Amendment of Municipal Code Sections 2-44-140 and 2-45-110 regarding property liens, waivers, debt and transfer definitions, reporting, and mandatory consultation by Commissioner, requiring agreements with prohibitions and time frames for development of approved plans
- Record number: SO2025-0018149
- Type: Ordinance; category: Municipal Code Amendments
- Status: Final
- Sponsor: Johnson, Brandon
- Committee: Committee on Finance
- Introduced: Jun 18, 2025
- Final action: Jul 16, 2025
- Official record: Office of the City Clerk
Roll call: Passed Jul 16, 2025
49 yea, 1 nay. This was a divided vote. On motion of Alderperson Dowell, and unsuccessful motion to reconsider by Alderperson Mitchell, the matter was Passed. Voted at the City Council meeting of Jul 16, 2025.
Nay (1): Raymond A. Lopez (15)
Yea (46): Daniel La Spata (1), Brian Hopkins (2), Pat Dowell (3), Lamont J. Robinson (4), Desmon C. Yancy (5), William E. Hall (6), Gregory I. Mitchell (7), Michelle A. Harris (8), Anthony Beale (9), Peter Chico (10), Nicole T. Lee (11), Julia M. Ramirez (12), Marty Quinn (13), Stephanie D. Coleman (16), David H. Moore (17), Derrick G. Curtis (18), Matthew J. O'Shea (19), Jeanette B. Taylor (20), Ronnie L. Mosley (21), Michael D. Rodriguez (22), Silvana Tabares (23), Monique L. Scott (24), Jessica L. Fuentes (26), Walter R. Burnett (27), Jason C. Ervin (28), Chris Taliaferro (29), Ruth Cruz (30), Felix Cardona Jr. (31), Scott Waguespack (32), William Conway (34), Anthony J. Quezada (35), Gilbert Villegas (36), Emma Mitts (37), Nicholas Sposato (38), Samantha Nugent (39), Andre Vasquez Jr. (40), Anthony V. Napolitano (41), Brendan Reilly (42), Timothy R. Knudsen (43), Bennett R. Lawson (44), James M. Gardiner (45), Angela Clay (46), Matthew J. Martin (47), Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (48), Maria E. Hadden (49), Debra L. Silverstein (50)
Former members who voted: Jeylu B. Gutierrez (Yea), Byron Sigcho-Lopez (Yea), Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez (Yea)
Plain-language summary
Written by AI (@cf/openai/gpt-oss-120b) from the ordinance text only: SO2025-0018149 Muni Code 2-44-140 and 2-45-110 Debt, Liens, Property.pdf. AI can make mistakes; the official document always wins.
The ordinance lets the City Commissioner waive or assign city debts and liens on vacant or abandoned residential or mixed-use properties in low-moderate income areas, if the new owner agrees to develop the site and follow strict conditions. It also sets up required consultations, penalties for non-compliance, and reporting requirements.
- Waivers apply to properties vacant for at least six months in low-moderate income areas.
- The new owner must sign an agreement to develop the property, not resell for two years, and guarantee the debt.
- A $500 daily fine is imposed for each day the agreement is not followed.
- The Commissioner must consult with multiple city officials and the local alderman before approving any waiver.
- The city will receive quarterly reports on all waived or released debts and liens.
Money
- $500 fine per party per day for non-compliance with the agreement
Who: Property owners or developers taking over qualifying vacant or abandoned properties, as well as the City agencies involved, are affected.
Timeline
- Jun 18, 2025: Referred, City Council
- Jul 14, 2025: Substituted, Committee on Finance
- Jul 14, 2025: Recommended to Pass, Committee on Finance
- Jul 16, 2025: Passed, City Council
Documents
- SO2025-0018149 Committee Letter.pdf (Committee Letter)
- SO2025-0018149 Digital Cover.pdf (Miscellaneous)
- SO2025-0018149 Muni Code 2-44-140 and 2-45-110 Debt, Liens, Property.pdf (Legislation)
- O2025-0018149 Mayoral Letter.pdf (Miscellaneous)
- O2025-0018149 Ordinance v2.pdf (Legislation)