The Land Bank of Kansas City, Missouri demonstrates its dedication
to the betterment of our communities by providing opportunities for
economic development and neighborhood revitalization.
CITY ORDINANCE
TABLE OF
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Amending Chapter 74, Code of Ordinances, by adding a new Article
IV, Land Bank Agency.
WHEREAS, the 96th General Assembly of the State of Missouri passed
House Bill Nos. 1659 & 1116 (“Land Bank Legislation”), which became
effective as of August 28, 2012; and
WHEREAS, the Land Bank Legislation amended provisions of the
Missouri Statutes known as the “Land Tax Collection Law,” being
RSMo Sections 141.210 to 141.810, and the added Sections 141.980
to 141.1015; and
WHEREAS, RSMo Section 141.980 permitted any municipality located
wholly or partially within a county in which a land trust created under
RSMo Section 141.700 was operating on January 1, 2012, to establish
by ordinance a land bank agency for the management, sale, transfer,
and other disposition of interests in real estate owned by such land
bank agency; and
WHEREAS, the City of Kansas City, Missouri (“City”), is a municipality
located partially within Jackson County, for which a land trust created
under RSMo Section 141.700, being the Land Trust of Jackson County,
Missouri (“Land Trust”), was operating on January 1, 2012; and
WHEREAS, in recent years a substantial number of properties within
the City have become vacant, dilapidated, and non-revenue
generating; and
WHEREAS, the properties contain numerous violations of health,
nuisance and property maintenance ordinances, contribute to the
blight and deterioration of the City, and impose a significant
economic burden upon the City; and
WHEREAS, there exists within the City the need for returning land,
including land that is in a nonrevenue-generating, nontax-producing
status to beneficial uses in private (for-profit and non-profit) and
public ownership, including for the purpose of creating: (i)
opportunities for revitalization of deteriorating residential, retail and
commercial neighborhoods, (ii) safe, decent and affordable housing
for existing and future residents, (iii) retail and commercial areas on
vacant or deteriorated properties within neighborhoods, (iv) the
assemblage of property for future development in a manner to
consistent the purposes of the City’s consolidated plans, particularly
in low to moderate income area designated by the City as a target
area for revitalization, (v) creation or expansion of side yards with
unimproved vacant lots in neighborhoods densely constructed for
the benefit of abutting residences, (vi) space for use as urban
agriculture, community gardens, or other similar uses consistent with
healthy eating by residents, including restoring ground through
alternative vegetative cover to build-back the soil for future use for
food production, (vii) public spaces and places for parks, green
spaces and other public purposes and (viii) use as wildlife
conservation areas; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to establish a land bank agency by
ordinance beneficial to the people and government of the City; and
WHEREAS, the land bank agency shall be a public body corporate and
politic, with a permanent and perpetual duration until terminated
and dissolved in accordance with the provisions of Missouri Statutes;
NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI,
Section 1. That Chapter 74, Code of Ordinances of the City of Kansas
City, Missouri, is hereby amended by adding a new Article IV, Land
Bank Agency, to read as follows:
ARTICLE IV
LAND BANK AGENCY
Sec. 74-70. Creation as a Separate Public Body
There is hereby established the Land Bank of Kansas City, Missouri
(“land bank agency”) pursuant to the RSMo Sections 141.210 to
141.810 and Sections 141.980 to 141.1015 (“Land Tax Collection
Law”). The land bank agency created pursuant to this Article IV shall
be a public body corporate and politic, and shall have permanent and
perpetual duration until terminated and dissolved in accordance with
the provisions of RSMo Section 141.1012, and as set forth in Section
74-89.
Sec. 74-71. Purpose
(a) Purpose to be Served. The land bank agency shall manage, sell,
transfer and dispose of interests in real estate owned by such land
bank agency in accordance with this Chapter 74. The use of property
conveyed by such land bank agency shall be for the purposes of
creating: (i) opportunities for revitalization of deteriorating
residential, retail and commercial neighborhoods, (ii) safe, decent
and affordable housing for existing and future residents, (iii) retail
and commercial areas on vacant or deteriorated properties within
neighborhoods, (iv) the assemblage of property for future
development in a manner consistent with the purposes of the City’s
consolidated plans, particularly in any low to moderate income area
designated by the City as a target area for revitalization, (v) creation
or expansion of side yards with unimproved vacant lots in
neighborhoods densely constructed for the benefit of abutting
residences, (vi) space for use as urban agriculture, community
gardens, or other similar uses consistent with healthy eating by
residents, including restoring ground through alternative vegetative
cover to build-back the soil for future use for food production, (vii)
public spaces and places for parks, green spaces and other public
purposes and (viii) use as wildlife conservation areas; and otherwise
returning land in a nonrevenue-generating, nontax-producing status,
to beneficial uses through private (for-profit or non-profit), or public
ownership, with such relative priority among these stated purposes
as set forth in Section 74-80(e), as further considered and applied by
the board of commissioners governing such land bank agency.
(b) Limitations of Authority. Such land bank agency shall not own any
interest in real estate that is located wholly or partially outside the
city. Such land bank agency shall not be authorized to sell more than
five contiguous parcels to the same entity in the course of a year,
provided however, the foregoing shall be construed not to limit the
authority to acquire, maintain or convey property pursuant to:
(1) the Urban Redevelopment Corporation Law under Chapter 353 of
the Missouri Statutes;
(2) the Planned Industrial Expansion Law under Chapter 100 of the
Missouri Statutes;
(3) Chapter 68 of the Missouri Statutes applicable to the creation and
powers of a port authority; or
(4) the Real Property Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act,
the Housing Authorities Law or the Land Clearance for
Redevelopment Law, all under Chapter 99 of the Missouri Statutes.
Sec. 74-72. Beneficiaries
The beneficiaries of the land bank agency shall be the taxing
authorities that held or owned tax bills against the respective parcels
of real estate acquired by such land bank agency pursuant to various
provisions of the Land Tax Collection Law, including a deemed sale
under subsection 3 of Section 141.560, by deed from a land trust
under subsection 1 of Section 141.984, or pursuant to a sale under
subdivision (2) of subsection 2 of section 141.550 included in the
judgment of the court, and their respective interests in each parcel of
real estate shall be to the extent and in the proportion and according
to the priorities determined by the court on the basis that the
principal amount of their respective tax bills bore to the total
principal amount of all of the tax bills described in the judgment.
Such taxing authorities, other than the city, as beneficiaries are
limited to the net proceeds as otherwise specified in subsections 74-
81(a)(4) and 74-81(b)(5). This Section 74-72, does not create in any
person, entity or taxing authority, by implication or otherwise, any
direct or indirect benefit, obligation, duty, promise, right to be
indemnified (such as contractually, legally, equitably or by
implication) or any right to be subrogated to the city’s rights,
including the right of reimbursement of costs and expenses borne by
the city on behalf of the land bank agency.
Sec. 74-73. Governing Board
(a) Composition. The land bank agency shall be composed of a board
of commissioners which shall consist of five members, all of whom
shall be residents of the city. One commissioner shall be appointed
by Jackson County, one commissioner shall be appointed by the
school district that is wholly or partially located within the city and
Jackson County and then has the largest population according to the
last preceding federal decennial census, and the three remaining
commissioners shall be appointed by the Mayor pursuant Section
209, Article II of the City Charter. The initial term of the commissioner
appointed by Jackson County shall be one year, and thereafter each
appointment by the County shall be for a period of four years. The
initial term of the commissioner appointed by school district shall be
two years, and thereafter each appointment by the school district
shall be for a period of four years. The initial terms of the three
commissioners appointed by the Mayor, shall be staggered, for one,
two or three years, and thereafter four year terms. The purpose of
such staggering of the initial terms is to provide ongoing continuity,
with a majority of the board of commissioners remaining in office at
any one time. Subsequent to the initial term of office of the
commissioners, each term shall be for four years. Commissioners
shall serve at the pleasure of each commissioner’s appointing
authority, and no cause need be stated for the removal of a
commissioner. Commissioners shall serve without compensation.
Any vacancy shall be filled by the same appointing authority that
made the original appointment. Commissioners of the first board of
a land bank agency shall be appointed within sixty days after the
effective date of Ordinance No. 120779 establishing the land bank
agency. If any appointing authority fails to make any appointment
within the time the first appointments are required, or within sixty
days after any term expires, then the appointment shall be made by
the Mayor. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2 of RSMo
Section 141.720, the city or school district, as an appointing authority
for this land bank agency, shall not be an appointing authority under
RSMo Section 141.720 for the Land Trust of Jackson County (“Land
Trust”) upon completion of all transfers to the land bank agency from
the Land Trust, or one year after the effective date of Ordinance No.
120779, whichever shall first occur.
(b) Eligibility to Serve as Commissioner. Notwithstanding any law to
the contrary, any public officer shall be eligible to serve as a board
commissioner and the acceptance of the appointment shall neither
terminate nor impair such public office. For purposes of this section,
"public officer" shall mean a person who is elected to a political
subdivision office. Any political subdivision employee shall be eligible
to serve as a board commissioner. All commissioners shall be at the
time of appointment and remain throughout their term residents of
the city, and shall resign their appointment effective immediately
upon the loss of residency.
(c) Officers. The commissioners of the board shall select annually
from among themselves a chair, a vice-chair, a treasurer, and such
other officers as the board may determine, and shall establish their
duties as may be regulated by rules adopted by the board.
(d) Board Organization. The board shall have the power to organize
and reorganize the executive, administrative, clerical, and other
divisions of the land bank agency and to fix the duties, powers, and
compensation of all employees, agents, and consultants of the land
bank agency. The board may cause the land bank agency to
reimburse any commissioner for expenses actually incurred in the
performance of duties on behalf of the land bank agency.
(e) Board Meetings. The board shall meet in regular session according
to a schedule adopted by the board, and shall meet in special session
as convened by the chairman or upon written notice signed by a
majority of the commissioners. The presence of a majority of the
board's total membership shall constitute a quorum to conduct
business.
(f) Voting requirements. All actions of the board shall be approved by
the affirmative vote of a majority of the commissioners of the board
present and voting; provided, however, that no action of the board
shall be authorized on the following matters unless approved by a
roll call vote of a majority of the entire five member board:
(1) the adoption of bylaws and other rules and regulations for
conduct of the land bank agency's business;
(2) the hiring or firing of any employee or contractor of the land bank
agency, provided, however, that this function may, by majority vote,
be delegated by the board to a specified officer or committee of the
land bank agency, under such terms and conditions, and to the
extent, that the board may specify;
(3) the incurring of debt, including, without limitation, borrowing of
money and the issuance of bonds, notes, or other obligations;
(4) the adoption or amendment of the annual budget;
(5) the sale of real property for a selling price that represents a
consideration less than two-thirds of the appraised value of such
property; and
(6) the leasing, encumbrance, or alienation of real property,
improvements, or personal property with a value of more than fifty
thousand dollars.
Vote by proxy shall not be permitted. Any member may request a
recorded vote on any resolution or action of the land bank agency.
(g) Bond. The board commissioners shall each furnish a surety bond,
if such bond is not already covered by governmental surety bond, in a
penal sum not to exceed twenty-five thousand dollars to be approved
by the comptroller or director of finance of the city, issued by a surety
company licensed to do business in this state, which bond shall be
deposited with the county clerk of such county, and shall guarantee
the faithful performance of such commissioner's duties under this
Article IV and the Land Tax Collection Law. The bond may be written
to cover all the commissioners. The payment of the premium, or the
pro rata portion, for or other expense of such bond shall be borne by
the appointing authority of such commissioner.
(h) Oath. Before entering upon the duties of office, each board
commissioner shall take and subscribe to the following oath:
State of Missouri, )
) ss
City of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . )
I, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , do solemnly swear that I will support the
Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of
Missouri; that I will faithfully and impartially discharge my duties as a
member of the Land Bank of Kansas City, Missouri; that I will
according to my best knowledge and judgment, administer such tax
delinquent and other lands held by the land bank according to the
laws of the State of Missouri and for the benefit of the public bodies
and the tax bill owners which I represent, so help me God.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Subscribed and sworn to this . . . day of . . . , 20. .
My appointment expires: . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Notary Public
(i) Non-liability. Board Commissioners, individually or collectively,
shall not be liable personally on the bonds or other obligations of the
land bank agency, and the rights of creditors of the land bank agency
shall be solely against the assets of such land bank agency.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the land bank agency may obtain
such insurance it deems appropriate or prudent for itself, or the
board commissioners or staff of the land bank agency in their official
capacity with the land bank agency.
Sec. 74-74. Staffing and Intergovernmental Agreements.
A land bank agency may employ a secretary, an executive director, its
own counsel and legal staff, and such technical experts, and such
other agents and employees, permanent or temporary, as it may
require, and may determine the qualifications and fix the
compensation and benefits of such persons. The staff of the land
bank agency shall be persons who have demonstrated special
interest, experience or education in urban planning, community
development, real estate, law, finance or related areas; provided,
however, clerical, technical or other support staff need not have such
demonstrated interest, experience or education. The board may
delegate to officers and employees the authority to enter into and
execute agreements, instruments of conveyance and all others
related documents pertaining to the conveyance of property by the
land bank agency. A land bank agency may also enter into contracts
and agreements with political subdivisions for staffing services to be
provided to the land bank agency by political subdivisions or agencies
or departments thereof, or for a land bank agency to provide such
staffing services to political subdivisions or agencies or departments
thereof. Such an agreement may include, but are not limited to,
contracts for the joint exercise of powers, contracts for ownership,
management, development, and disposition of real property. A land
bank agency may receive funding through grants and loans from
political subdivisions, from the state, from the federal government,
and from other public and private sources.
Sec. 74-75. Powers.
Subject to the other provisions of Article IV and all other applicable
laws, including the Land Tax Collection Law, a land bank agency
established under Ordnance No. 120779 shall have all powers
necessary or appropriate to carry out and effectuate the purposes
and provisions of the Land Tax Collection Law as they relate to this
land bank agency, including the following powers:
(1) to adopt, amend, and repeal bylaws for the regulation of its affairs
and the conduct of its business;
(2) to sue and be sued, in its own name, and plead and be impleaded
in all civil actions, including, but not limited to, actions to clear title to
property of the land bank agency;
(3) to adopt a seal and to alter the same at pleasure;
(4) to receive funds as grants from or to borrow from political
subdivisions, the state, the federal government, or any other public
or private sources;
(5) to issue notes and other obligations according to the provisions of
this chapter;
(6) to procure insurance or guarantees from political subdivisions, the
state, the federal government, or any other public or private sources,
of the payment of any bond, note, loan, or other obligation, or
portion thereof, incurred by the land bank agency, and to pay any
fees or premiums in connection therewith;
(7) to enter into contracts and other instruments necessary,
incidental, or convenient to the performance of its duties and the
exercise of its powers, including, but not limited to, agreements with
other land bank agencies and with political subdivisions for the joint
exercise of powers under the Land Tax Collection Law;
(8) to enter into contracts and other instruments necessary,
incidental, or convenient to the performance of functions by the land
bank agency on behalf of political subdivisions, or agencies or
departments of political subdivisions, or the performance by political
subdivisions, or agencies or departments of political subdivisions, of
functions on behalf of the land bank agency;
(9) to make and execute contracts and other instruments necessary
or convenient to the exercise of the powers of the land bank agency;
and any contract or instrument when signed by the chair or vice-chair
of the land bank agency, or by an authorized use of their facsimile
signatures, and by the secretary or assistant secretary, or, treasurer
or assistant treasurer of the land bank agency, or by an authorized
use of their facsimile signatures, shall be held to have been properly
executed for and on its behalf;
(10) to procure insurance against losses in connection with the
property, assets, or activities of the land bank agency;
(11) to invest the money of the land bank agency, including amounts
deposited in reserve or sinking funds, at the discretion of the board,
in instruments, obligations, securities, or property determined proper
by the board, and name and use depositories for its money;
(12) to enter into contracts for the management of, the collection of
rent from, or the sale of the property of the land bank agency;
(13) to design, develop, construct, demolish, reconstruct, rehabilitate,
renovate, relocate, equip, furnish, and otherwise improve real
property or rights or interests in real property held by the land bank
agency;
(14) to fix, charge, and collect rents, fees, and charges for the use of
the property of the land bank agency and for services provided by the
land bank agency;
(15) subject to the limitation set forth in Section 74-71, to acquire
property, whether by purchase, exchange, gift, lease, or otherwise, to
grant or acquire licenses and easements, and to sell, lease, grant an
option with respect to, or otherwise dispose of, any property of the
land bank agency;
(16) subject to the limitation set forth in Section 74-71, to enter into
partnership, joint ventures, and other collaborative relationships with
political subdivisions and other public and private entities for the
ownership, management, development, and disposition of real
property;
(17) to exercise control of such property as fully and completely as if
it were a private property owner; and
(18) subject to the other provisions of this chapter and all other
applicable laws, to do all other things necessary or convenient to
achieve the objectives and purposes of the land bank agency or other
laws that relate to the purposes and responsibility of the land bank
agency.
Sec. 74-76. Transfer of Land Trust Property.
As soon as possible, but no later than one year of the effective date
of Ordinance No. 120779 title to any real property now held by the
Land Trust, or hereafter acquired by such Land Trust, located wholly
within the city shall be transferred by deed or deeds to the land bank
agency. The land bank agency shall take all reasonable steps to
facilitate the prompt transfer of such real property. The land bank
agency shall continue to monitor the assets held by the Land Trust,
and from time to time request any real property within the city held
in the name of the Land Trust that was not previously transferred,
even if the one year period has lapsed.
Sec. 74-77. Tax exempt status.
In accordance with RSMo Section 141.984.2, the income of a land
bank agency shall be exempt from all taxation by the state and by
any of its political subdivisions. Upon acquiring title to any real estate,
a land bank agency shall immediately notify the county assessor and
the collector of such ownership, and such real estate shall be exempt
from all taxation during the land bank agency's ownership thereof, in
the same manner and to the same extent as any other publicly
owned real estate, and upon the sale or other disposition of any real
estate held by it, such land bank agency shall immediately notify the
county assessor and the collector of such change of ownership;
provided however, that such tax exemption for improved and
occupied real property held by such land bank agency as lessor
pursuant to a ground lease shall terminate upon the first such
occupancy, and such land bank agency shall immediately notify the
county assessor and the collector of such occupancy.
Sec. 74-78. Property Acquisition.
(a) Methods of Acquisition. Subject to the limitation set forth in
Section 74-71, and in addition to the properties acquired pursuant to
Section 74-76, a land bank agency may acquire real property or
interests in property by:
(1) gift, devise, transfer, exchange, foreclosure, lease, purchase, or
otherwise on terms and conditions and in a manner the land bank
agency considers proper;
(2) purchase contracts, lease purchase agreements, installment sales
contracts, and land contacts, and may accept transfers from political
subdivisions upon such terms and conditions as agreed to by the
land bank agency and the political subdivision;
(3) bidding on any parcel of real estate offered for sale at a sheriff's
foreclosure sale held in accordance with RSMo Section 141.550
provided that if the bid is not a deemed bid under subsection 3 of
Section 141.560, such parcel must be located within a low to
moderate income area designated as a target area for revitalization
by the city, which shall include, but are not limited to those areas
designated under its consolidated plan submitted from time to time
to the federal government; and
(4) transfer from any political subdivision to the land bank agency of
real property and interests in real property of the political subdivision
on such terms and conditions and according to such procedures as
determined by the political subdivision.
(b) Confirmation Process for Competitive Bids. Upon confirmation
under RSMo Section 141.580 of a sheriff's foreclosure sale of a parcel
of real estate to a land bank agency under subdivision (2) of
subsection 2 of section 141.550, said land bank agency shall pay the
amount of the land bank agency's bid that exceeds the amount of all
tax bills included in the judgment, interest, penalties, attorney's fees
and costs then due thereon. Such excess shall be applied and
distributed in accordance with subsections 3 and 4 of Section
141.580, exclusive of subdivision (3) of subsection 3 thereof. Upon
such confirmation by the court, the collector shall mark the tax bills
included in the judgment as "canceled by sale to the land bank" and
shall take credit for the full amount of such tax bills, including
principal amount, interest, penalties, attorney's fees, and costs, on
his books and in his statements with any other taxing authorities.
(c) Title. A land bank agency shall hold in its own name all real
property acquired by such land bank agency irrespective of the
identity of the transferor of such property.
Section 74-79. Property Maintenance.
To the extent of funds available, the land bank agency shall maintain
all of its real property in accordance with the city ordinances. The city
has had the burden of paying for the maintenance and demolition of
properties held by the Land Trust, and there is much accumulated
deferred maintenance on the properties previously held by the Land
Trust. The land bank agency shall promptly evaluate the inventory as
provided to it by the Land Trust, or pursuant to the sheriff’s
foreclosure sale under the Land Tax Collection Law, and develop
priorities among those properties for demolition, repairing critical
structural envelope elements, such as the roof, if the building is
deemed salvageable, and secure the structures from entry to the
extent possible.
Sec. 74-80. Sale or Other Disposition of Property
(a) Public Review of Inventory. The land bank agency shall maintain
and make available for public review and inspection an inventory of
all real property held by the land bank agency. This inventory shall be
available on the land bank agency website and include at a minimum
whether a parcel is available for sale, the address of the parcel if an
address has been assigned, the parcel number, if no address has
been assigned, and the year that a parcel entered the land bank
agency's inventory. The land bank agency is encouraged to use
photographs, location maps and other tools that will help the public
identify the property, and may include links on its website to other
sources for such information.
(b) Policies for Disposition. The land bank agency shall determine and
set forth in policies and procedures of the board the general terms
and conditions for consideration to be received by the land bank
agency for the transfer of real property and interests in real property,
which consideration may take the form of monetary payments and
secured financial obligations, covenants, and conditions related to
the present and future use of the property, contractual commitments
of the transferee, and such other forms of consideration as
determined by the board to be in the best interest of the land bank
agency. Such policy shall include a provision that if a land bank
agency owns more than five parcels of real property in a single city
block and no written offer to purchase any of those properties has
been submitted to the agency in the past twelve months, the land
bank agency shall reduce its requested price for those properties and
advertise the discount publicly; such publication may be on its
website and printed lists available at its principal office.
(c) Authority for Disposition or Pledge as Collateral. Subject to the
limitation set forth in Section 74-71 and subsection (e) below, the
land bank agency may convey, exchange, sell, transfer, lease, grant,
release and demise, pledge and hypothecate any and all interests in,
upon or to property of the land bank agency.
(d) Authority to Delegate. The board may delegate to officers and
employees the authority to enter into and execute agreements,
instruments of conveyance and all others related documents
pertaining to the conveyance of property by the land bank agency.
(e) Priority. Subject to subsection (f) of this section, the land bank
agency shall determine a hierarchical priority ranking for the
particular use of a parcel of real property conveyed by such land
bank agency, and such priorities may, include, but are not limited to:
(1) opportunities for revitalization of deteriorating residential, retail
and commercial neighborhoods;
(2) creation of safe, decent and affordable housing for existing and
future residents;
(3) creation of retail and commercial areas on vacant or deteriorated
properties within neighborhoods; public spaces and places for parks,
green spaces and other public purposes;
(4) creation or expansion of side yards with unimproved vacant lots in
neighborhoods densely constructed, for the benefit of abutting
owner-occupied residences;
(5) the assemblage of property for future development in a manner
consistent with the purposes of the city’s consolidated plans,
particularly in low to moderate income area designated by the city as
a target area for revitalization;
(6) space for use as urban agriculture, community gardens, or other
similar uses consistent with healthy eating by residents, including
restoring ground through alternative vegetative cover to build-back
the soil for future use for food production;
(7) public spaces and places for parks, green spaces and other public
purposes; and
(8) wildlife conservation areas.
Further, the land bank agency shall adopt a policy specifying for
which categories of priority uses parcels need not be listed for sale,
and may make such determination on any particular parcel. The
foregoing priority uses contemplate that land that is in a nonrevenue-
generating, nontax-producing status, may be returned to use in
private ownership, contingent upon the recipient’s covenants to
develop or renovate the property consistent with their plan
incorporated into and a part of their accepted offer, which can
include additional conditions imposed by the land bank agency, and
the recipient’s obligations to pay: 1) outstanding real property taxes
for any property owned by the recipient, or entities in common
control with recipient, within the city, including but not limited to
property acquired from the land bank agency, 2) all installments of
special assessment for public improvements then due and owing, 3)
any outstanding special assessments or liens imposed by the city for
municipal services and/or property maintenance violations, and 4)
any unsatisfied fines or fees for property maintenance violations or
previously issued administrative citations as issued by the city
(collectively referred to as “financial obligations”). The land bank
agency may request a waiver by the city of financial obligations on a
particular parcel if not extinguished pursuant to the Land Tax
Collection Law, and the recipient’s obligation shall not extend to such
waived financial obligation. Payments upon an ancillary parcel,
defined I Section 74-87, shall be controlled by such Section. Such
covenants and obligations may be secured by a deed of trust or other
collateral pledge, with the appropriateness of such pledge and length
of that pledge, being a determination delegated to the land bank
agency. The land bank agency’s determination shall consider that the
beneficiaries of its efforts are the city and the taxing authorities in
accordance with Section 74-72. The length of the secured pledge shall
be for no more than a period of three years, provided the length will
be automatically extended upon the then owner’s failure to develop
or renovate the property, pay property taxes or other financial
obligations to the city or maintain the property, with such extension
being for whatever period necessary to exercise the land bank
agency’s rights under such deed of trust or other pledge of collateral.
The land bank agency is empowered to exercise any and all rights
under any deed of trust or pledge of collateral as security.
The city hereby delegates to the board of commissioners governing
such land bank agency to determine as to a particular property for
which there are competing requests for acquisition with different
priority uses which use best serves the residents of the city, first, and
then the taxing authorities. But in all events, such priorities shall be
consistent with and no more restrictive than municipal planning and
zoning ordinances.
(f) Offers.
(1) What Constitutes an Offer. Subject to subsections (e) and (f) of this
Section, a land bank agency will consider all written offers equal to or
greater than fair market value to purchase real property held by the
land bank agency. A written offer must be made on the forms
available for that purpose from the land bank agency. Further, the
land bank agency may adopt policies and procedures as to what
constitutes an offer. An offer must state the proposed use for the
property, and the land bank agency may consider as a part of the
acceptance of such offer whether the proposed use is in compliance
with the existing zoning designation and land use regulations of such
property and is a use consistent with the priority for that particular
parcel. Any transfer for a use that would require a change in the
zoning classification, may be conditioned upon the land bank
agency’s receipt of a written statement from the city registered
neighborhood association that it is in support of such changed use.
Further, an offer must include at a minimum: a) a certified statement
from the proposed purchaser, signed by at least one duly authorized
individual officer if an entity, that the proposed purchaser, or the
holder of a controlling interest therein, does not have any
outstanding delinquent real property taxes for any property owned
within the city, is current on all installments of special assessment for
public improvements then due and owing, does not have any
outstanding special assessments or liens imposed by the city for
municipal services and/or property maintenance violations, and does
not have any pending property maintenance violations or any
unsatisfied fines for previously issued administrative citations as
issued by the city, b) a list of all owners, officers, members or
partners of an entity which is the proposed purchaser, with their
primary residences, and c) for any proposed purchaser that is an
entity the offer must include a designation of local agent, with a valid
city issued business license, with a principal place of business in the
city, authorized to accept on behalf of such entity notices of code
violations or other service of process, which designation shall be
deemed to remain in full force and effect until written notice to the
contrary is provided to the land bank agency, which shall be effective
only if a subsequent local agent, similarly qualified, is named in such
notice.
(2) Fair Market Value. The land bank agency shall determine the fair
market value by reasonable and cost-effective means, including,
without limitation: 1) adopting the market value as determined by the
Jackson County Assessor, 2) establishing a set value for unimproved
vacant residentially zoned property generally in the same area, based
on tiers of square footage and on market conditions for that
property, to facilitate the use of such properties for priority uses (4)
or (6) of subsection (e) of this Section, 3) relying upon land bank
agency or city staff input, which may based on appraisals or
valuations obtained for whatever municipal purpose, or 4) real estate
broker’s sale price summary of other comparable properties. An
appraisal, done by a licensed or certified appraiser pursuant to RSMo
Chapter 339, holding a city issued business license, submitted by the
person or entity with their offer, will be considered by the land bank
agency, but is not determinative as to what constitutes a fair market
value.
(3) Rejection of an Offer. If a land bank agency rejects a written offer
equal to or greater than fair market value, or does not respond to a
written offer equal to or greater than fair market value within sixty
days, the land bank agency's action shall be subject to judicial review
under chapter 536 or any other applicable provision of law unless the
basis for the land bank agency's rejection is that is has accepted
another offer equal to or greater than fair market value for that
property. Venue shall be in the circuit court of the Jackson County.
Sec. 74-81. Application of Sale Proceeds.
(a) When any parcel of real estate acquired by a land bank agency
pursuant to a deemed sale under subsection 3 of RSMo Section
141.560, by deed from a land trust under subsection 1 of RSMo
Section 141.984, or pursuant to a sale under subdivision (2) of
subsection 2 of RSMo Section 141.550 is sold or otherwise disposed
of by such land bank agency, the proceeds therefrom shall be applied
and distributed in the following order:
(1) to the payment of the expenses of sale;
(2) to fulfill the requirements of the resolution, indenture or other
financing documents adopted or entered into in connection with
bonds, notes or other obligations of the land bank agency, to the
extent that such requirements may apply with respect to such parcel
of real estate;
(3) the balance to be retained by the land bank agency to pay the
salaries and other expenses of such land bank agency and of its
employees as provided for in its annual budget, provided, however
such budget shall be deemed to include: i) all expenses for the
staffing and administrative support of the land bank agency provided
by the city, and ii) the maintenance, repair and demolition of
properties, as accounted for by the land bank agency in cooperation
with the city, and the actual costs thereof may exceed the funds
budgeted, and all such actual expenses and costs borne by the city
on behalf of the land bank agency shall be reimbursed first to the city
and shall automatically be deemed a part of the budget for the
purposes of this Section 74-81; and
(4) any funds in excess of those necessary to meet the expenses of
the annual budget of the land bank agency in any fiscal year [as set
forth in subdivision (3) of subsection (a) of this section pursuant to
which a budget is deemed to include the actual costs borne by the
city on behalf of the land bank agency that shall be reimbursed first
to the city] including a reasonable sum to carry over into the next
fiscal year to assure that sufficient funds will be available to meet
expenses for that next fiscal year, exclusive of net profit from the sale
of ancillary parcels, shall be paid to the respective taxing authorities
that, at the time of the distribution, are taxing the real property from
which the proceeds are being distributed. The distributions shall be
in proportion to the amounts of the taxes levied on the properties by
the taxing authorities. Distribution shall be made on January first and
July first of each year and at such other times as the board may
determine.
(b) When any ancillary parcel, as defined in Section 74-87, is sold or
otherwise disposed of by such land bank agency, the proceeds
therefrom shall be applied and distributed in the following order:
(1) to the payment of all land taxes and related charges then due on
such parcel;
(2) to the payment of the expenses of sale;
(3) to fulfill the requirements of the resolution, indenture, or other
financing documents adopted or entered into in connection with
bonds, notes or other obligations of the land bank agency, to the
extent that such requirements may apply with respect to such parcel
of real estate;
(4) the balance to be retained by the land bank agency to pay the
salaries and other expenses of such land bank agency and of its
employees as provided for in its annual budget as set forth in
subdivision (3) of subsection (a) of this section, including the
obligation to reimburse the city costs and expenses incurred on
behalf of the land bank agency; and
(5) any funds in excess of those necessary to meet the expenses of
the annual budget of the land bank agency in any fiscal year and a
reasonable sum to carry over into the next fiscal year to assure that
sufficient funds will be available to meet expenses for that next fiscal
year, shall be paid in accordance with subdivision (3) of subsection (a)
of this section.
(c) Except as otherwise provided in subsections (a) and (b) of Section
74-81, a land bank agency may receive and retain payments for
services rendered, for rents and leasehold payments received, for
consideration for disposition of real and personal property, for
proceeds of insurance coverage for losses incurred, for income from
investments, and for any other asset and activity lawfully permitted
to a land bank agency under the Land Tax Collection Law.
(d) The land bank agency is encouraged to adopt and may revise from
time to time a policy as to the percentage of an annual budget that
shall be deemed reasonable to carry forward into the next fiscal year,
with the understanding that upfront costs of demolition and
substantial deferred maintenance on properties acquired from the
Land Trust make it difficult to project such percentage in the initial
years of operation of the land bank agency.
Sec. 74-82. Payments to Land Bank Agency Subsequent
to Disposition.
If a land bank agency sells or otherwise disposes of a parcel of real
estate held by it, any land taxes assessed against such parcel for the
three tax years following such sale or disposition by such land bank
agency that are collected by the collector in a calendar year and not
refunded, less the fees provided under RSMo Section 52.260 and this
Section and less the amounts to be deducted under RSMo Section
137.720, shall be distributed by the collector to such land bank
agency no later than March 1 of the following calendar year; provided
that land taxes impounded under RSMo Section 139.031 or otherwise
paid under protest shall not be subject to distribution under this
Section. Any amount required to be distributed to a land bank agency
under this Section shall be subject to offset for amounts previously
distributed to such land bank agency that were assessed, collected,
or distributed in error. In addition to any other provisions of law
related to collection fees, the collector shall collect on behalf of the
county a fee of four percent of reserve period taxes collected and
such fees collected shall be deposited in the county general fund.
Sec. 74-83. Budgets and Audits.
The land bank agency shall prepare an annual budget, and the board
shall review and approve a budget for the land bank agency
proceeding each fiscal year, which will correspond to the fiscal year of
the city. Accounts shall be established and disbursements of funds
shall be in accordance with guidelines established by the board,
consistent with the recommendations of the city’s Finance
Department and city auditor. While under no obligation to do so, the
city may contribute to the annual budget in such manner as
approved by the city. Such contribution or the incurring of expenses
by the city on behalf of the land bank agency, shall be reimbursed to
the city from sale proceeds consistent with subsections 74-81(a)(3)
and 74-81(b)(4). There shall be an annual audit of the affairs,
accounts, expenses, and financial transactions of a land bank agency
by certified public accountants as of April thirtieth of each year, which
accountants shall be employed by the commissioners on or before
March first of each year, and certified copies thereof shall be
furnished to the appointing authorities described in Section 74-73,
and shall be available for public inspection at the office of the land
bank agency. In addition to the annual audit provided for in this
subdivision, the land bank agency may be performance audited at
any time by the state auditor or by the auditor of the city. The cost of
such audit shall be paid by the land bank agency, and copies shall be
made available to the public within thirty days of the completion of
the audit.
Sec 74-84. Authority to Issue Bonds and Other Forms of
Indebtedness.
(a) A land bank agency shall have power to issue bonds, with
approval of the city, for any of its corporate purposes, which bonds
shall be special, limited obligations of the land bank agency, the
principal of and interest on which shall be payable solely from the
income and revenue derived from the sale, lease, or other disposition
of the assets of the land bank agency, or such portion thereof as may
be designated in the resolution, indenture, or other financing
documents relating to the issuance of the bonds. In the discretion of
the land bank agency, any of such bonds may be secured by a pledge
of additional revenues, including grants, contributions, or guarantees
from the state, the federal government, or any agency or
instrumentality thereof, or by a mortgage or other security device
covering all or part of the property from which the revenues
so pledged may be derived.
(b) Bonds issued by a land bank agency shall not be deemed to be an
indebtedness within the meaning of any constitutional or statutory
limitation upon the incurring of indebtedness. The bonds shall not
constitute a debt, liability, or obligation of the state or of any political
subdivision thereof, except in accordance with subsection (d) of this
section, or a pledge of the full faith and credit or the taxing power of
the state or of any such political subdivision, and the bonds shall
contain a recital to that effect. Neither the members of the board nor
any person executing the bonds shall be liable personally on the
bonds by reason of the issuance thereof.
(c) Bonds issued by a land bank agency shall be authorized by
resolution of the board and shall be issued in such form, shall be in
such denominations, shall bear interest at such rate or rates, shall
mature on such dates and in such manner, shall be subject to
redemption at such times and on such terms, and shall be executed
by one or more members of the board, as provided in the resolution
authorizing the issuance thereof or as set out in the indenture or
other financing document authorized and approved by such
resolution. The board may sell such bonds in such manner, either at
public or at private sale, and for such price as it may determine to be
in the best interests of the land bank agency.
(d) Any political subdivision may elect to guarantee, insure, or
otherwise become primarily or secondarily obligated with respect to
the bonds issued by a land bank agency subject, however, to the
provisions of Missouri law applicable to the incurrence of
indebtedness by such political subdivision. No political subdivision
shall have any such obligation if it does not so elect.
(e) A land bank agency may from time to time, as authorized by
resolution of the board, issue refunding bonds for the purpose of
refunding, extending and unifying all or any part of its valid
outstanding bonds. Such refunding bonds may be payable from any
of the sources identified in subsections (a) and (d) of this section, and
from the investment of any of the proceeds of the refunding bonds.
(f) The bonds issued by a land bank agency shall be negotiable
instruments pursuant to the provisions of the uniform commercial
code of the state of Missouri.
(g) Bonds issued pursuant to this section and all income or interest
thereon shall be exempt from all state taxes, except estate and
transfer taxes.
(h) A land bank agency shall have the power to issue temporary notes
upon the same terms and subject to all provisions and restrictions
applicable to bonds under this section. Such notes issued by a land
bank agency may be refunded by notes or bonds authorized under
this section.
Sec. 74-85. Open Meetings.
Except as otherwise provided under Missouri law, all board meetings
shall be open to the public and the board shall cause minutes and a
record to be kept of all its proceedings. The land bank agency shall be
subject to the provisions of Chapter 610, Chapter 109, and any other
applicable provisions of Missouri state law governing public records
and public meetings.
Sec. 74-86. Conflicts of Interest and Ethics.
Neither the members of the board nor any salaried employee of a
land bank agency shall receive any compensation, emolument, or
other profit directly or indirectly from the rental, management,
acquisition, sale, demolition, repair, rehabilitation, use, operation,
ownership, or disposition of any lands held by such land bank agency
other than the salaries, expenses, and emoluments provided for in
this Article IV. Neither the members of the board nor any salaried
employee of a land bank agency shall own, directly or indirectly, any
legal or equitable interest in or to any lands held by such land bank
agency. In accordance with RSMo Section 141.1000, a violation of this
section is a felony, and any person found guilty of violating this
section shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not less than
two nor more than five years. The board of a land bank agency shall
adopt supplemental rules and regulations addressing potential
conflicts of interest and ethical guidelines for members of the board
and land bank agency employees, provided that such rules and
regulations are not inconsistent with this Article IV or any other
applicable law.
Sec. 74-87. Ancillary Parcels.
(a) Definition. An “ancillary parcel” shall mean a parcel of real estate
acquired by the land bank agency other than: 1) pursuant to a
deemed sale under subsection 3 of RSMo Section 141.560; 2) by deed
from the Land Trust under Section 74-76; or 3) pursuant to a sale
under subdivision (2) of subsection 2 of RSMo Section 141.550.
(b) Application of Proceeds from Ancillary Parcels. To the extent that a
land bank agency receives payments or credits of any kind
attributable to liens or claims for real property taxes owed to a taxing
authority for an ancillary parcel, the land bank agency shall remit the
full amount of the payments to the collector for distribution to the
appropriate taxing authority in accordance with subsection 74-
81(b)(1), unless a taxing authority has elected to contribute all or any
portion of such taxes. Whenever any ancillary parcel is acquired by a
land bank agency and it is encumbered by a lien or claim for real
property taxes owed to a taxing authority, such taxing authority may
elect to contribute to the land bank agency all or any portion of such
taxes that are distributed to and received by such taxing authority.
Sec. 74-88. Quiet Title Action.
A land bank agency shall be authorized to file an action to quiet title
pursuant to RSMo Section 527.150 as to any real property in which
the land bank agency has an interest. For purposes of any and all
such actions the land bank agency shall be deemed to be the holder
of sufficient legal and equitable interests, and possessory rights, so
as to qualify the land bank agency as adequate petitioner in such
action.
(a) Service of Petition. Prior to the filing of an action to quiet title the
land bank agency shall conduct an examination of title to determine
the identity of any and all persons and entities possessing a claim or
interest in or to the real property. Service of the petition to quiet title
shall be provided to all such interested parties by the following
methods:
(1) registered or certified mail to such identity and address as
reasonably ascertainable by an inspection of public records;
(2) in the case of occupied real property by first class mail, addressed
to "Occupant";
(3) by posting a copy of the notice on the real property;
(4) by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the
municipality in which the property is located; and
(5) such other methods as the court may order.
(b) Affidavit. As part of the petition to quiet title the land bank agency
shall file an affidavit identifying all parties potentially having an
interest in the real property, and the form of notice provided.
(c) Statutory Hearing. In accordance with subsection 4 of RSMo
Section 141.1009, the court shall schedule a hearing on the petition
within ninety days following filing of the petition, and as to all matters
upon which an answer was not filed by an interested party the court
shall issue its final judgment within one hundred twenty days of the
filing of the petition.
(d) Consolidation of Parcels into Single Petition. The land bank agency
shall be authorized to join in a single petition to quiet title one or
more parcels of real property.
Sec. 74-89. Dissolution.
The land bank agency may be dissolved as a public body corporate
and politic not less than sixty calendar days after an ordinance or
resolution for such dissolution is enacted by the city. Not less than
sixty calendar days advance written notice of consideration of such
an ordinance or resolution of dissolution shall be given to the
members of the board of the land bank agency, shall be published in
a local newspaper of general circulation within such municipality, and
shall be sent by certified mail to each trustee of any outstanding
bonds of the land bank agency. No land bank agency shall be
dissolved while there remains outstanding any bonds, notes, or other
obligations of the land bank agency unless such bonds, notes, or
other obligations are paid or defeased pursuant to the resolution,
indenture or other financing document under which such bonds,
notes, or other obligations were issued prior to or simultaneously
with such dissolution. Upon dissolution of a land bank agency
pursuant to this section, all real property, personal property, and
other assets of the land bank agency shall be transferred by
appropriate written instrument to and shall become the assets of the
municipality that established the land bank agency. Such municipality
shall act expeditiously to return such real property to the tax rolls and
shall market and sell such real property using an open, public
method that ensures the best possible prices are realized while
ensuring such real property is returned to a suitable, productive use
for the betterment of the neighborhoods in which such real property
is located. Any such real property that was acquired by the dissolved
land bank agency pursuant to a deemed sale under subsection 3 of
RSMo Section 141.560, by deed from a land trust under subsection 1
of Section 74-76, or pursuant to a sale under subdivision (2) of
subsection 2 of RSMo Section 141.550 shall be held by such
municipality in trust for the tax bill owners and taxing authorities
having an interest in any tax liens which were foreclosed, as their
interests may appear in the judgment of foreclosure, and upon the
sale or other disposition of any such property by such municipality,
the proceeds there from shall be applied and distributed in the
following order:
(1) to the payment of the expenses of sale;
(2) to the reasonable costs incurred by such municipality in
maintaining and marketing such property; and
(3) the balance shall be paid to the respective taxing authorities that,
at the time of the distribution, are taxing the real property from
which the proceeds are being distributed.
Sec. 74-90. Limitation of Powers.
A land bank agency shall neither possess nor exercise the power of
eminent domain. A land bank agency shall not have the power to tax.
Sec. 74-91. Interpretation of Ordinance and Severability
of Provisions.
All powers granted to the land bank agency under Ordinance No.
120779 shall be interpreted broadly to effectuate the intent and
purposes of such Ordinance, and not to serve as a limitation of
powers. The invalidity of any clause, sentence, paragraph,
subdivision, section, or portion thereof, shall not affect the validity of
the remaining provisions of the Ordinance.
Closed for Lunch 12pm - 1pm
The Land Bank of Kansas City is located on the 19th floor, suite 1904