10-27-03 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 27, 2003 WHEREAS, the Urban Enterprise Association of South Bend, Inc. throughout its existence has been engaged in and has undertaken a number of programs and operations in and serving business and residents located within the Enterprise Zone (hereinafter the "Zone "), and continues to operate, supervise and conduct such programs and operations; and WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Urban Enterprise Association of South Bend, Inc. (Hereinafter the Board) has expressed its continued commitment to its mission of increasing the number of jobs in the Zone by the retention and expansion of existing businesses and the attraction and development of new businesses and improving the quality of life of Zone residents; and WHEREAS, the Board by resolution dated October 16, 2003 approved a three year strategic plan proposing to guide its activities within the Zone and recommends to the Common Council of South Bend its submission to the State Enterprise Zone Board. that it: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council of South Bend, Indiana That the three year strategic plan, a true and complete copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein, dates as of October 16, 2003, shall be and hereby is approved. 2. The Executive Director of the Board is hereby authorized and directed to cause to be submitted to the Indiana Urban Enterprise Zone Board for its evaluation and review the application for designation approved hereby, and any and all supporting documentation, resolutions and the like. 3. This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption by the Council and approval by the Mayor. s/Karen L. White Member of the Common Council Councilmember King, Chairperson, Community and Economic Development Committee, reported that this committee held a Public Hearing on this bill this afternoon and voted to send it to the full Council with a favorable recommendation. Ms. Pam Meyer, 17550 White Chapel Court, South Bend, Indiana, Director, Community & Economic Development, 1200 County -City Building, South Bend, Indiana, and Director of the South Bend Urban Enterprise Association, made the presentation for this bill. Ms. Meyer advised that this Resolution authorizes the City to submit an application for a new Enterprise Zone designation with a ten (10) year time frame. She noted that there is an existing Enterprise Zone which has been in effect for almost twenty (20) years which will expire in December 31, 2003. This Resolution relates to an application for a separate and distinct zone geographically and for a new program. The application outlines a three (3) year plan outlining that the Enterprise Association will continue its efforts to support the Sample Street Business Complex which is a small business incubator and primarily their zone resident employment program which offers subsidies to people who live in the Enterprise Zone who have issues or obstacles relating to employment so they may receive subsidies for such items as day care expenses, travel, transportation, uniform assistance, tuition and books for continuing education. Ms. Meyer stated that the zone includes the main industrial area of the community, the Studebaker Corridor, the Oliver Plow section, portions of Sample Street, Western and Main and Michigan Streets and a large portion of the residential area around the A.J. Wright development which is one of the first developments in zone history where numerous jobs would be available to zone residents. She noted that if a person lives and works in a zone resident business, that resident can also receive a tax benefit. Therefore, the enlargement of the zone to incorporate more residents is a benefit to the -14- I 1 1