Agenda Item # 2

Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting

September 8, 2015

Agenda Report # 21

TO: Mayor and Councilors

SUBJECT: Westville - Extension of Memorandum of Agreement

INITIATED BY: Laura McCool, Community Reinvestment Division Manager

Recommendation: Approval is requested to authorize the City Manager to enter into an amended Memorandum of Agreement with Historic Westville, Inc. to extend the time frame to begin normal operations of the Living History Museum for an additional one (1) year.

Background: On August 13, 2013, Council approved per Resolution # 258-13 to authorize the City Manager to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Historic Westville, Inc. for the purpose of relocating Westville's Living History Museum to Columbus, Georgia. The agreement was executed on August 23, 2013 giving Historic Westville, Inc. 24 months to begin normal operations of the Living History Museum with an expiration date of August 22, 2015.

While the conditions in the MOA for property conveyance have been met, an extension is being requested to allow site and architectural design to continue until conveyance of the property is required within the next year.

Analysis: The Memorandum of Agreement between the City and Historic Westville, Inc. will remain the same except for providing a one year extension that will expire on August 31, 2016. The original MOA states the following: The City will donate a portion of the land (Tract A) to Westville with a revisionary clause stating "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 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.

Financial Considerations: Historic Westville, Inc. 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 ad valorem tax payments of approximately $6,000 per year for Tract B. Also Westville will become a tourist attraction for the City of Columbus which will likely increase revenues received from tourism.

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

Recommendations: Approve a resolution to authorize the City Manager to enter into an amended Memorandum of Agreement with Historic Westville, Inc. to extend the time frame to begin normal operations of the Living History Museum for an additional one (1) year.


Amendment I Westville MOA.pdfAmendment I Westville MOA.pdf

A RESOLUTION
NO. _____

A RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO AN AMENDED MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT WITH HISTORIC WESTVILLE, INC. TO EXTEND THE TIME FRAME TO BEGIN NORMAL OPERATIONS OF THE LIVING HISTORY MUSEUM BY AN ADDITIONAL ONE (1) YEAR.

WHEREAS, on August 23, 2013, the City Manager to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Historic Westville, Inc. for the purpose of relocating Westville's Living History Museum to Columbus, Georgia; and,

WHEREAS, Historic Westville, Inc. has asked the City for an amendment to the current MOA to extend the time frame to begin normal operations of the Living History Museum by an additional one (1) year.

That the City Manager is hereby authorized to execute the attached Amendment Memorandum of Agreement with Historic Westville, Inc. to extend the time frame to begin normal operations of the Living History Museum for an additional one (1) year.

______________

Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held the _________ day of _____________ 2015, and adopted at said meeting by the affirmative vote of ____________ members of said Council.



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


_______________________________ __________________________
Tiny B. Washington, Clerk of Council Teresa Pike Tomlinson, Mayor