Board of Estimate and Contract:
RESOLVED, that an Ordinance adopted by the City Council on June 10, 2026, and signed by the Mayor on June 11, 2026, authorizing the rescission of the authorization for the sale of the City-owned property located at 50 North High Street, Mount Vernon, New York, designated as Lot 1072-30, (provided that the deposit submitted by Mr. Kenroy Simmonds in connection with the proposed purchase of said property shall remain in escrow pending further action by the City and the execution of any subsequent agreement concerning the purchase of an alternative City-owned property, subject to all applicable laws, regulations, and auction terms); be, and the same is hereby approved.
City Council:
AN ORDINANCE RESCINDING THE AUTHORIZATION
FOR THE SALE OF CITY-OWNED PROPERTY LOCATED
AT 50 NORTH HIGH STREET, MOUNT VERNON,
NEW YORK (LOT 1072-30)
Whereas, by correspondence dated June 10, 2026, the Secretary of the Real Estate Committee requested that the City Council rescind and withdraw any prior recommendation, authorization, approval, or pending authorization for the conveyance of the City-owned property located at 50 North High Street, Mount Vernon, New York, designated as Lot 1072-30, to Mr. Kenroy Simmonds; and
Whereas, the City Council finds it appropriate and in the best interests of the City to rescind the proposed conveyance of said property, as more fully set forth in this Ordinance, to be known as the “Ordinance Rescinding Authorization for the Sale of City-Owned Property Located at 50 North High Street, Mount Vernon, New York (Lot 1072-30); and
Whereas, the City of Mount Vernon acquired property known as 50 North High Street, Mount Vernon, New York, designated as Lot 1072-30, through foreclosure proceedings for the non-payment of taxes; and
Whereas, a letter dated May 26, 2026, was submitted to the City Council requesting authorization for the Mayor to convey said property to Mr. Kenroy Simmonds for the sum of Two Hundred Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars ($275,000.00), following his successful bid at a public auction conducted on May 19, 2026; and
Whereas, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the public auction, Mr. Simmonds submitted the required twenty-five percent (25%) deposit toward the purchase of the property; and
Whereas, subsequent to the auction and following an in-person inspection of the property, Mr. Simmonds determined that the parcel consists solely of vacant land and advised the City that he is unable to obtain mortgage financing for the purchase of the property under those circumstances; and
Whereas, at its meeting held on May 28, 2026, the Real Estate Committee reviewed all relevant documentation pertaining to the property and considered Mr. Simmonds’ request that his deposit be held in escrow while the Committee evaluates the possibility of offering him an alternative City-owned property containing a structure; and
Whereas, after consideration of the facts and circumstances surrounding the proposed conveyance, the Real Estate Committee unanimously voted to recommend rescinding the proposed sale of 50 North High Street and to proceed with consideration of an alternative City-owned property for potential conveyance; and
Whereas, the City Council finds that rescinding the proposed conveyance is in the best interests of the City and will permit the orderly consideration of alternative disposition options for City-owned property;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MOUNT VERNON, NEW YORK, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Title. This Ordinance shall be known as the “Ordinance Rescinding Authorization for the Sale of City-Owned Property Located at 50 North High Street, Mount Vernon, New York (Lot 1072-30).”
Section 2. Rescission of Prior Authorization. The City Council hereby rescinds and withdraws any prior recommendation, authorization, approval, or pending authorization for the conveyance of the City-owned property located at 50 North High Street, Mount Vernon, New York, designated as Lot 1072-30, to Mr. Kenroy Simmonds.
Section 3. Deposit to Remain in Escrow. The deposit submitted by Mr. Kenroy Simmonds in connection with the proposed purchase of the property shall remain in escrow pending further action by the City and any subsequent agreement regarding the purchase of an alternative City-owned property, subject to applicable laws, regulations, and auction terms.
Section 4. Authorization to Consider Alternative Property. The Real Estate Committee, together with the appropriate City departments and officials, is authorized to continue its review and consideration of alternative City-owned properties that may be suitable for conveyance to Mr. Simmonds, subject to all required approvals and legislative actions.
Section 5. Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or provision of this Ordinance is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance.
Section 6. Repealer. All ordinances, local laws, resolutions, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Ordinance are hereby repealed to the extent of such inconsistency.
Section 7. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon its adoption and subsequent approval by the Board of Estimate and Contract.