01-24-00 Community & Economic Development

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Community and Economic Development Committee January 24, 2000 Page 2 Mr. Rick Milton, Executive Director of AHDI, Inc. noted that there was a problem with the contract which resulted in building permits being issued for Lots 27 and 28 on December 23rd. These permits were pulled in error and no construction occurred. On January 18, 2000 the permits were voided. Following discussion, Council Member Ujdak made a motion, seconded by Dr. Varner, that Bill No.00-7 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. The Committee then reviewed Bill No. 00-8 which is a five(5) year personal property tax abatement request for Koontz-Wagner Electric Company, Inc. for the property located at 3300 West Sample Street. Cassandra Phillips of Community & Economic Development reviewed her January 11, 2000 report (copy attached). Koontz-Wagner Electric Company, Inc. has provided complete electrical services for over 75 years. The proposed project would add a 130 ton sixteen foot Accupress Press-brake to the facility at the estimated cost of$ 81,910. The petitioner has received one prior tax abatement. The report concluded that the petitioner meets the qualifications for a five year personal property tax abatement. Sara Filley, Controller for Koontz-Wagner Electric Company, Inc. noted that the press- brake is necessary due to the strong growth in the demand for packaged control rooms manufactured by the Custom Controls Division. In the past year,the number of employees at their Sample Street facility have grown from 9 to 21. Council Member Kelly inquired into what were packaged control rooms. Ms. Phillips noted that in light of the brown outs and black outs that pre-packaged electrical rooms for facilities were necessary to control such outages. In response to a question from Citizen Member Troutman-Poole,Ms. Phillips noted that at least one(1) new permanent job would be created at an annual payroll of$ 14,600 and that 256 existing permanent full-time jobs representing an annual payroll of $ 10,300,000 would be maintained. Following discussion, Dr.Varner made a motion, seconded by Council Member Ujdak that Bill No. 00-8 be recommended favorably. The motion passed. The Committee then reviewed Bill No. 00-9 which is a five year residential tax abatement request for Neighborhood Housing Services of South Bend,Inc., for the properties located at 1418 Campeau and 1206 Sorin Street. Cassandra Phillips of Community & Economic Development reviewed her January 14, 2000 report (copy attached). The petitioner proposes to building two (2) single-family homes of 1,050 square feet, each with three(3)bedrooms with an approximate value of $ 85,000 for a total project cost of $ 170,000. The petitioner has received three (3) previous tax abatements. The report concluded that the petitioner meets the qualifications for a five year residential real property tax abatement.