Minutes 12/10/2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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December 10, 2013 At a Regular Meeting of the City Council on Tuesday, December 10, 2013, there were present: Mayor Kenneth I. Wright, Vice Mayor Paige D. Cherry, William E. Moody, Jr., Marlene W. Randall, Elizabeth M. Psimas, Dr. Curtis E. Edmonds, Sr., Danny W. Meeks, City Manager John L. Rowe, Jr., City Attorney George M. Willson. Councilman Curtis E. Edmonds, Sr. opened the meeting with prayer, which was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Mayor Wright called the meeting to order and welcomed all in attendance. Motion by Mr. Moody, and seconded by Mr. Edmonds, to approve the minutes of a Called Meeting of November 25, 2013, of a Called Meeting of November 26, 2013, and of a Regular Meeting of November 26, 2013, and was adopted by the following vote: Ayes: Cherry, Edmonds, Meeks, Moody, Psimas, Randall, Wright Nays: None 13 - 499 -Presentation: • Presentation of musical selection by the Ida Barbour Early Learning Center. • Presentation of 15 year service pin to Councilman William E. Moody. • Detective Velasco informed City Council and citizens of Law Enforcement United Road to Hope. - City Manager's Report - 13 - 500 -Adoption of a resolution authorizing the purchase of 262 Roberta Street in the Sugar Hill section of the City. Vision Principle: Neighborhoods and a Sense of Community. Background: • 262 Roberta Street, an unimproved lot within Sugar Hill, was auctioned on Tuesday, November 19t" for unpaid taxes. • The lot lies within that section of the City commonly known as Sugar Hill, consists of 0.049 acres and has an assessed value of $15,450. Discussion: • The City of Portsmouth is the majority landowner within the neighborhood and owns all the lots surrounding this one. • There are no current plans for redevelopment within Sugar Hill but future land use is proposed to include active and passive recreational uses. • The property was being auctioned by the City for unpaid taxes. Taxes and fees associated with the property totaled $4,250. This was set as the minimum bid. • During the past year, City Council had previously authorized the purchase of several other lots at prices considerably less than their assessed values. • Patrick Small and Jeff Miller attended the auction to represent the City in acquiring this lot. There were no other bidders and staff submitted the winning bid at the minimum. Financial impact: • The purchase price of $4,250 will be paid from the Non-Departmental Budget in the General Fund. The lot will become exempt from taxation. Current real estate tax revenues based on the assessment and tax rate are approximately $196.00 per annum. Recommended Action: • Adopt the attached resolution. Vision Principle: Neighborhoods and a Sense of Community.