On Monday, the City Council voted to give $2.1 million to the Marietta Redevelopment Corp., as a part of a special land-buying fund. The MRC was asking the Council for this “seed money” so they can use it to obtain more money for acquiring land for redevelopment projects around the city. The Council did give approval for the funds, but only on the condition that one member of the Council be on the board of the MRC. This issue of an additional member on the MRC’s board of directors was a topic of debate amongst members of both City Council and the MRC.
With City Council split on the matter, Ward 3 Councilwoman Holly Walquist, was the swing vote. She agreed on giving the $2.1 million, but only if the additional member be added to the MRC’s board. The issue of taxpayer money being used for the seed fund elicited some reaction from Ward 7 Councilman Philip Goldstein, who said, “I strongly believe that if we are going to use city taxpayers’ money then there should be a council member on that board.”
With the MRC’s board expanding from 11 seats to 12 now, the newest seat will go to the Council’s Economic Development Committee Chariman, Grif Chalfant. The MRC will be required to submit quarterly and annual reports that detail their spending for each period of time.
Thanks to the Marietta Daily Journal’s Aaron Baca for information on this story.
