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Members urge city commission to clarify land bank governance; March 11 commission discussion scheduled
Summary
Board members and staff discussed whether a nascent land bank should remain under the Brownfield authority or become a separate body. Commissioners asked for a March 11 city commission discussion to decide governance, funding and next steps.
Members of the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority spent a sizable portion of the meeting reviewing the status of the city's newly established land bank and urging the full city commission to clarify governance and funding.
Staff and commissioners described three broad governance options: keep land bank functions with the Brownfield authority, create a separate mayor-appointed board (five members as described in the bylaws), or form a hybrid arrangement with city staff support. Sarah, a city economic development staff member, said the short-term focus has been administrative (inventorying properties, listing them and preparing them for disposition) while staff completes playbook items developed last year.
Commissioner Esozzi (remarks summarized) stressed that the Brownfield authority and its subcommittee did the work requested and that the authority should be recognized for the progress made. Other commissioners suggested a separate board could broaden expertise and relieve the authority of additional duties so it could focus on Brownfield work.
Budgetary issues and timing were repeatedly raised. Deputy City Manager Kate Barrons (as cited by staff) and other commissioners said decisions about governance have budget implications that should be folded into the next fiscal planning cycle; staff also noted federal- and state-level funding uncertainties affect the timeline.
Staff said the city commission will hold a discussion on the land bank and related governance options at its meeting on Tuesday, March 11, after which a formal vote or next steps would follow. Several board members requested that the March 11 briefing include representatives from the land bank subcommittee and staff who have been doing the day-to-day work so commissioners have the current-state perspective.
Board members also noted ongoing benchmarking and research; staff credited Doug Booth for comparative work on land bank governance in other Michigan jurisdictions. No formal action was taken by the authority at this meeting; members agreed to continue administrative and implementation tasks while the commission decides governance and funding.
