Agenda Item # 1

Columbus Consolidated Government

Council Meeting

08/13/2013

Agenda Report # 11


TO: Mayor and Council

SUBJECT: Memorandum of Understanding for Historic Westville Inc. Relocation

INITIATED BY: Amy Carbajal, Director of Community Reinvestment

Recommendation: Approval is requested to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Historic Westville, Inc., to relocate their Living History Museum to the Oxbow Meadows site and authorize conveyance of approximately 35 acres of property, formerly known as the Orchard Grove Mobile Home Park, to Westville to locate the Living History Museum and the lease of two tracts of land for economic development and recreational purposes.

Background: Westville’s Living History Museum has been located in Lumpkin, Georgia for 47 years. Westville has been struggling in recent years to attract a critical mass of visitors to support the site financially and therefore, sought an alternative site to relocate the Living History Museum in a jurisdiction with the population and tourism that would financially support its mission. After meeting with the staff of Westville, the City views the addition of this attraction as an asset to the community that will improve the quality of life. Vacant land was identified at Oxbow Meadows that will accommodate Westville. Staff has negotiated the attached Memorandum of Understanding. Westville is committed to relocating the entire Living History Museum and all buildings and historical artifacts to Columbus, however, they need some financial assistance in making the relocation viable.

Analysis: The City will donate a portion of the land (Tract A) to Westville with a reversionary clause as follows. Should Westville cease to operate as agreed upon, the donated land will revert to the City. The City will not allow Westville to utilize this property to secure debt. In return for the donated land, Westville agrees to maintain and operate Wren Lake as a public recreation facility to be open during Westville's normal operating hours (Tract C - approximately 50 acres) at no cost to the City. In addition, Westville will lease Tract B (approximately 11 acres) at a start up rate of $1,200 per year for the first three years. Tract B will be sublet to a for profit affiliate of Westville and be developed as an RV Park and primitive camping area. The lease for Tract B will be renegotiated after 3 years to bring the lease payments more in line with market rates for similar property. At any point in the future, if an economic development project is determined to be viable (such as a marina) there is an escape clause that will allow Westville 6 months to abandon Tract C so that the development may occur. The attraction will have a positive impact on local tourism and the City will be able to offer Wren Lake as a public amenity at no cost. It is anticipated the move of Westville to the South Columbus location will take approximately 2 years to complete.

Financial Considerations: Westville is funding all relocation expenses and improvements to the land. The lease of Tract B will provide a positive revenue return through lease payments and advalorem tax payments of approximately $6,000 per year for Tract B.

Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement: Increased tourism, property taxes for Tract B, lease payments for Tract B. The use of this property will relieve the City of responsibility to maintain the property and return a portion to the tax roles.

Legal Considerations: Council approval is required for all real estate transactions.

Recommendations/ Actions: Authorize the City Manager to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Historic Westville, Inc., to relocate their Living History Museum to the Oxbow Meadows site and authorize conveyance of approximately 35 acres of property to Westville to locate the Living History Museum and lease of two tracts of land for economic development and recreational purposes.


Memorandum of Agreement.docxMemorandum of Agreement.docx Westville 7-10-13.pdf

A RESOLUTION

NO. _____


A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SIGN THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ALLOWING THE DONATION OF A PORTION OF OXBOW MEADOWS PROPERTY FOR THE RELOCATION OF HISTORIC WESTVILLE, INC., AND THE LEASE OF ADDITIONAL PROPERTY TO HISTORIC WESTVILLE, INC TO ACCOMMODATE FUTURE EXPANSION.
WHEREAS, Westville sought an alternative site to relocate the Living History Museum in a jurisdiction with the population and tourism that would financially support its mission; and,

WHEREAS, the City views the addition of Westville as an asset to this community that will improve the quality of life; and,

WHEREAS, the City has vacant land available at Oxbow Meadows that will accommodate Westville; and,

WHEREAS, Westville is committed to relocating the entire Living History Museum and all buildings and historical artifacts to Columbus; and,

WHEREAS, in order to assist in making the relocation financially feasible, Westville has requested that the City donate the museum portion of the land (“Tract A”), with conditions; and,

WHEREAS, Westville will lease a portion of the land that will be utilized for purposes ancillary to the not-for-profit Living History Museum; and,

WHEREAS, Westville also agrees to maintain Wren Lake and all recreation access and activities associated with Wren Lake.

NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:

That the City Manager is hereby authorized to execute a Memorandum of Understanding and all related documents to facilitate the relocation of Historic Westville, Inc, to the Oxbow Meadows site.


___________

Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held the _________ day of _____________, 2013 and adopted at said meeting by the affirmative vote of
_____________ members of said Council.


Councilor Allen voting __________.
Councilor Baker voting __________.
Councilor Barnes voting __________.
Councilor Davis voting __________.
Councilor Henderson voting __________.
Councilor Huff voting __________.
Councilor McDaniel voting __________.
Councilor Turner Pugh voting __________.
Councilor Thomas voting __________.
Councilor Woodson voting __________.

_____________________________ ________________________
Tiny B. Washington, Clerk of Council Teresa Pike Tomlinson, Mayor