HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-28-83 Human Resources & Economic Development CammtUn fond
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COMMITTEE
The February 28, 1983 meeting of the Human Resources and Economic
Development Committee was called to order at 5 :30 p.m. in the Council informal
meeting room, by its Chairman Councilman Robert Taylor.
• Persons in attendance included Councilmen Harris, McGann, Taylor,
Szymkowiak, Beck, and Crone; Jon Hunt, Colleen Rosenfeld, Richard Muessel,
Eugenia Schwartz, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand.
Councilman Taylor noted that the purpose of the meeting was to
discuss Bill No. 14-83, Resolution No. 9-B and Resolution No. 9-C.
Colleen Rosenfeld then passed out a substitute version of Bill No.
14-83 which would transfer $22,503 among various accounts within the division
of community development. The dollar amounts would remain the same within .
the Bill. Following discussion by the Committee, Councilman Beck made a
motion seconded by Councilman Harris that substitute Bill No. 14-83 be
recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed unanimously.
Mrs. Rosenfeld then reviewed Resolution 9-C which would authorize
the Mayor to submit to the Department of Housing and Urban Development an
application for 1983 Community Development Block Grant Funds. Mrs.
Rosenfeld gave. a brief summary of the activities and the reduction which is
anticipated. Councilman Taylor noted that the Council has had several meetings
regarding proposed activities and has reviewed the many memorandums sent to
the Committee. Following discussion Councilman Harris made a motion seconded
by Councilman Beck that Resolution 9-C be recommended favorably to Council.
The motion passed unanimously.
Resolution 9-B was then discussed. This is a declaratory resolution
designating 3511 Gagnon to be an urban. development area for purposes of real
property tax abatement. It was noted that on February 25 , 1983 the
Redevelopment Commission approved the petitionfor tax abatement. The' petitioner
is Kawneer Company of Niles, Michigan the owner of South Bend Screw. Mr.
Ken Knootz, the local manager explained that they are moving to Phase IV of
the Airport Industrial Park due to the development of the East Race area.
By this move they would be- retaining 20 hourly personnel and 5 salaried
jobs. Without abatement the project would be $197;.105 , and with abatement
$99,537, with the total amount to be abated of $97,568. The average annual
cost would be $9,757. Following several questions by Councilman Szymkowiak,
Councilman Beck made a motion seconded by Councilman Harris that Resolution 9-B
be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Taylor then called upon Richard Muessel who indicated that
at 4 :45 p.m. he received a telephone call from Mr. Andrew Laveene of
Kalamazoo, Michigan. He is the owner of Ihnmans and several other hotel/motel
chains. Mr. Muessel noted that Mr. Laveene had expressed interest last year
in developing the Quality Inn as a hotel and spent a considerable period of
time reviewing its plans and looking through its structure. He gave further
background and summarized that his financial assistance would be here tomorrow
to review the Quality Inn prospect. His second potential purchaser, Mr. John
Walz has decided not to pursue the project. The Committee members had several
questions and invited Mr. Muessel to update the entire Council at the regular
council meeting.
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Human Resources and Economic Development Committee
Councilman Crone noted that if the land is rezoned this evening,
a hotel would not be prohibited as a use. She also noted that if the
Council did not re-zone the parcel then the St. Joe Towers would be unable
to develop this project.
Councilman Serge noted that he preferred to see a hotel at this
location.
The Council Attorney noted that pursuant to Sec. 21-120 (page 598.4)
of the Municipal Code the Council has a maximum of 60 days to act on
zoning recommendations. Since the Area Plan Commission filed their
recommendation on January 19th, the Council could continue the matter for
one more meeting which would be March 14th. That would be the last
opportunity for the Council to hear the matter. If the Council failed
to take action on or before that date, the recommendation of the Area Plan
Commission would stand.
Following further discussion by the Committee, the meeting was
adjourned at 6 :05 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Robert Taylor, Chairman