Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-22-10 Community & Economic Development Committee~~•~ ~. ~v ~`W ~.~ lj fie, 4' ~ ~ COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MARCH 22, 2010 Committee Members Present: Timothy Rouse, Chairperson; Ann Puzzello, Karen White; Henry Davis Other Council Members Present: Derek Dieter, David Varner, Oliver Davis, Tom LaFountain, AI "Buddy" Kirsits Others Present: Gregg Zientara, Dennis Andres, Jeff Parrott, Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Rita Kopala, Gladys Muhammad, Don Inks, Carl Litrell, Gary Gilot, Hardie Blake, Bill Schalliol, Marva Leonard-Dent, Mayor Stephen Luecke, Jeff Gibney, Tom Price, Bob Webster Chairperson Rouse called the meeting to order at 3:25 p.m. to discuss the following agenda items: Agenda: Bill No. 10-10 -Appropriation $125,000 Bill No. 10-12 -Recovery Zone Bill No. 10-15 -Airport Economic Development Area Bill No. 10-16 -South Bend Central Development Area Bill No. 10-17 -South Side Development Area BILL N0. 10-10 This bill requests an appropriation of $125,000 from the Loss Recovery Fund. The bulk of the money $100,000 would be used to demolish a brick bldg. on the site of the future Kroc Center in the 500 block of South Chapin. The balance, $25,000, would be for environmental soil testing at Fredrickson Park. Chairperson Rouse recognized both Mayor Luecke and Gary Gilot to answer questions after the Mayor's brief presentation. Chairperson Rouse along with Councilmember White expressed concerns as to how projects were prioritized. The necessity for inclusion and transparency in the decision making process were emphasized by both Councilmembers. Their concerns notwithstanding, the bill was sent to Council with a favorable recommendation after a motion by Councilmember Puzzello seconded by Councilmember White and affirmed by all. BILL NO. 10-12 This bill asks the Council to designate South end as a Recovery Zone. This designation would allow the city to use specific recovery use bonds through 2010 for development opportunities. Specific projects would require Council approval. Don Inks, Director of Economic Development made the presentation. He explained the $12.5 bond capacity allowed would be divided into two categories - 5 million dollars for public use and 7.5 million dollars for private development. Committee members Karen White and Tim Rouse again spoke to the need for open discussion as to the allowed uses and prioritization process of such proposals. In particular, Karen White, following up on a Tribune story reporting a dispute at a Redevelopment Commission meeting regarding eligible uses of TIF funds for Project Impact saw this as an example of the need for openness and input for the Council. Tim Rouse agreed. Henry Davis felt absent input any Council vote was premature. Citing the request for "recovery zone" approval without Council input on the front end was wrong. Don Inks reminded him that any project selected required final approval by the Council. Henry Davis responded that this was another.example of the administration asking for approval before any plans and goals are discussed. Nonetheless, on a motion by Karen White, seconded by Ann Puzzello and affirmed by all save Henry Davis the bill was sent to Council favorably. BILL NO. 10-15 Tim Rouse noted a request by the city to continue this bill until the meeting of April 12th. Ann Puzzello so moved. Henry Davis followed with a second and all agreed to continue. BILL NO. 10-16 This bill would allow the expansion of the South Bend Central Development Area by adding parcels in the East Bank Village Area for future development and parking. Bill Schalliol from Economic Development made the presentation noting the Area Plan Commission had reviewed and approved the expansion. After brief discussion Karen White motioned a favorable recommendation. Henry Davis seconded and all concurred. BILL NO. 10-17 This bill would allow the South Side Development Area to be expanded. The purpose of the expansion as explained by Bill Schalliol in his presentation was to improve drainage in the Erskine Plaza Area. He also noted the Area Plan Commission had reviewed and approved he expansion. Henry Davis again maintained the Council needs front-end input to understand the "big-picture" of development resources allocation. Ann Puzello and Karen White moved to send the bill to Council favorably. Only Henry Davis objected. The final topic for discussion was an update on the projected construction timetable for the $50 million Kroc Center to be built on Alonzo Watson Park at the southwest corner of Chapin and Western Avenue. Major Bob Webster from the Salvation Army made a brief presentation. Major Webster indicated $12.5 million had been raised. This exceeds the $10 million requirement of the Kroc Foundation for their $40 million grant. Major Webster said groundbreaking was scheduled for May 13, 2010. The bid process would include an 18% set-aside for minority and women owned construction companies. This provision though voluntary was cited as the Salvation Army's commitment to the underserved and under represented in the community. An 18 month construction timeline was projected. Chairperson Rouse then opened the floor to questions; Gladys Muhammad expressed concern that the name of Alonzo Watson be somehow memorialized. Major Watson agreed and committed to do so. Marva Leonard-Dent wondered about the future of the foot-bridge over Chapin Street connecting the Housing Authority to the Kroc Center. Major Watson and Gary Gilot agreed safety was a priority and promised to find a solution. The Housing Authority's concerns were echoed by Henry Davis. Pastor Eddie Miller spoke in support of the project adding that program development at the Center was crucial. Karen White following-up urged input from the community. Henry Davis spoke to the importance of keeping the programs at the Kroc affordable for all. There being no further business to come before the Committee at this time, Chairperson Rouse adjourned the meeting at 4:45 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, ~~ Ti y airperson Community a conomic Development Committee