01-13-03 Community & Economic Development

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QCommitt*e Uport (Community arcb. eronomit thrinlopumnt (ommitt e The January 13, 2003 meeting of the Community and Economic Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Karl King at 4:48 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Varner, Aranowski, Pfeifer, King, Kelly, Kirsits, Coleman and White; Community & Economic Development Director Jon Hunt, Beth Leonard, Terry O'Brien, Bernie Feeney, Terry Bland of the gout Via tribunt and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member King noted that the Committee members for 2003 included Council Members Kelly, Varner,Kuspa and himself. Council Member King called for a presentation on Bill No. 03-7 which would authorize the Mayor to submit an application to the Indiana Commission on Community Service and Volunteerism for an Americorps grant. Elizabeth Leonard,Director of Financial &Program Management in the Department of Community &Economic Development made the presentation. She noted the money which may be as low as $ 187,000 would be used to administer the AmeriCorps program at various not-for-profit agencies. There were no questions or comments from members in the public in support or in opposition. Dr. Varner inquired how many members would be addressed, to which Ms. Leonard stated twenty-five(25) or seventeen(17) full-time equivalents. Following discussion, Dr. Varner made a motion, seconded by Council Member Kuspa that Bill No. 03-7 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. Council Member King then called for a presentation on Bill No. 03-03 which is a five (5) year residential real property tax abatement request for D & H Home Builders, Inc. for the properties commonly known as lot numbers 100 through 129 Royal Oak Estates Subdivision, Section 2. Terry O'Brien, noted that Mr. Beitzinger was out sick, and that he would review his report dated January 8, 2003 (copy attached). Mr. O'Brien noted that the petitioner plans to construct thirty (30) single-family homes which would range in size from 1,700 to 3,000 square feet. The average cost for each home will be $180,000 for a total project cost of$5,000,000. The report concluded that the petitioner meets the qualifications for a five (5) year residential tax abatement under § 2- 77.1 addressing single family real property abatement. Mr. O'Brien also provided a one-page sheet detailing the assessed value and the total taxes, taxes proposed to be abated, and the taxes to be paid(copy attached). Mr. Bernie Feeney was present on behalf of D&H Home Builders, Inc. In response to a question from Dr. Varner,Mr. Feeney stated that between 70 to 80%of the homes have been sold. There were no questions or comments from members in the public in support or in opposition. Following discussion, Council Member Kelly made a motion, seconded by Council Member