02-10-03 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 10, 2003 from the agenda. Councilmember White seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of eight (8) ayes. BILL NO. 5 -03 PUBLIC HEARING ON A BILL OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, AMENDING CHAPTER 2 OF THE SOUTH BEND MUNICIPAL CODE BY REPLACING IN ITS ENTIRETY ARTICLE 6 ENTITLED TAX ABATEMENT PROCEDURES Councilmember King, Chairperson, Community and Economic Committee, reported that this committee held a Public Hearing on this bill this afternoon and sends it to the Council with a favorable recommendation. As Councilmember King is the presenter for this bill, President White presided over the Public Hearing. Councilmember Karl King, 4th District, 1515 East Washington Street, South Bend, Indiana, made the presentation for this bill. Councilmember King advised that the Community and Economic Development Committee proposes this bill for the Council's consideration as an ordinance that would amend Chapter 2, Article 6 of the South Bend Municipal Code by replacing it in its entirety. This will create an entirely new section entitled Tax Abatement Procedures. This ordinance is being proposed for three (3) principal reasons. First, the Council has acknowledged that it is reasonable from time to time to review the procedures for tax abatement in order to assure that these procedures continue to be appropriate in light of governing state law and local goals for community and economic development. Second, the Council has further acknowledged that the current ordinance was passed in 1998 and since that time the governing state law has been significantly amended. Third, the Council has expressed a desire that tax abatements be granted in a manner that provides improved incentives for private sector entities not only to invest in property but also to execute certain other actions which the Council considers to provide public benefits that would be in the best interests of the City of South Bend. The tax abatement procedures set forth in this proposed ordinance are the result of nearly twenty -four (24) months of research, analysis, deliberation and many meetings conducted by the Council's Community and Economic Development Committee where members of the public and the City administration provided input. Councilmember King invited Mr. Mike Beitzinger of the Department of Community and Economic Department to step forward as he is the staff person who has been involved in this process and is responsible for much of the administration that would take place if this ordinance is adopted. Mr. Mike Beitzinger, Department of Community and Economic Development, 14881 Brenthaven Court, Granger, Indiana, reiterated Councilmember King's comments regarding working long and hard on this ordinance. He noted that they fully support this ordinance and look forward to implementing it. This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and