ADOPTED - FEBRUARY 8, 2005

Agenda Item No. 12

Introduced by the County Services and Finance Committees of the:

INGHAM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

RESOLUTION SUPPORTING A REQUEST FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE GENESEE INSTITUTE IN IMPLEMENTING A LAND BANK AUTHORITY

RESOLUTION #05-029

WHEREAS, the 92nd Michigan Legislature found that there exists in the State of Michigan a continuing need to strengthen and revitalize the economy of the State of Michigan and local units of government in this state and that it is in the best interests of the State of Michigan and local units of government in this state to assemble or dispose of public property, including tax reverted  property, in a coordinated manner to foster the development of that property and to promote economic growth in the State of Michigan and local units of government in this state; and

WHEREAS, in order to facilitate this, the Legislature enacted the Land Bank Fast Track Act, 2003 PA 258, MCL 124.751 to124.774,  which authorizes the creation of a governmental entity at the County level that owns, holds, and accepts property for the purpose of maintaining it and returning it a to a productive and economically viable use; and

WHEREAS, the Genesee Institute, the teaching and research affiliate of the Genesee Land Bank, is offering a new service to communities in Michigan to assist them in implementing the new Michigan Land Bank Fast Track Authority Act; and

WHEREAS, the Institute has released a Request for Proposals for counties interested in receiving up to $25,000 in technical assistance as they consider the implementation of a Land  Bank Authority; and

WHEREAS, the primary objectives of the Land Bank Authority Technical Assistance Program are to: 1) help localities to understand the strengths and weaknesses of their policies and practices regarding vacant/blighted, tax delinquent properties, and how they are currently implemented; 2) facilitate local collaboration around determining how to utilize the Land Bank Fast Track Authority Act; 3) assist with the creation of Land Bank Authorities; 4) gain insights that can shape the Institute’s research and policy agenda and build its repertoire of effective strategies that can serve additional communities; and

WHEREAS, the Ingham County Treasurer has recommended that Ingham County establish its own Land Bank Authority, and  to that end, a request for technical assistance from the Genesee Institute should be made, as offered in their RFP; and

WHEREAS, the Ingham County Economic Development Corporation has endorsed the Treasurer’s recommendation; and

ADOPTED - FEBRUARY 8, 2005

Agenda Item No. 12

RESOLUTION #05-029

WHEREAS, the Ingham County Board of Commissioners is also endorsing the Treasurer’s recommendation.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ingham County Board of Commissioners strongly endorses the recommendation of the Ingham County Treasurer to consider the creation of a Land Bank Authority.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners acknowledges the existence of a vacant/blighted/tax delinquent property problem which is affecting the quality of life in specific neighborhoods

and/or is depressing markets countywide, or has the potential to create such a problem if not addressed.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners authorizes the necessary commitment of staff time or other in-kind resources to defray costs and ensure local ownership in the analysis and reforms offered by

the Genesee Institute.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners strongly supports making a request for technical assistance from the Genesee Institute, as offered in their RFP.

COUNTY SERVICES: Yeas:  Celentino,  De Leon, Schor, Severino, Vickers

Nays:  None                Absent:  Copedge         Approved 2/1/05

FINANCE: Yeas:  Dedden, Swope, Hertel, Schor, Thomas, Dougan

Nays:  None               Absent:  None         Approved 2/2/05