HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-14-00 Community & Economic Development Community&Economic Development Committee
South Bend Common Council
The August 14,2000 meeting of the Community and Economic Development Committee
was called to order by its Chairperson,Council Member Roland Kelly at 4:40 p.m. in the
Council Informal Meeting Room.
Persons in attendance included: Council Members Aranowski,Kelly,King,Varner,
Ujdak, Coleman,Pfeifer and Kirsits; William Cupp, Jr.,Patrick Flanagan,Richard Deahl,John
Phair,Cassandra Moran, Thomas Bodnar,Fire Chief Luther Taylor,Elmer Carr, Thadeus T.
Zakowski,Terry Bland of the South Bend Tribune, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council
Attorney.
Council Member Kelly noted that the first item to be reviewed was Bill No. 00-91 which
is a five(5)year personal property tax abatement request for the property located at 1217 South
Walnut by Kokoku Wire Industries Corporation.
Cassandra Moran of Community&Economic Development reviewed her report dated
August 7,2000 (copy attached). She noted that the petitioner proposes to purchase new
multi-functional machinery and equipment which will increase production and produce a wider
varietyof products. The cost of the new equipment is estimated to be between$430,000 to $
530,000. The report concluded that the petitioner qualifies for a five(5)year personal tax
abatement under section 2-84.2 of the South Bend Municipal Code addressing tangible personal
property tax abatement.
Mr. Richard Deahl of the Barnes&Thornburg law firm and Patrick Flanagan,Plant
Manager represented the petitioner. They noted that the equipment would maintain their current
level of full-time employees of 62.
In response to a question by Dr. Varner, it was noted that personnel had decreased by 25
%in light of a decrease in volume and more efficient equipment and personnel. It was also
noted that later this month engineers from Japan would be here to install a new line which may
increase personnel by 3.
Following discussion,Council Member Ujdak made a motion, seconded by Council
Member Varner that Bill No. 00-91 be recommended favorably. The motion passed.
The Committee then reviewed Substitute Bill No. 00-92 which is a ten(10)year real
property tax abatement request for GWSB Properties,LLC for the property located at 5795 Brick
Road.
Cassandra Moran of Community&Economic Development reviewed her report dated
August 7,2000 (copy attached). She noted that the petitioner plans to construct a 198,000
square foot warehouse on approximately 12.8 acres of land. The estimated cost of the project is
$ 5.5 million. The report concluded that the petitioner meets the conditions for the requested ten
-Community&Ecnomic Development Committee Meeting Minutes of August 14,2000
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(10)year real property tax abatement under section 2-83 of the South Bend Municipal Code
which addresses warehouse development city-wide.
Mr. William Cupp,Jr., spoke on behalf of the petitioner. He stated that they plan to have
a first-class warehouse facility in the city. In response to a question by Dr. Varner,Mr. Cupp
stated that they selected South Bend in light of its location and access to UPS. In response to a
question from Council Member Ujdak,Mr. Cupp stated that the hourly rates are for wages only
and that they will be competitive.
Following discussion,Dr. Varner made a motion, seconded by Council Member Kirsits,
that Substitute Bill No. 00-92 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed.
The Committee then reviewed Bill No. 00-93 which is a six(6)year tax abatement
request for Ralph Jones Partners L.P. for the property located at 3815 Ralph Jones Drive.
Cassandra Moran reviewed her report dated August 8,2000(copy attached)which noted
that the petitioner plans to build a 25,000 square foot built to suit,multi-purpose, single tenant
industrial building on 3.22 acres at an estimated cost of$ 1,400,000.00. The report concluded
that the petitioner meets the qualifications for a six(6)year real property tax abatement under
section 2-82 of the South Bend Municipal Code addressing industrial development city-wide.
Mr. John Phair made the presentation. He noted that the company is excited to be
locating in the city.
Following discussion, Council Member Ujdak made a motion, seconded by Council
Member Kirsits that Bill No. 00-93 be recommended favorably by Council. The motion passed.
There being no further business to come before the Committee,the meeting was
adjourned at 4:55 p.m. by Chairperson.Roland Kelly.
Respectfully submitted,
Council Member Roland Kelly, Chairperson
Community&Economic Development Committee
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Attachments
-Community&Ecnomic Development Committee Meeting Minutes of August 14,2000