APPROVED APRIL 9, 2024

RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

GREATER UTICA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

 

 

WHEREAS,  there have been mounting concerns over out-of-state landlords acquiring various housing facilities in the Mohawk Valley Region who have not acted in good faith to properly care for the well-being of local residents and, at times, do not properly maintain such facilities;  and

 

WHEREAS,  these out-of-state corporate owners often use these facilities as “cash cows” and do not remain current on utility bills such as water and sewer, and are not timely in paying contractors hired to maintain or repair the buildings;  and

 

WHEREAS,   local residents pay their rent expecting that utility bills will paid, and then become innocent victims if or when utility services must be interrupted due to nonpayment;  and

 

WHEREAS,  when large account holders that own apartment buildings do not pay their utility bills, the shortfall eventually falls on the remaining customers in the form of higher user rates for businesses and homeowners; and

 

WHEREAS,  NY State Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon and NY State Senator Joe Griffo have introduced legislation (Assembly Bill A9628 and Senate Bill S8828) that would require out-of-state owners of local residential multi-unit buildings who receive public funding to deposit funds to an escrow account to cover utility bills;  and

 

WHEREAS, the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce has been invited to meet with these state representatives to provide additional input and contribute to the final details within the proposed legislation;  and

 

 

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce applauds and supports the initiative taken by State Senator Joe Griffo and Assemblywoman Buttenschon to help limit this problem, and looks forward to meeting with these representatives to provide additional information.