Goodland tables appointments to new Land Bank as legal questions stall donation

The Goodland City Commission voted to table appointments to the newly created Goodland Land Bank after staff said legal issues tied to an anticipated parcel donation mean the city cannot accept the property immediately.

City Manager Kent explained the land bank ordinance had recently passed earlier meetings but staff encountered a potential donation and concluded the commission should have trustees in place to accept it. Kent said staff discussed options with City Attorney Jake Kling and recommended appointing temporary trustees—potentially members of the commission—so the board could act promptly if the donation clears.

Kent told the commission, "We've come across another legal issue regarding the donation of the property, so it won't... happen at this meeting as far as the donation of the parcel," and recommended tabling the trustee appointments until the legal authority to accept the donation is confirmed. The mayor moved to table the appointments and the motion carried on a roll call vote.

Staff indicated they will continue to advertise and recruit noncommission trustees (potential county, school board, or financial institution representatives) and will bring a final ordinance and trustee slate back to the commission once the donation and legal issues are resolved.

Next steps: staff will finalize the ordinance wording, confirm authority to accept the parcel (court or DCF action as appropriate), and return with a slate of trustees for appointment.