03-16-81 Human Resources & Economic Development

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Onlnlmmrr arpprt DIo the atomnwu &unlit of or env of f3mdhi Ernd• HUMAN RESOURCES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE The March 16, 1981 meeting of the Human Resources and Economic Development Committee was called to order by its chairman, John Voorde at 4 p.m. in the Council informal meeting room. Persons in attendance included: Councilmen Kopczysnki, Voorde, Crone, McGann, Szymkowiak, Taylor, and Beck; Marchmont Kovas, Kevin Horton, Pat McMahon, Irene Mutzel, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. Councilman Voorde began by stating that the purpose of the meeting was to review tax abatement procedures. Pat McMahon then passed out a handout entitled "Tax Abatement Procedural Change-a Rationale for the Common Council. " He noted that tax abatement should be viewed as an incentive to .move into tax abatement impact areas. Once these important areas are designated, blight would not have to be proven by the petitioner. The only reason that a petitioner could be turned down if desiring to locate in one of these areas would be the failure to prove "public utility and good" . Mr. McMahon then reviewed the eight (8) proposed important areas on the City map. Several Councilmen questioned why the Five-Points area:was included. Following much discussion on this point, Councilman Taylor made a motion to delete the Five-Points area, seconded by Councilman Crone. The motion passed 4-0. Councilman McGann stated that he believed the number of designated areas should be kept to a minimum in light of the economy. He suggested three (3) types ' of areas: Heavy Industrial, Light Industrial, and Commercial. • Councilman Crone questioned whether the designation of "impact areas" would bereversing the --present procedure. Shea1so_questioned the meaning of "public utility and good" , and recommended that it be defined further. Councilman Crone then asked how are tax abatement amounts abated. Councilman Voorde-:responded by stating that in light of the frozen levy, abating a figure of $100, 000 for example would mean that it would lower the share by one-half of what the people are paying in the aggregate. Councilman Kopczynski questioned when tax abatement should be filed. Several Councilmen expressed a desire to set a time limit for each project. Councilman McGann suggested dropping the Area Plan review from the procedure. Councilman McGann made a motion to set a five year limit on all tax abatement impact areas which would be designated in the resolution. Councilman Crone seconded the motion. It passed 4-0. FREE $$$$$ 01300 PUOLRNING CO. •