07-14-03 Community & Economic Development

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Contmitt y . port Communitt antr Qronomir iklitiopittent Qommittto The July 14, 2003 meeting of the Community and Economic Development Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Karl King at 3:52 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Aranowski, Coleman, Varner, Kirsits, Kelly, Kuspa, White, Pfeifer, and King; Bob Goodrich, Don O'Blenis, Bob Case, Bob Allen, Michael Beitzinger, John Axelberg, Monica J. Brickel, Tom and Sue Kinnucan, William Walsh, Karen Ainsley, Carla Haney, Michael Urbanski, Terry Bland of the 'out j Virtt4 ribune and Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. Council Member King noted that the Committee consists of Council Members Varner, Kuspa and himself. Council Member King then called for a presentation on Bill No. 03-66 which is a request of Axelberg & Axelberg, LLC., for a ten (10) year real property tax abatement for the property located at 2025 South Main Street. Michael Beitzinger, Economic Development Assistant Director, reviewed his July 1, 2003 report (copy attached). Mr. Beitzinger noted that the petitioner is the real estate holding company for General Sheet Metal Works, Inc., which operates as a metal fabricating company. The former Alro Steel building located at 2025 South Main Street was purchased which is adjacent to the General Sheet Metal Works' existing facility. The building will be used to expand the welding capabilities once upgrades have been made to the building. Improvements are estimated to cost $ 600,000. Ten (10) new permanent jobs are to be created in the 1st year with a new annual payroll of $ 338,000. The report concluded that the petitioner meets the qualifications for a ten (10) year real property tax abatement under § 2-82.1 of the South Bend Municipal Code addressing "Industrial Development in the Urban Enterprise Zone or Redevelopment Designated Areas". Mr. Beitzinger then provided a one-page handout providing a response to question 13, which was originally unavailable when the report was prepared(copy attached). Mr. John Axelberg and Monica.J. Brickel were available for questions from the Committee. No one from the public spoke in favor or in opposition to Bill No. 03-66. Dr. Varner inquired about the time reference for the improvements. Mr. Axelberg stated that they need to be in the building by the end of September 2003. Exterior improvements to the building will be completed by the end of the Summer of 2004. Dr. Varner noted that the petitioner has painted the exterior of an old building located on Main Street which has greatly enhanced the structure. Following discussion, Dr. Varner made a motion, seconded by Council Member Kuspa, that Bill No. 03-66 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. Council Member King then called for a presentation on Bill No. 03-67 which is a five (5) year personal property tax abatement request of Hoosier Tank & Manufacturing, Inc., for the property located at 2502 West Lawton Street and 201 North Olive Street. Community and Economic Development Committee