* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Harris
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
Title
Baltimore City Public School System - Disposal of Surplus Property
FOR the purpose of calling on the CEO of the Baltimore City Public School System to place a moratorium on plans for, or disposal of, any real property owned by or under the jurisdiction of the Baltimore City Public School System; requesting the CEO, the Director of Facilities, and the Real Estate Officer of the Baltimore City Public School System to report to the City Council on the number of properties owned or under the jurisdiction of the Baltimore City Public School System, the current use of each property, and the projected need for continued use or plan for disposal of the property; urging the Director of Finance, the City Comptroller, and the CEO to adopt a plan to appraise all surplus property, to sell it at fair market value, and to dedicate all proceeds for use for instructional programs in the Baltimore City Public Schools, within 90 days of passage of this Resolution.
Body
Recitals
Baltimore City government has historically done a less than satisfactory job when managing its real estate. Although the real estate division of the City Comptroller's office has attempted to become a central repository of information on the City's holdings, it has been difficult to achieve this end because there are other City agencies that are separately responsible for City-owned buildings and property. The Housing Department, the Department of Public Works, and other agencies, as well as the Baltimore City Public School System, each have City-owned property under their jurisdiction.
To address the current crisis in the Baltimore City public school education system, the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners has proposed a plan to move 5,300 students from 5 school buildings to 19 other schools in August as part of a plan that is committed to reducing operating space by 15%, or 2.7 million square feet, in the next 3 years because of declining enrollment and deteriorating buildings. The closings are expected to save the school system $14 million that would be used for capital improvements at the schools receiving the students.
In part, the school system is being made to make urgent changes under pressure from the State to close schools quickly or lose school construction dollars. The system must show significant progress toward more efficiently operating a system that has space for 125,000 students, but where only 85,000 are enrolled. In tentatively approving $18 million in construction money for next year, State officials reserved the right to withdraw approval if a substantial number of schools are not recommended for closure.
The climate exists for gross, if unintentional, misappropriation of public property or the proceeds from the sale of public property. With the State pressuring the school system to dispose of property on the one hand - and an inadequate mechanism to assess and market surplus property on the other - it would be very easy for the unscrupulous or savvy entrepreneur to take advantage of the situation.
As those who protect the best interests of the public and the kids to whom the proceeds are owed, we must be sure to take a long and appraising look before we leap into the business of disposing of real estate holdings that may be worth much more than they appear to be at first glance.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That this Body calls on the CEO of the Baltimore City Public School System to place a moratorium on plans for, or disposal of, any real property owned by or under the jurisdiction of the Baltimore City Public School System; requests the CEO, the Director of Facilities, and the Real Estate Officer of the Baltimore City Public School System to report to the City Council on the number of properties owned or under the jurisdiction of the Baltimore City Public School System, the current use of each property, and the projected need for continued use or plan for disposal of the property; and urges the Director of Finance, the City Comptroller, and the CEO to adopt a plan to appraise all surplus property, to sell it at fair market value, and to dedicate all proceeds for use for instructional programs in the Baltimore City Public Schools, within 90 days of passage of this Resolution.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor, the Comptroller, the CEO of Baltimore City Public Schools, the Director of Finance, the Director of Facilities and the Real Estate Officer of the Baltimore City Public Schools, and the Mayor's Legislative Liaison to the City Council.
dlr06-0794a~intro/06Apr06
ccres/surplusbldg/nf
dlr06-0794a~intro/06Apr06
- 2 -
ccres/surplusbldg/nf