Mayor & Commission Meetings

GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES Monday, October 20, 2025 Committee Members Present: Committee Members Absent: Commissioner Patrick Davenport, Committee Chair Commissioner Mike Hamby Commissioner Melissa Link Commissioner Dexter Fisher Commissioner Tiffany Taylor Staff: Sarah George, Chief of Staff James Alexander, Interim Central Services Austin Jackson, Deputy Chief Attorney Director Laura Cobb, Senior Assistant Attorney Jeff Montgomery, Communications Director Angel Helmy, Operations Analyst Chinesia Thompson, Recorder Committee Chair Davenport called the meeting to order at 12:01 p.m. A. Approval of Minutes: Commissioner Taylor made a motion to approve the minutes of the September 15,2025 meeting. Commissioner Fisher seconded the motion and it passed by unanimous vote. B. Commission Identified Items of Interest: Update Community Benefits Agreement portion of Leasing Policy (Mayor Girtz assigned to GOC on February 7, 2023) Interim Assistant Manager Andrew Saunders began the meeting with a review of the six-year history of the leasing policy, challenges in implementation, and changes made since its inception in 2019. It was noted that the policy originally sought to create consistency in lease rates, which previously were negotiated individually and often favored organizations with more direct access to decision makers. Staff outlined how the unified leasing policy categorized tenants into three groups: for-profit businesses, state/federal agencies, and nonprofits. For-profit entities were charged appraised market rates; state and federal agencies were handled case-by-case; and nonprofits followed a complex formula based on size, ability to pay, and service to the community. The discussion highlighted that while some nonprofits paid minimal rent, others benefited from additional county support such as utility subsidies, which has since been discontinued. The committee reviewed several past decisions, including extensions of $1 leases and unique long-term leases for entities that invested significantly in county properties (such as the Neighborhood Health Center). Committee members acknowledged ongoing challenges in maintaining fairness and legal compliance under the gratuities clause, as well as ensuring equitable treatment among tenants.  Angel Helmy provided an update on current lease expirations, noting that most nonprofit leases will end in 2026 and that quasi-governmental agencies operate under varied terms. James Alexander presented an overview of facility maintenance trends, emphasizing substantial capital reinvestment needs such as HVAC and roofing projects. The committee discussed how unpredictable maintenance costs affect both tenants and the county budget. The committee then looked at the Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) portion of the leasing policy. The committee discussed whether to reinstate a more structured version of CBAs that quantifies public benefit through measurable criteria such as investments in county property, alignment with county goals, or services that substitute for county programs. Discussion included differentiating between types of buildings (historic, purpose-built, or standard facilities) and ensuring public access for historic sites. The committee expressed interest in revisiting CBA criteria with a focus on fairness, transparency, and measurable impact. Additional discussion addressed revenue sharing from nonprofit rentals of county spaces. Currently, organizations must return 10% of revenue over $3,000, though some members questioned whether this rate was too low. The Taylor-Grady House and Fire Hall were mentioned as examples where this applies. The committee also discussed the future of county-owned historic properties, considering whether some could be sold, leased long-term, or placed under preservation covenants to reduce oversight burdens. It was agreed that such matters would be referred to the Property Committee for further study. Toward the end of the meeting, members stressed the need to finalize a consistent and equitable leasing structure. Suggestions included maintaining a tiered rate system based on building size, possibly with added tiers for nuance, and phasing in rate increases gradually. Members also requested data comparing maintenance costs, nonprofit revenues, and rental proceeds to better inform future rate setting. For the next steps, staff will compile and present additional data to support the committee’s decision-making. This will include revised tiered rate options that better reflect building size and maintenance costs, along with potential frameworks for a structured, evidence-based Community Benefits Agreement (CBA). Staff will also provide summaries of reported nonprofit rental revenues to help assess the effectiveness of current policies and potential adjustments. The committee will review these materials at the next meeting. Commissioner Link moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Commissioner Fisher. The motion passed unanimously The meeting adjourned at 12:56 p.m. Government Operations Committee Meeting Minutes Page 2 10202025