HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-04-89 Human Resources & Economic Development Mantuttlluu Report
HUMAN RESOURCES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
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The January 4, ' 1989 meeting of the Human Resources and
Economic Development Committee was called to order by .its .
Chair Person Council Member Steve Luecke at 4: 15 p.m. in the
Council informal meeting room.
Persons in attendance included Council Metbers: Soderberg,
Niezgodski, Puzzello, Zakrzewski, Coleman, Voorde, and Duda;
Ann Kolata, Richard Doyle, Richard Maginot, members of the
news media, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand.
Council Member Luecke noted that the purpose of the meeting
was to continue the discussion of Bill No. 117-88 addressing
Automated Transit Districts. - He noted that he had a series
of questions which should be specifically addressed.
Council :Member Luecke further noted that in reviewing the
State law that once a district is created that a five member
commission would be appointed, two member by the Mayor, two
members by the Common Council, and the last member being the
City Engineer. He then reviewed the powers of the
commission.
•
Mr. Richard Doyle noted that approximately 2 , 000 parcels
. would be in the district which has approximately 800 owners.
He noted that a regional study had been completed by John
Peck which addressed 5,500 parcels. This study addressed
site value taxation. Consequently, a tremendous amount of
information is already on computers and can be properly
accessed.
Council Member Luecke questioned whether the City is capable
of establishing site value taxation and how it would impact
tax abatement, tax incremental financing, etc.
Mr. Doyle noted that $25, 000. 00 has already been received
the the City of South Bend from the State of Indiana as a
grant. This money has been transferred to MACOG to oversee.
In response to a question raised by Council Member Puzzello,
it was noted that a panel of three realtors would make
initial assessments of the parcels in question and then
report to the commission. The commission would act as a
separate entity once created. It was noted that under the
State law (I.C. 8-9.5-7-17) the procedure used for
assessments of benefits and damages would be quite similar
to the Barrett Law system. Mr. Doyle noted that assessments
are not considered taxes and referenced Article 10, Section
1 of the Indiana Constitution as well as cases which have
interpreted that portion of the Constitution. Mr. Doyle
envisioned a three mile route with 12 stops. He stressed
that the Cabin Taxi was a new kind of urban structure based
on new technology to provide access to services and
products within the urban area. He further stressed that it
must be carefully developed so that South Bend would become
a model for other communities.
Council Member Luecke again questioned why the districts
should be established now. It was noted by Mr. Doyle that
the creation of the district would set up a mechanism to
establish funds for the necessary studies which must be
conducted. He estimated that another $25, 000 to $50, 000
would be needed in addition to the $25, 000 grant received
from the State to do the initial study. He noted that the
Indianapolis study showed that the land would increase in
value 5 times its accessed value if a Cabin Taxi System
would be implemented. He also noted that at least three
international conferences had been held addressing the
Automated Transit System concept. He noted that the problem
is not technology but the problem is the financing of such
technology.
Council Member Luecke stated that he would prefer that the
study be done before a district would be created, however,
Mr. Doyle took issue with this position. Mr. Doyle also
noted that he has been in contact with State Representative
Bauer with regard to State law changes.
Following several questions raised by the committee members,
the meeting was adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Council Member Steve Luecke, Chair Person
Human Resources and Economic Development Committee
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