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The April 25, 2001 meeting of the Community and Economic Development Committee was called
to order by its Vice-Chairperson, Council Member Andrew Ujdak at 4:00 p.m. in the Council
Informal Meeting Room.
Persons in attendance included Council Members: King, Ujdak, Pfeifer, Kirsits and Varner;
Community Development Director Jon Hunt, Economic Development Specialist Mike Beitzinger,
Ann Kolata, Don Inks, Terry Bland of the g50110 Vgra + Gribunt, and Kathleen Cekanski-
Farrand, Council Attorney.
Council Member Ujdak noted that Council Member Kelly called this meeting to begin an extensive
review of the City's current tax abatement procedures. He noted that several additional meetings
are anticipated on this topic.
Mr. Hunt and his staff then provided a review of the City's tax abatement policies and procedures.
He noted that many regulations reflect the changes that have occurred in state law and that others
are evolutionary. Initially guidelines addressed "blight" and were a tool to create new jobs within
the city. Mr. Hunt noted that the City of Indianapolis contains provisions addressing "claw back"
and"back taxes"in the event that a business closes who has been given tax abatement. He further
noted that such petitioners are requested to pay back taxes pursuant to specific contractual terms
previously agreed upon by the parties.
Council Member Ujdak suggested that perhaps the city should target a specific type of business for
a set period of years which would be given tax abatement and then review such procedures on a
regular basis. Mr. Hunt noted that consistency in policies are needed.
Council Members King, Varner and Ujdak stressed the importance of having policies which reflect
the needs of the community and that the process should be structured accordingly.
Council Member King inquired as to what is the overall goal of the City's tax abatement policies.
He noted that when he was at Crow Chizek that their clients were always advised to go after tax
abatement noting that the process was like the $ 2.00 off Barnaby's coupon--that it is taken for
granted. He suggested that the goals in place during the 1990's should be looked at and it should
be ascertained whether the policies are doing any good.
Mr. Beitzinger noted that there are many persons who never come before the Council since they do
not qualify under the current guidelines.
Dr. Varner noted that the City of South Bend has the second highest tax rate in the State of Indiana,
and that property tax rates do affect business decisions when deciding to locate here.
Council Members King and Varner noted that perhaps the goal of the city's tax abatement program
has been to attract new development. Council Member King stated that we must determine
whether we are having a legitimate effect on behavior; suggesting that we should make the
incentives to locate here even better.
Council Member Ujdak noted that Pat McMahon of Project Future noted over four (4) years ago
that the City of South Bend gives too many tax abatements. Council Member Ujdak further
suggested that by-products such as using local labor should be considered as a criteria as to
Community and Economic Development Committee
April 25, 2001
Page 2
whether tax abatement should be provided. He also suggested corridor redevelopment and
targeting special incentives which would interest businesses to locate in those areas of the city.
Council Member Kirsits inquired about how many businesses would have located here if tax
abatement had not been provided. He noted developments on Olive Road and reflected that that
type of information should be tracked.
Mr. Hunt stated that tax abatement is most effective when competition for a business is in the same
basic region; since there are bigger and different issues when competing with locating here or on
the east or west coast. Mr. Hunt suggested that perhaps the City should"ratchet down" the length
of the abatements which would be permitted under the new state law. He also suggested that the
city's regulations should address "flex buildings".
Council President Pfeifer stated that perhaps the city has mixed the tax abatement"goals"with their
"purposes". She also suggested that perhaps IUSB MBA students should be used to study our
procedures and make recommendations. Looking at SIC codes, who qualifies, who does not
qualify and where did they locate are all the types of data needed. She also raised the issues of
living wages, minimum wages, and hiring persons of color and women.
Council Member Kirsits stressed the need to have both infrastructure building with a dual goal of
redevelopment in older areas of the city as well as new developments in green areas on the outer
parts of the city.
Mr. Hunt stated that his department could provide information which would provide classifications
by the types of abatement provided.
Council Member Ujdak summarized that the Council must know what tools the city needs in order
to compete as well as developing a system which monitors abatements. Council Member Ujdak
suggested that the Community and Economic Development Committee meet again on Wednesday,
May 9th at 4 p.m., and requested that Mr. Hunt and his staff provide information which addresses:
1. Trends regionally and statewide
2. Major issues from a sales perspective
3. Sales which were lost and why
4. Special Exceptions over the last 5 years
Council Member Ujdak further suggested that Pat McMahon be invited to a future committee
meeting once the Committee has had the opportunity to review the documentation to be
development by Mr. Hunt and his staff.
Council President Pfeifer requested that a copy of contract used by the City of Indianapolis also be
provided at the next meeting. She noted that recruitment of businesses as well as retaining
businesses should be carefully studied when reviewing our tax abatement procedures.
Community and Economic Development Committee
April 25, 2001
Page 3
There being no further business to come before the Committee, Council Member Ujdak adjourned
the meeting at 5:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Council Member Andrew Ujdak, Vice-Chairperson
Community and Economic Development Committee
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