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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-05-12 Community & Economic DevelopmentCOMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT APRIL 5, 2012 Committee Members Present: Henry Davis, Jr., Gavin Ferlic, Karen White, Fred Ferlic Other Council: Tim Scott Citizen Member: Patricia Crowley. Zachary Raymond Others Present: Kathy Cekanski - Farrand, Debra Johnson, Don Inks, Beth Leonard -Inks Agenda: Organization Meeting Committee Chairperson Henry Davis, Jr., opened the meeting at 4:40 p.m. noting that this was the Community & Economic Development's Organizational Meeting. He introduced his committee members as well as his citizen member's Patricia Crowley and Zachary Raymond. Chairperson Davis read the committee focus stating that this Committee oversees the various activities of the Department of Community & Economic Development & the programs directed by the Division of Community Development. He noted that this Committee reviews all real & Personal property tax abatement requests. He then stated that he would go through his agenda (a copy of which is on file in the Office of the City Clerk) Councilmember Davis turned to Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski - Farrand to reference the South Bend Municipal Code regarding the review of Annual Reports. Ms. Cekanski- Farrand advised that the South Bend Municipal Code requires that every other year the Community & Economic Development Committee is in charge of the review of Tax Abatement Procedures. Chairperson Henry Davis noted that he would hold off -site committee meetings to accommodate citizens who cannot make it to the County -City Building. Councilmember Karen White asked Chairperson Henry Davis, Jr. to elaborate on the next item on the agenda (a.) Committee Protocols. Chairperson Henry Davis, Jr., advised that he would like to review what procedures are in place and to call a meeting to discuss them. Item (b.) Tax Abatement Ordinance would fall under the Review of Annual Report as mentioned earlier in committee meeting. Item (c.) Small Business — Citizen Member Zach Raymond advised that he tried to borrow money from the Community & Economic Development Industrial Revolving Fund a few years ago to start up his small business to no avail. He stated that there needs to be a streamlined approach to helping small businesses start up and get them the financial help they are seeking. Citizen Member Pat Crowley advised that she would like to see more of the pop - up shops stay after the Christmas holiday season is over. She stated that most are afraid to task the risk. She would like to see more cooperation from the City to help those businesses stay and expand. Item (d) Economic Summit — Chairperson Henry Davis, Jr., stated that he would like Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski - Farrand send a letter to Mayor Pete Buttigieg advising that he would like to hold an Economic Summit. He also advised the Council Attorney to e-mail a copy of the Resolution on the Comprehensive Approach to Spending to Citizen Member Patricia Crowley. Item (e) WBE /MBE Diversity Utilization Board — Chairperson Davis advised that the RFP for the Diversity Compliance Officer was sent out for bid. Bids should be back by Tuesday, April 10, 2012. He noted that he would get the minutes from the Diversity Utilization Board from their Secretary Kareemah Fowler. Item (f) Chamber of Commerce — Chairperson Henry Davis, Jr., advised that he has shared in conversations with the Chamber to see which direction the city is taking. Chairperson Davis stated that he would like to meet with the Chamber on a quarterly basis to keep in communication and continue general discussions on those directions. Item (g) City Plan — Chairperson Henry Davis Jr., noted that he would like to review the City of South Bend's Comprehensive Plan. He asked if City Plan include the East Bank Development Area. Don Inks from the Department of Community & Economic Development advised that it does not. Councilmember Tim Scott advised that as Chairperson of the Residential Neighborhoods Committee he has called a meeting on April 16, 2012 at 5:00 p.m., and hopes to discuss the East Bank Development Plan. He invited all to attend. Items (h & i) — Downtown South Bend and Tax Incremental Finance (TIF) issues - Chairperson Henry Davis, Jr., stated that items (h) & 0) fall under the supervision of the South Bend Redevelopment Commission. He advised that he and Councilmember Dr. David Varner are the Council's representative members of the Redevelopment Commission. He stated that Dr. Varner has been on the Redevelopment Commission for a few years now and with both of them on the Commission they should be able to continue the communication that is so critical between the Commission and the Council. Councilmember Scott stated that he felt having two (2) Council Members on the Commission is a good thing. He stated that there has been the lack of interest from the citizen aspect and input from citizens is critical. Councilmember Dr. Fred Ferlic asked why our TIF Districts are so large. He encouraged discussions on how to decrease some of those areas. Councilmember White stated that as the Chairperson of the Personnel & Finance Committee she has schedule 2012 Budget Workshops to start the 2012 Budget process. She advised that she would like to have joint meetings between the Personnel & Finance Committee and the Community & Economic Development Committee to discuss TIF and the possibility of including the Lincoln Way West Area in to the Airport TIF. She stated that area is the gateway to the City from the airport. Item Q) — Innovation Park/ignition Park/ Renaissance Park, Chairperson Henry Davis, Jr. noted that he would like further updates on these areas. Item (k) - CRA Money from area Banks /Federal Savings & Loans /Credit Union Item (1) — The South Bend Advisory Commission on Black Males — Chairperson Henry Davis, Jr., stated that he would like to continue the work of former Councilmember Timothy Rouse and reinstating this Commission. He stated that it could tie into the MBENVBE. Item (m) & (n) — HUD Funding & Community Development Block Grant - Chairperson Davis said he would like to get an update from Pam Meyer, Director of Community & Economic Development. Chairperson Henry Davis Jr., thanked everyone for attending the Community & Economic Development Committee's organization meeting. He stated that he wanted to hold off until later in the year, and establish a baseline for the committee to establish goals and accomplishments for 2012. He stated that from the ideas brought forth at this organization meeting the next steps can then be formulated. There being no further business to come before the committee at this time, Chairperson Henry Davis, Jr., adjourned the meeting at 6:03 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Henry Davi , Chairperson Community & Economic Development Committee Community and Economic Development Organizational Meeting April 5, 2012 L Call to Order II. Committee Members III. Review of Committee Focus IV. Review of Annual Report V. Open Discussion a.) Committee Protocols b.) Tax Abatement Ordinance c.) Small Business d.) Economic Summit e.) WBE /MBE Diversity Utilization Board f.) Chamber of Commerce g.) City Plan h.) Downtown South Bend i.) TIF issues j.) Innovation Park/Ignition Park k.) CRA Money from area Banks/Federal Savings & Loans/ Credit Unions 1.) The South Bend Advisory Commission on Black Males m.) HUD Funding n.) Community Development Block Grant VI. Next Steps Adjournment