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THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA
SPECIAL MEETING
JANUARY 2, 2007
10:00 A.M.
The Commissioners of the Housing Authority of Columbus, Georgia met in
Special Meeting in Columbus, Georgia in the Board Room at the offices of the
Authority. The meeting was called by the Chairman, and the required notice of
the meeting was duly given in the form of notice hereto attached as ?Exhibit A?.
Chairman Douglass called the meeting to order and on roll call the
following Commissioners answered present:
Franklin Douglass
Roxanna Campbell
Robert Doll
Ruhnell Bankston
Wade Tomlinson
Larry Cardin
Sharon Douglas
In attendance from the Housing Authority staff were J. Len Williams, Executive
Director; Alonzo Rivers, Director of Management; Carolyn LaValley, Director of
Housing and Occupancy; Jeff Morton, Director of Finance; Chris Butzon, Director
of Technical Services; Jim Cardin, Human Resources Manager; Amy Moore, Manager
of HOPE VI and Redevelopment Services; Robert Sellers, Modernization and
Facilities Manager; Carole Ravenhill, Executive Assistant. Also present were
Authority Attorney James C. Clark, Jr.; Douglas Faust and Terry Warman of the
Boulevard Group, Inc.
INVOCATION:
The Chairman asked those present to observe a moment of silence to
reflect on the state of our country and to keep in mind the members of our
armed forces.
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INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS:
Guests included Ms. Kirsten Barnes of The Courier newspaper, Dr. Robert Wright
and Mr. DeWayne Richardson.
APPROVAL TO PROCEED WITH THE BAKER VILLAGE REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT:
Each Commissioner was given a copy of the Resolution adopted by the
City of Columbus Council outlining the terms under which the City would provide
the Authority with $3,585,000.00 for infrastructure in the revitalization of
Baker Village Apartments. Douglas Faust of the Boulevard Group presented the
budget for this project and delineated the differences between the request for
funding made to the City by the Authority and the stipulations added by the
City which the Authority must meet in order to receive the funding. He then
outlined the steps the Authority would have to take financially in order to
proceed with the Baker Village Revitalization under the City?s terms.
After much discussion, motion was made by Commissioner Douglas that we
accept the terms of the City?s Resolution and proceed with the revitalization
of Baker Village, but go back to the City and try to negotiate better terms.
In addition, in order to lessen the amount of funds HACG would have to borrow,
the Executive Director would be authorized to use up to $1,200,000 of the Baker
Village Operating Reserve as a non-interest bearing loan to the redevelopment
effort, with those funds being repaid at a later date by the City in
infrastructure contributions. This motion was seconded by Vice-Chairman
Cardin. The Chairman polled each of the other Commissioners, with the majority
voting affirmatively. Commissioner Tomlinson was opposed.
SELECTION OF FEE DEVELOPER FOR BAKER VILLAGE REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT:
Ms. Moore stated that five prospective fee developers responded to our
Request for Qualifications for Fee Developer for the Baker Village
Redevelopment Project. The Authority?s Evaluation Committee reviewed and rated
each of the proposals. One of the respondents did not meet the minimum scoring
criteria. The remaining four were interviewed by the Evaluation Committee
members with some Commissioners, other HACG staff and consultants present.
Columbia Residential of Atlanta, Georgia was rated highest by the Committee and
their proposed fee was lower than the others submitted by $331,071.00. The
Committee recommended that the Board authorize the Executive Director to
execute a contract with Columbia Residential as fee developer for the Baker
Village Redevelopment project.
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SELECTION OF FEE DEVELOPER FOR BAKER VILLAGE REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT (continued):
Commissioner Doll asked why no local developers were interested in this
project. Mr. Williams responded that local developers were sent a Request for
Qualifications for the Baker Village Redevelopment Project and some attended
the Prospective Fee Developers? Open House held by the Chamber of Commerce in
July of 2006; however, according to the Georgia Department of Community
Affairs? (GDCA) list, no local company met the Low Income Housing Tax Credit
experience criteria established by GDCA. Local companies were urged to partner
with other fee developers who had the required tax credit experience.
Dr. Robert Wright stated that his firm had partnered with Ambling
Development of Atlanta, Georgia, one of the four fee developers evaluated. He
expressed disappointment that they were not selected.
Following discussion, upon motion made by Commissioner Doll and
seconded by Vice Chairman Cardin, selection of Columbia Residential as fee
developer for the Baker Village Redevelopment Project was approved by a
majority of the Commissioners with the stipulation that the staff will provide
a written communication to Columbia Residential encouraging local participation
at every level. Commissioner Douglas opposed the selection of Columbia
Residential.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Mr. Williams asked that the Authority?s Regular Meeting scheduled for
January 17th be cancelled since there are no agenda items for that meeting.
The Commissioners concurred.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was
adjourned.
___________________________________
Franklin Douglass, Chairman
___________________________________
J. Len Williams, Secretary-Treasurer
Attachments
No attachments for this document.