(a) Acquisition of Property. When authorized by Council, 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 and appropriate documents to transfer title to the City. However, 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 the City Charter and Ohio R.C. Chapter 163. Acquisition may take place at any time after compliance with Sections 153.07 and 153.08.
(b) City Activities Preparing Property for Disposition. After any necessary appropriations of City moneys and authorization of expenditures by ordinance of Council, after 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, and after certification of funds by the Director of Finance, where appropriate, and preparation and approval of legal form of contracts by the Director of Law, the Mayor shall make the contracts, purchase the supplies and materials and provide the labor, pursuant to and in accordance with applicable provisions of the City Charter and City ordinances, and provide such City activities as may be necessary to carry out the urban renewal projects, including but not limited to: the demolition, rehabilitation or repair of structures (whether voluntarily by the private owners thereof or by the City for 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; 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. After its determination that real property is not needed for any municipal purpose because continued public ownership thereof will not be necessary to the carrying out of the purpose of eliminating conditions of blight and because the sale thereof is necessary to carry out the purpose of preventing the occurrence or recurrence of the conditions of blight, 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 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 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 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 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 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 Mayor shall execute any certificates of completion of improvements or other appropriate instruments that may be necessary in accordance with any covenants in such instruments of lease or conveyance.
(d) If the owner of property in the project area is willing to make the use of his property conform to the urban renewal or redevelopment plan and Council finds and 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 end 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 agreement after notice from the City specifying such failure.
(e) 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 Ohio, 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.
(Ord. 63-67. Passed 12-4-1967.)