of real property shall be at not less than the fair value thereof as determined by Council based upon the proposed new uses and restrictions thereon to be imposed thereon under the urban renewal plan by Council through zoning ordinances, private covenants or otherwise. Such determination shall be made only after obtaining independent appraisals of such fair value upon the aforesaid bases, which appraisals shall not be binding upon the city. The manner of disposition shall be prescribed by ordinance and may be by negotiation, with or without any competitive bidding, and such competition and award of a disposition contract may be based on factors other than price alone. Two weeks publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the city shall be sufficient notice for the taking of competitive bids or of the execution of a disposition contract without competitive bidding. The financial and legal ability of those proposing to acquire or lease such real property shall be considered in all dispositions. The Mayor shall execute, on behalf of the city, such instruments as may be necessary to transfer, lease or convey such real property in the form approved by the Law Director and authorized by Council, which form shall include all covenants running with the land, including any portions of the plan incorporated by reference, and shall execute any certificates of completion of improvements or other appropriate instruments, on behalf of the city, that may be necessary in accordance with any covenants in such instruments of lease or conveyance.
(D) Conforming agreement with property owners. If the owner of property in the project area is willing to make the use of his or her property conform to the urban renewal or redevelopment plan and Council determines that the acquisition of such property by the city will not be necessary if so conformed, the Mayor, upon Council’s authorization, may enter into a conforming agreement upon such terms and security as may be authorized by Council. Such agreement may provide for the acquisition of property upon continued failure of the property owner to keep his or her agreement after notice from the city specifying such failure.
(E) Agreements with other redevelopment agencies. In the execution of urban renewal or redevelopment projects, Council may authorize, as to any appropriate projects or parts of projects, the employment of community improvement corporations, community redevelopment corporations and metropolitan housing authorities, as defined by the statutes of the state and, when authorized by ordinance of Council, may grant leases, make conveyances and enter into agreements with such corporations related to appropriate aspects of such projects to the full extent of the powers possessed by such corporations.
(Prior Code, § 252.12) (Ord. 242-1967, passed 11-27-1967)