Columbus, Georgia

Georgia's First Consolidated Government

Post Office Box 1340
Columbus, Georgia, 31902-1340
(706) 653-4013
fax (706) 653-4016

Council Members

Columbus Consolidated Government



Land Bank Authority

Board Meeting Minutes

March 2, 2011

10:00 a.m.



A meeting of the Land Bank Authority Board was held on March 2, 2011, in the

Ground Floor Conference Room of the Columbus Consolidated Government Center.



Members Present: Justin Krieg Thomas Gristina Carson Cummings



Member(s) Absent: Douglas Bryant



Also Present: David Arrington Mark McCollum Deborah Meadows



Board Chair Justin Krieg called the meeting to order. A Quorum was present.

Minutes of the January 5, 2011 and February 2, 2011 meetings were approved as

presented.



Approval of Non-Profit Designation



Board Chair Justin Krieg explained that by CLBA becoming a 501 non-profit

organization, a tax deduction is allocated to the property owner on any

property the CLBA decides to accept. The cost to set up a 501 non-profit

designation could run from $500-$1,000. There is also an annual registration

fee of $25.00 with the Secretary of State. There was a discussion about what

legal counsel should be used for setting up the non-profit. Suggestion was made

to consider a local attorney that the City has an ongoing relationship with.

Motion was made by Board Chair Justin Krieg to move forward with the non-profit

designation with costs not to exceed $1,000. Seconded by Board Member Carson

Cummings. Motion passed unanimously.



Adoption of Guiding Documents



Columbus Land Bank Summary



Board Chair Justin Krieg presented a copy of the Columbus Land Bank Authority

Summary document to each board member. The document is to be presented to the

City Council by Board Chair Justin Krieg for review and approval. Motion to

adopt the Columbus Land Bank Authority Summary was made by Board Member Thomas

Gristina, seconded by Board Member Carson Cummings. Motion passed unanimously.



Policies and Procedures



Board Chair Justin Krieg presented a copy of the Columbus Land Bank Authority

Policies and Procedures document to each board member. The document gives the

CLBA operational parameters. Board Chair Justin Krieg made a motion to adopt

the CLBA Policies and Procedures as presented and move forward with City

Council presentation for review and approval. Motion seconded by Board Member

Thomas Gristina. Motion passed unanimously.







Columbus Land Bank Authority Board Meeting

March 2, 2011

Page 2







Property Transfer Proposals



Habitat for Humanity



Board Chair Justin Krieg will contact Ken Henson to attend a CLBA meeting to

present the Habitat for Humanity proposal for specific property(s) referenced

and a development plan.



City Owned Property



There are 2 lots owned by the City that could be of interest to the CLBA. One

is a vacant lot and has ?grass leans? against the property, the other is a lot

with a dwelling and the homeowner cannot afford to pay back taxes. Board Chair

Justin Krieg and/or other board members will look at the property(s) and take

some pictures to be distributed to the board via email.



Mark McCollum will contact the property owner on the lot with a dwelling. He

will also make available to the board a list of other properties that may be

available in the same neighborhood due to back taxes owed, etc.



NeighborWorks Columbus



NeighborWorks Columbus has sent information to Board Chair Justin Krieg

regarding their interest in acquiring some property. While speaking with Cathy

Williams about some properties, Justin asked about the MCSD policy on

authorization for tax forgiveness by CLBA (Ms. Williams is the chair of the

Muscogee County School District Board). Justin said she seemed very

conservative about a blanket authorization, but may be able to review on a

project-by-project basis.



Board Chair Justin Krieg feels the CLBA should proceed with caution in making a

decision on specific property acquisition until the next meeting when more

information will be available. The Board agreed.



Old/New Business



Deputy City Manager David Arrington brought a few items to the attention of the

Board.



The City is going through the City budget process at this time. He suggested

the Land Bank Authority Board might want to consider submitting an agency

allocation request to be considered in the FY 12 budget. The request is

submitted to the City Manager with a copy to the Mayor and Finance Director.



The City?s website is available to the CLBA in the future, for placement of

information about the Authority. After City Council has reviewed and accepted

the Columbus Land Bank Authority Summary and Policies and Procedures they can

be placed on the website for public access. Any forms the CLBA will use can

also be made available through the website.



Columbus Land Bank Authority Board Meeting

March 2, 2011

Page 3







It?s possible for the CLBA to play a key roll in the redevelopment of the 1st

Avenue, 2nd Avenue and southern Bibb City area of Columbus. The Mayor has

formed a couple of commissions targeting redevelopment and neighborhood

stabilization. This may be an opportunity where additional focus by the CLBA

could be productive.



The next meeting will be on Wednesday, April 6, 2011.



Adjourn



There being no further business the meeting was adjourned.





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