Council Approval of the Exclusive Right Agreements Emergency Declaration Resolution of 1999

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A PROPOSED RESOLUTION IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

To declare the existence of an emergency, with respect to the need to ensure the participation of the Mayor and the Council in decisions of the Redevelopment Land Agency to grant exclusive right agreements for the disposal of public property.

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this resolution may be cited as the "Council Approval of Exclusive Right Agreements Emergency Declaration Resolution of 1999"

Sec. 2.(a) The Redevelopment Land Agency ("Agency") was established by law in 1946. When it was constituted, its powers did not contemplate an elected Mayor and Council of the District of Columbia.

(b) There currently exists a Redevelopment Land Agency proposal that has brought to our attention the need for participation by the Mayor and the Council in the process of granting exclusive right agreements.

(c) The Agency intends to issue an exclusive right agreement in the Columbia Heights redevelopment project on December 16, 1999.

(d) This proposed action has created substantial controversy and efforts at compromise have to date been unsuccessful.

(e) The Council must act to provide for participation in the process by the Mayor, the Council and the public.

(f) The absence of the power of the Mayor to negotiate an agreement can hinder the process of economic development.

(g) The Council should hold a public hearing and approve the issuance of exclusive right agreements as it does in cases of the disposition of District-owned property and Tax Increment Financing and Industrial Revenue Bond projects.

(h) Otherwise, there will be long delays, which will further prolong the redevelopment of this important area.

Sec. 3. The Council determines that the circumstances enumerated in section 2 constitute emergency circumstances making it necessary that Council Approval of Exclusive Right Agreements Emergency Amendment Act of 1999 be adopted after a single reading.

Sec. 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately.