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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-22-93 Human Resources & Economic Development Committee Report HUMAN RESOURCES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE To the Common Council of the City of South Bend: The March 22 , 1993 meeting of the Human Resources and Economic Development Committee was called to order by its' Chairperson Council Member Roland Kelly at 5: 00 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Luecke, Washington, Kelly, Puzzello, Slavinskas, Zakrzewski, Coleman, Duda, Ladewski; Mike Beitzinger, Steven Sommers, Beth Leonard, Ann Kolata, Kate Schrum, Don Porter and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. The first item to be reviewed was Bill No. 14-93 which would appropriate $43 , 000. 00 from the HUD Emergency Shelter Grant Program. Beth Leonard then introduced Kate Schrum who oversees the Emergency Shelter Grant Program. Miss Leonard stated the allocation in this area has been reduced from the $64 , 000. 00 of last year. It is based on a formula grant by HUD resulting in a total appropriation of $43 , 000. 00. It was noted that Dismas House would not receive $5, 000. 00 as they did last year, the Homeless Shelter did not reapply as well as Housing Development Corporation, and that Life House did apply as a prospective new recipient, but was not approved. Following further discussion, Council Member Slavinskas made a motion, seconded by Council Member Washington, that Bill No. 14-93 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. The Committee then reviewed Resolution No. 93-31 which is a ten (10) year real property tax abatement request for Steve Sommers d/b/a AJSS Property Management. Mr. Mike Beitzinger then reviewed the report from the Department of Economic Development (copy attached) . He noted that the request in question is for the real property located at 321-323 South Main Street and does qualify for a ten (10) year real property tax abatement. It was noted that the building is currently 90o vacant and had delinquent taxes which were paid by the former owner on March 4 , 1993 . Mr. Steven Sommers who currently has his printing office located at 50741 US 31 North would be relocating to the downtown area. Council Member Ladewski noted fpr the record that the building formerly housed a printing company many years ago. r Following further discussion, Council Member Slavinskas made a motion, seconded by Council Member Washington, that Resolution 93-31 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. Ann Kolata then reviewed Bill No. 17-93 which would amend the South Bend Municipal Code addressing development design review. The amendments would streamline the current procedures. The overall purpose of having the regulations are to insure the quality of the exterior of buildings and to protect the public investment. The procedures are recommended to be streamlined by allowing the Redevelopment Director (Ann Kolata) and her staff to act within a five (5) and fifteen (15) day period for reviews of signs, awnings, and proposed exteriors of buildings. The review process would then allow an appeal to the full design review committee. In response to a question raised by Council President Luecke, it was noted that the area affected by these procedures would include the Downtown Development Area, East Bank, Monroe Park, Airport Industrial Park, and that she would check on whether the West Washington-Chapin Area would be included. in response to a question raised by Council Member Puzzello, it was noted that the Committee is made up of nine (9) members, four (4) of which are appointed with position with five (5) members being a reflection of the South Bend Community. Following further discussion, Council Member Slavinskas made a motion, seconded by Council Member Washington, that Bill No. 17-93 be recommended favorably to Council . The motion passed. The Committee then reviewed Resolution No. 93-28 which would change the base assessment date for the West Washington- Chapin Development Area. Ann Kolata reviewed the Resolution. She noted that in light of the Homestead Credit, that there was a negative increment in the West Washington-Chapin Area. Accordingly, this Resolution would change the base assessment date from March 1, 1987 to March 1, 1992 . Following further discussion, Council Member Washington made a motion, seconded by Council Member Duda, that Resolution No. 93-28 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. Council President Luecke noted that the City Clerk's Office received a Resolution from the Department designating "CDBG Week" and that he would acknowledge this under Special Business at this evening's Council ,Meeting. There being no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 5: 25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Council Member Roland Kelly, Chairperson, Human Resources and Economic Development Committee li