Property Transfer Ordinance

This ordinance, passed at last week's city council meeting, has disturbed some community members because it takes the responsibility of disposing of city property, specifically land, from the city council as a whole and vests it in the office of the Mayor. The ordinance allows the Mayor to transfer title of properties in residential the city has taken ownership of for delinquent tax liabilities. The Mayor may, as I read the ordinance, donate these properties to builders for the construction of one and two family homes without council approval. If no homes are built within 18 months, ownership of the property reverts to the city.