Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-28-93 Human Resources & Economic Development '4. I Committee Report HUMAN RESOURCES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT To the Common Council of the City of South Bend: The September 28, 1993, meeting of the Human Resources and Economic Development Committee was called to order by its' Chairperson, Council Member Roland Kelly, at 4: 00 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members: Luecke, Washington, Kelly, Puzzello, Slavinskas, Zakrzewski, Coleman, Duda, Ladewski; Beth Leonard, Mike Beitzinger, Ann Kolata, T. Brooks Brademas, Assistant Chief Joel Wolvos, Richard Arnesen, Helen Bradberry, Jon Hunt, John Stancati, Pam Meyer, William Egan, Richard Hill, Barbara Gato, David Fritz, Don Proter, Bob Tennyson, and Kathleen Cekanski- Farrand. Council Member Kelly noted that the first item on the agenda was to review' Resolution No. 93-74 which is a Personal Property Tax Abatement request for Plastic Solutions, Inc. with offices at 701 West Chippewa Avenue. Mr. Mike Beitzinger then reviewed the report of the Department of Economic Development dated September 21, 1993, finding that the proposed petition meets all criteria for tax abatements (copy attached) . Mr. Robert W. Tennyson, the President of the Company, then made a further presentation. He noted that the total cost of the project would be 1 million 485 thousand dollars, it would create 36 new permanent full-time jobs with a payroll of approximately 651 thousand dollars, and maintain 51 existing full-time jobs. He noted that the business began in April of 1992 . Following further discussion, a motion was made and seconded that Resolution No. 93-74 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. The Committee then reviewed Resolution No. 93-73 which is a 10 (ten) year Real Property Tax Abatement request by the South Bend Redevelopment Commission on behalf of RKE, Inc. (d/b/a Stephenson Mill) for the property located at 322 East Colfax Avenue. t Mr. Mike Beitzinger then reviewed the report of the Department of Economic Development dated September 15, 1993, which found the petition to meet all of the tax abatement criteria. Ann Kolata and Jon Hunt then made the presentation. It was noted that RKE, Inc. is in the business of developing, constructing, and managing multi-family housing. The project would restore, renovate and convert the historic Stephenson Mill Company (aka Opelika Building) into multi- family residential housing. The building will be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It will have a total of 39 one or two bedroom apartments. Mr. Richard Arnesen and Helen Bradberry of the Alexander Company then made a further presentation. They also showed an artist's rendering of the proposed project upon completion. Following favorable discussion, Council Member Duda made a motion, seconded by Council Member Slavinskas, that Resolution No. 93-73 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. It was also noted that a similar project, namely The Pointes, currently has a 100% occupancy rate with the lowest for that facility being 94%, and that they charge between $600 to $650 per month for two bedroom apartments. Council Member Kelly then noted that the next items to be reviewed were Resolution No. 93-76 which addresses the application for an Enterprise Zone Boundary Modification and Resolution No. 93-75 which adopts a Five Year Strategic Plan for the Enterprise Zone. Pam Meyer made the presentations on both proposed Resolutions. She provided hand-out material addressing the boundary changes. It was noted that the Enterprise Program is ten (10) years old. November 18th is the date a final presentation will be made before the Enterprise Zone Board. The maximum square miles permitted within the City would be three (3) . She also highlighted the areas that are proposed to be deleted, namely Area One which has poor soil conditions and demucking problems, and is the vacant land located behind the old RACO facility. The second area is the home plate of Coveleski Stadium, revisions to commercial and industrial areas and residential addressing the Southeast Neighborhood. State criteria addressed population, poverty levels, and unemployment rates. Properties for the next four (4) years incorporate an Area Development Program, a continuation of the Incubator Program and employment which would basically be a catalyst approach. It was noted that the Lilly Endowment is also interested in financing and assistance consistent with these overall concepts. It was 1' r noted that the plan would be in effect from 1994 through 1998. It was also noted that twenty-one (21) individuals are enployed either in the Zone or outside of the Zone. Following further discussion, Council Member Slavinskas made a motion, seconded by Council Member Duda that Resolution Nos. 93-76 and 93-75 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. It was also noted that these Resolutions would be taken in reverse order at the regular Common Council Meeting. Mr. Jon Hunt and Beth Leonard then presented information with regard to the Community Development Block Grant proposals for 1994 (copy attached) . Publications will take place in the South Bend Tribune on October 2nd and the Penny Saver on October 4th. A Public Hearing will take place on October 14th with public comments being requested through October 22nd. Appropriation and authorization to submit will take place before the Council in the month of November. Council President Luecke noted that the applications themselves are available in the City Clerk's Office. He requested that a summary be provided of each activity. It was noted that the activities description will be available by next Monday. It was also noted that the emphesis is on a "neighborhood focus" and that each public agency who had previously received monies has been met with personally by a staff member. Council Member Puzzello congratulated Mr. Jon Hunt on receiving an award at the IACT Convention held last week in Evansville. There being no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting was ajourned at 5: 00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Council Member Roland Kelly, Chairperson Human Resources and Economic Development Committee attachments