Land Bank Authority

Rome/Floyd Land Bank Authority Minutes Friday, December 3, 2021 8:30 AM Carnegie Training Room Committee Members Present: Others: Harry Brock Cindy Reed - City - Accountant, Grants/Internal Auditor Rob Ware Toni Rhinehart - City - Director of Finance Roger Smith Meredith Ulmer - City - Assistant City Manager David Mathis Kevin Payne - County - Tax Commissioner Sammy Rich - City - City Manager Peyton Elliott - Rome News Tribune Staff: Bekki Fox - City - Community Development Director Suzanne Parris - City - Community Development Grant and Housing Administrator Logan Drake - City - Community Development Program and Compliance Specialist Welcome and Call to order: Roger Smith called the meeting to order at 8:40 AM. A quorum was established. Approval of Minutes: Smith asked for any corrections to the minutes from the meeting of October 1, 2021. Not hearing any corrections or omissions, the minutes were approved by common consent. Authority Updates: Suzanne Parris gave updates on the property at 301 Ross Street (J13J020). The buyer, Middleman Management LLC, officially closed. Attorney William Richardson and staff will work on getting the paperwork sorted. Staff updated the Board on the pending transactions with Start Time Technologies. As previously requested by the Board, staff got back in contact with the applicant. A considerable amount of time passed without the applicant signing their contracts or communicating a commitment to do so. Staff then informed them that their contracts had officially expired, and thus new applications would need to be submitted, if they were still interested. The involved parcels have been added back to the available properties list. Staff updated the Board on the outstanding closing involving Lyons Bridge Road (E19Z036 and E19Z038) and applicant Jimmy Tate. Staff has made multiple attempts to get in contact with both Tate and attorney Wright Smith. After speaking with Wright Smith, Bekki Fox was informed that Tate is not responding to his requests to set up a closing date. Discussion was had. The Board and staff were all in agreement that Tate must close before the end of 2021, or the property will be re-marketed. Staff will attempt to get in contact with Tate. Updates will be given later. Discussion was had on what the policy should be regarding granting extensions to contract deadlines. Fox said that the current timeframe is 30 – 45 days. All agreed that the deadline does not need to be treated arbitrarily even if the purchaser is not communicating in a timely manner or showing a sense of urgency. American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds Discussion: Fox introduced City Manager Sammy Rich. Fox asked him to give his thoughts on the future of the LBA and ARPA funds. Fox informed the Board that the Rome City Commission approved the $1 million ask. Fox told the Board that the $1 million ask submitted to the Floyd County Board of Commissioners has not been approved yet. Chairman Wright Bagby communicated to Fox that the Commission is in favor of allocating ARPA funds to the LBA but is not sure about committing to the current ask amount. Concern was expressed as to how the funds will be spent, especially in conjunction with the amounts already approved by the City and the Georgia Association of Land Bank Authorities (GALBA). After being asked to draft a spending plan, Fox made a tentative one and provided copies for those present to look over. Rich expressed his desire to see the Rome-Floyd LBA become a mainstay that is known as one of the best LBAs in Georgia and possibly the Southeast. Fox brought up the $250,000.00 funding the LBA will also receive from the GALBA. Fox also informed everyone that once the Federal Association of Land Banks is established, the LBA will join. Lengthy discussion was made. 326 Branham Avenue (I14W428) Discussion: Fox next brought up parcel 114W428 located at 326 Branham Avenue. A few days before this meeting took place, Kevin Payne requested that the Board discuss the possibility of acquiring this vacant parcel. Payne communicated that this Judicial-In-Rem/Tax Foreclosure property is the only remaining parcel left to handle at Floyd County’s upcoming tax sale. It was added to the judicial list at the request of the LBA. Considering it is a potential spot for development, Payne asked if someone else could visit the parcel before the meeting. Fox instructed staff to go to the site, take photos, create a map and report back to her. A lengthy discussion took place. Overall, various individuals gave their opinion as to how this specific decision reflects and influences the LBA’s future decisions regarding development, property acquisition and title clearance. Ware expressed his concern regarding the amount of time it has taken in the past to start with a vacant lot and end with a built home on it. Brock and Fox agreed by further expressing the LBA’s commitment to be more intentional with continuing affordable home development. Mathis brought up how, in the early stages of the LBA, there was concern about competing with the private market. There is, however, now an opportunity and necessity to build more. Brock also reminded everyone to remember the influences of market activity and Community Development Departments CHIP home builds. In the end, all agreed that the discussion was healthy and productive in that everyone was striving to accurately fulfill the LBA’s mission statement. Fox informed the Board that by June 2022, the LBA will likely no longer be affiliated with the City’s Community Development Department. The LBA would split off with independent staff. Details will be discussed further later. There was some constructive debate as to how much the LBA should bid for this parcel and what will be done with it if the bid is won. Fox believed a home could be built on the site and Brock informed everyone that rental properties reside on both sides. Regarding the desire to develop the lot, it was decided that the LBA could either build it themselves, sell it or partner with a for-profit builder. The matter can be discussed further later. Ware motioned to open the bid price at $1,750.00 and if necessary, gradually increase their offer to $3,500.00, which was seconded by Mathis. Motion carried. Financial Report: The Financial report was distributed for review. Toni Rhinehart led the discussion regarding active properties and balances as of November 2021. Rhinehart expressed both the difficulty and excitement of using the ARPA funds to help the community. Report attached. Property Purchase Requests: Smith questioned whether it was necessary to enter Executive Session for the following requests. Fox did not believe that any of the following information would require that. Smith agreed. Fox presented the applications for property acquisition through the Land Bank Authority. The applications were discussed, and the outcome is listed as follows: • Georgia Power Easement Request The Board reviewed an easement request from Georgia Power involving a vacant LBA owned property. They would install two 3Ph Terminating Cabinets and one Mid-span Pole on parcel I14Z064 located at 622 Broad Street. In order to move more powerlines underground, they have requested easements from other prominent, community-based property owners, such as South Rome Redevelopment Corporation and South Rome Development Agency. The total compensation would be $4,750.00. Discussion was made. While Brock questioned what, if any, development could be done on the property, his final suggestion was for the LBA to donate the property to the adjacent property owner. Smith brought up the idea of including the deeding of the property to the adjacent landowner in the motion. In the end, however, the Board authorized staff to first gauge the landowner’s interest in acquiring this parcel and then taking further action depending on their response. The Board acted as follows: o Mathis motioned to agree to Georgia Power’s easement request by accepting the offer of $4,750.00, in order to install three power boxes on parcel I14Z064, which was seconded by Ware. Motion carried. • 3 Silver Street (J14L065) The Board reviewed an application submitted for the purchase of vacant parcel located at 3 Silver Street. Spears Holdings, LLC made an offer of $500.00 for parcel J14L065. Spears Holdings, LLC is the adjacent property owner of parcel J14L067, located at 1 Silver Street. Brian Spears, the contact person for this application, said he has no immediate plans to build on this parcel but would not rule out doing so in the future. His preferred plan is to acquire the property to create extra yard space for 1 Silver Street. If his offer were to be accepted, he would make sure the property is properly maintained. Fox informed that another party expressed interest in making an offer and was provided with an application. An application was never submitted back, however, so Spears is the only offer. Discussion was made. The Board acted as follows:  o Brock motioned to approve the $500.00 offer presented from Spears Holdings, LLC for parcel J14L065, subject to conveyance from Floyd County, which was seconded by Mathis. Motion carried. • 0 Nixon Avenue (J14Z029) The Board reviewed an application submitted for the purchase of heavily wooded parcel located at 0 Nixon Avenue. Eddie Sublett made an offer of $1,500.00 for parcel J14Z029. He is the adjacent property owner of parcel J14L067 located at 107 Porter Street. Sublett’s plan is to clear and remove brush, debris and trees in order to extend his yard space. He did, however, express his concern to staff regarding what looks to be a creek running through the property. Staff informed Sublett that he would be personally responsible for any clearance or maintenance of said foliage and creek. Staff, however, provided Sublett with the Rome-Floyd County Building Inspection Department’s contact information so that he may have any related questions answered, if he chooses to do so. Board members also expressed interest in confirming with the City as to why the parcel was initially acquired. Discussion was made. Board acted as follows: o Brock motioned to approve the $1,500.00 offer presented from Eddie Sublett for parcel J14Z3029, subject to review by the Rome Engineering Services Department and conveyance from the City of Rome, which was seconded by Ware. Motion carried. • 0 Blacks Bluff Road (F16108) The Board reviewed an application submitted for the purchase of a vacant parcel located at 0 Blacks Bluff Road. Robert Bell made an offer of $1,000.00 for parcel F16108. He is the adjacent property owner of parcel F16110 located at 3985 Blacks Bluff Road. Bell’s plan is to extend pasture space and enhance runoff drainage. Brock brought up that the parcel likely has a clear title and staff confirmed it did. Brock assessed that the property value was much greater than what was being offered due to a clean title and desirable location. Discussion was made. The Board acted as follows: o Brock motioned to not approve the $1,000.00 offer presented from Robert Bell for parcel F16108, instructed staff to present and only accept a counteroffer of $5,000.00, subject to conveyance from Floyd County, seconded by Mathis. Motion carried. • 0 Blossom Drive (J13J036) The Board reviewed an application submitted for the purchase of a wooded parcel located at 0 Blossom Drive. Joshua Tree Associates, LLC made an offer of $2,000.00 for parcel J13J036. Their plan is real property investment with an eventual resell to a third party. Considering the parcel is located on a wooded hillside near the entrances to both Jackson Hill and Blossom Hill, all involved questioned the feasibility of proper development. It was agreed upon that further study could be done to see if the parcel can be utilized for other purposes. The Board acted as follows: o Ware motioned to not approve the $2,000.00 offer presented from Joshua Tree Associates, LLC for parcel J13J036, and indefinitely table the decision, which was seconded by Brock. Motion carried. • 0 Booze Mountain Road (J17X267) 0 Silver Hill Road (J17X268) The Board reviewed a second and third application submitted by Joshua Tree Associates, LLC. While two separate offers were made, it was decided that they would be combined into one  considering the wooded, hillside properties are adjacent. They offered $2,200.00 for parcel J17X267 located at 0 Booze Mountain Road and $2,100.00 for parcel 217X268 located at 0 Silver Hill Road. The applicant’s plan is real property investment with an eventual resell to a third party. Both the Board and Staff floated an idea where the LBA holds them, clears the clouded title, and then develops them. Discussion was made. The Board acted as follows: o Brock motioned to approve the $3,400.00 offer presented from Joshua Tree Associates, LLC for parcels J17X267 and J17X268, subject to conveyance from Floyd County, which was seconded by Mathis. Motion carried. Other Business: Smith announced that it was time to elect LBA officers for 2022 and asked for the process to begin. Brock motioned to nominate David Mathis for Chair, which was seconded by Ware. Motion carried. Mathis motioned to nominate Harry Brock for Vice-Chair, which was seconded by Ware. Motion carried. Considering this was the last Board meeting of 2021, Fox thanked everyone for a productive year. The next scheduled meeting will be held on Friday, January 7, 2022, at 8:30 am. Adjourn: There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:09 A.M. Respectfully submitted, Logan Drake Recording Secretary