Agenda Item # 1
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
July 15, 2008
Agenda Report # 295
TO: Mayor and Councilors
SUBJECT: Columbus Cottage Program
INITIATED BY: Department of Community Reinvestment
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Recommendation: Approval is requested to enter into a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU), between the Columbus Consolidated Government and
NeighborWorks Columbus, Inc., establishing a working relationship for the
Columbus Cottage Program.
Background: The City of Columbus and NeighborWorks Columbus, Inc., has formed
a strategic partnership to provide safe, sanitary, efficient housing for the
elderly and/or disabled residents at risk of becoming homeless. The City and
NeighborWorks have identified, through their various housing programs,
homeowners living in substandard conditions, which their existing programs are
unable to assist. The Columbus Cottage Program is designed to improve the
living conditions of the elderly and/or disabled residents living in
substandard (unsafe, unsanitary and unlivable) living conditions by providing a
new home (cottage) to live.
Analysis: The Columbus Cottage Program will be on a referral basis with the
highest priority going to the elderly (80+) and/or disabled and the very low
income (0% - 29% of median income). The program will provide the homeowner
with a new one-bedroom (750 sq. ft.) cottage. Through the partnership, the
City will demolish the existing substandard structure and NeighborWorks will
construct the cottage on the existing homeowner?s property. The property will
be set up as a life-estate with the property returning to the City and
NeighborWorks upon death or the person being unable to live in the residence,
if the estate does not wish to acquire the property. The cottage would then be
made available for another eligible elderly and/or disabled person.
Financial Considerations: The City will provide $150,000 and NeighborWorks
will provide a like amount through donations of private funds. The funds for
the City share of the program will come from UDAG fund balance. The City and
NeighborWorks will pay an equal share of the hard and soft cost of the program.
Legal Considerations: The City Attorney has reviewed and approved the proposed
MOU.
Recommendations: Approve a resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter
into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), between the Columbus Consolidated
Government and NeighborWorks Columbus, Inc., establishing a working
relationship for the Columbus Cottage Program.
A RESOLUTION
NO. _____
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A MEMORANDUM OF
UNDERSTANDING (MOU), BETWEEN THE COLUMBUS CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENT (CCG) AND
NEIGHBORWORKS COLUMBUS, INC. (NEIGHBORWORKS), ESTABLISHING A WORKING
RELATIONSHIP FOR THE COLUMBUS COTTAGE PROGRAM.
WHEREAS, the CCG AND NEIGHBORWORKS wish to provide funds for the purpose of
providing safe, sanitary and accessible rehabilitation of owner-occupied homes
of elderly and disabled citizens and citizens of low to very low income; and,
WHEREAS, the CCG will provide $150,000 and NEIGHBORWORKS will provide like
amount through donations of private funds; and,
WHEREAS, the CCG and NEIGHBORWORKS have developed a set of policies and
procedures to administer the Columbus Cottage Program; and,
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
That the City Manager is hereby authorized to enter into a Memorandum
of Understanding, between the Columbus Consolidated Government and
NeighborWorks Columbus, Inc., establishing a working relationship for the
Columbus Cottage Program.
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Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia,
held the _________day of _____________, and adopted at said meeting by the
affirmative vote of ____________members of said Council.
Councilor Allen voting __________.
Councilor Anthony voting __________.
Councilor Baker voting __________.
Councilor Barnes voting __________.
Councilor Davis voting __________.
Councilor Henderson voting __________.
Councilor Hunter voting __________.
Councilor McDaniel voting __________.
Councilor Turner Pugh voting __________.
Councilor Woodson voting __________.
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Tiny B. Washington, Clerk of Council Jim Wetherington, Mayor
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