Evansville Land Bank adopts license agreement for short-term uses; approves several parcel sales and committee update

The Evansville Land Bank Corporation adopted a standardized license agreement on April 11 that will allow individuals or entities to use land-bank parcels for limited purposes such as community gardens or temporary parking, and the board approved several routine property transactions and an investment-committee membership update.

The action matters because the license agreement creates a formal, repeatable process for permitting temporary uses of city-owned lots while preserving the land bank’s ability to terminate or set conditions, including insurance, maintenance and restrictions on improvements. Board members also approved sales of four small parcels and unanimously replaced a departing city finance officer on the investment committee.

At the start of the discussion, the presiding officer for the Evansville Land Bank Corporation said the office had recently received an inquiry from an applicant who wanted to build a dog run on a land-bank parcel and that staff had sought counsel on a licensing approach. Land bank counsel Marco D'Alessio presented a draft form license agreement, saying it would be “a form only” that could be varied for particular uses. He summarized its core terms: the agreement grants the right to use a parcel for a stated purpose, can include a defined term or automatic renewal, includes “as is, where is” language and indemnification, requires insurance with the land bank named on the certificate, and prohibits improvements without the land bank’s approval.

Board members questioned whether the city would have responsibility to confirm soil safety for gardening uses. Taylor Price, identified as representing CDFI Friendly Evansville, noted there is a community-garden policy that typically requires raised beds; D'Alessio answered that the license would be handled on a case-by-case basis and that brownfield-specific provisions could be inserted when applicable. D'Alessio said the draft includes a paragraph preventing assignment of rights to third parties without the land bank’s consent and clarified the board could terminate the license and recover damages in case of breach.

After discussion, board member Jim (first name only recorded), moved to adopt the license agreement with the option to change it on a case-by-case basis; a motion to adopt carried. The presiding officer asked staff to notify the prior dog-run applicant of the alternative. The board recorded that the license form can be amended to include brownfield or garden-specific provisions when those uses are proposed.

Votes at a glance: - Minutes (meeting of March 20, 2025): motion to accept by Jim; second by Joe; approved by voice vote. - Financials (March 31, 2025): motion to accept by the presiding officer; seconded by Colby Jackson; approved by voice vote. The board noted the land bank’s operating budget is funded by a $250,000 grant from the City of Evansville (approximately $28,833 per month) and that demolition-related expenses and city payment timing can cause month-to-month fluctuation. The board heard that the March demolition final billing was $66,712 and landfill/cleanup fees for five properties totaled $2,976.15. - Investment committee membership: resolution to replace Adam Moore (former Department of Metropolitan Development finance officer) with Brian Pace (new DMD finance officer), keeping Colby Jackson and Dottie Thomas on the committee; motion by a board member; seconded and unanimously adopted. The board noted Dottie Thomas agreed to remain on the finance committee despite no longer serving on the board. - Parcel sales/decisions: - 529 South Evans Avenue (25 x 141 ft): motion to sell to applicant Terrence L. Payne for $500, contingent on the applicant providing proof of required special-use approval/zoning for daycare use at 527 and 529 South Evans; motion passed. - 728 East Powell Avenue (34 x 136 ft): motion to sell to the adjacent owner-occupant for $250; motion passed. - 1019 North Governor Street (25 x 129 ft): motion to deny the applicant’s request after staff reported apparent unauthorized use of the land-bank parcel (personal property and trailers observed on March 26); motion to deny passed. - 1517 Florence Street (30 x 132 ft): motion to sell to Waller Investments (a commercial entity, not owner-occupant) for $500; motion passed. - License agreement adoption (form license for temporary uses, including community gardens/dog runs/parking subject to board review): motion to adopt and allow case-by-case adjustments; motion passed. Board instructed staff to contact the earlier dog-run applicant about the licensing alternative.

Meeting context and clarifications: Board staff (identified as Jessica in the record) walked the board through a profit-and-loss comparison and balance-sheet items, noting that demolition expenses and the timing of the city contributions drive monthly variability. The board recorded $4.68 for an annual security system fee at 401 North Main, $6,507.70 for building maintenance charged by the Evansville–Vanderburgh County Building Authority, $4,440 for equipment leases, and $7,431.25 for liability insurance premiums. The board also discussed the final billing of $66,712 for five demolitions completed in 2024 and March inspector and landfill/cleanup fees totaling $2,976.15.

Several board members urged that garden uses follow brownfield or community-garden policy requirements when appropriate; counsel said those provisions can be added into the license when relevant. The board emphasized the license is ‘‘as is’’ and that applicants remain responsible for compliance with laws and for maintenance and insurance. The record shows the license form includes a default and termination provision to allow the land bank to end a license quickly if necessary.

The meeting concluded after the votes; the presiding officer adjourned the session.