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State Environmental Protection fund in the amount of $465,445.00 to rehabilitate the Stadium. Following the awarding of the Grant, it was discovered that the Diocese owned part of the encompassed parcel. I am enclosing a letter from former City Attorney/current outside counsel Rick Juda with a historical explanation of the Project, the proposed deed relative to the transaction, and associated transfer paperwork. As explained by Rick, due to title issues concerning the ownership of the relevant parcel, and the Diocese filing for bankruptcy, there has been substantial delay in providing the State proof of ownership of the parcel so that the funds may be released. Fortunately, the Diocese has completed the necessary filings in bankruptcy court and is now authorized to transfer the property to the City for the appraised value of $5,000. The Diocese has also requested that the City pay all expenses associated with the transfer. Both I and Rick recommend proceeding with the transfer and honoring the Diocese’s request. The Administration is looking forward to moving this important Project forward and thanks you for your consideration of the foregoing. Arianna Kwiatkowski, Esq. City Attorney – City of Lackawanna 714 Ridge Road – Rm. 313 Lackawanna, NY 14218 Re: Purchase of 4.6+/- acre parcel from the Diocese of Buffalo Dear Arianna: As you know I have been assisting you and the City of Lackawanna with cleaning up title issues regarding the Lackawanna Stadium Project and specifically lands located immediately behind the old concrete bleachers – the area where the walking trial or bike path is located. This parcel runs all the way from the back of the stadium near South Park to the Galanti Senior Center. As you also know this project started several years ago and due to title issues has been substantially delayed. After many months we finally figured out that an elongated parcel of land that runs from South Park in an easterly direction to the railroad tracks and which is immediately behind the Lackawanna Stadium and along the top of the south bank of Smokes Creek is not owned by the City, but is owned by the Diocese of Buffalo, We recently reached an agreement with the Diocese for the City to purchase this parcel at its appraised value of $5,000. In April of this year I did send you a 66 page appraisal showing that this 4.6 acre parcel has nominal value given it’s location and given the fact that the parcel is encumbered with a flood control easement. As part of a grant awarded to the City the City is obligated to designate this parcel as part of its park land as prior administrations had indicated to the State of New York that this area was owned by the City and was considered park land. This initially happened at or about the time the City received a grant to have the walking trail completed. Upon receipt of the appraisal the Diocese received approval to sell this parcel to the City of Lackawanna at its appraised value with the City to pay all expenses associated with the purchase including the Diocese counsel fees. The Diocese is now in a position to consummate this transaction. Once this purchase has been completed the grants awarded to the City for the completion of the Stadium Project should be finally approved. In addition, the City will now be able to provide the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) with the necessary easement that they requested to monitor groundwater and the waters along Smokes Creek as it relates to the removal of the former Lackawanna incinerator. I respectfully request that you confer with the City Council and obtain approval to