The Development & Government Relations Committee reported back to the full council on March 4 that the city’s receivership program is active and that staff, outside counsel and the problem‑property working group are coordinating steps to identify and remediate blighted properties.

Assistant city solicitor Jane Mantoleski explained the legal sequence that typically leads to a receivership: a Board of Health complaint, inspection, notice to correct, potential court action and, in some cases, a court‑appointed receiver who prepares a rehabilitation plan and can secure payment via liens when properties are sold. Committee members discussed the challenge of compiling a public list of problem properties because of legal and privacy questions; Mantoleski said some receiver filings and court actions are public records but the problem‑property group's meetings are not always public and staff would follow up on what can be shared publicly.

Councilors and community members described receivership as an “incredibly harsh” but sometimes necessary tool to address neglected properties that harm neighborhoods. Councilor Jordan said the program has matured since its start about a decade ago and praised staff for organization and progress. Councilor Bartley and others urged the problem‑property group to publish regular updates and recommended a public page on the city website where status and next steps could be visible to residents.

Ending: The committee reported that the order had been complied with and councilors encouraged continued transparency from the problem‑property working group and law department on which files and statuses can be published.