Title
Resolution Authorizing the Acceptance of a Gift of Real Property Located at 4205 Victoria Boulevard (LRSN 2001735) Currently Assessed at $933,500 and the Execution of a Reimbursement Agreement between the City of Hampton, Virginia, the Charles H. Taylor Memorial Library Trust, and Carney Patterson Meade PLC regarding Trust Dissolution and Property Transfer Costs
Purpose
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND:
A 1925 deed established the Charles H. Taylor Memorial Library Trust (the “Trust”) and conveyed 4205 Victoria Boulevard, Hampton, Virginia 23669, identified as LRSN 2001735 (the “Property”) from A.F. Amory and Annie B. Amory to the Trust. Since 1987, the Trust has leased the Property to the City for use a library and facility for the arts, including a museum and gallery, and for education, historical, and archaeological programs and studies.
On February 26, 2026, the Board of Trustees of the Trust unanimously voted to dissolve the Trust and discussed a desire to donate the Property to the City, so that the Property may continue to be used for the use and benefit of the residents of Hampton. Pursuant to Section 2-134 of the City Code of the City of Hampton, City Council approval is a prerequisite to acceptance of certain gifts to the City. Section 2-134(a) states that gifts of real property and tangible property valued at five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) or more shall be "approved by the council, by appropriate motion duly recorded in the council minutes, before such gift shall be deemed to have been accepted by the city." The FY 2027 assessed value of the Property is $933,500 - the land is assessed at $46,500 and the improvements are assessed at $887,000.
To effectuate the dissolution of the Trust and the transfer of the Property to the City, the Trust must petition the Hampton Circuit Court for approval. This process includes filing fees, publication costs, and other mandatory administrative fees and expenses incidental to the transfer of the Property, such as recordation fees (together, the “Trust Dissolution and Property Transfer Costs”). The Trust retained counsel from Carney Patterson Meade PLC (the “Firm”) to assist the Trust with this matter on a pro bono basis.
Because the Trust lacks independent funds to pay the Trust Dissolution and Property Transfer Costs necessary to complete the transfer of the Property to the City, the Trust requested that the City fund those costs. The Firm is willing to pay the Trust Dissolution and Property Transfer Costs to the Court as such as costs are incurred and the City is willing to reimburse the Firm for such costs pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Reimbursement Agreement.
Impact:
The Trust Dissolution and Property Transfer Costs to be reimbursed shall not exceed $2,000.00.
Recommendation:
Rec
Approve the Resolution.
Body
WHEREAS, the Charles H. Taylor Memorial Library Trust (the “Trust”) owns that certain parcel of property located in the City, identified in the City’s land records as LRSN 2001735, with a deeded address of 4205 Victoria Boulevard, Hampton, Virginia 23669, respectfully, (the “Property”);
WHEREAS, since 1987, the Trust and the City have been parties to certain lease agreements regarding the City’s use of the Property for a library and facility for the arts, including a museum and gallery, and for education, historical, and archaeological programs and studies;
WHEREAS, on February 26, 2026, the Board of Trustees of the Trust unanimously voted to dissolve the Trust and discussed a desire to donate the Property to the City for the continued use and benefit of the residents of Hampton;
WHEREAS, the Fiscal Year 2027 assessed value of the Property is $933,500;
WHEREAS, pursuant to Hampton City Code § 2-134, gifts to the City of real property valued at five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) or more shall be approved by the City Council of the City of Hampton, Virginia (the “Council”) by appropriate motion duly recorded in the Council minutes before such gifts shall be deemed to have been accepted by the City;
WHEREAS, to effectuate the dissolution of the Trust and transfer of the Property, the Trust must petition the Hampton Circuit Court for approval. This process includes filing fees, publication costs, and other mandatory administrative fees and expenses incidental to the transfer of the Property, such as recordation fees (together, the “Trust Dissolution and Property Transfer Costs”);
WHEREAS, the Trust retained counsel from Carney Patterson Meade PLC (the “Firm”) to assist the Trust with this matter on a pro bono basis;
WHEREAS, the Trust requested that the City provide certain funding to cover the Trust Dissolution and Property Transfer Costs, which costs are necessary to obtain judicial approval and effectuate the transfer of the Property to the City;
WHEREAS, the Firm is willing to pay the Trust Dissolution and Property Transfer Costs to the Court as such as costs are incurred and the City is willing to reimburse the Firm for such costs pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Reimbursement Agreement;
WHEREAS, the Council has determined that it is in the best interest of the City to approve the donation of the Property from the Trust to the City, pending the issuance of the Hampton Circuit Court’s order approving the Trust’s dissolution and transfer of the Property to the City; and
WHEREAS, the Council has further determined that reimbursement of the Trust Dissolution and Property Transfer Costs, in an amount not to exceed $2,000.00, is reasonable and in the best interest of the City because such costs are necessary to facilitate the donation of the Property to the City and the continued use of the Property for the use and benefit of the residents of Hampton.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Hampton, Virginia, that:
1. Pending the issuance of the Hampton Circuit Court’s order approving the Trust’s dissolution and transfer of the Property to the City, the donation of the Property from the Trust to the City, is hereby approved and accepted;
2. The City Manager, or her authorized designee, is hereby authorized to take any and all actions necessary to implement this gift of real property; and
3. The Reimbursement Agreement is approved and, accordingly, the City Manager, or her authorized designee, is hereby authorized to execute and deliver to the Charles H. Taylor Memorial Library Trust and Carney Patterson Meade PLC, the Reimbursement Agreement in substantially the same form as attached hereto, subject to the review and approval of the City Attorney.