Transcript

Event transcript
Session on addressing blight. 00:00:00
And I'm just going to open the floor right up to. 00:00:02
Our community development Director, Miss Jamie Stein. 00:00:05
Thank you, Mr. Mayor. 00:00:09
Thank you, members of the Council and to the public. 00:00:11
That is with us here in person and also maybe. 00:00:14
Listening. Umm. 00:00:17
To the presentation for those of you at home listening. 00:00:19
The presentation I'm about to go through is online on our Suite 1 media site, and I'll try to remember to sort of let you know 00:00:23
that I'm advancing slides. 00:00:27
In the virtual sphere there. 00:00:32
So. 00:00:35
We have been trying to get on the docket a presentation and work session on blight. 00:00:37
And really addressing blight in our city. 00:00:43
My goal for this presentation tonight is to help everyone understand. 00:00:48
A little bit about the different types of. 00:00:52
Of polite, that can be a broad term. 00:00:55
To help you understand that we have blighted vacant and abandoned properties in both the residential. 00:00:58
Uses as well as commercial. 00:01:05
Uses to try to help you understand what tools we currently have and what actions we currently take. 00:01:08
To address blight and then maybe have a couple of ideas for what we might want to do moving forward. 00:01:15
So that's kind of the arc of this evening's presentation. 00:01:21
Just to kind of lay the groundwork a little bit, you'll remember. 00:01:26
I think it was in January, 1 of my last master plan quarterly updates, we kind of went over the master plan again. It was written 00:01:29
in 2017. 00:01:35
We talked about a few items in our community work. 00:01:41
Plan, if you'll remember. 00:01:45
We we sort of praised our accomplishments over roughly the past 10 years. 00:01:47
And then we thought about some of the things that we didn't take any action on in the community work program. 00:01:52
And the idea was maybe. 00:01:58
There were some items that we just. 00:02:01
Wanted to let go that we weren't really interested in addressing any longer. 00:02:03
And maybe there were some items that we wanted to keep so. 00:02:08
If you'll remember, one of the action items out of our 2017 master plan was to implement a blight tax on properties to encourage 00:02:12
compliance with property maintenance standards. 00:02:17
It was something that we ranked as wanting to achieve in the immediate short term. 00:02:23
But we didn't take any action on it. 00:02:29
And then also, if you'll remember, we put out a survey. 00:02:32
In which we asked residents to go in and any of our work plan items. 00:02:36
That we did not address. We asked them to rank them. 00:02:40
And in the priorities identified in that. 00:02:43
Public Survey. 00:02:47
Oh sorry, I tried to add an animation but it didn't work. 00:02:48
So we'll move on from there. 00:02:51
Some of the some of the things that came up, particularly in the realms of economic development and land use, again on that 2017 00:02:54
work plan that we all work so hard on. 00:03:00
Was a couple of things to incentivize the reuse or redevelopment of existing commercial and or industrial buildings. 00:03:05
Over the development of new properties. 00:03:11
To create a plan to revitalize Midtown, well, I'm happy to say that that plan is currently underway with the University of Georgia 00:03:13
Carl Vinson Institute and the Midtown RSVP. 00:03:18
And then within the land use category to implement a black tax on properties to encourage compliance with property maintenance 00:03:24
standards. 00:03:27
To drive this home even further. 00:03:32
As part of the Midtown RSVP process. 00:03:34
About 1200 of our community members took a survey. Many of you I'm sure did it and one of the things that came up in the 00:03:36
presentation or in the survey data. 00:03:41
That residents and others that visit Saint Mary's did not like. 00:03:46
Was blighted, dilapidated and vacant buildings in the Midtown area. 00:03:50
So I propose. 00:03:54
Now is the time that we can start taking some action on a goal that we set out to do in 2017. 00:03:57
I think now is the time to start moving the needle a little bit on this one. 00:04:04
So. 00:04:09
What are we currently doing? So I know that we. 00:04:10
We may think of some. 00:04:13
Structures in midtown that when we talk about light that comes to mind but I really wanted to take the time to sing the praises of 00:04:15
our. 00:04:19
Fantastic code compliance officers who are with us this evening. 00:04:24
Carlos and Troy. 00:04:28
Give them a shout out for all their really great work. 00:04:30
And wanted to walk through. 00:04:33
Four large areas that Code compliance spends a lot of their time on. 00:04:35
So you know, overgrown vegetation, grass and leaves. This is 1. As a recent transplant to the southeast, I am amazed at how. 00:04:40
Voracious the environment can be in terms of growth and growing. 00:04:50
And I know that for our household, it was a real transition to think, oh, we're gonna have to mow the grass like. 00:04:54
Every week. 00:05:00
But this is something this is a common thing. 00:05:01
That Troy and Carlos will get calls about. 00:05:04
Whether it's residential or commercial property. 00:05:07
And we're always out trying to remind residents and. 00:05:10
Commercial property owners to keep their lawns maintained. 00:05:14
Another area Which? 00:05:19
The code compliance department spent a significant amount of time on until recently. 00:05:21
Thank you, Mr. Williams for your hard work on transitioning our bulk trash. 00:05:27
Pickups so Mission, who is a great record keeper. 00:05:32
I believe the code compliance department called in. 00:05:38
3000. 00:05:42
Bulk pickups last year. 00:05:44
So not everybody was calling them in. 00:05:46
But the good work. 00:05:49
Of the code compliance department. 00:05:50
Ensured that. 00:05:52
OK, that we could. 00:05:54
We we were able to keep that trash off of our streets. 00:05:57
Because nothing. Kind of. 00:06:00
You know things. 00:06:02
A little bit of light is when you have trash that is not being picked up. So for those of you who do not know, we have now 00:06:04
transitioned our bulk pickup. 00:06:08
To residents, those who have the the pickup service. 00:06:13
Can put out their bulk at the times of their regular trash pickup, so no. 00:06:19
Calling in. 00:06:24
And with that. 00:06:25
Transition what the code compliance department which is. 00:06:26
To be clear. 00:06:30
1 1/2. 00:06:31
Full time employees. OK, so 1 1/2 employees. 00:06:32
UMM has now been able to free up their time. 00:06:36
To work his. 00:06:39
To work on. 00:06:40
What I would call more strategic. 00:06:42
Comprehensive efforts. 00:06:45
And we've done a really successful operation around inoperable vehicles. 00:06:46
So our ordinance does regulate inoperable or unregistered vehicles. 00:06:52
And So what we've. 00:06:58
Focused on is. 00:06:59
A neighborhood scale. 00:07:01
Assessment in which we follow. 00:07:03
Our approach within code which is. 00:07:06
To speak. 00:07:08
To a property owner. 00:07:09
One-on-one try to get them into compliance. Make them aware of what is non compliant. 00:07:10
After a certain amount of time we transition. 00:07:15
To a more formal. 00:07:18
A written notice of violation with a corrective order and a certain amount of time if we still cannot move the needle towards 00:07:19
compliance with that. 00:07:23
We will issue a summons to that individual to appear in Municipal Court at that point. 00:07:27
It's kind of out of Code's hands and it has now moved into the Municipal Court system. 00:07:33
So what we've been able to do with an offerable vehicles and this was a. 00:07:38
Four month process. So I just want to kind of. 00:07:42
Put this into a time frame, a four month process in which in one neighborhood we identified. 00:07:45
22 residences which. 00:07:52
With about. 00:07:54
32 inoperable vehicles in total. 00:07:54
And over the four month period this. 00:07:57
Effort has resulted in only two summonses. 00:08:00
29 inoperable vehicles. 00:08:04
Either fixed up or towed away or moved on but are no longer. 00:08:08
Sitting on properties inoperable. 00:08:13
I think that was a really fantastic achievement. 00:08:16
In the code of compliance department and. 00:08:19
With more time now not having to go around and. 00:08:21
Calling the ball pickups, they have the time to do these very. 00:08:25
Comprehensive strategic approaches. 00:08:29
So that last. 00:08:33
Kind of doodle there of vacant and abandoned properties. Again, I have to stress that this is both. 00:08:34
In residential and in commercial areas. 00:08:39
So what we're talking about here? 00:08:43
Is really. 00:08:46
These are property owners who are no longer within the city. They don't have eyes on their property. There's. 00:08:48
There's no activity in the property. 00:08:54
And, and what ends up happening there, and this is a question that I posed to you as council members and mayor and the public. 00:08:57
Is that code compliance then enters into this realm of? 00:09:03
Property management. 00:09:07
We have property owners who are. 00:09:08
Essentially shirking their. 00:09:10
Private property management and ownership responsibilities. 00:09:11
And it's code compliance that is calling them, reminding them about weeds and grass. 00:09:15
Communicating with the Police Department when there's illegal activity. Mobile vendors that don't have permits. 00:09:19
Folks who are squatting. 00:09:24
You know, umm. 00:09:25
Illegal sales of things in the parking lot, there's all manner of things that. 00:09:26
Code will spend a significant amount of timer. 00:09:30
And this is such a problem throughout the country, really. 00:09:33
But a little bit more locally, both the cities of Savannah as well as Brunswick. 00:09:37
Have done studies in which they've identified that. 00:09:41
On average. 00:09:44
Each vacant or blighted or abandoned property. 00:09:45
Will cost a municipality and its taxpayers anywhere from 1300 to 1500 dollars. 00:09:49
A property. 00:09:55
And these funds are largely uncomfortable, unrecoverable. Sorry. 00:09:56
Costs that are incurred. 00:10:01
For addressing overgrown grass. 00:10:02
Litter, illegal dumping, inoperable vehicles, you name it. 00:10:04
So the code compliance staff and I have really zoomed in on a couple of. 00:10:08
Properties that are just persistently challenging. 00:10:14
Right. It's where, to the tune of three years, we've been calling property owners, asking them to mow their grass. 00:10:17
That time is up, so those property owners are now in the process of receiving summonses. 00:10:25
So I think. 00:10:29
I think where we are now is just at a point. 00:10:30
Where we need to start taking some more. 00:10:33
Significant action. 00:10:35
So. 00:10:37
Let's talk a little bit. Any questions? 00:10:37
Before I keep going here. 00:10:40
OK, so let's talk a little bit about the toolbox. What do we have in the toolbox to address this challenge? 00:10:41
So currently, I mean, we've got. 00:10:48
Incredible code compliance officers and staff and we work great as a team. 00:10:50
We have a series of ordinances. Particularly Chapter 46 in our code of ordinances is related to the environment. 00:10:56
There are certain articles in there that are related to nuisances. 00:11:05
And to nuisance abatement. 00:11:09
We do also have a foreclosure and vacant real estate property registry that is on the books. 00:11:11
We have adopted the International Property Maintenance code, and we can also take. 00:11:17
Some steps on. 00:11:22
Enforcing that code because we have adopted it in our ordinances, but some of the things. 00:11:24
I think is that. 00:11:29
Yeah, there's another animation that didn't work. Some of the things that we don't have are those last two bullets. So this idea 00:11:30
of a community redevelopment tax incentive program, AKA a blight tax. 00:11:37
OK, that's something that we don't have. 00:11:44
Which if we wanted to pursue that Ave. 00:11:46
We would have to codify that. 00:11:48
Some others can be things that are less punitive if you will. Maybe potentially some small grants, maybe a zoning overlay that 00:11:51
would. 00:11:55
That would really augment the allowed uses perhaps in our commercial corridor or in Midtown, so that you would lighten the lift to 00:11:59
get development in those areas. So there's a bunch of different tools. 00:12:05
That we can use. And tonight I just want to take a little bit of a deeper dive. 00:12:11
Into this community redevelopment tax incentive program. 00:12:16
Otherwise known as the blank tax. 00:12:19
So. 00:12:21
Where do we turn? We turn to our good friends at the University of Georgia Carl Vinson Institute. 00:12:22
And I found this presentation which is fairly new. 00:12:28
And it goes through some of the requirements to get a flight tax or this type of. 00:12:32
Redevelopment tax incentive program going in your city? 00:12:37
OK, So what allows us to do this? I know there was some confusion around whether or not we as a city could implement. 00:12:42
Of Latex. 00:12:49
And so the Georgia Constitution. 00:12:50
This section that I have here cited for you. 00:12:52
In 2002. 00:12:55
Allows localities to establish tax incentive programs to rehabilitate blighted properties. 00:12:57
Some of the arguments for is that it decreases the burden on the government, exactly as I said about code compliance staff time to 00:13:03
the tune of 1300 to $1500 per flight of property. 00:13:09
And it encourages private property owners to maintain their property. 00:13:16
OK, what kinds of properties I want to be Very very. 00:13:20
Very clear here. 00:13:24
This does not apply. 00:13:27
To residential structures. 00:13:29
That our individuals or families private residencies. 00:13:31
Again. 00:13:35
This does not. 00:13:36
Apply to. 00:13:37
A primary. 00:13:39
Residents, OK, just want to be real clear on that. 00:13:40
So residential structures that are vacant or maybe they're being used for something other than a residential dwelling. 00:13:44
It applies to blighted or abandoned commercial or industrial structures. 00:13:50
It can apply to brownfields, so we don't really have those in the city, but this does not really apply to undeveloped land. 00:13:54
If you have a tract of land that's undeveloped, this is not a tool that you would want to use. 00:14:01
What are the necessary elements? 00:14:08
So you need to come up with a definition in your ordinance of what the standards of blight are and how you determine. 00:14:09
Something to be blighted. This is incredibly important. 00:14:16
Because you need to have very clear guidance. 00:14:20
So that everyone can understand what we mean when we save light. 00:14:23
In addition to why that's very important. 00:14:27
Is because. 00:14:30
To really do this procedure correctly, and not all municipalities do this, council member and Ashimento. 00:14:31
Invited. 00:14:38
Folks from the planning director and also, I believe a. 00:14:40
Alderman or a council member from Brunswick. 00:14:43
Yes, and Councilmember Keene joined us in that meeting. 00:14:47
And we had a conversation about their flight tax. 00:14:50
And that's something that the property owners just get a tax bill. 00:14:53
There's no public hearing process in that. 00:14:57
The best practice is to identify this procedure when you're identifying blighted properties. It requires a notice to the owner and 00:15:00
an opportunity for a public hearing. 00:15:05
And then you have to come up with standards for the rehabilitation of that property. 00:15:10
The way that this kind of works is. 00:15:15
You know you. 00:15:17
You establish that a property is blighted. 00:15:18
We, as a municipality, deter. 00:15:20
An extra ad valorem tax that we would place on that property. 00:15:23
I'll get into that a little bit further in the presentation. 00:15:27
But in that in that communication, the property owner is then given a bit of a. 00:15:30
Corrective order. 00:15:35
What do you need to do in order to get your property out of this blighted status? 00:15:37
And once that property is brought out of its flighted status. 00:15:42
Then that property owner that invested in that property. 00:15:46
Could enjoy. 00:15:49
A reduced ad valorem tax. So there's a couple of ways to do this kind of carrot and stick, and that's what I wanted to. 00:15:50
Layout to the Council now, so really important to make sure that we get. 00:15:58
What do we mean when we say blighted? 00:16:02
Right. We need to be very clear about that. 00:16:05
We need to identify the procedure that we want to adopt. 00:16:07
For identifying such properties. 00:16:11
And then we want to. 00:16:13
Identify the standards for rehabilitation. 00:16:15
OK. Furthermore, when you go to levy this Aguilar on tax and its revenue? 00:16:19
We need to. 00:16:25
Be very clear about the increased rate. 00:16:26
So if you start to look into even further in this presentation that we've. 00:16:29
Crib from when you really look into this. 00:16:34
The the consensus from other cities that have done it is. 00:16:36
You need to make it. 00:16:39
Stick. You need to make it work. 00:16:40
So it can't just be a doubling of your ad foreign tax. Most municipalities who have enacted this are anywhere of five times. 00:16:42
The Ed will learn tax all the way up to 10 times the ad valorem tax. So the community that we spoke to in Brunswick. 00:16:49
They did 7 times. 00:16:56
OK umm, you got to specify the decreased rate of tax after rehabilitation. 00:16:58
So then. 00:17:04
Often what happens is that there's a .5. 00:17:05
Military reduction after the. 00:17:09
Property is brought into compliance, so it's sort of a tool to, you know, your your levying a higher tax while the property is 00:17:11
blighted and then trying to get it out of flight. 00:17:16
You're offering this carrot. At the end, there will be a reduction in taxes. 00:17:21
And then good practice is to. 00:17:26
Separate those revenues that we would get from this. 00:17:29
Taxation. 00:17:32
And could be used or go towards community development and we would have to identify what. 00:17:34
We thought those. 00:17:38
Uses might be. 00:17:40
OK, so I think. 00:17:42
That's kind of where I wanted to end this. 00:17:44
Work session to. 00:17:47
Put forth this idea. 00:17:48
Help you understand what we're currently doing, some of the actions that we're taking, but you know, we can only take certain 00:17:50
actions so far. 00:17:55
So this is 1 potential that we could pursue. 00:17:59
Particularly, I think the. 00:18:04
The focus if we should decide to do this. 00:18:06
Is really on. 00:18:09
Vacant. Abandoned. 00:18:10
Properties. These properties in which code compliance has now become the de facto property management company. 00:18:12
And I think we can get there through a few tweaks. So again that. 00:18:19
Chapter 46, The environment section of our Code of ordinances. There are really three existing ordinances in there, again, the one 00:18:23
on nuisances. 00:18:27
The one on nuisance abatement. 00:18:32
And the foreclosure and vacant real property registry, I think those are three existing tools. 00:18:34
That with a few tweaks we can get them to have a bit more. 00:18:40
Teach to them and then if. 00:18:44
The council would choose to. 00:18:48
Staff, I believe it would be smart if we worked with our legal counsel. 00:18:51
To try to draft a community redevelopment tax incentive program. 00:18:55
And I believe that's the end of my presentation. So with that, I'll end and take any questions. 00:19:00
I want to first say Miss Stein. 00:19:05
You and your department. 00:19:09
Don't toot your horn enough sometimes. 00:19:11
Miss Stein has on her wall in her office. 00:19:15
Number of photos of. 00:19:18
Properties that were previously glided that they have worked. 00:19:20
With very quietly. 00:19:23
To clean up, you know, so they have been at this work for some time now with some good successes there. 00:19:25
Sometimes slow processes and working with people. 00:19:32
But she's shown a vested interest. 00:19:36
And doing what she's talking about here. And it's not just. 00:19:39
Ideation. It's it's. 00:19:44
Impact and it's occurring and. 00:19:46
The biggest thing and the thing that I've spoken to her about and that I would like. 00:19:49
For us as a council to. 00:19:54
Understand and to. 00:19:56
Act on as a group is to understand that. 00:19:59
We have to stand behind. 00:20:02
What we're asking our staff to do and. 00:20:04
You know when our buddy from church or our coworker you know. 00:20:07
Has a situation where their property has been. 00:20:11
Identified as blighted and then next thing you know, we're trying to work in the backgrounds to. 00:20:14
To, you know, get this alleviated for them or whatever you know that needs to not happen. 00:20:20
You know we need to stand. 00:20:25
On the principles of what we're asking them to do, day and out, the tough, hard work. 00:20:27
The hard conversations and we need to stand behind them and we need to be. 00:20:32
You know the backbone. 00:20:39
Of this operation and let it move forward. 00:20:40
In the way we decided we wanted to move forward and. 00:20:44
So I asked. 00:20:47
For that. 00:20:48
Consideration as we as we move forward and talk about exactly what we're going to do and how we implement. 00:20:49
That we do it with the intention. 00:20:55
To do it. 00:20:58
And to not back off of it once we start this process and. 00:20:59
You know I have spoken. 00:21:05
A couple of times about. 00:21:07
You know my. 00:21:08
My primary focus is the one on commercial. 00:21:10
And. 00:21:14
More of a. 00:21:15
As Mr. Harris talked about, more of a community effort when it comes into a residential situations especially. 00:21:17
Primary residences of people. 00:21:24
To try to find a way to be more community oriented. 00:21:28
To provide the helping hand. 00:21:31
Perhaps some of these funds, if we're able to actually collect funds through. 00:21:34
The black tax, the. 00:21:39
You know would. 00:21:41
Can be set aside. 00:21:43
To help with those kinds of situations when they arise. 00:21:44
As one possible, you know. 00:21:48
Thing that we could do with those funds. 00:21:50
Would be to help out in those situations where we need but. 00:21:53
The big work, like you said, is. 00:21:57
Is. 00:21:59
Deciding we're ready to move forward on this, I said the. 00:22:00
It's not easy just because you have uh. 00:22:05
Attacks that you can levy on somebody. 00:22:08
You know, everything I've read, You know, as you said, it needs to be painful. 00:22:11
You know and. 00:22:17
10 times or whatever that number is. 00:22:18
It needs to something that wakes them up and realizes that this is going to start. 00:22:22
Empty property that I've left here and let. 00:22:27
Become an eyesore because. 00:22:30
I live in Jacksonville or Texas or wherever and I don't really care. I don't drive by it every day. 00:22:31
It needs to. 00:22:38
It needs to pique their attention, you know that. 00:22:39
The city's serious about this and but, you know. 00:22:43
You go through that process, you apply these. 00:22:46
You know they don't pay it. You know, now you're into liens and other. 00:22:49
Issues. It doesn't. 00:22:53
Fix the problem overnight. We all have to realize that. 00:22:56
You know, but. 00:23:00
You know, we want to offer both that. 00:23:02
That carrot, you know the. 00:23:05
OK, You know, you did fix up something that has been blighted for some time or whatever and. 00:23:07
We're willing to meet you and give you a little benefit for doing that work to make our city look better. 00:23:12
But that the stick is very important as well because it's got to motivate people. 00:23:18
To do this in the 1st place, umm. 00:23:24
Many of the communities that have implemented these things. 00:23:26
Come to find out that they don't necessarily have to. 00:23:30
Go down this road too often with the legal stick because. 00:23:34
The fact that it's out there and you know you do it once or twice and they know you're serious about it. 00:23:38
It starts to take hold and. 00:23:43
And then you start to get the intended. 00:23:46
Desired effect. 00:23:48
As you move forward. 00:23:50
So those are my comments to start. 00:23:51
Jamie, you. 00:23:55
You have one of the toughest jobs. 00:23:57
Around. 00:23:59
And. 00:24:01
It reflects on us. 00:24:03
Whether you're doing a good job or not because. 00:24:05
Like the mayor said. 00:24:08
People are catching Sunday school. 00:24:11
Walmart even it. 00:24:14
Come up and said, you know, I've been doing this for. 00:24:19
30 years. This is my property and. 00:24:22
They want me to do this, do that and. 00:24:26
We're going to have to get some back bonus. 00:24:30
Elect official and say look. 00:24:32
That's that's the law. You're going to have to. 00:24:34
Abide by it. 00:24:37
And I respect and. 00:24:38
Love what you're doing and. 00:24:41
Keep up the good work. 00:24:42
I was going to say this for comments, but it's more relevant now I think as citizens. 00:24:44
This is the one tax. 00:24:50
That you should get excited about. You say who's excited about tax? Well, I'm excited about this tax. 00:24:52
Because the some of the issues before even coming on to council. 00:24:57
Are going to be addressed with just this one tool. I was so surprised to hear Councilman land. 00:25:01
Lance and the. 00:25:07
City Planner of Brunswick was using 7 times their ad valorem. Is that the Max? 00:25:08
OK, but. 00:25:13
Number one, that was revenue for their city if they weren't complying but to. 00:25:15
This is the beautification that Saint Mary citizens have been asking for. 00:25:20
And I don't want to see in three to five years. 00:25:24
People having to tell their loved ones and family that comes to visit to close their eyes as they drive through Midtown so that we 00:25:27
can get to the beauty of downtown. 00:25:31
And this is a tool, as Miss Time pointed out in our toolbox, that would address those things. So yes, this is a tax I'm actually 00:25:35
excited about, maybe the only tax I'm ever excited about. 00:25:39
And as the mayor already said, I think this is something we can get on board with. 00:25:44
And this is going to drive business into affordable commercial space. Some of these people have just. 00:25:48
Maybe they don't even live here and are just kind of using this as a way to park money. 00:25:54
And having a new fun little tax bill is going to make that drive down the price and bring businesses into this empty commercial 00:25:58
space because I hate driving through, let's just call it from the tracks to Burrell and seeing a bunch of empty buildings. And 00:26:04
this is going to incentivize them to want to have tenants move in there, want to upkeep their property. And you're going to start 00:26:10
seeing businesses pour into what was otherwise vacant. And so I think this is a great tool. And and yes, I I couldn't agree with 00:26:16
the Mayor Moore, thank you so much. 00:26:22
Design for what you do. 00:26:28
Already and for what your team has done. 00:26:29
And all this preparation that this is something I think that this is a long time coming. So thank you. 00:26:32
In this presentation that Miss Stein. 00:26:37
Reference it says no limits. 00:26:39
On increased or decreased mileage rates. 00:26:42
So 10 is not necessarily the ceiling. And I do, I mean, thank you. Thank you very much for recognizing how hard we've been 00:26:46
working. But it's a week. 00:26:50
It's a good team. I've got exceptional. 00:26:55
I was going to just have a few comments. 00:26:58
You know, obviously, you know, this was identified in 2017, I believe you said and that hasn't been implemented. So it's obviously 00:27:01
long overdue and it is something we should be excited about because it is. 00:27:06
The next step further, you know, revitalizing Saint Mary's. 00:27:11
Just I know you're. 00:27:15
Probably you just got to this point and we have a lot to. 00:27:16
Discussed them before, but. 00:27:20
Is there like a standard like say? 00:27:22
If you have a blighted property. 00:27:25
And you got a big tax bill coming. You decide to sell it. 00:27:27
And someone else might it. 00:27:30
Is there like now a reset button for the new owner? Like a year, 2 years until the tax would? 00:27:32
Come in about a normal. 00:27:37
I really don't know. 00:27:38
Yeah, I know, I know. We're just not getting into this, but I just. 00:27:39
The way my mind works questions ways to prevent a non arm leaks transaction where suit. I'm about to get a big tax bill so I'm 00:27:42
just going to sell it to my buddy and start the clock over. Like just to make sure there's preventive measures for things like 00:27:46
that. 00:27:50
Yeah. 00:27:54
It's a good thing to look at. I don't know that answer. 00:27:55
I I. 00:27:58
I was just looking at it I received from the city of. 00:28:10
Auburn, GA. 00:28:13
A copy of their. 00:28:14
Redevelopment tax incentive program. Their bike tax. 00:28:16
I'm just looking to see if they address that specific question in there. Can't remember seeing it when I. 00:28:19
When I looked at it earlier. 00:28:24
But definitely something that. 00:28:26
We could include. 00:28:27
Yeah, I mean, the city of Brunswick chose to. 00:28:29
Put it all into their building ordinance. 00:28:32
So it's a, it's a whopper. It's. 00:28:36
75 pages long I think. 00:28:37
But I feel like. 00:28:40
The city of Auburn, Is that what you said, Mr. Mayor? Yes. And then Brunswick. 00:28:42
And the Savannah has one. 00:28:46
And I think those are. 00:28:52
Good next steps if there are some of these questions about. 00:28:53
You know well what happens if this. 00:28:57
And to have some guidance on establishing our procedures. 00:28:59
You know, that's kind of a. 00:29:03
Writing code 101 is go to what's been successful and take. 00:29:05
Take some ideas from it. 00:29:09
So this is should be. 00:29:10
To be served upon the person. 00:29:14
Shown on the most recent tax digest of Barry counselors responsible for payment of abalone taxes assessed there on. 00:29:16
So, but Jamie, do we have? 00:29:23
Any information from other cities about how they're defining? 00:29:27
Yeah. So in those ordinances, there's usually at the very beginning, there's a definition of flight. 00:29:33
I mean, you know. 00:29:38
Basically anything that. 00:29:38
That can be detrimental to public health, so you can cast a really wide net. 00:29:40
You know, anytime that there's a illicit activity or drug use or. 00:29:46
Crime. I mean, we can. 00:29:51
We can utilize. 00:29:54
Other definitions, but you know that. To be clear, this is not a. 00:29:56
You know a missing shingle here or there. 00:30:05
Right, I've heard that Laps and utility service. 00:30:07
Has been used. Yeah, I think that could be 1. I mean, if you haven't had a. 00:30:11
Active utility account for five years. That's a. 00:30:15
I read. 00:30:18
Yeah, I read the city. Auburn's for you real quick. It's not too, too long. Fly the property. 00:30:20
Means the any urbanized or developed property which presents two or more of the following conditions. 00:30:25
Uninhabitable, unsafe, or abandoned structure. 00:30:30
Inadequate provisions for ventilation, light, air or sanitation. 00:30:33
An imminent harm to life or other property caused by fire, flood, hurricane, tornado, earthquake, storm, or other natural 00:30:38
catastrophe. 00:30:41
Respecting which the governor has declared a state of emergency under state law is certified the need for disaster assistance 00:30:45
under federal law. 00:30:48
Provided, however, this division. 00:30:52
Shall not apply to property unless the relevant public agency is given. 00:30:54
Notice in writing to the property owner. 00:30:58
Regarding specific harm caused by the property, owners failed to take reasonable measures. 00:31:00
A site identified by the EPA as a Superfund site. 00:31:06
Repeated illegal activity on the individual property of which the property owner knew or should have known. 00:31:10
The presence of trash, rubbish and Oregon graffiti. 00:31:16
Or the maintenance of the property is below state, county or municipal codes. 00:31:19
For at least one year. 00:31:24
And is conducive to ill health, transmission, disease, infant mortality or crime. 00:31:26
And the immediate proximity of the property. 00:31:31
Property shall not be deemed blighted solely because of aesthetic conditions. 00:31:33
And that's theirs. 00:31:40
An idea? I think that's a powerful tool to list, kind of like offer the menu. 00:31:42
And then you can choose from the menu. 00:31:47
So like I guess I. 00:31:54
Next step is you know is. 00:31:56
If we're all on board. 00:31:58
I think we need to. 00:32:00
Ring light, you know Miss Stein to. 00:32:03
To start working with Mr. Blackerby and compiling some of these. 00:32:06
And. 00:32:10
Put together what she thinks is serviceable. 00:32:12
Which her department can manage and administrate. 00:32:15
And uh. 00:32:18
Get it back to us for the full blessing and support. 00:32:19
Right. Be happy to do that. 00:32:23
I don't know that we did the work session. I guess we need a motion for that necessarily. 00:32:26
You know. 00:32:30
If memory serves correctly at our. 00:32:34
Retreat this year? Was this not the number? Was this the number one thing we had on our list? 00:32:36
It was in the top five, I think. 00:32:41
I don't think we necessarily, I think it's on your radar already and. 00:32:46
Hopefully you heard. 00:32:50
Enough supporting the. 00:32:52
I have. Thank you. How did I want you to continue on and we'll look forward to your presentation of. 00:32:54
An ordinance to consider. 00:33:00
I guess if you want to take a few minutes and ask if any. 00:33:03
Comments or questions from the audience we got about. 00:33:07
20 minutes or so. 00:33:09
Kenjelly, 102 Saltgrass trace here in Saint Mary's. 00:33:13
Mr. Miller, Council members. 00:33:17
Director Stein. 00:33:19
I think this is an excellent initiative. 00:33:21
Ordinance needs to be tough. 00:33:24
Really tough. 00:33:27
The fact that you adopted the International Property Maintenance Code is, in my opinion, going to help significantly because. 00:33:30
That book has so many little tiny items in it. 00:33:37
That you can tie those small. 00:33:42
Very. 00:33:46
Some people would consider insignificant items. 00:33:48
You can bundle that together. 00:33:51
And come up with a shopping bag full of problems. 00:33:53
That uh, uh. 00:33:56
Would fit right into the blight ordinance. 00:33:58
Have no mercy. 00:34:02
You know we've been putting up. 00:34:04
With. 00:34:06
Facilities. 00:34:07
Properties. 00:34:09
Land and. 00:34:10
We as a city, collectively have been doing. 00:34:13
Enormous things trying to get the problem solved. 00:34:17
And. 00:34:21
Land owners and property owners have. 00:34:22
Thumbed their noses at us. 00:34:26
Question came up as to well. 00:34:29
If a property has been. 00:34:31
Find and they had Warren taxes high. 00:34:34
The solution might be, well, let me just sell the property. The ordinance should say the property is not sellable. 00:34:37
You cannot sell it. 00:34:43
While you have an ad valorem tax hanging over your head. 00:34:44
Period. Bye, bye. 00:34:47
Tongue will slack, give him the full stroke of the pump. 00:34:49
Let's make this ordinance work. 00:34:52
For us. 00:34:54
Thank you. 00:34:56
Thank you. 00:34:57
Mary White, 102. Sylvia's Court. 00:35:06
You need to include in this new ordinance. 00:35:09
The fact that it should not only be the property that's visible from the street. 00:35:11
If I'm talking specifically residentials. 00:35:15
I know of a property. 00:35:19
Right now. 00:35:20
That the owner there has not been there for over 5 years. 00:35:21
It just so happens that he's lucky as one next door neighbor. 00:35:25
Moses Front Law form. 00:35:28
But if you look in his backyard above his fence. 00:35:30
Is he has a force back there? 00:35:33
This and I'll give you. 00:35:36
I'll give Troy the information. 00:35:38
But you need to have. 00:35:40
That specifically put into the ordinance. 00:35:41
Just because there's one neighbor is kind enough. 00:35:45
The most front yard. 00:35:47
Doesn't mean that each you get away with it. 00:35:49
Thank you. 00:35:51
We can let Troy do the landscape and not seen her front yard. Beautiful so. 00:36:00
My specialty. 00:36:06
OK. 00:36:12
There's no other comments. We'll close this. I got a OK. 00:36:14
I got somebody that. 00:36:19
What about 3 Texas a while ago? 00:36:21
And people are asking that where was I? 00:36:23
How come they couldn't see me? 00:36:28
And I told him I didn't think. 00:36:30
I didn't think it was intentional, but. 00:36:32
You see, I'm covered up by the. 00:36:34
Flags on the screen. 00:36:36
This this is the third. 00:36:42
Third meeting, they've called him out, but anyway. 00:36:45
All right. Thank you. We'll be back at 6:00 for our City Council meeting. 00:36:48
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Documents available for this event
Document Name Document type
Addressing Blight Presentation General Document

Transcript

Event transcript
Session on addressing blight. 00:00:00
And I'm just going to open the floor right up to. 00:00:02
Our community development Director, Miss Jamie Stein. 00:00:05
Thank you, Mr. Mayor. 00:00:09
Thank you, members of the Council and to the public. 00:00:11
That is with us here in person and also maybe. 00:00:14
Listening. Umm. 00:00:17
To the presentation for those of you at home listening. 00:00:19
The presentation I'm about to go through is online on our Suite 1 media site, and I'll try to remember to sort of let you know 00:00:23
that I'm advancing slides. 00:00:27
In the virtual sphere there. 00:00:32
So. 00:00:35
We have been trying to get on the docket a presentation and work session on blight. 00:00:37
And really addressing blight in our city. 00:00:43
My goal for this presentation tonight is to help everyone understand. 00:00:48
A little bit about the different types of. 00:00:52
Of polite, that can be a broad term. 00:00:55
To help you understand that we have blighted vacant and abandoned properties in both the residential. 00:00:58
Uses as well as commercial. 00:01:05
Uses to try to help you understand what tools we currently have and what actions we currently take. 00:01:08
To address blight and then maybe have a couple of ideas for what we might want to do moving forward. 00:01:15
So that's kind of the arc of this evening's presentation. 00:01:21
Just to kind of lay the groundwork a little bit, you'll remember. 00:01:26
I think it was in January, 1 of my last master plan quarterly updates, we kind of went over the master plan again. It was written 00:01:29
in 2017. 00:01:35
We talked about a few items in our community work. 00:01:41
Plan, if you'll remember. 00:01:45
We we sort of praised our accomplishments over roughly the past 10 years. 00:01:47
And then we thought about some of the things that we didn't take any action on in the community work program. 00:01:52
And the idea was maybe. 00:01:58
There were some items that we just. 00:02:01
Wanted to let go that we weren't really interested in addressing any longer. 00:02:03
And maybe there were some items that we wanted to keep so. 00:02:08
If you'll remember, one of the action items out of our 2017 master plan was to implement a blight tax on properties to encourage 00:02:12
compliance with property maintenance standards. 00:02:17
It was something that we ranked as wanting to achieve in the immediate short term. 00:02:23
But we didn't take any action on it. 00:02:29
And then also, if you'll remember, we put out a survey. 00:02:32
In which we asked residents to go in and any of our work plan items. 00:02:36
That we did not address. We asked them to rank them. 00:02:40
And in the priorities identified in that. 00:02:43
Public Survey. 00:02:47
Oh sorry, I tried to add an animation but it didn't work. 00:02:48
So we'll move on from there. 00:02:51
Some of the some of the things that came up, particularly in the realms of economic development and land use, again on that 2017 00:02:54
work plan that we all work so hard on. 00:03:00
Was a couple of things to incentivize the reuse or redevelopment of existing commercial and or industrial buildings. 00:03:05
Over the development of new properties. 00:03:11
To create a plan to revitalize Midtown, well, I'm happy to say that that plan is currently underway with the University of Georgia 00:03:13
Carl Vinson Institute and the Midtown RSVP. 00:03:18
And then within the land use category to implement a black tax on properties to encourage compliance with property maintenance 00:03:24
standards. 00:03:27
To drive this home even further. 00:03:32
As part of the Midtown RSVP process. 00:03:34
About 1200 of our community members took a survey. Many of you I'm sure did it and one of the things that came up in the 00:03:36
presentation or in the survey data. 00:03:41
That residents and others that visit Saint Mary's did not like. 00:03:46
Was blighted, dilapidated and vacant buildings in the Midtown area. 00:03:50
So I propose. 00:03:54
Now is the time that we can start taking some action on a goal that we set out to do in 2017. 00:03:57
I think now is the time to start moving the needle a little bit on this one. 00:04:04
So. 00:04:09
What are we currently doing? So I know that we. 00:04:10
We may think of some. 00:04:13
Structures in midtown that when we talk about light that comes to mind but I really wanted to take the time to sing the praises of 00:04:15
our. 00:04:19
Fantastic code compliance officers who are with us this evening. 00:04:24
Carlos and Troy. 00:04:28
Give them a shout out for all their really great work. 00:04:30
And wanted to walk through. 00:04:33
Four large areas that Code compliance spends a lot of their time on. 00:04:35
So you know, overgrown vegetation, grass and leaves. This is 1. As a recent transplant to the southeast, I am amazed at how. 00:04:40
Voracious the environment can be in terms of growth and growing. 00:04:50
And I know that for our household, it was a real transition to think, oh, we're gonna have to mow the grass like. 00:04:54
Every week. 00:05:00
But this is something this is a common thing. 00:05:01
That Troy and Carlos will get calls about. 00:05:04
Whether it's residential or commercial property. 00:05:07
And we're always out trying to remind residents and. 00:05:10
Commercial property owners to keep their lawns maintained. 00:05:14
Another area Which? 00:05:19
The code compliance department spent a significant amount of time on until recently. 00:05:21
Thank you, Mr. Williams for your hard work on transitioning our bulk trash. 00:05:27
Pickups so Mission, who is a great record keeper. 00:05:32
I believe the code compliance department called in. 00:05:38
3000. 00:05:42
Bulk pickups last year. 00:05:44
So not everybody was calling them in. 00:05:46
But the good work. 00:05:49
Of the code compliance department. 00:05:50
Ensured that. 00:05:52
OK, that we could. 00:05:54
We we were able to keep that trash off of our streets. 00:05:57
Because nothing. Kind of. 00:06:00
You know things. 00:06:02
A little bit of light is when you have trash that is not being picked up. So for those of you who do not know, we have now 00:06:04
transitioned our bulk pickup. 00:06:08
To residents, those who have the the pickup service. 00:06:13
Can put out their bulk at the times of their regular trash pickup, so no. 00:06:19
Calling in. 00:06:24
And with that. 00:06:25
Transition what the code compliance department which is. 00:06:26
To be clear. 00:06:30
1 1/2. 00:06:31
Full time employees. OK, so 1 1/2 employees. 00:06:32
UMM has now been able to free up their time. 00:06:36
To work his. 00:06:39
To work on. 00:06:40
What I would call more strategic. 00:06:42
Comprehensive efforts. 00:06:45
And we've done a really successful operation around inoperable vehicles. 00:06:46
So our ordinance does regulate inoperable or unregistered vehicles. 00:06:52
And So what we've. 00:06:58
Focused on is. 00:06:59
A neighborhood scale. 00:07:01
Assessment in which we follow. 00:07:03
Our approach within code which is. 00:07:06
To speak. 00:07:08
To a property owner. 00:07:09
One-on-one try to get them into compliance. Make them aware of what is non compliant. 00:07:10
After a certain amount of time we transition. 00:07:15
To a more formal. 00:07:18
A written notice of violation with a corrective order and a certain amount of time if we still cannot move the needle towards 00:07:19
compliance with that. 00:07:23
We will issue a summons to that individual to appear in Municipal Court at that point. 00:07:27
It's kind of out of Code's hands and it has now moved into the Municipal Court system. 00:07:33
So what we've been able to do with an offerable vehicles and this was a. 00:07:38
Four month process. So I just want to kind of. 00:07:42
Put this into a time frame, a four month process in which in one neighborhood we identified. 00:07:45
22 residences which. 00:07:52
With about. 00:07:54
32 inoperable vehicles in total. 00:07:54
And over the four month period this. 00:07:57
Effort has resulted in only two summonses. 00:08:00
29 inoperable vehicles. 00:08:04
Either fixed up or towed away or moved on but are no longer. 00:08:08
Sitting on properties inoperable. 00:08:13
I think that was a really fantastic achievement. 00:08:16
In the code of compliance department and. 00:08:19
With more time now not having to go around and. 00:08:21
Calling the ball pickups, they have the time to do these very. 00:08:25
Comprehensive strategic approaches. 00:08:29
So that last. 00:08:33
Kind of doodle there of vacant and abandoned properties. Again, I have to stress that this is both. 00:08:34
In residential and in commercial areas. 00:08:39
So what we're talking about here? 00:08:43
Is really. 00:08:46
These are property owners who are no longer within the city. They don't have eyes on their property. There's. 00:08:48
There's no activity in the property. 00:08:54
And, and what ends up happening there, and this is a question that I posed to you as council members and mayor and the public. 00:08:57
Is that code compliance then enters into this realm of? 00:09:03
Property management. 00:09:07
We have property owners who are. 00:09:08
Essentially shirking their. 00:09:10
Private property management and ownership responsibilities. 00:09:11
And it's code compliance that is calling them, reminding them about weeds and grass. 00:09:15
Communicating with the Police Department when there's illegal activity. Mobile vendors that don't have permits. 00:09:19
Folks who are squatting. 00:09:24
You know, umm. 00:09:25
Illegal sales of things in the parking lot, there's all manner of things that. 00:09:26
Code will spend a significant amount of timer. 00:09:30
And this is such a problem throughout the country, really. 00:09:33
But a little bit more locally, both the cities of Savannah as well as Brunswick. 00:09:37
Have done studies in which they've identified that. 00:09:41
On average. 00:09:44
Each vacant or blighted or abandoned property. 00:09:45
Will cost a municipality and its taxpayers anywhere from 1300 to 1500 dollars. 00:09:49
A property. 00:09:55
And these funds are largely uncomfortable, unrecoverable. Sorry. 00:09:56
Costs that are incurred. 00:10:01
For addressing overgrown grass. 00:10:02
Litter, illegal dumping, inoperable vehicles, you name it. 00:10:04
So the code compliance staff and I have really zoomed in on a couple of. 00:10:08
Properties that are just persistently challenging. 00:10:14
Right. It's where, to the tune of three years, we've been calling property owners, asking them to mow their grass. 00:10:17
That time is up, so those property owners are now in the process of receiving summonses. 00:10:25
So I think. 00:10:29
I think where we are now is just at a point. 00:10:30
Where we need to start taking some more. 00:10:33
Significant action. 00:10:35
So. 00:10:37
Let's talk a little bit. Any questions? 00:10:37
Before I keep going here. 00:10:40
OK, so let's talk a little bit about the toolbox. What do we have in the toolbox to address this challenge? 00:10:41
So currently, I mean, we've got. 00:10:48
Incredible code compliance officers and staff and we work great as a team. 00:10:50
We have a series of ordinances. Particularly Chapter 46 in our code of ordinances is related to the environment. 00:10:56
There are certain articles in there that are related to nuisances. 00:11:05
And to nuisance abatement. 00:11:09
We do also have a foreclosure and vacant real estate property registry that is on the books. 00:11:11
We have adopted the International Property Maintenance code, and we can also take. 00:11:17
Some steps on. 00:11:22
Enforcing that code because we have adopted it in our ordinances, but some of the things. 00:11:24
I think is that. 00:11:29
Yeah, there's another animation that didn't work. Some of the things that we don't have are those last two bullets. So this idea 00:11:30
of a community redevelopment tax incentive program, AKA a blight tax. 00:11:37
OK, that's something that we don't have. 00:11:44
Which if we wanted to pursue that Ave. 00:11:46
We would have to codify that. 00:11:48
Some others can be things that are less punitive if you will. Maybe potentially some small grants, maybe a zoning overlay that 00:11:51
would. 00:11:55
That would really augment the allowed uses perhaps in our commercial corridor or in Midtown, so that you would lighten the lift to 00:11:59
get development in those areas. So there's a bunch of different tools. 00:12:05
That we can use. And tonight I just want to take a little bit of a deeper dive. 00:12:11
Into this community redevelopment tax incentive program. 00:12:16
Otherwise known as the blank tax. 00:12:19
So. 00:12:21
Where do we turn? We turn to our good friends at the University of Georgia Carl Vinson Institute. 00:12:22
And I found this presentation which is fairly new. 00:12:28
And it goes through some of the requirements to get a flight tax or this type of. 00:12:32
Redevelopment tax incentive program going in your city? 00:12:37
OK, So what allows us to do this? I know there was some confusion around whether or not we as a city could implement. 00:12:42
Of Latex. 00:12:49
And so the Georgia Constitution. 00:12:50
This section that I have here cited for you. 00:12:52
In 2002. 00:12:55
Allows localities to establish tax incentive programs to rehabilitate blighted properties. 00:12:57
Some of the arguments for is that it decreases the burden on the government, exactly as I said about code compliance staff time to 00:13:03
the tune of 1300 to $1500 per flight of property. 00:13:09
And it encourages private property owners to maintain their property. 00:13:16
OK, what kinds of properties I want to be Very very. 00:13:20
Very clear here. 00:13:24
This does not apply. 00:13:27
To residential structures. 00:13:29
That our individuals or families private residencies. 00:13:31
Again. 00:13:35
This does not. 00:13:36
Apply to. 00:13:37
A primary. 00:13:39
Residents, OK, just want to be real clear on that. 00:13:40
So residential structures that are vacant or maybe they're being used for something other than a residential dwelling. 00:13:44
It applies to blighted or abandoned commercial or industrial structures. 00:13:50
It can apply to brownfields, so we don't really have those in the city, but this does not really apply to undeveloped land. 00:13:54
If you have a tract of land that's undeveloped, this is not a tool that you would want to use. 00:14:01
What are the necessary elements? 00:14:08
So you need to come up with a definition in your ordinance of what the standards of blight are and how you determine. 00:14:09
Something to be blighted. This is incredibly important. 00:14:16
Because you need to have very clear guidance. 00:14:20
So that everyone can understand what we mean when we save light. 00:14:23
In addition to why that's very important. 00:14:27
Is because. 00:14:30
To really do this procedure correctly, and not all municipalities do this, council member and Ashimento. 00:14:31
Invited. 00:14:38
Folks from the planning director and also, I believe a. 00:14:40
Alderman or a council member from Brunswick. 00:14:43
Yes, and Councilmember Keene joined us in that meeting. 00:14:47
And we had a conversation about their flight tax. 00:14:50
And that's something that the property owners just get a tax bill. 00:14:53
There's no public hearing process in that. 00:14:57
The best practice is to identify this procedure when you're identifying blighted properties. It requires a notice to the owner and 00:15:00
an opportunity for a public hearing. 00:15:05
And then you have to come up with standards for the rehabilitation of that property. 00:15:10
The way that this kind of works is. 00:15:15
You know you. 00:15:17
You establish that a property is blighted. 00:15:18
We, as a municipality, deter. 00:15:20
An extra ad valorem tax that we would place on that property. 00:15:23
I'll get into that a little bit further in the presentation. 00:15:27
But in that in that communication, the property owner is then given a bit of a. 00:15:30
Corrective order. 00:15:35
What do you need to do in order to get your property out of this blighted status? 00:15:37
And once that property is brought out of its flighted status. 00:15:42
Then that property owner that invested in that property. 00:15:46
Could enjoy. 00:15:49
A reduced ad valorem tax. So there's a couple of ways to do this kind of carrot and stick, and that's what I wanted to. 00:15:50
Layout to the Council now, so really important to make sure that we get. 00:15:58
What do we mean when we say blighted? 00:16:02
Right. We need to be very clear about that. 00:16:05
We need to identify the procedure that we want to adopt. 00:16:07
For identifying such properties. 00:16:11
And then we want to. 00:16:13
Identify the standards for rehabilitation. 00:16:15
OK. Furthermore, when you go to levy this Aguilar on tax and its revenue? 00:16:19
We need to. 00:16:25
Be very clear about the increased rate. 00:16:26
So if you start to look into even further in this presentation that we've. 00:16:29
Crib from when you really look into this. 00:16:34
The the consensus from other cities that have done it is. 00:16:36
You need to make it. 00:16:39
Stick. You need to make it work. 00:16:40
So it can't just be a doubling of your ad foreign tax. Most municipalities who have enacted this are anywhere of five times. 00:16:42
The Ed will learn tax all the way up to 10 times the ad valorem tax. So the community that we spoke to in Brunswick. 00:16:49
They did 7 times. 00:16:56
OK umm, you got to specify the decreased rate of tax after rehabilitation. 00:16:58
So then. 00:17:04
Often what happens is that there's a .5. 00:17:05
Military reduction after the. 00:17:09
Property is brought into compliance, so it's sort of a tool to, you know, your your levying a higher tax while the property is 00:17:11
blighted and then trying to get it out of flight. 00:17:16
You're offering this carrot. At the end, there will be a reduction in taxes. 00:17:21
And then good practice is to. 00:17:26
Separate those revenues that we would get from this. 00:17:29
Taxation. 00:17:32
And could be used or go towards community development and we would have to identify what. 00:17:34
We thought those. 00:17:38
Uses might be. 00:17:40
OK, so I think. 00:17:42
That's kind of where I wanted to end this. 00:17:44
Work session to. 00:17:47
Put forth this idea. 00:17:48
Help you understand what we're currently doing, some of the actions that we're taking, but you know, we can only take certain 00:17:50
actions so far. 00:17:55
So this is 1 potential that we could pursue. 00:17:59
Particularly, I think the. 00:18:04
The focus if we should decide to do this. 00:18:06
Is really on. 00:18:09
Vacant. Abandoned. 00:18:10
Properties. These properties in which code compliance has now become the de facto property management company. 00:18:12
And I think we can get there through a few tweaks. So again that. 00:18:19
Chapter 46, The environment section of our Code of ordinances. There are really three existing ordinances in there, again, the one 00:18:23
on nuisances. 00:18:27
The one on nuisance abatement. 00:18:32
And the foreclosure and vacant real property registry, I think those are three existing tools. 00:18:34
That with a few tweaks we can get them to have a bit more. 00:18:40
Teach to them and then if. 00:18:44
The council would choose to. 00:18:48
Staff, I believe it would be smart if we worked with our legal counsel. 00:18:51
To try to draft a community redevelopment tax incentive program. 00:18:55
And I believe that's the end of my presentation. So with that, I'll end and take any questions. 00:19:00
I want to first say Miss Stein. 00:19:05
You and your department. 00:19:09
Don't toot your horn enough sometimes. 00:19:11
Miss Stein has on her wall in her office. 00:19:15
Number of photos of. 00:19:18
Properties that were previously glided that they have worked. 00:19:20
With very quietly. 00:19:23
To clean up, you know, so they have been at this work for some time now with some good successes there. 00:19:25
Sometimes slow processes and working with people. 00:19:32
But she's shown a vested interest. 00:19:36
And doing what she's talking about here. And it's not just. 00:19:39
Ideation. It's it's. 00:19:44
Impact and it's occurring and. 00:19:46
The biggest thing and the thing that I've spoken to her about and that I would like. 00:19:49
For us as a council to. 00:19:54
Understand and to. 00:19:56
Act on as a group is to understand that. 00:19:59
We have to stand behind. 00:20:02
What we're asking our staff to do and. 00:20:04
You know when our buddy from church or our coworker you know. 00:20:07
Has a situation where their property has been. 00:20:11
Identified as blighted and then next thing you know, we're trying to work in the backgrounds to. 00:20:14
To, you know, get this alleviated for them or whatever you know that needs to not happen. 00:20:20
You know we need to stand. 00:20:25
On the principles of what we're asking them to do, day and out, the tough, hard work. 00:20:27
The hard conversations and we need to stand behind them and we need to be. 00:20:32
You know the backbone. 00:20:39
Of this operation and let it move forward. 00:20:40
In the way we decided we wanted to move forward and. 00:20:44
So I asked. 00:20:47
For that. 00:20:48
Consideration as we as we move forward and talk about exactly what we're going to do and how we implement. 00:20:49
That we do it with the intention. 00:20:55
To do it. 00:20:58
And to not back off of it once we start this process and. 00:20:59
You know I have spoken. 00:21:05
A couple of times about. 00:21:07
You know my. 00:21:08
My primary focus is the one on commercial. 00:21:10
And. 00:21:14
More of a. 00:21:15
As Mr. Harris talked about, more of a community effort when it comes into a residential situations especially. 00:21:17
Primary residences of people. 00:21:24
To try to find a way to be more community oriented. 00:21:28
To provide the helping hand. 00:21:31
Perhaps some of these funds, if we're able to actually collect funds through. 00:21:34
The black tax, the. 00:21:39
You know would. 00:21:41
Can be set aside. 00:21:43
To help with those kinds of situations when they arise. 00:21:44
As one possible, you know. 00:21:48
Thing that we could do with those funds. 00:21:50
Would be to help out in those situations where we need but. 00:21:53
The big work, like you said, is. 00:21:57
Is. 00:21:59
Deciding we're ready to move forward on this, I said the. 00:22:00
It's not easy just because you have uh. 00:22:05
Attacks that you can levy on somebody. 00:22:08
You know, everything I've read, You know, as you said, it needs to be painful. 00:22:11
You know and. 00:22:17
10 times or whatever that number is. 00:22:18
It needs to something that wakes them up and realizes that this is going to start. 00:22:22
Empty property that I've left here and let. 00:22:27
Become an eyesore because. 00:22:30
I live in Jacksonville or Texas or wherever and I don't really care. I don't drive by it every day. 00:22:31
It needs to. 00:22:38
It needs to pique their attention, you know that. 00:22:39
The city's serious about this and but, you know. 00:22:43
You go through that process, you apply these. 00:22:46
You know they don't pay it. You know, now you're into liens and other. 00:22:49
Issues. It doesn't. 00:22:53
Fix the problem overnight. We all have to realize that. 00:22:56
You know, but. 00:23:00
You know, we want to offer both that. 00:23:02
That carrot, you know the. 00:23:05
OK, You know, you did fix up something that has been blighted for some time or whatever and. 00:23:07
We're willing to meet you and give you a little benefit for doing that work to make our city look better. 00:23:12
But that the stick is very important as well because it's got to motivate people. 00:23:18
To do this in the 1st place, umm. 00:23:24
Many of the communities that have implemented these things. 00:23:26
Come to find out that they don't necessarily have to. 00:23:30
Go down this road too often with the legal stick because. 00:23:34
The fact that it's out there and you know you do it once or twice and they know you're serious about it. 00:23:38
It starts to take hold and. 00:23:43
And then you start to get the intended. 00:23:46
Desired effect. 00:23:48
As you move forward. 00:23:50
So those are my comments to start. 00:23:51
Jamie, you. 00:23:55
You have one of the toughest jobs. 00:23:57
Around. 00:23:59
And. 00:24:01
It reflects on us. 00:24:03
Whether you're doing a good job or not because. 00:24:05
Like the mayor said. 00:24:08
People are catching Sunday school. 00:24:11
Walmart even it. 00:24:14
Come up and said, you know, I've been doing this for. 00:24:19
30 years. This is my property and. 00:24:22
They want me to do this, do that and. 00:24:26
We're going to have to get some back bonus. 00:24:30
Elect official and say look. 00:24:32
That's that's the law. You're going to have to. 00:24:34
Abide by it. 00:24:37
And I respect and. 00:24:38
Love what you're doing and. 00:24:41
Keep up the good work. 00:24:42
I was going to say this for comments, but it's more relevant now I think as citizens. 00:24:44
This is the one tax. 00:24:50
That you should get excited about. You say who's excited about tax? Well, I'm excited about this tax. 00:24:52
Because the some of the issues before even coming on to council. 00:24:57
Are going to be addressed with just this one tool. I was so surprised to hear Councilman land. 00:25:01
Lance and the. 00:25:07
City Planner of Brunswick was using 7 times their ad valorem. Is that the Max? 00:25:08
OK, but. 00:25:13
Number one, that was revenue for their city if they weren't complying but to. 00:25:15
This is the beautification that Saint Mary citizens have been asking for. 00:25:20
And I don't want to see in three to five years. 00:25:24
People having to tell their loved ones and family that comes to visit to close their eyes as they drive through Midtown so that we 00:25:27
can get to the beauty of downtown. 00:25:31
And this is a tool, as Miss Time pointed out in our toolbox, that would address those things. So yes, this is a tax I'm actually 00:25:35
excited about, maybe the only tax I'm ever excited about. 00:25:39
And as the mayor already said, I think this is something we can get on board with. 00:25:44
And this is going to drive business into affordable commercial space. Some of these people have just. 00:25:48
Maybe they don't even live here and are just kind of using this as a way to park money. 00:25:54
And having a new fun little tax bill is going to make that drive down the price and bring businesses into this empty commercial 00:25:58
space because I hate driving through, let's just call it from the tracks to Burrell and seeing a bunch of empty buildings. And 00:26:04
this is going to incentivize them to want to have tenants move in there, want to upkeep their property. And you're going to start 00:26:10
seeing businesses pour into what was otherwise vacant. And so I think this is a great tool. And and yes, I I couldn't agree with 00:26:16
the Mayor Moore, thank you so much. 00:26:22
Design for what you do. 00:26:28
Already and for what your team has done. 00:26:29
And all this preparation that this is something I think that this is a long time coming. So thank you. 00:26:32
In this presentation that Miss Stein. 00:26:37
Reference it says no limits. 00:26:39
On increased or decreased mileage rates. 00:26:42
So 10 is not necessarily the ceiling. And I do, I mean, thank you. Thank you very much for recognizing how hard we've been 00:26:46
working. But it's a week. 00:26:50
It's a good team. I've got exceptional. 00:26:55
I was going to just have a few comments. 00:26:58
You know, obviously, you know, this was identified in 2017, I believe you said and that hasn't been implemented. So it's obviously 00:27:01
long overdue and it is something we should be excited about because it is. 00:27:06
The next step further, you know, revitalizing Saint Mary's. 00:27:11
Just I know you're. 00:27:15
Probably you just got to this point and we have a lot to. 00:27:16
Discussed them before, but. 00:27:20
Is there like a standard like say? 00:27:22
If you have a blighted property. 00:27:25
And you got a big tax bill coming. You decide to sell it. 00:27:27
And someone else might it. 00:27:30
Is there like now a reset button for the new owner? Like a year, 2 years until the tax would? 00:27:32
Come in about a normal. 00:27:37
I really don't know. 00:27:38
Yeah, I know, I know. We're just not getting into this, but I just. 00:27:39
The way my mind works questions ways to prevent a non arm leaks transaction where suit. I'm about to get a big tax bill so I'm 00:27:42
just going to sell it to my buddy and start the clock over. Like just to make sure there's preventive measures for things like 00:27:46
that. 00:27:50
Yeah. 00:27:54
It's a good thing to look at. I don't know that answer. 00:27:55
I I. 00:27:58
I was just looking at it I received from the city of. 00:28:10
Auburn, GA. 00:28:13
A copy of their. 00:28:14
Redevelopment tax incentive program. Their bike tax. 00:28:16
I'm just looking to see if they address that specific question in there. Can't remember seeing it when I. 00:28:19
When I looked at it earlier. 00:28:24
But definitely something that. 00:28:26
We could include. 00:28:27
Yeah, I mean, the city of Brunswick chose to. 00:28:29
Put it all into their building ordinance. 00:28:32
So it's a, it's a whopper. It's. 00:28:36
75 pages long I think. 00:28:37
But I feel like. 00:28:40
The city of Auburn, Is that what you said, Mr. Mayor? Yes. And then Brunswick. 00:28:42
And the Savannah has one. 00:28:46
And I think those are. 00:28:52
Good next steps if there are some of these questions about. 00:28:53
You know well what happens if this. 00:28:57
And to have some guidance on establishing our procedures. 00:28:59
You know, that's kind of a. 00:29:03
Writing code 101 is go to what's been successful and take. 00:29:05
Take some ideas from it. 00:29:09
So this is should be. 00:29:10
To be served upon the person. 00:29:14
Shown on the most recent tax digest of Barry counselors responsible for payment of abalone taxes assessed there on. 00:29:16
So, but Jamie, do we have? 00:29:23
Any information from other cities about how they're defining? 00:29:27
Yeah. So in those ordinances, there's usually at the very beginning, there's a definition of flight. 00:29:33
I mean, you know. 00:29:38
Basically anything that. 00:29:38
That can be detrimental to public health, so you can cast a really wide net. 00:29:40
You know, anytime that there's a illicit activity or drug use or. 00:29:46
Crime. I mean, we can. 00:29:51
We can utilize. 00:29:54
Other definitions, but you know that. To be clear, this is not a. 00:29:56
You know a missing shingle here or there. 00:30:05
Right, I've heard that Laps and utility service. 00:30:07
Has been used. Yeah, I think that could be 1. I mean, if you haven't had a. 00:30:11
Active utility account for five years. That's a. 00:30:15
I read. 00:30:18
Yeah, I read the city. Auburn's for you real quick. It's not too, too long. Fly the property. 00:30:20
Means the any urbanized or developed property which presents two or more of the following conditions. 00:30:25
Uninhabitable, unsafe, or abandoned structure. 00:30:30
Inadequate provisions for ventilation, light, air or sanitation. 00:30:33
An imminent harm to life or other property caused by fire, flood, hurricane, tornado, earthquake, storm, or other natural 00:30:38
catastrophe. 00:30:41
Respecting which the governor has declared a state of emergency under state law is certified the need for disaster assistance 00:30:45
under federal law. 00:30:48
Provided, however, this division. 00:30:52
Shall not apply to property unless the relevant public agency is given. 00:30:54
Notice in writing to the property owner. 00:30:58
Regarding specific harm caused by the property, owners failed to take reasonable measures. 00:31:00
A site identified by the EPA as a Superfund site. 00:31:06
Repeated illegal activity on the individual property of which the property owner knew or should have known. 00:31:10
The presence of trash, rubbish and Oregon graffiti. 00:31:16
Or the maintenance of the property is below state, county or municipal codes. 00:31:19
For at least one year. 00:31:24
And is conducive to ill health, transmission, disease, infant mortality or crime. 00:31:26
And the immediate proximity of the property. 00:31:31
Property shall not be deemed blighted solely because of aesthetic conditions. 00:31:33
And that's theirs. 00:31:40
An idea? I think that's a powerful tool to list, kind of like offer the menu. 00:31:42
And then you can choose from the menu. 00:31:47
So like I guess I. 00:31:54
Next step is you know is. 00:31:56
If we're all on board. 00:31:58
I think we need to. 00:32:00
Ring light, you know Miss Stein to. 00:32:03
To start working with Mr. Blackerby and compiling some of these. 00:32:06
And. 00:32:10
Put together what she thinks is serviceable. 00:32:12
Which her department can manage and administrate. 00:32:15
And uh. 00:32:18
Get it back to us for the full blessing and support. 00:32:19
Right. Be happy to do that. 00:32:23
I don't know that we did the work session. I guess we need a motion for that necessarily. 00:32:26
You know. 00:32:30
If memory serves correctly at our. 00:32:34
Retreat this year? Was this not the number? Was this the number one thing we had on our list? 00:32:36
It was in the top five, I think. 00:32:41
I don't think we necessarily, I think it's on your radar already and. 00:32:46
Hopefully you heard. 00:32:50
Enough supporting the. 00:32:52
I have. Thank you. How did I want you to continue on and we'll look forward to your presentation of. 00:32:54
An ordinance to consider. 00:33:00
I guess if you want to take a few minutes and ask if any. 00:33:03
Comments or questions from the audience we got about. 00:33:07
20 minutes or so. 00:33:09
Kenjelly, 102 Saltgrass trace here in Saint Mary's. 00:33:13
Mr. Miller, Council members. 00:33:17
Director Stein. 00:33:19
I think this is an excellent initiative. 00:33:21
Ordinance needs to be tough. 00:33:24
Really tough. 00:33:27
The fact that you adopted the International Property Maintenance Code is, in my opinion, going to help significantly because. 00:33:30
That book has so many little tiny items in it. 00:33:37
That you can tie those small. 00:33:42
Very. 00:33:46
Some people would consider insignificant items. 00:33:48
You can bundle that together. 00:33:51
And come up with a shopping bag full of problems. 00:33:53
That uh, uh. 00:33:56
Would fit right into the blight ordinance. 00:33:58
Have no mercy. 00:34:02
You know we've been putting up. 00:34:04
With. 00:34:06
Facilities. 00:34:07
Properties. 00:34:09
Land and. 00:34:10
We as a city, collectively have been doing. 00:34:13
Enormous things trying to get the problem solved. 00:34:17
And. 00:34:21
Land owners and property owners have. 00:34:22
Thumbed their noses at us. 00:34:26
Question came up as to well. 00:34:29
If a property has been. 00:34:31
Find and they had Warren taxes high. 00:34:34
The solution might be, well, let me just sell the property. The ordinance should say the property is not sellable. 00:34:37
You cannot sell it. 00:34:43
While you have an ad valorem tax hanging over your head. 00:34:44
Period. Bye, bye. 00:34:47
Tongue will slack, give him the full stroke of the pump. 00:34:49
Let's make this ordinance work. 00:34:52
For us. 00:34:54
Thank you. 00:34:56
Thank you. 00:34:57
Mary White, 102. Sylvia's Court. 00:35:06
You need to include in this new ordinance. 00:35:09
The fact that it should not only be the property that's visible from the street. 00:35:11
If I'm talking specifically residentials. 00:35:15
I know of a property. 00:35:19
Right now. 00:35:20
That the owner there has not been there for over 5 years. 00:35:21
It just so happens that he's lucky as one next door neighbor. 00:35:25
Moses Front Law form. 00:35:28
But if you look in his backyard above his fence. 00:35:30
Is he has a force back there? 00:35:33
This and I'll give you. 00:35:36
I'll give Troy the information. 00:35:38
But you need to have. 00:35:40
That specifically put into the ordinance. 00:35:41
Just because there's one neighbor is kind enough. 00:35:45
The most front yard. 00:35:47
Doesn't mean that each you get away with it. 00:35:49
Thank you. 00:35:51
We can let Troy do the landscape and not seen her front yard. Beautiful so. 00:36:00
My specialty. 00:36:06
OK. 00:36:12
There's no other comments. We'll close this. I got a OK. 00:36:14
I got somebody that. 00:36:19
What about 3 Texas a while ago? 00:36:21
And people are asking that where was I? 00:36:23
How come they couldn't see me? 00:36:28
And I told him I didn't think. 00:36:30
I didn't think it was intentional, but. 00:36:32
You see, I'm covered up by the. 00:36:34
Flags on the screen. 00:36:36
This this is the third. 00:36:42
Third meeting, they've called him out, but anyway. 00:36:45
All right. Thank you. We'll be back at 6:00 for our City Council meeting. 00:36:48