10-10-94 Community & Economic Development

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eommfttss Zsport: Community and Economic Development Committee 'Co Ujt Common touttufl of the tttg of ibouUj to : The October 10, 1994 meeting of the Community and Economic Development Committee was called to order at 4:30 P.M. in the Council informal meeting room by its Chairperson, Council Member Roland Kelly. Persons in attendance included Council Members: Luecke, Washington, Kelly, Puzzello, Zakrzewski, Coleman, Duda, and Ladewski; Mike Beitzinger, Rick Jones, Bob Raul,Tom Westfall,Terry Bland,and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. Council Member Kelly noted that the first item on the agenda was to review Resolution No. 94-96 which is a Personal Property Tax Abatement request for the properties located at 1701, 1801, 1818 and 1819 South Main Street. Mr. Mike Beitzinger then reviewed the report dated September 28, 1994 making a favorable recommendation on the proposed tax abatement(copy attached). Mr. Rick Jones of Well Electronics Inc. spoke on behalf of the petitioner. He noted that the company has been in business since 1946 and currently has 118 employees. In addition to South Bend they have operations in Pennsylvania,Japan, and Singapore. Approximately Three Million dollars of new manufacturing equipment will be installed over the next two years. In response to a question raised by Council Member Luecke, it was noted that the life expectancy of the manufacturing equipment will be between five to ten years and will be depreciated over a seven year period. Council Member Kelly noted that he has known many of the principals involved in this company for many years and spoke in favor of the proposed Personal Property Tax Abatement. Following discussion, Council Member Luecke made a motion, seconded by Council Member Ladewski that Resolution No. 94-96 be recommended favorable to Council.The motion passed. The Committee then reviewed Resolution No. 94-97 which is a three year Real Property Tax Abatement request for the property located at 3707 West Lathrop Street. Mr. Mike Beitzinger then reviewed the report date October 3, 1994 from the Community and Economic Development Department.He noted that the address should be corrected on the report to read 3707 West Lathrop Street and further noted that the Department sends the proposed request to the Council with a favorable recommendation. Mr. Bob Raul,President of Metro Beverages Inc. made the formal presentation.He noted that the business began in 1947 in Michigan City.They operated there until 1987 and then moved to South Bend. Since then they have acquired businesses in Elkhart and Allen Counties. In 1987 the Corporation did approximately Four Million dollars in sales and as of last year operating out of South Bend the Corporation has done over Twenty One Million dollars in sales. In 1987 they had 15 employees and today they have 60 employees. •„.. nn.