Wellington Council turns down Land Bank’s request for $25,000 fund to assist with expenses
Crestview Heights as it looks going into town.
By Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — In the continuing battle with itself, the Wellington City Council turned down a request from the Wellington Land Bank Board of Trustees to take $25,000 out of the city’s general fund for operating expenses for the Land Bank at its Tuesday meeting.
By a 4-3 vote, with Mayor Joe Soria breaking the tie, the council has turned the Land Bank’s request for a $25,000 lump sum payment to help with such expenditures as mowing the 24 empty lots in the northwest subdivision now owned by the city (see full story here).
It is an interesting dynamic that involves timing and a swing vote. The Wellington Land Bank Board of Trustees is currently made up of the same members of the City Council. Last month at the Land Bank meeting, the trustees voted to send a request asking for $25,000 in non-refundable funds that would require an amendment to the 2024 city budget.
However, the board’s power shifted between then and now. Jan Grace was inducted into the city council two weeks ago. She cast her vote against providing the Land Bank with the $25,000 funds. Grace joined Mike Westmoreland and Cindy Antonich against the proposal, while Rick Roitman, Mary Lucas, and Kevin Dodds voted for the $25,000 allocation. Since it was a 3-3 vote, it went to Soria to cast the deciding vote, which he voted no.
Originally, the issue came up when the Land Bank sought bids to mow the lots. Two bids came with bids that were significantly over the budget of the Land Bank. Thus came the need for funds which divided the council nearly in half.
Dodds expressed his displeasure after the vote:
“I’m really disappointed. We set up this Land Bank to spur development and take care of some of our dilapidated properties in town. And it isn’t like we are trying to move $1 million. It is only $25,000.”
What happens next is anyone’s guess. But the weeds are sure to continue to grow at Crestview Heights.
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In other business, the council approved:
•The Cereal-Malt Liquor application for Wellington Retro Bowl;
•Set the Revenue Neutral Rate hearing for Sept. 3;
•Amended an ordinance that would allow fireworks distributors an extra two days to store fireworks;
•Finalized the purchase of a Rosenhauer 109-foot Viper Aerial truck.
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The council then went into recess to hold the Land Bank meeting. While there, the trustees:
•Voted to accept the purchase order of property at 1222 N. Jefferson;
•Turned down an offer by Wellington resident Kevin Cooper to purchase lots 1218 and 1222 Crest Ridge at Crestview Heights for $1,000 due to a disagreement concerning future special assessments;
•Refused an offer for property donation for a small lot next to Dollar Tree.
