Proposal Would Create Process for Land Sales, Leases

A New Britain City Council proposal would provide a process for why and how the city would consider selling or leasing city-owned land or buildings.

The proposed ordinance, or local law, being proposed by Ald. Aram Ayalon (D-3), says that it,

is intended to guide the disposition of City-owned real property in a manner which emphasizes the good stewardship of public resources, is transparent to the public, and which implements the City’s vision as set forth in its Comprehensive Plan.

The proposal would require that, each month, the mayor and Council be provided, “A list of all available City-owned property.”

The ordinance proposal would provide that, “A property shall only be considered for sale upon a determination by the Mayor and the Common Council that there is no current or future municipal need for the property.”

The proposal would require that properties to be considered for sale have, “a current property appraisal by a reputable appraiser,” and be advertised for sale.

The ordinance proposal would require consideration of, “a number of criteria,” for considering to whom to sell properties, including, sale price, future use and value, possible use by another government or non-profit agency, consistency with the City Plan and zoning and that the proposed use of the land, “is intended to improve quality of life in the City.”

A similar process would be provided for the leasing of city land and facilities.

The proposal would require that the city, “maintain an up-to-date list of City properties which are leased to non-City entities. Such list shall be reported to the Mayor and Common Council on a monthly basis and shall be posted on the City website.”

For sales and leasing of city property, a Selection Team, selected under the mayor, with Council approval, would, “review, evaluate, and score each proposal/offer, and then make a recommendation to the Mayor and the Common Council.”

The ordinance would also require that real estate brokers used by the city for sales and leases, “be approved by the Mayor and Common Council.”

The City Charter provides that,

No purchase or lease of real estate by the City and no sale or lease of any real estate belonging to the City shall be valid unless approved by the Mayor and the Common Council. The Common Council is authorized to enact Ordinances governing the purchase, sale, lease or other disposition of such real estate.

The proposed ordinance would replace two existing, less detailed sections of the city’s ordinances concerning the sale and lease of city properties.

The proposed ordinance is on the agenda of the March 25, 2020 City Council meeting. It is likely to be referred by the full Council to one of its committees, where it would have a public hearing. If that Council committee reports the proposal back to the full Council at a later meeting, it could, then, be enacted as a city ordinance.