HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-22-08 Community and Economic DevelopmentCOMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SEPTEMBER 22.2008
Committee Members Present: Derek D. Dieter, Chairperson; Henry Davis, Jr., Vice-Chairperson;
Ann Puzzello; Karen L. White; M. Catherine Andres, Citizen Member;
Other Council Members Present: Tom LaFountain, David Varner, Oliver J. Davis, Timothy A.
Rouse, AI "Buddy" Kirsits
Others Present: Richard Deahl, Richard Brenner, Mayor Stephen Luecke, Kathleen Cekanski-
Farrand, Jamie Loo, Catherine Fanello
AGENDA:
BILL NO. 08-83 -TAX ABATEMENT -INNOVATION PARK (REAL1
BILL N0.08-84 -TAX ABATEMENT -INNOVATION PARK (PERSONAL)
Derek D. Dieter, Chairperson, Community and Economic Development Committee stated that
both bill will be heard for purposes of public hearing and voted upon separately.
Richard Deahl representing the Notre Dame Innovation Park described the real property
abatement request. He stated the project would start with one building of 54,000 square feet
costing $10 million dollars and creating at least 17 new jobs. Potentially the project is to expand
to 4 buildings creating 70 jobs with a payroll approaching 4 million dollars. Deahl then outlined
the persorial property abatement petition. The initial investment amounts to over a half a million
dollars in equipment and potentially significantly more.
Chairperson Dieter and Council Member Timothy A. Rouse both questioned the tax exempt
status of the project possibly making the abatement question a mute point.
Rich Deahl said the exempt status of the project could not now be known. There was a change it
would receive a partial exemption or only be exempt temporarily.
Citizen Member M. Catherine Andres wondered if the project would lose exemption status would
the abatement automatically begin.
Mayor Luecke said should that happen only the remaining abatement would be allowed.
Council Member AI "Buddy" Kirsits asked about the exemption status of other parks in the state.
Richard Brenner, Notre Dame, said he did not know.
Mayor Luecke said Innovation Park was a great opportunity for South Bend. Passage of the
abatement petitions sends a message that South Bend wants people to come here and grow
here.
Council Member Varner while supporting the Park questioned where the revenue stream for
South Bend is from the project. He hoped Notre Dame would pledge not to ask to tax exemption
status.
On a motion by Council Member Karen L. White followed by Council Member Ann Puzzello's
second sends these bills to the full Council with a favorable recommendation.
BILL NO. 08-89 - TRANSFER OF HUD $ TO MADISON CENTER
Pam Meyer, Director, Community & Economic Development said Aids Ministries decision to
withdraw from providing services left a need and Madison Center was qualified and willing to
serve. Transfer of HUD dollars to Madison Center and their provision of services would be
monitored by the City as required by HUD.
On a motion by Council Member Ann Puzzello and seconded by Council Member Karen L. White,
the bill was sent to the full Council with a favorable recommendation.
MISCELLANEOUS
Pam Meyer provided a handout (attached) outlining the allocation of CDBG funds for'09. She
reported the application process began in June for all qualifying agencies. The focus of HUD
money will be a targeting of physical needs in neighborhoods. This emphasis is an attempt to
salvage deteriorating neighborhoods by showing signs of revival meant to spur confidence and
private re-investment in the future of the city. Pam went on to indicate the budget for'09 was
calculated at a 5% reduction in available dollars following a trend in recent years. Finally, she
noted that the public comment process on the proposed CDBG allocation was to run from
September 26 thru October 29.
Also under miscellaneous Council Member Karen L. White referenced a SBT newspaper article
which recounted the county government's attempts to construct an abatement ordinance.
Council Member White sees this as an opportunity to collaborate with county government. Also,
while offering ours for their review it would also provide us an opportunity to scrutinize our
abatement process.
There being no further business to come before the committee, Chairperson Dieter, adjourned
the meeting at 5:45 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
~.
erek Teter, Chairperson
Community & Economic Development Committee