Section 294. Redemption.

The sinking fund bonds to be redeemed from the general sinking fund or any additional sinking funds established pursuant to section two hundred ninety-eight may be selected in such manner as the comptroller may determine and may be identified on the face thereof. The principal amount of sinking fund bonds required to be redeemed on any date by payment from the general sinking fund or any additional sinking fund shall be reduced by the principal amount of any such bonds which has been timely purchased or redeemed and cancelled by the city and not theretofore applied as a credit against such requirements.

Section 295. Defeasance.

A series or part of a series of sinking fund bonds redeemable from the general sinking fund or any additional sinking fund established pursuant to section two hundred ninety-eight, including any covenants or other agreements relative thereto, shall be fully discharged and of no further force and effect at such time as (a) sufficient moneys or direct obligations of the United States or obligations guaranteed by the United States have been deposited in a separate trust account with a bank, trust company or other fiduciary, the principal of and/or interest on which will provide sufficient moneys to pay punctually when due at maturity or prior to maturity by redemption, in accordance with their terms, all principal of, applicable redemption premium, if any, and interest on such sinking fund bonds, and irrevocable instructions from the city to such bank, trust company or other fiduciary to make payment of such principal, applicable redemption premium, if any, and interest with such moneys shall have been given, or (b) such sinking fund bonds, together with interest thereon, shall have been paid in full at maturity, or shall have otherwise been refunded, redeemed, defeased or discharged.

Section 296. Investments.

Subject to subdivision a of section two hundred ninety-three, the comptroller may invest the moneys of the general sinking fund or any additional sinking funds established pursuant to section two hundred ninety-eight in any securities in which the city is authorized to invest, including but not limited to the following securities:

   (1)   Obligations of the city of New York;

   (2)   Obligations of the state of New York;

   (3)   Obligations of the United States or of any agency, subdivision, department, division or instrumentality thereof, or obligations fully guaranteed or insured as to interest and principal by an agency, subdivision, department, division or instrumentality of the United States, acting pursuant to a grant of authority from the congress of the United States;

   (4)   Obligations of the municipal assistance corporation for the city of New York.

Section 297. [Monthly and annual reports.]

The provisions of sections two hundred seventy-seven and two hundred seventy-eight of the charter shall apply to the general sinking fund and any additional sinking funds established pursuant to section two hundred ninety-eight.