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11 A, <br />{ <br />COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE <br />JUNE 28, 2010 <br />Chairperson Timothy Rouse called the Community and Economic Development Committee <br />meeting to order at 5:32 p.m. <br />Committee Members Present: Timothy Rouse, Ann Puzzello, Karen White, Henry Davis <br />Other Councilmember's Present: Derek Dieter, Tom LaFountain, David Varner, Al Kirsits, Oliver <br />Davis <br />Other's Present: Sue Solmos, Mayor Luecke, Tom Price, Aladean DeRose, Gary Gilot, Jeff <br />Parrott, Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Rita Kopala <br />Agenda: Bill No. 25-10 amend Tax Abatement Ordinance <br />Update from Sue Somos on Residential Market Plans <br />Chairperson Rouse opened the hearing by announcing the Mayor had requested Bill No. 25-10 <br />be continued until the meeting of August 9, 2010. All greed to the continuance request to be <br />formally done at the 7:00 meeting. <br />Turning to the second item on the agenda Chairperson Rouse allowed Sue Solmos to provide an <br />update on the City's residential marketing effort. Sue Solmos provided a handout which outlined <br />her efforts since being hired by the City in September 2008. She briefly described the initiatives <br />which include the formation of a committee representing the Center for History, University of <br />Notre Dame, Historic Landmarks, and the real estate community to focus on promoting South <br />Bend's assets in a unified synergistic way. Another initiative is the Certified Realtor Program. <br />Working with realtors to educate them about the city's attractive assets nearly 50 realtors have <br />become South Bend Ambassadors. These and other programs Sue was very enthusiastic about <br />are detailed in the attached handout. Chairman Rouse opened the session for comment. <br />Councilmember Henry Davis, Jr., spoke well of the marketing effort, but wondered about the cost. <br />Solmos responded that she works with a $1600 budget which necessitates that most programs <br />be self-funded. For example realtors pay $150.00 for the certification classes. In closing Solmos <br />said she will continue to forge partnerships with the Board of Realtors specifically to promote the <br />City. <br />There being no further business to come before the Committee, Chairperson Rouse adjourned <br />the meeting at 4:34 p.m. <br />Respectfully Submitted, <br />Timot y A. Rou e, Chairperson <br />Community a d Economic Development Committee