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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-26-87 Human Resources & Economic Development Oluntmtlire ttut't 0 HUMAN RESOURCES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE • Ma tit (Sununu** &I mutt of tilt (Mg of Suutli irnd: The October 26, 1987 meeting of the Human Resources and Economic Development • Committee was called to order by its Chairman, Councilman Eugenia Braboy, at 5:20 p.m. in the Council informal meeting room. Persons in attendance included: Councilmen: Serge, Braboy, Beck, Puzzello,. Taylor, Zakrzewski, Paszek, Barcome, and Voorde; Ann Kolata, Jim Wensits, Isai- ah Jackson, Eugenia Schwartz, Don Inks, Sandy Combs, Hedy Robinson, Tracey Ja- cobs, a legal intern from the Legal Department, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. Councilman Braboy noted that there were several items on the agenda for the Committee to review. The first item reviewed was Resolution 87-81, which was a Real Property Tax Abatement request for the property located at 635 South Lafayette Boulevard. Hedy Robinson from the Department of Economic Development then reviewed the report from that department, dated October 8, 1987 (copy attached) . The petitioner, Mr. Abraham Marcus, then briefly reviewed the project commonly known as Ivy Tower Corporation. He stated that he proposes to acquire the Shet- land property, located at 635 South Lafayette Boulevard, for the purpose of operating a warehouse and distribution center. The project would create twenty five (25) new permanent jobs within the first year. The total cost of the pro- ject is estimated to be at one-half million dollars ($500,000.00) . Mr. Marcus pointed out several items such as the roof repair and the demolition costs involved. Ann Kolata noted that there was major rehabilitation need for the facility. • Councilman Barcome noted that the building was once used by Bendix in the 1970's. Councilman Voorde noted that since the building was within the enterprise zone, that there should be certain incentives with regard to the rehabilitation. Mr. Marcus confirmed that observation and said that he could be competitive. The Council Attorney noted that the Resolution would have to be amended in Sec- tion 2 on Page 3, and that the following figures be added to subparagraphs (A) 15.0781, (B) 15.0740, and (C) 15.0761. Following further discussion, Councilman Taylor made motion seconded by Coun- cilman Puzzello that Resolution No. 87-81 be recommended favorably as amended. The motion passed unanimously. The Committee then reviewed Bill No. 102-87, which would appropriate seventy-five thousand five hundred dollars ($75,500.00) from the Economic Development State Grant Fund, to be administered by the Department of Economic Development of the City. Mr. Don Inks. stated that the appropriation was necessary for the Intracomp Pro- • •01 .0.. ,.410ry6. •U,.,i.MIMO CO Human Resources and Economic Development Committee. Minutes/October 26, 1987 Page 2 jest. Intracomp. has selected a sight located in Phase TV of, the industrial foundation's Airport In.dustri.al Park, The sight will require sight improve- ments including,.,wate.r,_ sewer, and road work., The State Industrial Develop.- ment Grant will enable the city to finance this project with a fifty percent (50%1 match_ of the cost not to. exceed seventy-five thousand dollars ($75,000.00) so that water, sewer, and access to the property can be had by Intracomp. Councilman Voorde inquired as to whether the. grant was specific to the project and it was indicated that it was. Following. further discussion, Councilman Serge made a motion seconded by Council- man Taylor, that; Bil1 No. 102-87 be recommended favorably to Council. The mo- tion passed. The Council: Attorney then noted that Resolution Nos. 87-85, which would request Real Property Tax.;Abatement for the property located at 228-230 South Michigan Street, and Resolution 87-86., which would request Real Property Tax Abatement for the property located at 902-910 East Ireland Road, were necessary because the data regarding the tax rate was .not properly incorporated when the Council unanimously passed these resolutions at the last meeting. She indicated that she would be giving: the :presentati.ons on both of the resolutions rather than having each_ of the petitioners do it personnally; She specifically referenced the re- ports from the Department of Economic Development- on each of the projects, and reminded the Council that the Economic Development and Human Resources Committee, as well as. the Common.Council had acted in a unanimous vote on each of the projects at the last meeting. The Commuittee then reviewed Resolution- No, 87-87, which would authorize the Mayor to submit an:application to, the Department of Housing and Urban Development for the Transitional Housing Grant Program Ann Kolata stated that Kathy Baumgartner would give the formal presentation this evening, She stated that the total pro- ject may cost between five hundred. to six hundred thousand dollars. There would be a total of sixty units. involved. The Housing .Development Corporation would be the project manager of the program, initially. Councilman Voorde requested specific. information with regard to the proposed project. Following further discussion, Councilman Taylor made a motion seconded by Council- man Serge, that Resolution 87-87 be recommended favorably to .Council. The motion passed. The Committee then reviewed Bill' No. 103-87, which would add a new chapter 14,.5 to th.e: South: Bend Municipal Code to be entitled "Affirmative Action Procedures". Councilman. Braboy noted that the ordinance was in each of the Councilman's pac- ket as well as a. summary of the ordinance, and that it had been initiated by the Mayor's Minority' Affairs Committee. Eugenia Schwartz, the City Attorney, then passed out a substitute bill and docu- mentation entitled "Data presented to the Common Council in support' of Bill No. 103-87" (copy_attached) . Mrs. Schwartz then reviewed- briefly the data involved Human Resources and Economic Development Committee. Minutes/October 26, 1987 Page. 3 as well as pointing out the various amendments in the substitute bill, She stated that the, ordinance is the natural outgrowth. of various procedures for merly in effect since 1983, .through_ the Board. of Public Works for the entire city, and since 1980., through. th.e Board of. Public Safety for the Fire. and Pow, lice Departments, She also noted that in 1985, certain state decisions were. handed down with regard to "responsible, and .responsive. bidders". She also noted that her. department as well as. the Council Attorney had studied various. U,S. Supreme Court decisions handed down over the past year. Councilman Taylor noted that some of the Councilman had received calls from Mr. Jim Rogers of the Chamber of Commerce regarding certain concerns. Mrs. Schwartz indicated., 'if passed, the ordinance would not, take effect until January 1.., .19.88. Councilman Braboy emphasized that the ordinance is not a set aside., that encour- ages small business. Councilman .Taylor noted that the City would be. following federal guidelines, and that it incorporates common sense. into:the contracting and employment procedures. Mrs. Schwartz also .indicated that the had reviewed ordinances in effect in Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Bloomington, and Elkhart. Councilman Voorde noted that he was not anti-woman, nor anti-minority, and that he agreed with_,th.e overall concepts, however that he had several questions with. regard to the material just being handed out this evening. He also. indicated that Mr. Rogers from the Chamber of Commerce ,contacted him with. regard to the impact on the contracting procedure, He also was concerned with regard as to why disabled and the aged were not included within the. ordinance. He believed that the City should explore in further detail and have greater input into the overall bill.. . Councilman Voorde also questioned into who certifies and determines whether infact a company is making progress .with the regard to a voluntary affir-- mative action program. He also was concerned with regard to a ,denial of such. a certification. He concluded: that by stating that in good conscious, he could not vote for the bill tonight since there were many questions that still had to be addressed. Councilman- Zakrewski voiced similar concerns:and: specifically questioned who pre pared the date presented this evening. It was noted that the data was part of the information prepared f_or the EEO-Four Reports, which are sent to Washington D.C. on a regular:basis, Sh.e_ furth.er indicated that such material is maintained in the Personnel Department of the. City, Mr, Isaiah Jackson stated that he had been working on the. employment for minorities for the past two years, and that the figures support a positive growth in. this area, Mrs. Schwartz indicated that the "Mayor's Designee" would be the person charged with the certification process. Following further discussion, Councilman Beck made a-motion seconded by Council- man Taylor, that the amended version of Bill No. 103-87 be recommended favorably to Council. Themotion passed, with Councilman Puzzello abstaining. Councilman Human Resources and Economic Development Committee • Minutes/October 26, 1987 Page 4 Puzzello .stated that she would prefer that until the questions are answered, that the Committee 'take no formal action on the bill. Therebeing no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 6:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Councilman, Eugenia Braboy Chairman