11-27-06 Personnel & Finance - Laserfiche WebLink

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Community and Economic De~eiopment Committee 2006 South Bend Common Council The November 27, 2006 meeting of the Community and Economic Development Committee of the South Bend Common Council was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Roland Kelly at 4:4fi p.m. in the Council's Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Pfeifer, Kelly, Varner, Kuspa, Kirsits, Rouse, White, Dieter and Puzzello; Mayor Stephen J, Luecke, Citizen Member Martin Wolfson, Community and Economic Development Director Sharon Kendall, City Controller M. Catherine Fanello, Bill Schalliol, City Clerk John Voorde, Carolyn Witucki, Don Inks, Alan Feldman, Ken Felder, Bill Panzica, Larry Horvath, Ann Kolata, Martha Lewis, Mrs. Kopola, Jamie Loo of the South Bend Tribune and Kathleen Cekanski- Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member Kelly noted that the Committee members include Council Members Kuspa, Puzzello, Kirsits, and himself and Professor Marty Wolfson as a citizen member. Bill No. 79-06 Tax Abatement Regula#ions in SSMC, Chapter 2, Article 6. Council Member Kelly noted the Bill No. 79-06 contains a series of proposed amendments which are of anon-substantive nature. The Council Attorney added that the Committee members have been meeting since June of this year and that there have been three (3) committee meetings where the proposed ordinance were discussed. Many of the amendments would bring the local ordinance into compliance with the new state laws in this area. Citizen Member Martin Wolfson noted that he believes that a change on page 4, ¶ F is necessary and further proposed that the Common Council be added to the definitions where boundaries are designated. Don inks noted that it is his understanding that Council approval is not necessary where the designation is 20% or less. Council Member Pfeifer stated that she has seen differing legal opinions on this issues. Citizen Member Martin Wolfson stated that there appears to be an ongoing controversy in this area which he believes should be discussed, noting that the Council Attorney has issued an opinion that the Council has the final authority on such designations. He stated that including the Council in this procedure he does not see as being controversial. Council Member Puzzello then made a motion, seconded by Council Member Kuspa that the word "and" be added right after the word "Clerk" on page 4, ¶ F; and that "and