Omaha Municipal Land Bank June 11, 2025 Board of Directors Meeting
Agency
Housing, Development
Meetings
Attendance Board Members Present: Patrick Falke (Chair), Bridget Bumgardner (Vice-Chair), Grace Daniele-Kouassi (Treasurer), Cort Bonner, Todd Swirczek, Sharlon Rodgers Board Members Absent: Lou Ann Goding Non-voting Board Members Present: Susan Rauth, Danyell Price, Colleen Mason, Chad Tettenborn Non-voting Board Members Absent: Johnny Nesbit, Mike Riedmann Non-voting Ex-Officio Members Present: David Fanslau (City of Omaha Planning Director) Non-voting Ex-Officio Members Absent: None
The Scene The building is handicapped accessible with ample handicapped stalls. The room is airy and well-lit. A central speaker was in the middle of the room versus individual microphones for each member, which made hearing the speakers difficult at times.
Six Land Bank staff members were in attendance plus six members of the public. Notes Chairman Falke called the meeting to order at 9:02 a.m. and announced the location of the posted Open Meetings Act and publication of the Notice in The Daily Record. Mr. Falke clarified the public comment procedures: commentators will be limited to three minutes of time and general comments about the Land Bank can only be made during the allotted time and agenda item. Comments about the particulars on the agenda can be made at that point of the agenda.
Andrea Purdy-Steenholdt, deputy director presented the Finance Committee reports prior to the 2024 audit report.
• OMLB currently has approximately $2.2 million in cash, with the only difference occurring in spending down funds from grants.
• Reserve assets will reflect changes at the July meeting based on recommendations made by the auditors.
• Liabilities are $3.1 million.
• Contributor revenue is down due to some grants not yet being received.
Agenda Item 3.3 2024 Audit Review Jesse Tomair, Hayes & Associates
• Conducted a documentation review, interviews with management and the finding is a clean audit rating.
• No new accounting procedures were required to be implemented for fiscal year 2024, so there are no recommendations in that area.
• Some grants with restricted funds are still being held due to timing.
• Donated properties will be listed as a separate item going forward to keep assets separated out for accounting purposes.
• Recommend that all expenses be listed as separate line items versus lumped into one listing.
Motion to move the audit report from draft form to adopted form was approved 6-0.
Agenda Items 3.4 and 3.5: 1263 S. 16th St.
• Resolution to Cancel Delinquent Taxes
• Resolution to Cancel Delinquent Special Assessment
Approved 6 -0.
Agenda Item 7.1 Donation from Federal National Mortgage 3740 N. 44th Ave. Property obtained by the mortgage company through foreclosure. The property previously had a home on the lot. The home was removed in 2018. Property was valued at $22,000 at the time of foreclosure. No liens on the property, only taxes.
Motion to receive the property approved 6-0.
Agenda Item 8.1 Executive Directors Report, Leslie Smith
• 24 properties are currently in the process of being acquired that will close between June and July.
• OMLB participated in the Innovation District meeting and Ms. Smith feels it is an important opportunity to share what the role of the land bank is.
• 20 shovel ready properties are in Phase III and are in the process of determining the scope of pre-construction work necessary, including levels of contamination.
• The website now has a search feature for shovel ready properties and can move through the categories.
• Outreach efforts are being made to educate the public and stakeholders about the land bank process.
• Ms. Smith praised the team the planned and participated in the Reignite to Unite Development Symposium held June 4th – 5th. The attendance doubled from last year, with 6 tracks to choose from including construction training, property sales, how to become an emerging developer and more.
The conference featured Richard Rothstein, author of the Color of Law book (with an upcoming sequel). Color of Law Book - Richard Rothstein
• The marketing team will be sharing video taken during the symposium throughout the year.
• Ms. Smith reminded Board members of their fundraising pledges.
Agenda Item 8.3 Legislative Update
Nebraska Unicameral Bills List: Nebraska Unicameral Bills List 109th Legislature (2025-2026)
LB458 – Passed.
Change provisions relating to tax sale certificates, real property sold for delinquent taxes, certain tax-related foreclosure actions, and land banks and adopt the Permitting Approval Timeliness Act and the By-Right Housing Development Act.
LB620 – Carried over. Mr. Falke asked if it would prudent to consider drafting amendments to the bill.
Adopt the Neighborhood Revitalization Act and authorize certain civil actions relating to real property
LB643 – Carried over.
Prohibit income tax deductions relating to interest or taxes paid on or maintenance of certain properties and provide exemptions to prohibited deductions
No public comments were made.
Public member Cheryl Weston live streamed the meeting on her Facebook page. Chair Falke found this idea exciting for further community engagement.
Votes:
Minutes of the May 14, 2025 were approved 6-0.
May 14, 2025 financial statements were approved 6-0.
Motion to 2024 Audit
Resolution to Cancel Delinquent Taxes approved 6 -0.
Resolution to Cancel Delinquent Special Assessment approved 6 -0.
Meeting adjourned at 9:59 a.m.
Summary
• No dispositions or acquisitions were made this month.
• No consent agenda items this meeting. Governance committee report was not yet ready.
• No executive session required for this meeting.
• Community involvement continues to be a focus area of the land bank’s work.
• The most recent class of Ambassador cohorts was the largest yet, with 35 participants.
Quotes: Sharlon Rodgers stated that as a new Board Member, she found the symposium very informative. She was impressed by the way partners really stepped up and that bringing speakers with national notoriety really elevated the symposium.
Next Steps
• Next meeting: July 9, 2025
• Check the OMLB website for upcoming workshops and conferences: https://omahalandbank.org/
What the Documenter is Still Curious About:
• How are affordable housing and ADA accommodations being incorporated into the plans, especially in light of the closure of the City Light apartments?
• How do the public, the neighbors, local developers and OMLB donors feel about the work of OMLB?
• What contaminants are present on these properties, what remediation steps are being taken and what levels of contamination exclude a property from being acquired or developed by the land bank?
• Meetings are recorded, yet the most recent recording posted to the YouTube channel is from the April 9, 2025 meeting.
• Are Ambassador meetings open to the public?