(A) When authorized by Council and monies have been appropriated, the Director shall cause the city to acquire by negotiation the land in the blighted area in accordance with the Urban Renewal or Redevelopment Plan. In the event that appropriation of property is necessary, Council shall initiate and carry out the proceedings in accordance with the Charter and applicable provisions of R.C. Chapter 163, and the City Attorney shall be responsible for implementing the appropriation of the property. Further, the Director shall then initiate such city activities as may be necessary to carry out the Urban Renewal or Redevelopment Project, including, but not limited to, the demolition, rehabilitation, or repair of structures (whether voluntarily by the private owners thereof or by the city); the removal of pavement, sidewalks, lighting, debris, scrap, solid wastes, capping, removal, and relocation of city owned utility lines; grading, construction of site improvements and supporting facilities, 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. This section shall not be construed to modify the authority of the City Manager and Auditor concerning purchases, contracts, expenditures, credits and the like.
(B) After determination that real property is not needed for any municipal purpose, other than the continuing municipal purpose of preventing the recurrence 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. The manner of disposition shall be prescribed by ordinance, and may be by negotiation, with or without any competitive bidding. If disposition is by way of competitive bidding for the sale, lease or other disposition of property, the competition and award may be on factors other than price alone. The City Manager shall execute, on behalf of the city, such instruments as may be necessary to transfer, lease or convey such real property in such form as approved by the City Attorney and authorized by Council, which form shall include all covenants, if any, running with the land, including any portions of the plan incorporated by reference.
(C) If the owner of any property in the project area is willing to make the use of such property conform to the Urban Renewal or Redevelopment Plan and the Council finds and determines that the acquisition of the property by the city will not be necessary if so conformed, the City Manager, upon Council 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 failure of the property owner to keep the agreement after notice from the city specifying such failure.
(D) In the execution of Urban Renewal or Redevelopment Projects, the Council may authorize, as to any appropriate projects or parts of projects, the employment of community improvement corporations, community redevelopment corporations, limited dividend housing corporations, and metropolitan housing authorities, as defined by the Ohio Revised Code, and may authorize leases, conveyances and agreements with such corporations related to appropriate aspects of such projects to the full extent of the powers possessed by such corporations.
(Ord. 6986, passed 10-25-94)