09-25-95 Community & Economic Development

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Qtomm f tttt Z 4por t: Community and Economic Development Committee t1t Common QCOU1tcf1 of tbt City of gioutb The September 25, 1995 meeting of the Community and Economic Development Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Roland Kelly at 3:35 P.M. in the Council informal meeting room. Persons in attendance included Council Members:Kelly,Zakrzewski,Washington, Puzzello, Luecke, and Ladewski; Bill Eagan Citizen Member, Sue Hodson Citizen Member, John Peddycord, Stanley Blenke, John Byorni, Mike Beitzinger, A. Michael Keener, John Broden, Doug Carpenter Citizen Member, Larry Keener, Don Porter,and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. The first item on the agenda was to review Resolution No. 95-72 which is a personal property tax abatement request for Keener Printing and Lithography Inc. Mr. Mike Beitzinger reviewed the memorandum from the Community and Economic Development Department dated September 11, 1995 which concluded that the petitioner meets the qualifications for a five year personal property tax abatement (copy attached). Mr. Keener noted that this is the first phase of an enlargement. The equipment will be state-of-art and will allow them double production. He noted that their company enjoys giving back to the community. With the anticipated expansion next year it is anticipated that they will create additional new jobs. In response to a question raised by Council Member Kelly it was noted that the life of the equipment should be between a 15 to 20 year range. In response to a question raised by Citizen Member Bill Eagan it was noted that if tax abatement denied that it would curtail their sales forecast and most likely they would look to relocate. Mr. Keener noted that currently they send many projects out to Chicago and Michigan, however they wish to remain competitive and to do products in house. The tax abatement would allow them to do this. In response to a question raised by Council President Ladewski it was noted that the company has hired 3 to 4 minority in the past and are always open to minority hiring. Council Member Zakrzewski stated that Keener Printing is a very valuable asset to the Rum Village neighborhood and has been a very good neighbor. He hopes that they will continue to grow and be a cornerstone to revitalize the Indiana Ave. area. He thanked them for their reinvestment in the community. Following discussion, Council Member Zakrzewski made a motion, seconded by Council Member Puzzello that Resolution No. 95-72 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. •