HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-12-12 Community & Economic Development CommitteeCOMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
MARCH 12, 2012
Committee Members Present:
Henry Davis, Karen White, Gavin Ferlic, Dr. Fred Ferlic
Citizen Members:
Patricia Crowley
Other Council Members Present:
Tim Scott, Val Schey, Dr. Varner, Derek Dieter, Oliver Davis
Others Present:
Don Inks, Beth Leonard, Gary Gilot, Joseph Shabazz, Michael Murray
Agenda: 1. Update on Tax Abatement Reporting
2. Update on Implementation of Ordinance No. 10081 -11 and
WBE/MBE Report for 2011
3. Miscellaneous
Community & Economic Development Chairperson Henry Davis opened the meeting at
5:07 p.m. and noted all committee members present along with all other Council
Members.
Henry asked Don Inks if he was prepared to provide the Committee an update on tax
abatements in South Bend. Don Inks said he was happy to report that the request for an
update had prompted discussions that have resulted in a consolidated, hopefully less
cumbersome process by which businesses with abatements can report to the Economic
Development Department and the Council. Currently businesses receiving abatement are
required to file 2 reports. One an annual compliance report due on March 15t` and
another due May 15ffi which is a state required form know as a CF -1. Mr. Inks said
compiling reports on two formats on two dates was cumbersome for both his department
and business. His suggestion was to consolidate reports to one due on June 15. He
suggested this would be more efficient and result ultimately in more meaningful
information provided to the Council.
Henry Davis asked what it would take to do this yet this year? Council Attorney
Kathleen Cekanski- Farrand rules could be suspended by a Council vote to consider the
required ordinance change at the next meeting on 3 -26. Mr. Davis urged a green -light to
proceed on the 26th.
The second agenda item, a progress report from the MBE/WBE Board on implementation
of Ordinance No. 10081 -1 was next.
Councilmember Karen White, who while not on the Board has attended their meetings,
reported the Board had a problem determining their role in the overall effort to increase
minority participation possibilities in public dollar funded contracts bid out for either
products or services. Gary Gilot acknowledged the same. Notwithstanding however,
both maintained progress had been made toward the goal of increasing minority
participation. In fact, an RFP describing the process and possible person or company
requirements was about to be advertised. Once reviewed the applicants could be chosen
by the Board to begin implementing and facilitating MBE's and WBE's getting "into the
game."
Joseph Shabazz expressed frustration with the pace of progress feeling much could have
already been done to increase minority participation.
Having heard differing opinions Henry Davis urged quicker action by the Board stating
an attorney either from the City or Council Attorney be at Board meetings and attendance
of Board appointees at their scheduled meetings be reported to Council so that those in
default could be replaced.
There being no further business to come before the Committee at this time,
Councilmember Henry Davis adjourned the meeting at 5:45 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
1--� - 9 .
Henry Davis, Jr., Chairperson
Community & Economic Development Committee