03-24-97 Community & Economic Development

Home Browse Search

Committee Report: Community and Economic Development Committee To the Common Council of the City of South Bend: The March 24, 1997 meeting of the Community and Economic Development Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Councilmember John Broden at 4:50 p.m. in the Council informal meeting room. Persons in attendance included Council Members: Kelly, Aranowski, Pfeifer, Broden, Varner, Udjak, Coleman, Hosinski, Sniadecki; Kevin Butler, Becky Bonham, John Wolfe,Mike Beitzinger,Mayor Luecke,Dick Nussbaum,William C. Groome III, Dwayne Davis, Ann Carol Simmons, Cathy Roemer, Dennis Staley, Eric Brown, Mike Wesan, other members of the public,and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. Councilmember Broden noted that the first item on the agenda was to review Substitute Resolution No. 97-16 which is a six (6) year Real Property Tax Abatement request for the property Y located at 250 East Sample e Street. Mr.Mike Beitzinger reviewed the report from the Community and Economic Development Department dated March 19, 1997 (copy attached). He noted that the project consists of approximately one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) of physical improvements to two (2) buildings which would be used as a painting and body works center. The petitioner qualifies for a six (6)year real property tax abatement under Section 2-79.1 of the South Bend Municipal Code. Mr. Groome then showed an artist rendering of the facility and answered questions on behalf of the Petitioner. Following discussion, Councilmember Sniadecki made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Pfeifer, that Substitute Bill No. 97-16 be recommended favorably to Council, The motion passed. The Committee then reviewed Resolution No. 97-14 which addresses Casinos and the expansion of gambling in the State of Indiana. Councilmember Coleman then provided a substitute version of said resolution to the Committee(copy attached). He noted that he is one of three (3) sponsors which include Council President Kelly and Councilmember Udjak. He noted that the overall topic is a "moving target" with much activity currently taking place downstate. Councilmember Coleman note that the Resolution sets forth the overall spirit which emphasizes the need for more information and public forums to discuss the impact of proposed casinos and the expansion of gambling in the St.Joseph County area. Becky Bonham of the Chamber of Commerce noted that the lottery legislation was based on a public referendum. She noted that the Chamber of Commerce has taken a position that there is ample availability to gambling in the state currently. She stated that the Chamber believes there is no compelling evidence to warrent an expansion of this form of gambling and that there are quality of life issues involved which warrent the Council to adopt the Substitute Resolution.