03-13-00 Community & Economic Development

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QCommittaa wort: toms-unity aintf &mount thrixiopment fommittaa The March 13,2000 meeting of the Community and Economic Development Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Roland Kelly at 4:32 p.m. In the Council Informal Meeting room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Aranowski,Pfeifer,Kelly,King, Varner,Ujdak, Coleman,White and Kirsits; Citizen Member Jean Troutman-Poole, Cassandra Moran, John Hosinski, Robert Henry, Bob Hunt,Jon Hunt, Leslie Rubin, John Noppenberg, Michael Beitzinger,Jeff McGowan,Terry Bland of the'outs IStrib ZribUIU,and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member Kelly stated that the first item on the agenda was to review Bill No. 00-19 which is a personal property tax abatement request for Curtis Products,Inc for the property located at 702/722 South Carroll Street. Cassandra Moran of Community&Economic Development reviewed her report dated February 22,2000(copy attached). She noted that the petitioner provided fabricated tube assemblies for Original Equipment Manufacturers engaged primarily in agricultural and automotive industries. The petitioner proposes to add two(2) major pieces of equipment for an estimated cost of$310,000.00. The project will create nine(9) new permanent jobs and maintain 226 existing full-time jobs. The report concluded that the petitioner meets the qualifications for a five(5) year personal property tax abatement under§ 2-84.2 of the South Bend Municipal Code. Mr. Jeff McGowan, CPA, spoke on behalf of the petitioner. Citizen Member Jean Troutman-Poole inquired about salaries and fringe benefits. Mr. McGowan noted that the new annual payroll for the new nine(9)jobs to be created would be$177,840 which does not include fringe benefit costs. In response to a question from Council Member White, Mr. McGowan noted that the nine (9) new employees would be at the general skill level. Following discussion, Council Member Ujdak made a motion, seconded by Council Member Varner that Bill No. 00-19 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. The Committee then reviewed Bill No. 00-22 which is a six(6) year real property tax abatement request for USF Holland,Inc for the property located at 5550 Cleveland Road. Cassandra Moran of Community&Economic Development reviewed her report dated March 7, 2000(copy attached). She noted that the petitioner is a"less than truck load carrier"which provides logistics and just in time trucking operations throughout the United States. The petitioner proposes to construct a terminal facility between Cleveland Road and the Indiana Toll Road for an estimated cost of six(6) million dollars. The project will create between 25 and 30 new, permanent,full-time jobs and maintain the existing 299 full-time jobs. The report concluded that the petitioner meets the qualifications for a six(6) year real property tax abatement under§2-83 of the South Bend Municipal Code addressing warehouse development. Leslie Rubin and John Noppenberg,agents for the petitioner made a presentation on behalf of the petitioner. They showed pictures of the petitioners operation in Greenwood,Indiana. Mr. Robert Henry of the Robert Henry Corporation was introduced who will oversee the construction with September 3rd being their target date. Mr. Henry further noted that this is one of four new • terminals proposed.