The Finance & Personnel Committee voted to file a request seeking authorization for city staff to prepare documents to release certain judgment liens tied to 1430 Erie Avenue, a placarded, vacant residential duplex now slated for private sale.

City Attorney (name on file with the city) described the request as "unusual" and said staff divided on whether to support it. He explained that judgment liens are recorded in circuit court and typically are paid at closing; in this case the seller owns only this property and the property has been a chronic nuisance and source of code enforcement action. The City Attorney said releasing liens could help a buyer redevelop the property and return it to the housing stock but cautioned that the practice is not customary and could invite similar requests.

Alder Perella asked whether the city knew the buyer's redevelopment plans and whether there would be a development agreement; Alder Decker said the committee previously required redevelopment agreements in comparable multi-property cases and expressed reluctance to approve a release without guarantees. Administrator Bradley reiterated that staff was not recommending the action and that the request originated with the seller, not staff.

After discussion, Alder Perella moved to file the resolution requesting council support for drafting the lien-release documents; Alder Decker seconded the motion and the committee voted to file the item. The filing will permit the city attorney's office to draft documents for potential filing in municipal court, but the committee did not adopt a recommendation for final council action.