[Adopted 9-26-1979 as Ch. 30, Art. II, of the 1979 Code]
Whenever any parcel of land shall be purchased
by the City at a City Treasurer's sale for unpaid taxes and shall
have remained unredeemed by the parties interested therein for the
full period of two years allowed by law, the former owners thereof,
their heirs and assigns, shall, for a further period of two years,
be entitled to receive quitclaim deed for all the City's right, title
and interest in such parcel of land, upon the payment of all taxes,
municipal liens, penalties and costs, including charges in the nature
of taxes accrued subsequent to the sale as hereinafter set forth.
The Board of City Assessors, after the expiration
of two years from the date of every City Treasurer's sale, shall,
assess, both in the name of the City and also in the name of the former
owner, all parcels of land purchased by the City at such sale and
remaining unredeemed, and shall, for the purposes of this article,
charge each year against such parcels of land such amounts as would
have been assessed as taxes had the lands remained the property of
private persons.
A.
After the expiration of four years from the date of
any City Treasurer's sale, any lands purchased at such sale by the
City and remaining undisposed of by the City may thereafter be conveyed
by quitclaim deed to any person whatsoever upon the payment of such
sum of money as may be fixed by Council. However, before any such
sale shall be made, 10 days' previous notice thereof shall be given
by the City Treasurer to the prior owner of such land or lands, his
executors, administrators, heirs, known successor or assigns, by registered
letter mailed to such prior owner, his executors, administrators,
heirs, known successor or assigns, at his or her last known residence
and also by the posting of a similar notice on the premises. The City
Treasurer shall permit such prior owner, known successor or assigns,
to purchase such land under the terms herein provided, within such
ten-day period.
B.
Before any quitclaim deed shall be executed as above
provided, such land or lands shall be offered for sale to the highest
bidder, which offer shall be advertised in two newspapers of the City,
once in each paper. The sale shall be held within 30 days after such
advertisement, or on some adjourned date or dates, and shall be further
advertised by placing two placards on or about the premises to be
sold announcing the date upon which bids will be received in the office
of the Mayor. The costs of such advertisements shall be paid by the
purchaser. Council, by motion, shall fix a minimum amount for such
bids. The bid or bids shall be opened by the Mayor and returned by
him to Council, which shall, by motion, direct and authorize the Mayor
to execute such deed or deeds as it may deem most advantageous for
the City.
All quitclaim deeds under this article shall
be executed by the Mayor for and in the name of the City and under
the Seal of the City, duly attested by the City Clerk, upon the approval
of the form thereof by the City Solicitor.
All sales heretofore made and quitclaim deeds
executed and delivered pursuant to the original ordinance are hereby
ratified and confirmed, except in cases where lots or lands have been
improperly assessed or assessed by erroneous lot or block numbers
or erroneously described in any such quitclaim deed.
A.
No lease, sale or conveyance of coal land or coal
in place shall be made by any officer of the City on behalf of the
City, either under the authority of this article or otherwise. Any
attempted lease, sale or conveyance in violation of this section shall
be null and void.
B.
Any person desiring to purchase or lease coal lands
owned by the City shall make written application therefor to the Mayor
and Council.
