HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-28-08 Health and Pubic Safety Committee~` r ~-~1(Y~1
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`.~ Community and Economic Development Committee
2008 South Bend Common Council
The January 28, 2008 meeting of the Community and Economic Development
Committee of the South Bend Common Council was called to order by its Chairperson
Council Member Derek Dieter at 3:23 p.m. in the Council's Informal Meeting Room.
Persons in attendance included Council Members Dieter, Varner, Henry Davis, White,
LaFountain, Rouse and Puzzello; Mayor Stephen Luecke, Public Works Director Gary
Gilot, Interim City Controller John Murphy, City Attorney Charles Leone, Don Inks,
Elizabeth Leonard, Mrs. Kopola, Martha Lewis, Ann Kolata, Nancy Sulok of the South
Bend Tribune and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney.
Council Member Dieter noted that the Committee members include Council Members
Henry Davis, Ann Puzzello, Karen White and himself as Chairperson.
Bill No. 05-08: Appropriation Request of $92,386 of Indiana Finance Authority
Grant Funds within Fund # 210 for Environmental Assessment:
Council Member Dieter called for a formal presentation on Bill No. 05-08 which would
appropriate $92,386 of the Indiana Finance Authority Grant Funds within Fund # 210 for
the purpose of a Phase II Environmental Assessment of property located at 731 West
Chippewa Avenue.
Ann E. Kolata, Senior Development Specialist in Community & Economic Development
made the presentation. She noted that the Council acted upon the grant application for
this at the last Common Council meeting. 731 West Chippewa is located east of the
Studebaker Commerce Center, the former AM General/LTV facility, west of the railroad
tracks and north of the south Well Field. The site assessment would be conducted by
Quality Environmental Professionals, Inc. The site assessment may lead to remediation
of the site and its development.
The Council Attorney noted that she has contacted Joe Grabil who represented the
land trust involved in this matter who was present at the last Council meeting. She
noted that she has inquired into who the principals of the land trust are, and that as of
this date no information has been forthcoming.
Ms. Kolata stated that she would pursue that information and report back to the Council.
Dr. Varner noted that the property owners in general should be known especially when
public grant funds are involved. He wants to avoid a "new Franklin Chung" situation.
Community and Economic Development Committee
January 28, 2008
Page 2
Following discussion, Council Member Puzzello made a motion, seconded by Council
Member White that Bill No. 05-08 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion
passed.
Bill No. 07-08: Appropriation Request of $100,000 Within UDAG Fund, Fund # 410
of the Department of Community and Economic Development
Council Member Dieter called for a formal presentation on Bill No. 07-08 which would
appropriate $100,000 within the UDAG Fund, Fund # 410 of the Department of
Community and Economic Development for the purpose of providing predevelopment
costs for potential development projects within the City of South Bend.
Elizabeth Leonard, Director of Financial & Program Management for Community &
Economic Development made the formal presentation. She noted that the
predevelopment costs would include such items as market studies, appraisals,
preliminary site plans, surveys, title work, environmental students, etc. which would be
necessary to determine the feasibility of a project in determining whether it should or
could proceed ahead. Ms. Leonard noted that past expenditures were as follows:
$11,000 in 2007 $51,000 in 2004
$ -0- in 2006 $82,000 in 2003
$24,000 in 2005
She noted that the amounts fluctuate based on the types of projects.
In response to a question from Council Member Dieter, Ms. Leonard stated that the
BDC payment is also included and that the following amounts have been spent:
$1 million for the KROC Center
$1 million for Potawatomi Zoo
$2 million remaining
In response to a question from Council Member Henry Davis, Ms. Leonard stated that
they never know what will come up and that the timing and the situations vary.
Don Inks, Director of the Division of Economic Development, stated that this year they
know better than previous years since expenditures for right-of-way purchase, economic
impact analysis for Eddy Street Commons will go forward this year. They may need to
come back for additional funds if necessary.
Council Member Henry Davis requested a copy of what plans they plan to do this
calendar year.
Community and Economic Development Committee
January 28, 2008
Page 3
Ms. Leonard noted that the ordinance establishes the maximum which may be spent.
Council Member White made a motion, seconded by Council Member Puzzello that Bill
No. 07-08 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed.
There being no further business to come before the Committee, Council Member Dieter
adjourned the Committee meet' at 3:34 p.m. .
Respectfully submitted, ~ ~ --
Council Member Derek D. Dieter, Chairperson
Community and Economic Development Committee
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