Land Bank Authority

Rome/Floyd Land Bank Authority Minutes Friday, September 10, 2021 8:30 AM Carnegie Training Room Committee Members Present: Others: Harry Brock Cindy Reed - City - Grants Accountant/Internal Auditor Rob Ware Kraig Ingalsbe - City – Assistant Finance Director Roger Smith Meredith Ulmer - City - Assistant City Manager David Mathis Bruce Ivey - County – Special Projects Manager Staff: Bekki Fox - City - Community Development Director Logan Drake - City - Community Development Program and Compliance Specialist Welcome and Call to order: Roger Smith called the meeting to order at 8:32 AM. Approval of Minutes: Smith asked for any corrections to the minutes from the meeting of August 6, 2021. Not hearing any corrections or omissions, Rob Ware made a motion to approve the minutes, which was seconded by David Mathis. Motion carried. Authority Updates: There was discussion on the progress of completing quiet title action on the following parcels: Orchid Pl (J140113), 330 Ross St (J13J048), 7 Forsyth St (J13J165), 410 Hardy Ave (I14W330), and 414 Hardy Ave (I14W332). Staff has been in contact with Garner and will continue to do so. Garner hopes to have the process finished in 60 - 90 days. Fox updated the Board on pending sales, recent closings, and pending purchases. Staff is working with our attorney, William Richardson, on closing 5 Pollock Street (I14Z098) and 0 Allen Street (F13W052). James Mitchell will be coming in to sign a contract on 301 Ross Street (J13J020) and to continue discussion on his potential purchasing of 107 Ross Street (J130237). Staff is working with attorney Wright Smith on closing two properties for Jimmy Tate: Lyons Bridge Road (E19Z036 & E19Z038). Staff has made attempts to contact Star Time Technology Center Inc. in order to close on the following five parcels: 2 Blacks Bluff Road (I14Z149), Line Street (I14Z148), Beverly Road (I13L321), and 1 Blacks Bluff Road (I14Z221). Staff will continue to work on closing all active properties as soon as possible. American Rescue Plan Funding Discussion: Continuing discussion was had on how to proceed with funding from the American Rescue Plan (ARPA). First, Fox gave updates on a funding request made by the Georgia Association of Land Bank Authorities (GALBA) to the State of Georgia. Due to regulations, GALBA was unable to directly ask the State for funding and instead found a sponsor to apply on behalf of them. This sponsor, the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission (GMRC), has asked each interested land bank to apply with a proposed budget and use of funds. Fox has asked for $250,000.00, which is the requested cap limit. Fox showed everyone a template application. Fox wants to “purchase properties with the intention of assisting with the development of transitional housing, as a means of bridging the gap from homelessness to permanent housing.” After discussion, Harry Brock made a motion to move forward with the State ask, as outlined by GMRC, for $250,000.00, which was seconded by Ware. Motion carried. Continued discussion was had on the amount of money to be asked from the City of Rome and Floyd County’s local ARPA funds. Debate was had on whether to mirror ask for $1 million each or to lessen the amount for one. Different ideas for eligible activities were mentioned. After discussion, Mathis made the motion to move forward with drafting a mirror ask from the City of Rome local ARPA fund and Floyd County local ARPA funds in the amount of $1 million each to accomplish eligible activities, with the option of funding to be used in both the City and County, under ARPA. This was seconded by Ware. Motion carried. Financial Report: The Financial report was distributed for review. Report attached. Property Donation Request: Fox presented the applications for property donation through the Land Bank Authority. The applications were discussed, and the outcome is listed as follows:  1 Orchid Place (J14O113) The Board reviewed an application submitted for the donation of a parcel at 1 Orchid Place. South Rome Redevelopment Corporation d/b/a South Rome Alliance (SRA) is making an ask for parcel J14O113, from the LBA for the construction of a single-family residence. The home will be a partnership between SRA and the City of Rome, office of community development. Financing for the development will be made possible by secondary program funds from the Community Housing Investment Program (CHIP). The home will be made available for purchase to a family or individual making 80% of the Area Median Income. SRA has engaged local architect Mark Cochran to design a 3 bedroom/2 bath “cottage style” home for this site. SRA has successfully developed homes in the past. We are currently working on clearing title for this property and once we have done so, SRA is willing to start construction as soon as possible. Options, such as splitting lots or buying our own building plan, were brought up. Discussion was had.  604 Pennington Avenue (I14W563) The Board reviewed an application submitted for the donation of a parcel on 604 Pennington Avenue. South Rome Redevelopment Corporation d/b/a South Rome Alliance (SRA) is making an ask for parcel J14O113, from the LBA for the construction of a single-family residence. The home will be a partnership between SRA and the City of Rome, office of community development. Financing for the development will be made possible by secondary program funds from the Community Housing Investment Program (CHIP). The home will be made available for purchase to a family or individual making 80% of the Area Median Income. SRA  has engaged local architect Mark Cochran to design a 2 bedroom/1.5 bath “cottage style” home for this site. SRA has successfully developed homes in the past. Fox reminded the Board that this was the parcel we purchased from a private citizen, Mr. Roger Covington. The title is already clear. SRA is willing to start construction as soon as possible. Discussion was had. After deliberation, the Board acted as follows: Ware moved to accept the donation ask for parcels J14O113 and I14W563, which was seconded by Mathis, in order to fulfil our mission of creating affordable housing. Staff will ask for transfer of J14O113 once title has cleared. Considering parcel I14W563 already has clear title, staff will move forward with asking for transfer. Motion carried. Other Business: Discussion was had on a vacant piece of property: 1407 Maple Avenue. It has come under scrutiny from code enforcement and the City Environmental Court determined the property owner did not have sufficient means to properly bring it up to code. It, however, was suggested to the property owner, by the City’s attorney and Building Inspection department, that she donate it to the LBA. If that were to come to fruition, we could then eliminate blight by tearing the home down. We could then build on it ourselves, partner with someone else instead or donate it to the Northwest Georgia Housing Authority. After discussion, the Board acted as follows: o Ware made a motion to, if it were to come to fruition that the property owner cannot fulfill the Court’s demands, accept the donation of 1407 Maple Avenue, which was seconded by Brock. Motion carried. Fox stated that while the next scheduled meeting will be held on Friday, October 1, 2021, at 8:30 am. Adjourn: There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:37 A.M. Respectfully submitted, Logan Drake Recording Secretary