05-24-04 Community & Economic Development

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eommitt Aloat: Mr. Robert Henry with corporate offices at 404 South Francis made the presentation. He noted that they have been in business thirty(30)years. The current terminal with 54 doors has 20-25 trucks waiting every night to get in,therefore there is an urgent need for the new construction. Site engineering is taking place and the construction would be directly across from Ameritech. The project tallied up 528 points under the city's new tax abatement program. The Council Attorney noted that on page 2 of the resolution in Section III there is a specific reference to the Memorandum of Agreement. Similar language will be included in future resolutions which acknowledge that the petitioner and the city are entering into a contractual arrangement. No one from the public spoke in favor or in opposition to the Bill. Following discussion,Council Member Kuspa made a motion, seconded by Council Member Coleman that Bill No. 04-54 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. Council Member Kelly called for a presentation on Bill No. 04-55 which is a resolution providing for prelimina approval of the issuance of bonds for the purpose of providing certain economic development facilities. Randy Rompola,a local attorney,made the presentation on the inducement resolution for the construction of an airfreight terminal for Airborne Express/DHL near the South Bend Regional Airport. The project will retain 88 jobs and create 5 new jobs. Attorney Kenneth Fedder noted that this is not a general obligation bond and that section 6-10 of the resolution set forth the language protecting the City of South Bend from any liability. Phil Panzica,a local architect,with offices at 422 East Monroe noted that this is his company's 50th year of service to the community. He spoke in favor of the Bill which will be located off of Lathrop. He added that the structure will have 48,750 square feet and will have DC-9 jets in service at the facility. Council Member Coleman noted that this location will be near Rosetta as a leased facility. No one spoke against the Bill. Following discussion, Council Member Puzzello made a motion, seconded by Council Member Coleman that Bill No. 04-55 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. Council Member Kelly then invited Michael Beitzinger,Assistant Director of the Division of Economic Development to review the 2003 Tax Abatement Annual Report dated May 19,2004 (copy attached). He noted that the report is divided into five(5)parts: Tax Revenue Impact, General Information,Employment Impact,Tax Delinquencies, and Approved Abatements