>> CITY-COUNTY AGREEMENT
Several years of discussion between the city and county came to fruition this past Tuesday evening, but not with overwhelming support, as Milledgeville Mayor Mary Parham-Copelan broke the tied decision to approve the inter-governmental contract with Baldwin County.
City Council members voted 3-3 June 13 on a motion to partner with the county to form the Baldwin County Land Bank, effectively defeating the measure, since Mayor Mary Parham-Copelan was absent and not available to break the tie. The matter was placed on Tuesday night’s agenda for reconsideration at the request of Walter Reynolds, with agreement of the other council members.
When the mayor called for the vote Tuesday, there was again a 3-3 tie, and Parham-Copelan voted in favor of the land bank proposal. Somewhat interestingly, two council members changed their vote from before, with the deadlock again resulting. Jeanette Walden had hesitated before voting no previously, but said yes Tuesday, and Shonya Mapp, who arrived at the June 13 meeting late and voted in favor of the measure, answered ‘no’.
Dr. Collinda Lee and Denese Shinholster opposed the proposal each time, while Reynolds and Steve Chambers, who made the motion and seconded it, respectively, voted in favor of it.
The land bank, a separate legal entity, will have the ability to purchase and convey property, extinguish liens, including those for past due taxes, and clear up titles where problems may arise due to it being heir property, with issues of ownership interests, among other powers. The county is now trying to reach the agreement with the city to primarily use the land bank to convey land to Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit organization that will utilize grant funds to construct two houses for low-income families.
Parham-Copelan gave three reasons for approving the agreement with the county to form the land bank.
“It is needed within our community to assist those who would not have the opportunity to afford home ownership,” Parham-Copelan began.
“Secondly,” the mayor continued, “we have a voice set in place that makes it impossible to change up or do something in the city limits without the unanimous vote from the board or council or whoever we put on the board of this land bank authority. That means you’re going to have the council to weigh in; council can veto something they don’t like that is happening inside the city limits.”
In addition, the mayor stated there is now grant funding involved, and the failure to provide the necessary means to accomplish the goals of the low-income assistance program would necessitate the return of the funds.
“So, in my voting tonight to break the tie, I am voting in favor of the land bank because I think it is very much needed in our community. I think we are all going to be pleased that we did not get in when it all started, but we did get in on ground zero,” said Parham-Copelan.
Walden wanted confirmation the move is not irreversible, and the mayor confirmed that the move can always be “revisited.”
Walden and Mapp each expressed simple reasons for their decision to reverse positions.
“I had some questions,” Walden said after the meeting of her previous vote. “I was ready to vote for it, but then I had some questions I needed answering, so I voted no. I had questions about some of the houses out there. I have had those questions answered, and I am in favor of it.”
Mapp’s reasoning was more basic than that.
“I came in late,” Mapp said. “I thought I was answering the roll call. I didn’t know I was voting on the land bank.”
Mapp also expressed concerns with how properties were selected in the city and questioned whether another entity should make that decision.
The agreement, as approved Tuesday night, contained changes requested by council members, including increasing the number of city appointees on the land bank’s board from three to four of nine and modifying the language regarding non-profit entities that could be allowed to own property. This will give the city more say-so on parcels within the city limits.
Baldwin County Manager Carlos Tobar said Wednesday the county will vote again on the agreement to accommodate the city’s changes no later than July 18 and expressed his pleasure with city council’s approval.
“I am relieved and excited about being able to help four needy families with new houses.”