Cordele — Revitalizing blighted property is the purpose of a land bank, and city commissioners here took action Tuesday night authorizing Commissioner Curtis Lucas Jr., Susan Leger-Boike and David Forehand to put together a plan for organizing a local land bank, then present that plan both to city and county officials.

Some decisions will have to be made by the elected officials, Ms. Leger-Boike said. "I believe strongly in the concept of a land bank. We want to redevelop neighborhoods."

Once a land bank is organized, Forehand said, "title issues can be cleared up, blight can be cleared up, and we can improve the lives of our citizens. It can be a very positive thing."

Lucas emphasized that no one's home will be taken from them and placed in the land bank. Property can be taken only if taxes are not paid.

Commissioner A. J. Rivers contended that much of Cordele's problem is absentee landowners. Original owners have died and left the property with heirs who don't live here and have no interest in improving the property. In fact, some of those heirs are not even identified, so the city and county have no way of collecting taxes.

Ms. Leger-Boike said one way of financing a land bank is to use the money generated by late fees on taxes.

Also during the Tuesday meeting, Michael Waters Jr. who operates a program called Educational Journey and Beyond Outreach Services under the umbrella of Family Development Task Force asked that the city allow his group to use the building just off 8th Ave. that was constructed for the Boys and Girls Club.

Although a Crisp County/Cordele Boys and Girls Club is now defunct, Acting City Manager Edward Beach said that organization has a long-term lease on the building. "We have to officially terminate that lease before we can do anything else with the building," he explained. Also, there are certain eligible uses for the building under the terms of a Georgia Department of Community Affairs grant that the city has obtained.

"We have to submit a plan to DCA detailing the specific services that will be available."

Beach said Waters and Ms. Rosie Watkins who administers the task force just need to get with him so they can put some things down on paper about their plans for utilizing the building.

Waters and Ms. Watkins brought a large group of young people with them to the meeting. "We're crying out for help," Waters said. "We're tired of being on street corners. We want to change the conditions of our people and raise a self-sufficient generation."

Cordele has no bowling alley, no skating rink, really no place for kids to hang out in a safe environment, Waters argued. "We just want a place to get off the streets and set new standards."

"We want to help you," Commission Chairman Zack Wade said.

In other business:

• Commissioner Jamie Fernandez mentioned the upcoming 200th anniversary of the Blackshear Trail. Benny Wade wants to sponsor a road race to commemorate the anniversary, he said, and he wanted other commissioners to be aware of the plans.

• Upon the recommendation of Beach, the city's millage rate was set at 10.995 which is the same rate as last year. It will, however, bring in some more revenue than last year's rate.

• To reduce expenses, Beach said some positions that have been vacated have not been filled with permanent employees. Instead, the city is utilizing temporary help for whom it doesn't have to pay benefits. "We are consolidating some services," Beach continued. "We have tried to be prudent with the city's money and save as much of it as possible."

• Beach was appointed to serve on the SAM Shortline board of directors, replacing Jean Burnette whose term expires at the end of 2013.

• City governors authorized Beach to issue a notice of intent to create a "quiet community" to the railroad. A number of safety features will have to be added at rail crossings before this can be finalized. Costs of those improvements will run between $200,000 and $400,000, with much of the bill footed by hotel/motel tax monies.

• Finally, the city wants to lower the rail underpass on 9th Ave. so that larger vehicles can be accommodated when 8th St. is closed for the Darton College project. Beach was authorized to proceed with the preliminary engineering, then the city will have to submit a report to the railroad which will approve the project or send it back for modifications. The engineering will give the city and railroad an idea of the scope and cost of the project, according to the acting manager.