East Point Urban Redevelopment Program

ANALYSIS OF THE CITY OF EAST POINT URBAN REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

(My analysis of the Program is highlighted by yellow.)

In a previous post, I talked about Mayor and Council creating and designating four areas of East Point as SLUMS. This was done without a single document prepared by the City Departments needed to support their assertions.

Code Enforcement: No official listing of a predominance of existing deteriorated and dilapidated buildings and structures intended for human occupancy including substandard housing within the proposed districts.
Police Department: No official documents or data detailing criminal activities; juvenile delinquency or crimes detrimental to the public health, safety, morals, or welfare within the districts.
Fire Department and Emergency Services: No official listing of high density of population and overcrowding; or the existence of conditions which endanger life or property by fire and other causes.

However, this did not stop Mayor and Council from going forward with the SLUM designations that will NEGATIVELY affect the residents in the four designated Areas/Districts and will be detrimental to the entire City in the following ways:

Decreased ability of residents to get loans for home improvements
Increased investors becoming long term corporate landlords
Accelerated gentrification and loss of homes by seniors, and moderate wage earners
Eminent domain would decrease the amount of money that a homeowner could gain and create problems for relocating in a safe affordable housing situation.
Increase homeowners’ insurance rates
Reduce the City’s bond rating
Since Hamilton E. Holmes Elementary School and Paul D. West Middle School are less than a mile and a half from the Connally and DeLowe intersection, parents with children are not likely to buy homes in the area.

The City of East Point Urban Redevelopment Program is designed to “eliminate existing deteriorated and dilapidated buildings and structures intended for human occupancy, including substandard housing within the proposed districts”, meaning the designated SLUM areas/districts by:

“Dedicated funding for concerted code enforcement, building inspection and planning program , over a period of not less than ten years. Such program will incorporate the diligent enforcement of minimum construction codes, health and life safety codes, zoning and housing ordinances, and the unfit buildings and structures abatement ordinances.”

My analysis of the above statements is BULL***T! This statement clearly shouts that the City Manager and the City Attorney are not doing their jobs. If the Ordinances are in place, why are they not being enforced NOW? If other Ordinances are needed, why aren’t Mayor and Council working with the City Manager, and the City Attorney to develop them? Mayor and Council has described an enforcement problem, and a the lack of legislative action not a redevelopment problem!

“The goal of this program is to provide incentive to private property owners to repair, renovate, rehabilitate and maintain properties within the district.”

My analysis of this statement presents the City with a great opportunity to really do something that will not only provide an incentive but do something TANGIBLE for the residents and the City. Other than penalties for not following Code Enforcement Ordinances, Building Ordinances, and Planning Ordinances, not a single constructive INCENTIVE was stated. However, I do have some INCENTIVES that should prove beneficial to both the residents and the City.

Mayor and Council should vote to deposit $2 million of the $11 million to $13 million the City is slated to receive under the Rescue Relief Plan for rent/mortgage/utilities for collateral with the Bank for qualified homeowners.
Develop a Public-Private Partnership with local Bank(s) to provide one-time low interest rate loans to residents for code enforcement purposes up to $75,000 per qualified homeowner; or the amount of equity that the resident has in the house up to $75,000. If the resident defaults on the loan, the City will take possession of the property. If the resident uses the equity in his/her home and cannot afford another monthly payment, the resident will sign a lien against the property to the City for collection if the property is sold or the resident no longer occupies the property.
Develop a Public-Private Partnership with local Bank(s) that will provide low interest financing for the purchase of a home to current East Point residents to purchase homes anywhere in East Point that meets the criteria for a renovation-rehabilitation loan, plus a $10,000 deposit from the City for qualified Buyers. This Partnership should be operated under the supervision of a qualified nonprofit with a proven track record.
Mayor and Council can create a Minimum Housing Renovation/Rehabilitation Board operated by a proven , reputable nonprofit to provide residents with grants up to $25,000 for roof replacements, heating/cooling units, gutters, windows, plumbing, floors, doors, tree cutting and removal, etc. provided the homeowner do not sell or further encumber the property for the next five years.

“The City’s contribution may be through improved infrastructure, transportation, and amenities, such as parks and passive recreational facilities.”

My analysis: This is not the City’s contribution or incentive; this is the City’s job as confirmed by the powers granted to Mayor and Council in the City Charter for every resident living anywhere in the City.

“Where warranted, and when a valid public purpose is determined, the program may recommend acquisition of land and interests therin through the exercise of eminent domain.”

My analysis: The City has already exercised this power by going to Court to get permission to demolish abandoned, derelict, and unsafe housing structures. This process is governed by the Court system based on the strength of the City’s case.

“The Director of Planning and Community Development shall annually present a proposed budget, including capital improvements, and the source of funding its operation, including specific grants, loans and similar funding.”

My analysis: Hell to the hell NO! This Mayor and Council constantly violates any Ordinance or Resolution at will that contains the word SHALL and totally disregards anything that is or is not in the Budget when it suits their purpose. Here are some of their current documented violations:

For the last eight years, six Members on this Council including the Mayor have allowed the City to collect Stormwater Fees from every property owner in the City without implementing the Stormwater Ordinance; and the City Attorney and the City’s Liability Insurance Company are still refusing to pay a resident’s claim based on an Ordinance that was repealed in 2013 and signed by me.
In 2020, the City was placed on probation for almost a year for misusing Hotel-Motel Tax funds for the Wednesday Wind Down Party on a complaint filed by me with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.
Funding for another Wednesday Wind Down Party was never put in the Budget in 2020 under any Department, but $64,000 was spent for the Party.
This Mayor and Council in eight years has never had the City Manager make a quarterly report on whether or not the Power Cost Adjustment on the Electric Utility bill should be amended. The word SHALL is in the Ordinance stating that this should be done.
Recommended capital improvements are tossed to side in favor of what the Mayor and Council wants to do at the time. The Charter clearly states how capital projects have to be dealt with and the Mayor and Council routinely violate this Section of the Charter. For instance, the City spent $8 million of the proposed $34 million over five years of the SPLOST funding on the one mile beltline project around Sumner Park that was not in the original capital transportation Budget. Secondly, WHEN and WHO changed adding a lane on Washington Road to Camp Creek Parkway to sidewalks in the Capital Budget?