Summary Declaration of one Vacant City Lot as Surplus
Tax Parcel 03452-001-000 was acquired by the City by foreclosure deed on July 18, 2017. Deed acquired after a City Code Enforcement Lien was foreclosed in the Circuit Court of Alachua County. Present on the site was a dilapidated building leaning toward and in eminent danger of falling on NW 148 Place at 135 Terrace (photos attached). The City, upon acquiring title, removed the dangerous building and cleared the overgrown Lot.
City Staff, searched for, identified and worked for an an extended period with agents for and the heirs of the "heirs" property, offering to recommend to the City Commission a settlement of the Code Enforcement Lien (first offer $2,000) and the owners bringing the property in compliance with the code. There were countless statements to the City that the necessary probate action by the heirs would be filed and the matter settled. None came to fruition. The building continued to deteriorate and a foreclosure and clean up by the City became unavoidable.
There is no foreseeable public use for the parcel and it is of negative value (cost and liability of ownership exceed value). Sale will help offset the $5,778.86 attorney fees and costs of foreclosure and the clean-up cost of $3,250 ($9,028.86 total). The Tax Appraised Value is $9,600. City staff recommends the City Manager be directed to use his best judgment to offer the property for sale at a price and means he deems appropriate and to take steps necessary to close any such sale by executing a deed and other required closing documents.
Sale of Surplus Lot to Contiguous Owner
Tax Parcel 03950-005-000 was transferred to the City by Alachua County on May 9, 2006 after the county received title by Clerk's Deed. Property upon which taxes remain unpaid are deeded to the County when no bids are received at the public sale of such delinquent properties, such was the case here. Counties are then required by Florida Law to transfer properties located within the territory of a municipality to that municipality except under limited circumstances. Such circumstances did not exist and the City was burdened with the described vacant parcel that has no legal access but can gain such access when joined with contiguous Parcel 03950-000-000 (see attached map).
The described parcel is of negative value (cost and liability of ownership exceed value). The parcel was declared surplus by the City Commission on April 7, 2014 . On and off discussions have been held with Normadee A. Smith, now Normadee Smith-Selvidge, for its sale. Ms. Smith-Selvidge is the owner of contiguous Parcel 03950-000-000. City staff offered the surplus property to Ms. Smith-Selvidge by at the Property Appraiser assessed value of $1,600 plus recording fees of $29.70. The offer was accepted (subject to City Commission approval), the original cashier's check (copy attached) was delivered and verified by staff and the offer is here presented for approval. |