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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-08-95 Community & Economic Development COMM it* Z*port: Community and Economic Development Committee to the Common Coml.! of the City of ikout1 3140: The May 8, 1995 meeting of the Community and Economic Development Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Roland Kelly at 4:45 P.M.in the Council informal meeting room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Luecke, Washington, Kelly, Puzzello, Zakrzewski, Coleman, Duda, and Ladewski; Gene Oakley, Attorney Dave Weisman,Ernest Szarwark, Melvin and Sondra Hartz,Mike Beitzinger, Bob Wozny,Ann Farcus, Richard Ludwick, James Scarpone, Jack Smith, Don Porter, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. The first item on the agenda was to review Bill No. 95-24 which is a Personal Property Tax Abatement request for the property located at 2820 Viridian Drive. Mr. Mike Beitzinger of the Community and Economic Development Department reviewed the Memorandum dated April 10, 1995 (copy attached)he also provided a 5 year Personal Property Tax Abatement schedule for the petitioner Mack Tool & Engineering (copy attached). Mr. Melvin Hartz then introduced his wife to the Committee. They are the owners of Mack Tool & Engineering. He noted that have been in operation since 1988 and have grown over 25%.Average salaries are approximately$45,000.00 per year which require a High School Diploma and Computerized Training. In response to a question raised by Council Member Luecke it was noted that the life of the equipment will be approximately 15 years. Following favorable discussion, Council Member Washington made a motion, seconded by Council Member Zakrzewski that Bill No. 95-24 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. The Committee then reviewed Bill No. 95-25 which is a 6 year Real Property Tax Abatement request for the property located at 5681 West Cleveland Road. Mr Mike Beitzinger reviewed the Memorandum from the Community and Economic Development Department dated April 17, 1995 (copy attached). Mr. Bob Wozny made the presentation. He stated that this expansion as a direct result of last years Tax Abatement which permitted an additional$300,000.00 of equipment to be purchased. Following favorable discussion, Council Member Washington made a motion, seconded by Council Member Zakrzewski that Bill No. 95-25 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. • Committee Report Community and Economic Development May 8, 1995 Page 2 The Committee then reviewed Bill No. 95-26 which is a Personal Property Tax Abatement request for the property located at 650 North Wilber Street. Mr. Mike Beitzinger reviewed the April 19, 1995 Memorandum from the Community and Economic Development Department(copy attached). Ann Farcus, Richard Ludwick and James Scarpone then made the presentation on behalf on Ludwick Graphics Inc./Ludwick Leasing Group. They noted that their company was established in 1920 and believed that a Tax Abatement incentive is necessary to maintain their operation in its current location. Council Member Luecke commended the petitioners for their long term commitment to the community.He stated that they are anchored to the neighborhood. Following discussion, Council Member Zakrzewski made a motion, seconded by Council Member Washington that Bill No. 95-26 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. The Committee then reviewed Bill No. 95-27 which is a 10 year Real Property Tax Abatement request for the property located at the South-East corner of Lafayette Blvd. and Bronson Street. It also reviewed Bill No. 95-28 which is a Personal Property Tax Abatement request for the same location. Mr. Mike Beitzinger of the Community and Economic Development Department reviewed the Memorandum dated April 18, 1995 regarding both requests (copy attached). Mr. Jack Smith the petitioner showed a framed artist rendering of the new building which would be constructed. He noted that there would be extensive landscaping, that the building would be sprinkled, and it would be entirely fireproofed to class 2 standards. It would have ADT Alarm Systems also within the facility. He noted that he has been working for approximately 5 years with the the staff member of Community and Economic Development Department. In response to a question raised by Council Member Coleman, it was noted that Design Packaging Inc. is currently located on Niles Ave. and has approximately 16,000 square feet in warehousing and an additional 3,000 square feet in office space. In response to a question raised by Council Member Ladewski it was noted that the current building where design Packaging Inc. is located will probably be torn down so that a more compatible use for the area would be constructed. Mr. Gene Oakley voiced concern with regard to the approximate 1.4 million dollars of tax payers money being used in this overall transaction.He noted that Design Packaging Inc. has been an excellent business for the community, and was not faulting the business but however was faulting the forced relocation of the business. Council Member Luecke noted that many possible uses for the old TransWestern Building where discussed in detail. He noted that the Eastbank Development has been a very positive program and thanked the petitioner for continuing his commitment to our community. Committee Report Community and Economic Development May 8, 1995 Page 3 Council Members Luecke and Ladewski updated the Committee with regard to a resent meeting of the Studebaker Drivers Club. Council Member Coleman stressed that all possible options for the old TransWestern Building were reviewed however the overall obsolescence of the site was a key determining factor. Following discussion, Council Member Washington made a motion, seconded by Council Member Zakrzewski that Bill Nos. 95-27 and 95-28 be recommended favorably to Council.The motion passed. The Committee then reviewed Bill No. 95-29 which is a Personal Property Tax Abatement request for the property located at 445 North Sheridan Ave. Mr. Mike Beitzinger reviewed that April 26, 1995 Memorandum from the Community and Economic Development Department (copy attached). Mr. Ernest Szarwark the Attorney for Boliden Metech Inc. made the presentation. He noted that this company has been providing effective scrape electric equipment recycling which would maintain 18 permanent full-time jobs in the area. In response to a question raised by Council Member Luecke,it was noted that a fire in 1992 resulted in damage to one of the buildings which resulted in Real Property Taxes being decreased for that calendar year. Council Member Zakrzewski stated that he recalls that fire. Following discussion, Council Member Zakrzewski made a motion, seconded by Council Member Washington that Bill No. 95-29 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. There being no further business to come before the Committee the meeting was adjourned at 5:30 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Council Member Roland Kelly Chairperson, Community and Economic Development Committee Attachments