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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-23-08 Community & Economic CommitteeCOMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 8, 2008 The September 8, 2008 meeting of the Community and Economic Development Committee of the South Bend Common Council was called to order by its Chairperson, Derek D. Dieter at 3:50 p.m. in the Council's Informal Meeting Room. Committee Members Present: Chairperson Derek D. Dieter, Henry Davis, Jr., Ann Puzzello, Karen L. White, Mark Smith, Citizen Member Councilmember's Present: Timothy A. Rouse, Karen White, Tom LaFountain, Oliver J. Davis, Others Present: Rita Kopala, Jamie Loo, Gary Gilot, Mayor Stephen Luecke, Jennifer Laurent, Marty Wolfson, Marco Mariani, Jeff Gibney, Catherine Andres, John Leszczynski, Bob Mathia, Jitin Kain, Paul Meyer, John Tarwacki, Greg Conrad, Linda LaMont, Tom Price BILL NOS. 08-83 8~ 08-84 TAX ABATEMENT INNOVATION PARK (REAL & PERSONAL PROPERTYI Chairperson Dieter stated that Bill Nos. 08-83 & 08-84 will be continued until the September 22, 2008 meeting of the Council at the request of the petitioner. BILL N0.08-85 -TAX ABATEMENT SOUTHFIELD LAKE - LLE REAL ESTATE, LLP John Leszczynski, The Troyer Group, 550 Union St. Mishawaka, Indiana, made the presentation for this bill. Mr. Leszczynski stated that the Southfield Lake sub-division is located approximately'/. mile south of the intersection of Miami and Kern Roads on the east side of Miami. The project involves the construction of 141 single family residential units. Each home will be approximately 1500 to 2400 square feet in size and contain multiple bedrooms, baths, a den, kitchen, Iving space and attached garage. Construction will be wood frame with vinyl siding and exterior brick/stone accents or all brick or stone construction. The estimated price for each home will range between $160,000 and $240,000. There were no remonstrators or supporters of the petition. Council Member Puzzello made a motion to recommend this bill favorably to full Council. Council Member White seconded the motion which carried. UPDATE DOWNTOWN SOUTH BEND, INC. (DTSB) -MARCO MARIANI, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR . Marco Mariana, Executive Director, Downtown South Bend, Inc. reported to Council a brief recap of 2007. He stated that 2007 has been a year of transition for DTSB. He stated that DTSB's credibility is rebounding and its relationship with the city has improved. He stated that they have put into place internal controls and reporting procedures. He stated that the 2007 Audit is complete along with the IRS 990 forms and noted that copies are in the folders he is providing today for to Council along with a copy for the Office of the City Clerk. (See Attachment) He advised that the Downtown South Bend Board and staff have been streamlined. They have reduced staff and operational costs. Mr. Mariani highlighted the work program achievements in the 2007 Annual Report. He noted that DTSB focused on eight areas in its Strategic Action Plan -Design and Land Use, Business Recruitment, Marketing and Promotions, Finance Development, Organization, Hospitality and Safety, Neighborhood Relations and Redevelopment. Mr. Mariani noted that at the DTSB January 23, 2008 Workshop the result key outcomes were the 2008 budget, communication with downtown community & key constituents, voluntary BID and Mandatory BID, branding, events, marketing, business visits and advisory role with City of South Bend. Mr. Mariani noted that on going communication with downtown business is vital to maintain a comprehensive and accurate database and create an environment to encourage first floor retail and office investment in Downtown South Bend. Also to make downtown neighborhoods including core commercial districts more attractive places to live and to increase residential opportunities in the downtown area. He stated that DTSB's goal is to be the lead organization to promote the growth and vitality of Downtown South Bend. He advised that DTSB's goal is to establish urban values by promoting and fostering communication to bring about good design, project transparency, and provoking thought and visions for Downtown South Bend. Mr. Mariani then introduced Mr. Gred Conrad, Memorial Health System, and Treasurer of DTSB, Board of Directors. Mr. Conrad stated that they have hired two independent CPA firms, Jurgonski & Fredlake and Mancini to conduct audits. He was pleased to announce that the audits came back clean, and that the two accounting firms regularly review the books. He introduced Ms. Glenda Lamont, CPA, and Treasurer DTSB Board of Directors. She reiterated that with new internal controls and streamlining the board and staff DTSB will allow for better reporting and transparency. She noted that DTSW provides written monthly reports and invoices to the city on how money is being spent. Mr. Paul Meyer, South Bend Clinic, Chair, DTSB Board of Directors, noted that they very much appreciate the offer from the City of South Bend to continue its level of funding to DTSB in the short term. He stated that DTSB understands that additional funding will have to be found. He stated that DTSB was working to create a business improvement district downtown, but that they are no longer pursuing it now because of the economy. He noted that DTSB is doing more outreach to businesses outside of downtown to ask for their support. He noted that events have been well attended, and DTSB is doing more with marketing. He highlighted that construction started on July 21, 2008 to allow Downtown to become a little more pedestrian and visitor friendly with the Michigan Streetscape project. He noted that in August they implemented a free outdoor screening that was held on the Gridiron at the College Football Hall of Fame and the turn out was great. He stated that DTSB partnered with the United Way of St. Joseph County and the City of South Bend for a day of learning to live green and be active in the community. This was an event to discover what's new in green technology and healthy living and to take an active role in volunteering and held the United Way kick-off their National Day of Action. Mr. Meyer introduced Jitin Kain, on loan to DTSB from the City of South Bend's Department of Community and Economic Development. Mr. Kain advised that he has been working on the DTSB website and was pleased to announce that there have been 5,000 to 6,000 hits on the website just in the past couple of months. Council President Rouse thanked DTSB for all their hard work and stated that for this organization to flourish there must be collaboration between the City and DTSB and the downtown community. Mr. Jeff Gibney stated that he believes this is the right Board of Directors and Staff at DTSB. He stated that with the construction of the new hotel directly across from the Century Center, WNIT taking home in the WSBT building and Ivy Tech is looking at the building around the corner from this location. Mr. Gibney stated that Ivy Tech has reached their all time high in enrollment this year and are bulging at the seams and need to expand their campus. Mr. Henry Davis questioned Mr. Gibney on why there are no chain restaurants located in Downtown that are opened later at night, like a TGIF's? Mr. Gibney stated that those kinds of chain restaurants look at demographics and plug data into a computer that dictates whether or not it is feasible for them to build a new store or restaurant. He noted that those kinds of establishments are tough nuts to crack. He stated that more homes need to be built to bring those kinds of businesses. Mr. Gibney reiterated that the Board and Staff at DTSB are the right people for the job. There being no further business to come before the committee, Councilmember Derek D. Dieter, Chairperson, adjourned the meeting at 4:40 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Derek D. Dieter, Chairperson Community & Economic Development Committee