05-09-84 Human Resources & Economic Development

Home Browse Search

&I noon PP P�urt s , (UUv ft a Onmmcn alountt1 Df tip (Ong of Dout4I HUMAN RESOURCES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE The May 9 , 1984 meeting of the Human Resources and Economic Development Committee was called to order by its Chairman, Councilman Eugenia Braboy at 4: 00 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. • Persons in attendance included: Councilmen Serge, Braboy, Beck, Puzzello, Taylor, Zakrzewski, Crone, Voorde, Jon... Hunt, Colleen Rosenfeld, Eugenia Schwartz, Jeff Gibney, Herman Lee, Glenda Rae Hernandez, Hedy Robinson, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. Councilman Braboy noted that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the background information to Bill No. 50,44 which would establish local' criteria for designating areas within the City as "a slum, blighted, deteriorated, or deteriorating area" for purposes of targeting areas for the use of Community Development Block Grant Funds , and a general discussion on tax abatement procedures. Colleen Rosenfeld then gave a. presentation to the Council on the "slum and blight criteria" . The Committee questioned several areas of the proposed bill with the primary discussion focusing" on the role of the Board of Public Works. Several Councilmen expressed concern over the current langugage, and Mrs. Schwartz gave background information to the bill since she had written it Following extensive questioning, the Committee agreed to meet on this bill again to continue discussion. Councilman Braboy also asked Mrs, Rosenfeld to give a written summary of her remarks for the Committee. Mrs. Braboy then shifted the Committee's attention to the discussion of tax abatement procedures. Two (2) handouts were presented to the Council, one entitled "Tax Abatement Process"', and the other a breakdown of the tax abatement petitions which would be heard by the Council at their meeting of May 14th. (Copies attached) • Jon Hunt noted that there had been a drop in assessed valuation this year. He also noted that tax abatement should be used as a valuable incentive but the Council should also be concerned with the fiscal situation of the entire City. Tax Incremental Financing and The Urban Enterprize Zone all will have an impact. Councilman Taylor and Councilman Beck. both stated that they preferred a: tax' abatement procedure with the minimum abount of criteria. Councilman Voorde thought that the utilization of SIC • Icriteria was beneficial, as well as using tax impact areas, and that perhaps the City should be looking at how- the proposed project would benefit the City as another area of review. Councilman Crone thought that we would be doing a disservice to the citizens by- not following the tax abatement guidelines established by the City. Either we should live with the guidelines or make appropriate changes. Councilman Serge thought that each petition should be checked out and reviewed. on its' own merits, Councilman Puzzello thought that tax abatement should be based on how- many. new jobs would be created and the new taxes, however was informed by the Council Attorney that State law requires that the primary focus be on the criteria of underutilization, blight, under-developed, etc. •.t[ •11[[[ GOEESPo ?USLISIONO CO.