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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-12-05 Community & Economic Development Community and Economic Development Committee 2005 South Bend Common Council The September 12, 2005, meeting of the Community and Economic Development Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Ann Puzzello at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Puzzello,Dieter,White,Kelly,Kuspa, Varner, and Rouse; Citizen Member Martha Lewis, Mrs. Kopola, Andy Laurent, Tedd Schaffer, Elizabeth Leonard, Don Inks, Don Fozo, Public Works Director Gary Gilot, Mark A. Witucki, City Clerk John Voorde and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand,Council Attorney. Council Member Puzzello noted that the committee consists of Citizen Member Martha Lewis, Council Members Kuspa, Kelly, Kirsits and herself. She added that a new citizen member Darrell Shannon was unable to be present. Council Member Puzzello then called for a presentation on Bill No. 05-116 which is a five (5) year personal property tax abatement request for Mann + Hummel USA, Inc. for the property located at 1827 North Bendix Drive. Tedd Schaffer reviewed his report dated September 1, 2005 which noted that the petitioner proposes purchase new equipment with a total project cost of$3 million.. The report concluded that the petitioner meets the requirements for a five year residential tax abatement under Section 2-84.2 of the South Bend Municipal Code addressing tangible personal property tax abatements. Mark A. Witucki, Controller of Mann+ Hummel USA, Inc. with offices located at1827 North Bendix Drive, South Bend,Indiana 46628 made the presentation. He noted that their company is a manufacturer of air intake manifolds for Toyota, BMW and Daimler-Chrysler. Twelve (12) new full-time jobs are projected. Local contractors would be used for the installation and set up of the new equipment. Approximately$3 million will be the total investment for the project. No one from the public spoke in favor or in opposition to the request. Council Member Kelly made a motion, seconded by Council Member Kuspa that Bill No. 05-116 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. Council Member Pn7.zello then called for a presentation on Bill No. 58-05 which would appropriate $ 4 million within Fund 101 for the purpose of redevelopment of the Studebaker-Oliver Project area. Andy Laurent of the Department of Community & Economic Development made the presentation. He stated that the $4 million would be used to pay for costs of acquisition, relocation, demolition, site preparation, environmental studies and clean-up costs in the Studebaker/Oliver Project Area and in particular would be used for the former Stamping Plant area. September 12,2005 Community and Economic Development Committee Meeting Minutes -Page 1- No one from the public spoke in favor or in opposition to the Bill. Council Member Kuspa made a motion, seconded by Council Member Kelly that Bill No. 58-05 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. Council Member Puzzello then called for a presentation on Bill No. 59-05 which would appropriated $248,000 of US Department of Housing and Urban Development economic development initiative grant funds within Fund# 209. Mr. Laurent made the presentation. He noted that these monies would be used to help fund a demolition contract for the former Stamping Plant located in the Studebaker/Oliver Redevelopment area. Council Member Puzzello noted that the old Studebaker buildings are not attractive and she hopes that they will all be addressed. Mr. Laurent stated that demolition should be completed in the next 3-5 years for all of the buildings south of Sample Street. No one from the public spoke in favor or in opposition to the Bill. Council Member Kelly made a motion, seconded by Council Member Kuspa that Bill No. 59-05 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. Council Member Puzzello then called for presentations on four (4) bills, namely Bill No. 60-05 which would establish Fund # 429 '11E District for the Northeast Development Area; Bill No. 61-05 which would establish Fund# 430 TIF District for the South Side Development Area; Bill No. 62-05 which would establish Fund# 431 TIF District for the South Side Development Area # 2 Erskine Commons and Bill No. 63-05 which would establish Fund# 432 TIF District for the South Side Development Area# 3 Erskine Village. Elizabeth Leonard, Director of Financial and Program Management for the Department of Community & Economic Development made the presentation on all four (4) bills. She noted that each of the bills would create a separate designated fund for the purposes designated in each Bill. There is no money for Fund# 429, however the between the three (3)other funds a total of $77,000 is involved currently. Dr. Varner raised a question about S'1'lt� (Sales Tax Increment Financing) to which Don Inks stated that it was dealt with locally however it has not been acted upon by the state and both are needed to be effective. No one from the public spoke in favor or in opposition to any of the Bills. Council Member Kelly made a motion, seconded by Council Member Kuspa that Bill Nos. 60-05, 61-05, 62-05 and 63-05 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. Under miscellaneous business, City Clerk John Voorde inquired about the public works project near the Emporium. September 12,2005 Community and Economic Development Committee Meeting Minutes -Page 2- • includes i Gary Gilot stated that the project ncludes mprovements to storm drainage, upgrading of the street scape, etc. as part of the City's commitment to keep Environmental Laboratory in South Bend. It also addresses multi-use parking for the area. Sharon Kendall added that the area is the gateway to the East Race area and would be an enhancement to the entire area,for promoting a village concept. There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned by Council Member Plizzello at 4:15 p.m. Re ctfully suu itted, / / ouncil Member ' I ''uzzello,Chairperson Community and Economic Development Committee KCF:kmf Attachments September 12,2005 Community and Economic Development Committee Meeting Minutes -Page 3-