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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-14-84 Human Resources & Economic Development (IInmmtile Rood t1In the OInmririwn Olonurli ain't 0Mg of Routh limb: HUMAN RESOURCES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE The May 14, 1984 meeting of the Human Resources and Economic Development Committee was called to order by its Chairman, Eugenia Braboy at 3:45 p.m, in the Council Informal Meeting Room, • Persons in attendance included Councilmen: Puzzello, Paszek, Crone, Braboy, Serge, Voorde, Beck and Zakrzewski; Jon Hunt, Colleen Rosenfeld, Jack Dunfee, Hedy Robinson, Patrick McMahon, Dr. Johns, T. Brooks Brademas, Doug Carpenter, Herman Lee, Rich Morgan, Robert Taylor, Dick Maginot, Jim Wensits, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. Councilman Braboy noted that the purpose of the. meeting was to review two bills sent to Committee as well as several tax abatement Resolutions for review and recommendation. The first bill considered was Bill No. 4`8-84 which would transfer $390, 000 between various accounts within the division of Community Development. Colleen Rosenfeld reviewed the bill. It was proposed that they would purchase a vacant building on an industrial site through -the Board of Public Works and then sell it to the BDC for $1. 00 who would in turn sell it to A/R, Inc. - . . If the project did not go the money would still be within the Unspecified Local Option (ULO) . There was much discussion by the Committee with the suggestion being made that the following be added to the descriptions under the accounts listed to be increased "A/R, Inc. " . Councilman Beck then made a motion seconded by Councilman Braboy that Bill No. 48-84 as amended be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed unanimously. • Mrs. Rosenfeld then reviewed Bill No. 49-84 which would transfer $299 ,918 between various accounts within the Community Development Commission. She noted that "jobs bill money" would be available through .1984, and that they wished to make sure that all of this money would be spent Since the Studebaker Corridor. is ready to go, they would suggest transferring the Western Avenue money to the Studebaker Corridor. Mr. Horton has worked with the Task Force for Western Avenue. Councilman Braboy noted that she wanted evidence that the Western Avenue group was not opposed to this transfer, and was assured that they were not This bill would just fund the projects from different sources. Following further discussion by the Committee Councilman Beck made a motion seconded by Councilman Braboy that Bill No. 49-84 go to Council favorably. The motion passed. It was noted by the Council Attorney that Resolution 9A was a confirming resolution for the property located at-.227 South Main Street which was heard by the Council at its ' last regular meeting. Since the petitioner would be at the meeting this evening, the Committee took no action on this resolution. The Committee then reviewed Resolution 9B which was .the tax abatement request for the real property located at the corner of Elwood and Portage. Rich. Morgan and the president of Martin''s Supermarket were in attendance. Mr. Morgan noted that they were before the Common Council in May, 1983 for the needed bond issues to help finance the project. Osco 's would be moving in and had /•.t P I.• etfellv. /V•LI.MIM. CO. Page '2.: purchased Huffs. Presently there are 130 employees between HUffs, G.L. Perrys and Martins and that the new stores would add 50 new jobs. New payroll is projected at $1, 865, 000 annually. An "L" shaped solid shopping center would be the final form, and Mr. Morgan reviewed pictures of the area with the Committee. Councilman Beck noted that this project would have a significant impact on the Portage Avenue neighborhood and spoke in favor of the resolution. Councilman Voorde noted that the project did not meet any of the three criteria. Councilman Beck added that the project would definitely assist the minority population which is growing in this area. The Committee then reviewed with Mr. Hunt the handout entitled "Project Description" which was a three page document reviewing the project (copy attached) . Councilman Puzzello made a motion that Resolution 9B go to Council unfavorably.' The motion died for lack of a second. Councilman Beck then made a motion seconded by Councilman Taylor that Resolution 9B go to Council favorably. The motion passed 3-1 with Councilman Puzzello in the minority. The Committee then reviewed Resolution 9C wich requested personal property tax abatement for the area located at 1147 Prairie Avenue, and Resolution 9D which requested real property tax abatement. Mr. Hunt in reviewing the attached three page project description noted that the project met two of the three ordinance requirements. Jack Dunfee the attorney for the petitioner then outlined the type of machinery involved in the personal property request and reviewed the project. Councilman Beck made a motion seconded by Councilman Taylor that Resolutions 9C and 9D be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed unanimously. The Committee then reviewed Resolution 9E which requested real property tax abatement for the property located at 316 East Monroe. Mr. John Schmidt, Jr. of Cresent Realty noted that his company was being displaced from their location due to the East Bank development. Councilman Puzzello noted that the petitioner had been very cooperative with the City. The Committee then reviewed the three page project description (copy attached) and meets at least one of the ordinance requirements. Councilman Puzzello seconded by Councilman Beck that Resolution 9E go to Council favorably. The motion passed 4-0. The Committee then reviewed Resolution 9F which requested real property tax abatement for the property located at 103 South Eddy. Dr. Michael R. Johns, a local dentist .reviewed his petition. He noted that he is a children' s dentist presently located in the South Bend Clinic. He is moving to the structure located at 103 South Eddy which was built in 1922 which has a condemmed heating system, and which has remained vacant for over a year. He passed out a notebook filled with pictures showing the present status of the property. The structre is located on 9/10 of an acre, he hoped to created ten new jobs, and he first filed his petition on March 16th. He is working with Jon Hunt to help qualify for a small business loan and is also working with the Historic Preserevation. The Committee reviewed the five pave memorandum dated May 9th describing the project. Following discussion Councilman Taylor made a motion seconded by Councilman Beck that Resolution 9F go to Council favorably. The motion passed 2-1 with Councilman Puzzello in the minority and Councilman Braboy abstaining. Page 3. Councilmen Crone and Puzzello expressed concern why the ordinance requirements were not being followed. Resolution 9G was then reviewed by the Committee which sought real property tax abatement for the property located at 423 North Michigan. T. Brooks Brademas and Mr. Parrot were present. Mr. Brademas; noted that he filed his petition on April 25, 1983. The building was formerly known as "the Town Tower" and that he had re-named it to "the Gateway Building" . He would be bringing 30 jobs from Mishawaka to South Bend and had committments for leasing approximately one-half of the building. The Committee then reviewed the five page project description (attached) . Following discussion Councilman Taylor made a motion seconded by Councilman Beck that Resolution 9G receive a favorable recommendation. The motion passed 3.0 with Councilman Braboy abstaining. The Committee then reviewed Resolution 9H which requested real property tax abatement for Lot 4-4 of the Airport Industrial Park, Phase III, and Resolution 9I which requested personal property tax abatement for the equivalent to be located at this property. Mr, McMahon of Project Future was present on behalf of the petitioner. The project met at least one of the criteria set up by ordinance . Following discussion, Councilman Taylor made a motion seconded by Council Braboy that Resolutions 9H and 9I go to Council favorably. The motion passed 4-0 with Councilman Braboy abstaining. It was also noted that Resolutions 9H and 9I would be heard at the beginning of the Resolution sections at the request of Mr. McMahon. There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 5 : 10 p.m, Respectfully submitted, Eugenia Braboy, Chairman