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Home My WebLink About02-09-98 Community & Economic Development Commftta Ztport: Community and Economic Development Committee to the Common ICouiufl of the Cf tj of outb Ott*: The February 9, 1998 meeting of the Community and Economic Development Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Roland Kelly at 5:10 p.m. in the Council informal meeting room. Persons in attendance included Council Members: Aranowski, Pfeifer, Kelly, Broden, Varner, Ujdak, Coleman,and Hosinski; Sue Hodgson, Jon Hunt,Mike Beitzinger, Terry Bland, Ed Levy, Beth Leonard, Mayor Luecke, Cathy Roemer, Eugenia Schwartz, Ann Kolata, Nancy Van Scoyk, Mark Tamer,Jack St. Pierre, Lynn Coleman, Phil Faccenda, Jr.,Bill McCarthy, Carolyn Anderson and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. Carolyn Anderson, a joint appointment by the City Administration and the Common Council to the Economic Development Commission,was then introduced. Ms. Anderson expressed her desire to be reappointed. She noted that the Commission does not meet often but that she does enjoy being on the Commission and reviewing proposed economic development bonds. Council Member Kelly noted that the first Bill to be reviewed was Bill No. 10-98 which would appropriate$2.4 million of Section 108 Loan Funds. Council Member Kelly noted that this Bill was continued from the January 26th Council meeting. Beth Leonard made the presentation. She noted that the Bill proposes that $ 150,000 be used for rehabilitation of the Center for the Homeless, that $ 450,000 be used for construction of an addition to the LaSalle Park Recreation Center, and the remaining $ 1,800,000 would be used for downtown redevelopment. The Council Attorney noted that she had received a letter from Beth Leonard dated February 3, 1998 and a substitute version of Bill No. 10-98 which included new language in Section I, namely: "including acquisition of land for the Studebaker Museum)," (copy attached). The Committee then consider the substitute version. In response to a question from Council Member Udjak, Ms. Leonard noted that the Section 108 loan funds had not yet been approved by the federal government. She also noted that there is adequate CDBG monies for fund the proposed LaSalle Park improvements as well as the Center for the Homeless improvements. Council Member Udjak then directed questions to Mr.Hunt on the Studebaker Museum. Mr.Hunt indicated that he believed the City could obtain the land in question for the museum. Following discussion,Citizen Member Sue Hodgson made a motion, seconded by Council Member Varner,that Substitute Bill No. 10-98 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. Council Member Kelly noted that the next item on the agenda was to review Bill No.98-18 which is a 5-year personal property tax abatement request for Photochrome,Inc.located at 511 Lincoln Way West. Commemity mai Fiaare■ic Development Committee grey 9. 194 !'fie 2 Nancy Van Scoyk reviewed the February 2, 1998 Community &Economic Development report (copy attached). The estimated cost of new equipment is $ 265,000 and three (3) new permanent jobs are projected. The report concluded that the petitioner meets the qualifications for a 5-year personal property tax abatement. Mr. Jack St. Pierre the owner of Photochrome, Inc and Gene's Camera Store then made his presentation. He noted that the abatement would permit his companies to remain competitive in this field. Ann Kolata spoke in favor of the abatement. Following discussion, Council Member Broden made a motion, seconded by citizen member Hodgson,that Bill No. 98-18 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. The Committee then reviewed Bill No.98-19 which is a 6-year real property tax abatement r eq uest for SBCC D e v e l op m e n t Corporation located at 122 South Michigan Street. Nancy Van Scoyk reviewed the February 2, 1998 Community &Economic Development report (copy attached). The petitioner proposes to renovate 10,000 square feet of the former CCA building for retail and office use in two (2) phases. Estimated cost of the project is$ 450,000-$ 600,00. Mr. Mark Tamer, of SBCC Development Corporation then made his presentation. He noted that the South Bend Chocolate Company would occupy 1,200 square feet facing Michigan Street and would also have a"Chocolate Cafe". Ann Kolata,on behalf of the Redevelopment Commission,the co-petitioner noted that there would be a long-term lease for the property with Mr.Tamer in charge of the development. Following discussion, citizen member Sue Hodgson made a motion, seconded by Council Member Pfeifer that Bill No. 98-19 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. The Committee then reviewed Bill No. 98-20 which is a 5-year personal property tax abatement request for Expanded Metal Company of Indiana LLC located at 1313 South Walnut Street. Nancy Van Scoyk reviewed the February 5, 1998 Community &Economic Development report (copy attached). The estimated cost of new equipment is $ 875,000 and would be used to manufacture expanded metal sheets. The project would create 18 permanent new jobs with an annual payroll of$462,000. Mr. Phil Faccenda,Jr.,attorney for the petitioner, was available for questions. Following discussion, citizen member Sue Hodgson made a motion, seconded by Council Member Pfeifer, that Bill No. 98-20 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. The Committee then reviewed Bill No.98-21 which is a 5-year residential real property tax abatement request for Rojo Development, Inc., located at lots 47,52,53,86,92,93,94,95,101,105,108,114,115,116,117,118,119,120,122,123,126,127 C.reawwd9 ad Soosemc Devekopmcot Committee Poroonr 9. 194 Pier a 128,129,131,132,133,134,135,136,137,138,139,140,142,143,145,146,147, 148,& 250. Nancy Van Scoyk reviewed the February 4, 1998 Community titionr meets the qualifications Development ent The report concluded that the p attached).. � report(copy ) nt. me a five-year res idential tax abate Y Mr.Bill McCarthy,of Rojo Development,Inc.the south side presentation. f the City. 41 familieeCOtuld the development is Hermitage South Estates abatement is approved. The homes would be between 1,250 abatement if the aba P qualify for p to 150,000. q in value from$ 110,000 t $ square feet ranging and 1,800 q it Following discussion, Council Member Broden made a motion, seconded by Council III Member Pfeifer,that Bill No. 98-21 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. Under miscellaneous business,the Council Attorney noted that BL Builders filed b timer U Subdivision n Forest Subchv s 2, 1998 on the Emerson letter dated February attached). Copies of the letter were distributed to the Council Members(copy Council a intment to the Redevelopment Commission, Eugenia Schwartz, Esquire, a Coun appointment requested copies of f me e tin notices of th e Communit and d Economic Development lopment Co mmittee so that s he co uld attend thos e wh ich did not con hct with her schedule. There being no further business to come before the Committee,ee th e meeting J g was adjourned at 5:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Roland Kelly,Chairperson Community and Economic Development Committee Attachments •