138.09 EXECUTION OF PROJECTS.

   (a)    Acquisition of Property. The Director of Community Development with the appropriate advice and assistance of the Law Director and upon the recommendation of the Mayor, shall cause the necessary steps to be taken to acquire the parcels of land in the project area in accordance with the urban renewal or redevelopment plan, including but not limited to the negotiation for such parcels, obtaining appraisals, title examinations and reports, executing contracts for any of such services to the extent funds are appropriated therefor, and after Council authorization, shall execute the appropriate documents to purchase land and transfer title to the City; provided that in the event appropriation of property is necessary, Council shall initiate and carry out, with the appropriate assistance of the several officers, employees, boards, and commissions of the City, the proceedings in accordance with Ohio R. C. Chapters 719 and 163.

   (b)    City Activities Preparing Property for Disposition. After any necessary appro priations of City moneys and authorization of expenditures by ordinances of Council in accordance with Ohio R. C. Chapter 5705, 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 pursuant to Ohio R. C. Chapters 711, 713 and 723 and applicable City ordinances, approvals and directions of the Board of Control, where appropriate, pursuant to Ohio R. C. 733.22, certification of funds by the Director of Finance, where appropriate, pursuant to Ohio R. C. 5705.41, and preparation of or approval of legal form of contracts by the Director of Law, the Director of Community Development shall make the contracts, purchase the supplies and materials and provide the labor, pursuant to and in accordance with the applicable provisions, including the competitive bidding requirements of Ohio R. C. 735.05 through 735. 09, Ohio R. C. Chapter 153 and Ohio R. C. 723.52 and 723.53 for such City activities as may be necessary to carry out the urban renewal project; including but not limited to the demolition, rehabilitation or repair of structure, whether voluntarily by the private owners thereof or by the City or demonstration purposes in limited numbers, the removal of pavement, sidewalks, lighting and trees, capping, removal and relocation of City-owned utility lines, grading, construction of site improvements and supporting facilities and the temporary lease, rental or permission to let others use structures or parcels of land while owned by the City, relocation activities and the enforcement of any applicable provisions of law or conforming agreements relative to building, zoning, platting and the repair or rehabilitation of land and structures remaining in private ownership.

   (c)    Disposition of Property. The Director of Community Development is authorized to negotiate for the sale or lease of urban renewal property which is not to be retained by the City for uses in accordance with the urban renewal plan. Pursuant to Ohio R. C. 721.01, 721.03- and 721. 28, after its determination that real property is not needed for Municipal use, Council may authorize by ordinance the transfer, lease or conveyance of any real property in accordance with and for the purposes of the plan, subject to such lawful terms, conditions, restrictions and covenants, including all 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 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 covenant or otherwise. Such determination shall be made only after obtaining independent appraisals of such fair value upon the aforesaid basis, 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-week publication of notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the City shall be sufficient notice for the taking of competitive bids. The financial and legal ability of those proposing to acquire or lease such real property shall be considered in all dispositions. The Mayor and Director of Community Development 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 Director of Law and authorized by Council, which form shall include all covenants running with the land, including any portions of the plan incorporated by reference. The Director 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)    The Director or the relocation officer shall assume responsibility for assisting displaced individuals, families or businesses in such manner and form as may be authorized by Council, and he is authorized to expend funds allocated or otherwise available to the Department for such purposes.

(Ord. 104-1971. Passed 4-26-71.)