03-07-05 Community & Economic Development

Home Browse Search

Community and Economic Development Committee 2005 South Bend Common Council The March 7, 2005, meeting of the Community and Economic Development Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Ann Pi weello at 3:06 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included: Council Member Puzzello, Citizen Member Martha Lewis, Sharon Kendall, Executive Director of the Department of Community and Economic Development; Don Inks, Ann Kolata, Andy Laurent, Tedd Schaffer, Rita Kopala, Deputy City Clerk Janice Talboom and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member Puzzello noted that she called this meeting so that discussion could take place on compliance procedures with the Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF). She noted that the Office of the City Clerk has brought to her their concerns regarding timeliness. Deputy City Clerk Janice Talboom stated that she speaks to Belinda in the Auditor's Office on a regular basis with regard to CF-1's. Sixty(60)days after the year end is one deadline. She noted that she speaks with Tedd Schaffer in the Department of Community and Economic Development with regard to compliance issues. If it is determined by the administration that there may be a compliance concern, then those abatements are referred to the Council's Community and Economic Development Committee. Mr Schaffer noted that there are other deadlines of March 1st and May 15th. It appears that some forms may have been sent by the Auditor's Office to the state which were not signed. Sharon Kendall, Executive Director of the Department of Community and Economic Development noted that with the change of administration at the state level, that there may be new procedures which are being implemented. She stated that since their department has a data base that they should take the responsibility of follow-up. Ms. Kendall suggested that Ms. Talboom, and Mr. Schaffer meet with Belinda and discuss this matter further. The Council Attorney suggested that in keeping with Ms. Kendall's suggestion, that perhaps a form letter be prepared by the Department of Community & Economic Development after a confirmatory resolution is approved by the Council on a requested abatement. It would be sent to the petitioner and would highlight the next steps which are to take place and would note the requirements of the CF-1 filings. Copies would be routed to the Office of the City Clerk and the Auditor. Mr. Inks stated that discussion needs to take place by the committee with regard to what constitutes compliance. He noted that when the"scale of a project" changes that that may affect compliance. The Council Attorney suggested that the focus should also focus on job creation and expenditures and if there is a deviation of more than 25% in either category, that in those instances the matters would be automatically referred to the Council's Community and Economic Development Committee. March 7,2005 Community and Economic Development Committee meeting of the 2005 South Bend Common Council -page 1-