02-09-98 Community & Economic Development

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Commftta Ztport: Community and Economic Development Committee to the Common ICouiufl of the Cf tj of outb Ott*: The February 9, 1998 meeting of the Community and Economic Development Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Roland Kelly at 5:10 p.m. in the Council informal meeting room. Persons in attendance included Council Members: Aranowski, Pfeifer, Kelly, Broden, Varner, Ujdak, Coleman,and Hosinski; Sue Hodgson, Jon Hunt,Mike Beitzinger, Terry Bland, Ed Levy, Beth Leonard, Mayor Luecke, Cathy Roemer, Eugenia Schwartz, Ann Kolata, Nancy Van Scoyk, Mark Tamer,Jack St. Pierre, Lynn Coleman, Phil Faccenda, Jr.,Bill McCarthy, Carolyn Anderson and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. Carolyn Anderson, a joint appointment by the City Administration and the Common Council to the Economic Development Commission,was then introduced. Ms. Anderson expressed her desire to be reappointed. She noted that the Commission does not meet often but that she does enjoy being on the Commission and reviewing proposed economic development bonds. Council Member Kelly noted that the first Bill to be reviewed was Bill No. 10-98 which would appropriate$2.4 million of Section 108 Loan Funds. Council Member Kelly noted that this Bill was continued from the January 26th Council meeting. Beth Leonard made the presentation. She noted that the Bill proposes that $ 150,000 be used for rehabilitation of the Center for the Homeless, that $ 450,000 be used for construction of an addition to the LaSalle Park Recreation Center, and the remaining $ 1,800,000 would be used for downtown redevelopment. The Council Attorney noted that she had received a letter from Beth Leonard dated February 3, 1998 and a substitute version of Bill No. 10-98 which included new language in Section I, namely: "including acquisition of land for the Studebaker Museum)," (copy attached). The Committee then consider the substitute version. In response to a question from Council Member Udjak, Ms. Leonard noted that the Section 108 loan funds had not yet been approved by the federal government. She also noted that there is adequate CDBG monies for fund the proposed LaSalle Park improvements as well as the Center for the Homeless improvements. Council Member Udjak then directed questions to Mr.Hunt on the Studebaker Museum. Mr.Hunt indicated that he believed the City could obtain the land in question for the museum. Following discussion,Citizen Member Sue Hodgson made a motion, seconded by Council Member Varner,that Substitute Bill No. 10-98 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. Council Member Kelly noted that the next item on the agenda was to review Bill No.98-18 which is a 5-year personal property tax abatement request for Photochrome,Inc.located at 511 Lincoln Way West.