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HomeMy WebLinkAboutUrging General Assembly to Permit all Indiana toll Road Communities to Participate in Economic Development OpportunitiesRESOLUTION 3561 -06 Passed by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana February 13, Attest: K1. r� Presented by me to the Mayor of the City of South Bend, Indiana February 14, 20 06 City Clerk President of Common Council Approved and signed by me FEBRUARY 14 200f). City Clerk RESOLUTION NO. 3561 -06 A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, URGING THE INDIANA GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO PERMIT ALL INDIANA TOLL ROAD COMMUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES WHICH MAY RESULT FROM MEMBERSHIP IN A REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Aicixeaa, the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, acknowledges that as a result of the legislative action of the Indiana General Assembly this session, new short and long -term economic development opportunities may be offered if the proposed "Major Moves" legislation becomes reality ; and Wexena, the Common Council recognizes that the Governor has proposed a 200 -plus page lease agreement which would be authorized if the "Major Moves" bill is passed thereby leasing the Indiana Toll Road and creating public - private partnerships referred to as "P3" as a mechanism for financing large public works projects such as highways; and Weimw, the Common Council believes, that if the proposed state legislation and lease are determined to be in the best interests of the residents of Indiana, that ALL Toll Road counties should have the opportunity to benefit from grants and other economic development opportunities; noting that currently eighteen (18) states have such legislation in place which authorize the creation of such partnerships; and 0Wlza;emP, the South Bend Common Council further believes, that ALL Toll Road counties should have the opportunity to participate in a regional development authority; if it is determined that such overall enabling state legislation is needed to curtail the projected $2.8 billion shortfall in addressing the state's critical transportation needs over the next ten (10) years and if the proposed new funding mechanism is found to be in the best interests of Indiana and her residents. C77 auo e ° e, /se eZ xewked, by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, as follows: Section I. On behalf of all of the citizens of the City of South Bend, Indiana, the Common Council acknowledges that the current version of House Bill No. 1008 is patently unfair to St. Joseph and LaPorte counties who are the only Toll Road counties who would not be given the opportunity to participate in a regional development authority as currently proposed. Section II. The South Bend Common Council notes that St. Joseph County lies within the heartland of the manufacturing belt and metropolitan regions of the Upper Midwest and Canada. The City of South Bend is located just ten (10) miles south of the Michigan state line; is approximately ninety (90) miles east of the City of Chicago and is accessible via Interstate 80/90, the Indiana Toll Road. In light of South Bend's proximity to Chicago, it has the largest rail and intermodal transfer point in the country which is vitally important to South Bend and St. Joseph County, Indiana, and need ongoing economic development tools to continue to be a viable and thriving area which creates employment and economic opportunities needed in the 21St century. Section III. The South Bend Common Council believes that there is clear and convincing evidence that St. Joseph County, Indiana, truly is the economic engine in this geographic area of the state and that it is pivotally important that St. Joseph County be included along with ALL of the Toll Road counties to participate in a regional development authority mechanism, if such enabling legislation is passed by the Indiana General Assembly. The following statistics summarize some of key statistics which support our request: The City of South Bend is the county seat of St. Joseph County; which is the 4th largest city in the State of Indiana, with St. Joseph County being the 4th largest county in the State of Indiana of its 92 counties, with our area having a $4.36 billion buying income based on disposable income after taxes Indiana Toll Road Resolution Page 2 • The South Bend Fire Department has provided vital public safety services to the Indiana Toll Road by contract, since September of 1985, which address hazardous materials spills and related incidents, and continues to provide such vital services which help ensure the safety of those using the Indiana Toll Road • St. Joseph County has a diverse economic mix of employment opportunities which are instrumental and dependent on interstate commerce which utilize the Indiana Toll Road, as evidenced by the upcoming listing of largest employers in St. Joseph County, • St. Joseph County has approximately 136,990 workers, with the largest employers being: University of Notre Dame 4,802 employees Memorial Health Systems: 3,493 employees South Bend Community School Corporation 3,303 employees Saint Joseph Regional Medical 2,935 employees The Diocese of Fort Wayne /South Bend 2,500 employees AM General 2,151 employees St. Joseph County 1,750 employees Martin's Supermarkets 1,484 employees City of South Bend 1,400 employees Indiana University of South Bend 1,300 employees • St. Joseph County, as well as LaPorte County, should be included among ALL of the Toll Road counties which may benefit if the "Major Moves" legislation and its accompanying 75 -year toll road lease, if it is determined by the Indiana General Assembly to be in the best interests of the Hoosier state. Section IV . The South Bend Common Council urges the Indiana General Assembly to incorporate appropriate amendments to assure that ALL toll road counties axe included in the final version of such proposed legislation prior to a vote as to its ultimate disposition. To do otherwise, would be a disservice to the citizens and businesses of St. Joseph and LaPorte Counties, and would negatively impact the overall vitality of this critical area of the State of Indiana. Section V . In light of the fact that time is of the essence on proposed legislation currently pending in the Indiana General Assembly, the South Bend Common Council directs the Office of the City Clerk to send a copy of this Resolution electronically, via facsimile and/or via mail, upon its adoption to the South Bend Common Council to the sponsors of the Major Moves proposed legislation in both the House and the Senate, to the Committees which have or plan to hold hearings on said legislation, as well as to each of the State Representatives and State Senators who represent a portion of the City of South Bend; with copies also being sent to the Commissioners of St. Joseph and LaPorte Counties. Section VI. This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption by e Co appro by the Mayor. erek D. Dieter, ls` District Ervin uspa, 6u District h ptte D. Pfeifer, 2 91Pd Kelly, 3" istri 7 Al "Buddy" Kirk As, At Large Indiana Toll Road Resolution Page 3 r. avid Varner, 5�' District C? Aw..' as is 2;Y a4.- Kathleen Cekanski - Farrand, Council Attorney I, John Voorde, City Clerk of the City of South bend, St. Joseph County, Indiana, hereby attest and certify that the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, held a public hearing on this Resolution on theL03!a4ay of February, 2006, and that it was adopted by a vote of S-0 c25d�lfieaC.• John Voorde, City Clerk xemin&d to me, Stephen J. Luecke„ Mayor of the City of South Bend, Indiana, on the l` day of February, 2006, aQ 1. o'clock, _p_m. .y tce of the City Clerk oy-11 //!d C�eci and signed by me on the / V. day of February 2006, at Z,' 2 -ro'clock, P. Stephen ecke, Mayor City of South Bend, Indiana Filed In Clerk's Office FEB - 9 2006 PRESENTED NOT APPROVED ADOPTED j, -13 ''� TO THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND: Your Committee of the Whole, to whom was referred: BILL NO. 06 -14 A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, URGING THE INDIANA GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO PERMIT ALL INDIANA TOLL ROAD COMMUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES WHICH MAY RESULT FROM MEMBERSHIP IN A REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Respectfully report that they have examined the matter and that in their opinion, this bill is being recommended to the full Council with a favorable recommendation. Roland Kelly Chairman SpU T$ 81p W City of South Bend Common Council 1865 441 County-City Building . 227 W. Jefferson Blvd South Bend, Indiana 46601 -1830 Timothy A. Rouse President Roland Kelly Vice - President Karen L. White Chairperson, Committee of the Whole Derek D. Dieter First District Charlotte D. Pfeifer Second District Roland Kelly Third District Ann Puzzello Fourth District David Varner Fifth District Ervin Kuspa Sixth District Al `Buddy' Kirsits At Large Timothy A. Rouse At Large Karen L. White At Large Kathleen Cekanski - Farrand Council Attorney February 10, 2006 Members of the South Bend Common Council 4s' Floor County-City Building South Bend, Indiana 46601 Re: Substitute Bill No. 06 -14 (574) 235 -9321 Fax (574) 235 -9173 TDD (574) 235 -5567 http://www.ci.south-bend.in.us Proposed Resolution Addressing Participation in Proposed Regional Development Authorities and the Indiana Toll Road Dear Council Members: I am attaching a substitute version of Bill No. 06 -14 which addresses including St. Joseph County and LaPorte County in Regional Development Authorities (RDA) in the final version of proposed state legislation addressing the Indiana Toll Road. The only change included in this version is the addition of "by contract" in the first paragraph on page 2. The Board of County Commissioners of St. Joseph County adopted Resolution No. RC -04 -06 this morning. It should be noted that the majority of the resolution which I am proposing became the basis of theirs. I look forward to discussing this proposal with you on Monday. Sincerely yours, Timothy A; se Council President Attachment cc: Mayor Stephen Luecke RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, URGING THE INDIANA GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO PERMIT ALL INDIANA TOLL ROAD COMMUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES WHICH MAY RESULT FROM MEMBERSHIP IN A REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY lwr,aa, the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, acknowledges that as a result of the legislative action of the Indiana General Assembly this session, new short and long -term economic development opportunities may be offered if the proposed "Major Moves" legislation becomes reality; and 'Wlvwaa, the Common Council recognizes that the Governor has proposed a 200 -plus page lease agreement which would be authorized if the "Major Moves" bill is passed thereby leasing the Indiana Toll Road and creating public - private partnerships referred to as "P3" as a mechanism for financing large public works projects such as highways; and Memaa, the Common Council believes, that if the proposed state legislation and lease are determined to be in the best interests of the residents of Indiana, that ALL Toll Road counties should have the opportunity to benefit from grants and other economic development opportunities; noting that currently eighteen (18) states have such legislation in place which authorize the creation of such partnerships; and Wlenxeav, the South Bend Common Council further believes, that ALL Toll Road counties should have the opportunity to participate in a regional development authority; if it is determined that such overall enabling state legislation is needed to curtail the projected $2.8 billion shortfall in addressing the state's critical transportation needs over the next ten (10) years and if the proposed new funding mechanism is found to be in the best interests of Indiana and her residents. P_lVnw, &I'mwl6e, & W xeaoG , by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, as follows: Section I. On behalf of all of the citizens of the City of South Bend, Indiana, the Common Council acknowledges that the current version of House Bill No. 1008 is patently unfair to St. Joseph and LaPorte counties who are the only Toll Road counties who would not be given the opportunity to participate in a regional development authority as currently proposed. Section II. The South Bend Common Council notes that St. Joseph County lies within the heartland of the manufacturing belt and metropolitan regions of the Upper Midwest and Canada. The City of South Bend is located just ten (10) miles south of the Michigan state line; is approximately ninety (90) miles east of the City of Chicago and is accessible via Interstate 80/90, the Indiana Toll Road. In light of South Bend's proximity to Chicago, it has the largest rail and intermodal transfer point in the country which is vitally important to South Bend and St. Joseph County, Indiana, and need ongoing economic development tools to continue to be a viable and thriving area which creates employment and economic opportunities needed in the 215' century. Section III. The South Bend Common Council believes that there is clear and convincing evidence that St. Joseph County, Indiana, truly is the economic engine in this geographic area of the state and that it is pivotally important that St. Joseph County be included along with ALL of the Toll Road counties to participate in a regional development authority mechanism, if such enabling legislation is passed by the Indiana General Assembly. The following statistics summarize some of key statistics which support our request: The City of South Bend is the county seat of St. Joseph County; which is the 4th largest city in the State of Indiana, with St. Joseph County being the 4th largest county in the State of Indiana of its 92 counties, with our area having a $4.36 billion buying income based on disposable income after taxes Indiana Toll Road Resolution Page 2 The South Bend Fire Department has provided vital public safety services to the Indiana Toll Road, since September of 1985, which address hazardous materials spills and related incidents, and continues to provide such vital services which help ensure the safety of those using the Indiana Toll Road • St. Joseph County has a diverse economic mix of employment opportunities which are instrumental and dependent on interstate commerce which utilize the Indiana Toll Road, as evidenced by the upcoming listing of largest employers in St. Joseph County, • St. Joseph County has approximately 136,990 workers, with the largest employers being: University of Notre Dame 4,802 employees Memorial Health Systems: 3,493 employees South Bend Community School Corporation 3,303 employees Saint Joseph Regional Medical 2,935 employees The Diocese of Fort Wayne /South Bend 2,500 employees AM General 2,151 employees St. Joseph County 1,750 employees Martin's Supermarkets 1,484 employees City of South Bend 1,400 employees Indiana University of South Bend 1,300 employees St. Joseph County, as well as LaPorte County, should be included among ALL of the Toll Road counties which may benefit if the "Major Moves" legislation and its accompanying 75 -year toll road lease, if it is determined by the Indiana General Assembly to be in the best interests of the Hoosier state. Section IV . The South Bend Common Council urges the Indiana General Assembly to incorporate appropriate amendments to assure that ALL toll road counties are included in the final version of such proposed legislation prior to a vote as to its ultimate disposition. To do otherwise, would be a disservice to the citizens and businesses of St. Joseph and LaPorte Counties, and would negatively impact the overall vitality of this critical area of the State of Indiana. Section V . In light of the fact that time is of the essence on proposed legislation currently pending in the Indiana General Assembly, the South Bend Common Council directs the Office of the City Clerk to send a copy of this Resolution electronically, via facsimile and/or via mail, upon its adoption to the South Bend Common Council to the sponsors of the Major Moves proposed legislation in both the House and the Senate, to the Committees which have or plan to hold hearings on said legislation, as well as to each of the State Representatives and State Senators who represent a portion of the City of South Bend; with copies also being sent to the Commissioners of St. Joseph and LaPorte Counties. Section VI. This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption by the Council and approval by the Mayor. Derek D. Dieter, 15` District Ervin /J i Kuspa, 6`" District 0 // /r t Charlotte D. Pfeifer, 2nd District Al "Buddy" , At Large Roland Kelly, 3rd District Timothy A. Rouse, At Large Ann Puzzello, 4 District Karen L. White, At Large Indiana Toll Road Resolution Page 3 Dr. David Varner, 5' District �W,.. Kathleen Cekanski - Farrand, Council Attorney I, John Voorde, City Clerk of the City of South bend, St. Joseph County, Indiana, hereby attest and certify that the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, held a public hearing on this Resolution on the day of February, 2006, and that it was adopted by a vote of John Voorde, City Clerk gxeaein,kd to me, Stephen J. Luecke„ Mayor of the City of South Bend, Indiana, on the. day of February , 2006, at o'clock, m. *xma and signed by me on the m. Office of the City Clerk day of February 2006, at o'clock, Stephen J. Luecke, Mayor City of South Bend, Indiana Filed In Clerk's Offics FEB - 8 2006