HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/24/07 Community and Economic Development Committee Minutes
Community and Economic Development Committee
20€17 South Bend Common Council
The September 24, 2007 meeting of the Community and Economic Development
Committee of the South Bend Common Council was called to order by Council Member
Ann Puzzello at 4:32 p.m. in the Council's Informal Meeting Room.
Persons in attendance included Council Members Dieter, Varner, White, Kirsits, Kuspa
and Puzzello; Citizen Member Phil Panzica, Citizen Member Martin Wolfson, Mayor
Stephen Luecke; Tam Price, John Murphy, Pam Meyer, Mrs, Kopola, City Clerk John
Vaorde, Violet Schorsch, Bob Mathis, Council Intern Antoinette Redding, Martha Lewis,
Jamie Loo of the South Bend Tribune and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council
Attorney.
Council Member Puzzello noted that the Committee members include Council Members
Kelly, Puzzello, White, and herself; and Phil Panzica Marty Wolfson serve as citizen
members.
Bill No. 07-120: Application for Weed & Seed to the U.5. Department of Justice:
Council Member Puzzello called for a presentation on Bill No. 07-120 which would
authorize the US Attorney for the northern district of Indiana to submit an application for
Weed and Seed Official Recognition to the US Department of Justice on behalf of the
Weed and Seed Steering Committee, the Mayor and the St. Joseph County Prosecutor.
Pam Meyer, Director of the Division of Community Development made the formal
presentation. She provided a 4-page handout (copy attached) which she summarized:
• Application Deadline 09/27/07
• Grant Period 10101108-09130109
• Map attached of proposed boundaries
• Needs and gaps in service include: crime prevention, educational activities,
employment/training and housing conditions
• $5$,333 match required
In response to questions from Dr. Varner, Ms. Meyer noted that if they are tentatively
approved there would be an on-site visit by the DOJ. Funding would be one year at a
time.
In response to a question from Professor Wolfson, Ms. Meyer stated that the current
Weed and Seed Area is in its 5~" and final year.
Community and Economic Development Committee
September 24, 2007
Page 2
Mayor Luecke stated that the current Weed and Seed site has a "great track record".
There was no one to speak in opposition to the Bill.
Council Member White made a motion, seconded by Citizen Member Wolfson that Bill
No. 07-120 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed.
hill No. 07-123: Residential Real Pro ert Tax p-batement Re uest of Habitat for
Humanit for 1247 Howard Street:
Council Member Puzzello called for a presentation on Bill No. 07-123 which is a request
far a 5-year residential real property tax abatement for Habitat for Humanity for the
property located at 1247 Howard Street.
Bob Mathia, Economic Development Assistant Director reviewed his report dated
September 11, 2007 (copy attached). He noted among other things that the petitioner
proposes to build a $55,000 single-family home. Taxes to be paid during the abatement
period are estimated to be $1,371.00. He state that the project meets the qualifications
fora 5-year real property tax abatement under South Bend Municipal Code ~ 2-77.1.
Violet Schorsch of Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County with offices located at
402 East South Street, South Bend, Indiana made the formal presentation. She noted
that the couple who will be moving into this home are married with two {2) children; and
that they are required to take a series of financial management classes,
Martha Lewis of 308 S. Francis spoke in favor of the abatement. No one spoke in
opposition.
1='ollowing discussion, Gitizen Member Panzica made a motion, seconded by Council
Member White that Bill No. 07-123 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion
passed.
Miscellaneous Business:
The Council Attorney noted that seven (7) of the nine (9) Confirmatory Tax Abatement
Resolutions on tonight's Common Council agenda have agreed to the new language
addressing the Circuit Breaker. As a result, each of those seven (7) petitioners have
approved their Memorandums of Agreements (MOA)and final action may be taken on
those this evening.
Community and Economic Development Committee
Sep#ember 24, 2007
Page 3
Mr. Mathia noted that the remaining two (2) Confirmatory Tax Abatements are having
the proposed MOA's being reviewed by their respective legal counsels with at least one
of them being out-of-state.
There being no further business to come before the Committee, Council Member
Puzzello adjourned the meeting at 4:54 p.m.
F~~'"'~~ectfully s mitted,
em er ~azzello, Member
Community and l~conomic Development Committee
Attachments