Ross County Land Bank lets staff negotiate sales, okays community‑garden grant up to $5,000

The Ross County Land Bank voted to add an explicit negotiation provision to its 2022 disposition policy and designated staff member Trisha as the board’s negotiator, a change board members said will allow quicker property disposition and modest flexibility on price when community benefit is clear.

Trisha reviewed the policy tweak and said the proposed language would “reserve the right to negotiate terms and pricing with selected applicants prior to final approval of a purchase agreement,” putting in writing practices the land bank has used previously. Board members discussed setting thresholds to limit staff authority (for example, a cap on deviation from appraised land value) and emphasized safeguards to prevent preferential deals. The board approved both the policy language and a motion naming Trisha as the designated negotiator by voice vote.

Separately, the board discussed converting a long-listed triangular lot at Monroe and Madison into a community garden after OSU Extension and the health department returned favorable soil tests and indicated partnership interest. Trisha said the lot has been on the market for years and tests show conditions suitable for gardening; the health department’s Creating Healthy Communities grant could provide support. The board authorized Trisha to pursue health‑district grant funds and approved up to $5,000 from the land bank as seed or matching funding for the project. One board member recorded an opposition to the seed‑money authorization during the voice vote.

On other land‑bank business, Trisha reported that the FY24 demolition/revitalization grant completed 22 properties with about $100,000 likely remaining due to state denial of certain burned‑property claims; the board is working through asbestos reporting and title issues on several FY26 properties, noting 369 Neil Avenue is in publication stage to clear title.

The land bank also confirmed a signed contract with GOPC for a strategy session and discussed scheduling a 90‑minute workshop in late August or early September. The board set its next regular meeting for Aug. 24 at 10:30 a.m.

Motions recorded: addition of negotiation language to the disposition policy (approved), designation of Trisha as the negotiator (approved), authorization to pursue a grant for the Monroe/Madison lot and approval of up to $5,000 in seed/matching funds from the land bank (approved; one opposed).