HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-23-09 Community and Economic Development Committeet~L ~~
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~'~{ ~ COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
MARCH 23, 2009
Committee Members Present: Timothy Rouse, Chairperson; Ann Puzzello;
Henry Davis, Vice-Chairperson; Karen White;
Catherine Andres, Citizen Member
Other Council Members Present: Derek Dieter; David Varner; Tom LaFountain
Others Present: Jennifer Laurent; David Brenner; Robert Bretz;
Don Inks; Mayor Luecke; Pam Meyer; Martha Lewis;
Rita Kopala; Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand; Jamie Loo;
Beth Leonard; Marti Wolfson; Jeremy Toschlog; Tom
Price; Ken Andrews
Agenda: Bill No. 17-09 -Appropriation -lnnovation Park
Bill No. 18-09 -Appropriation -Innovation Park
Bill No. 19-09 -Appropriation -Weed & Seed
Bill No. 09-19 -Real New Tech H.S.
Bill No. 09-26 -Real Tax Abatement -1029 N.D. Avenue -Bretz
Bill No. 09-27 -Personal Tax Abatement - 445 N. Sheridan - Treadstone
BILL NO. 17-09
Chairperson Rouse called upon Jennifer Laurent of the Economic Development Department of
the City to make a presentation. She proceeded to describe a federal grant from the Department
of Energy in the amount of $750,000.00 to be used for purchasing hi-tech equipment for
Innovation Park at Notre Dame. Mr. David Brenner, N.D.'s Director of Innovation Park was
introduced. Mr. Brenner said negotiations were currently underway with several companies for
space in the first building. Mayor Luecke emphasized the Park's role in attracting research
dollars and good jobs to the community. Councilmember Henry Davis was assured the
appropriation did not involve city tax dollars.
After a brief discussion citizen member C. Andres made a motion to send the bill to full Council
with a favorable recommendation. Councilmember Puzzello offered a second. The favorable
motion was supported by all.
BILL NO. 18-09
This bill asks the Council to appropriate $2,000,000 from the Indiana Economic Development
Corporation to be used for building and equipment costs at Innovation Park. Don Inks upon being
questioned by Councilmember Henry Davis again assured him no direct city dollars were
involved. These dollars were state dollars awarded to the city for a specific purpose not eligible
for use elsewhere. Councilmember Varner asked Don Inks to explain the Certified Tech Park
grant process designed by the state. Inks stated up to $5 million dollars could be made available
for the development of the park. The $2 million represents all the city can currently command.
Varner also asked if heavy truck traffic on S.R. 23 presented a problem for sensitive research
work. David Brenner said these possible vibrations had been taken into account.
Councilmember White motioned, Councilmember Puzzello gave a second and all supported a
favorable recommendation to full Council.
BILL N0.19-09
Chairperson Rouse allowed Pam Meyer, Director of Community Development to present the bill.
She explained the Department of Justice (DOJ) grant of $175,000 was awarded to the city for
funding the first year of a second site for the Weed and Seed program. Weed and Seed areas
can fund increased police patrols, graffiti paint-over supplies, Bridges out of Poverty classes, a
youth art contest and an after school program. In response to Councilman Dieter's queries about
start-up time for site #2, Pam Meyer said a Director should be on board in 2 weeks. Assuming
passage of the bill, dollars were available now. Ann Puzzello motioned. Councilmember White
seconded and all supported the recommendation to send to Council favorably.
BILL N0.09-19
This is the resolution the Council hoped would prompt the Redevelopment Commission to hold off
supporting a $1.3 million dollar pledge of TIF funds and an implied promise of $1.7 million more to
support the New Tech High School proposal. In that the Redevelopment Commission by a 3-2
decided to go ahead, the Council continued consideration of this Resolution from their last
meeting. In addition to the TIF fund question the resolution asked the School Board and the
Redevelopment Commission form more information regarding the proposal. Also included was a
request for better collaboration among entities involved. Chairperson Rouse explained that the
resolution was sponsored by both Dieter and Varner; but was supported by all. Dieter thanked
Rouse's forbearance and commended Superintendent Kapsa's cooperation with Rouse's
Community and Economic Development Committee. Councilmember Rouse for his part, again
urged study of the Hojnacki document and also chastised the Redevelopment Commission for
their lack of cooperation with the Council. Having made his point, he suggested the resolution be
continued indefinitely for further discussion. Councilmember White so motioned. Councilmember
Puzzello seconded and all supported the continuance recommendation.
BILL N0.09-26
This bill requests real property tax abatement for a single family residence at 1029 N. Notre
Dame Avenue to be built by Robert & Kelly Bretz. Chairperson Rouse asked Mr. Bob Mathia of
the Department of Economic Development to detail the proposal. He indicated this $450,000 cost
to construct a home on its $60,000 lot would generate over $24,000 in new tax revenue while
abating only approximately $2,200 over the 5-year period. Questions asked by Tim Rouse
revealed the home was not located in a TIF area. Catherine Andres moved the bill go to the full
Council favorably. This motion was seconded by Councilmember White and supported by all
save Henry Davis.
BILL N0.09-27
This resolution was a request made by Treadstone, LLC fora 5-year personal property tax
abatement. At Chairman Rouse's direction Bob Mathia detailed his department's scrutiny of the
application. He indicated the proposal met all qualification fora 5 year abatement. Bob then
introduced the petitioner Ken Andrews. Mr. Andrews explained that Treadstone recycled solid
rubber tires shredding them to mulch, 90°l0 of which went for children's playgrounds and
landscaping. More specifically, the $200,000 shredder was the personal property to be abated.
After several questions about the process Mr. Andrews agreed enthusiastically to return for
further demonstration of this product. Councilmember Puzzello motioned, Councilmember White
seconded and all supported a favorable recommendation to full Council.
Under miscellaneous, Chairperson Rouse noting the County Council's adoption of a new tax
abatement ordinance provided copies of the bill and a summary of its points to the Council for
review (see attachment.) He pledged his Community & Economic Development committee
would take their action under consideration pending further review.
There being no further business to come' before the committee at this time, Chairperson Rouse
adjourned the meeting at 3:57 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
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Timothy A. Ro s ,Chairperson
Community a Economic Development Committee