07-27-92 Human Resources & Economic Development

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tommftUt *oat HUMAN RESOURCES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE tlj* Common QCOiU UUY of the City of ffioutt IBentr: The July 27, 1992 meeting of the Human Resources and Economic Development Committee was called to order by its Vice Chairperson, Council Member Lee Slavinskas at 3:00 p.m.in the Council Informal meeting room. Persons in attendance included Council Members: Coleman, Duda, Ladewski, Washington, Puzzello, Slavinskas, and Luecke; Ann Kolata, Mayor Kernan, Jon Hunt, Don Porter, Kevin Horton,Gene J. Oakley, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. Council Member Slavinskas noted that he would Chair the meeting until Council Member Kelly arrived. It was noted that Resolution No. 92-51 requesting a ten (10) year real property tax abatement for Brett Plaza One located at 311 East Colfax will be continued indefinitely at the request of the Petitioner. The Committee then reviewed Bill No. 59-92 which is a Bill approving the lease for certain public improvements between the South Bend Redevelopment Authority and the South Bend Redevelopment Commission. Mayor Kernan made the presentation. As a part of the presentation the Mayor handed out the booklet presented to the Local Government Tax Control Board on July 22, 1992 which sets forth project information concerning the South Bend Lease Rental Revenue Bonds for the construction of the Blackthorn Golf Course in the Airport Economic Development Area. The Mayor noted that the City currently has three public courses. The bonds would be tax exempt and the golf course would be publicly owned but privately managed. Three studies have been done by North American Golf, National Golf Foundation and McKay. The overall purpose is the economic development of the area with the side benefits of having another first class golf course within the City limits. In response to a question raised by Council President Luecke, it was noted that originally the golf course was to be privately developed and then turned over to the City within a twenty (20) to twenty-five (25) year period. The Mayor noted however that like the funding for the hotel,private sector funding is most difficult. Over nine hundred (900) requests were sent with 35 to 40 responses being received. Mr. Gene J. Oakely noted that he was a frequent speaker at the South Bend School Corporation meetings. He voiced concern that an eighteen hole golf course of two hundred and seventy-nine (279) acres would cost 4 1/2 million dollars whereas a nine hole golf course like Studebaker which is on thirty (30) acres had an asking price of 4 1/2 million dollars. He noted that he had contacted Robin Hood Golf Course and that it could be purchased for $450,000.00. Mr. Oakley noted however that he believes that the Blackthorn Golf Course would draw people off the Toll Road. At this point Council Member Kelly took over the meeting. Following much favorable discussion and review of the information provided to the Local Government Task Control Board in the handout, Council Member Slavinskas made a motion, seconded by Council Member Washington that Bill No. 59-92 be recommended favorably to Council.