HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/08/07 Community and Economic Development Committee MinutesCommunity and Economic Development Committee
2007 South Send Common Council
The October 8, 2007 meeting of the Community and Economic Development
Committee of the South Bend Common Council was called to order by its Chairperson
Council Member Derek Dieter at 3:15 p.m. in the Council's Informal Meeting Room.
Persons in attendance included Council Members Dieter, Varner, White, Kirsits, Kelly,
Pfeifer, Rouse and Puzzello; Citizen Member Phil Panzica, City Attorney Charles
Leone, Jeff Gibney, John Murphy, Pam Meyer, Bob Mathia, Council Intern Antoinette
Redding, Martha Lewis, Jamie Loo of the Saufh Bend Tribune and Kathleen Cekanski-
Farrand, Council Attorney.
Council Member Dieter noted that the Committee members include Council Members
Kelly, Puzzello, White, and herself; and Phil Panzica Marty Wolfson serve as citizen
members.
Substitute Bill No. 63-07: Pro osed A ro riation of 200 000 for Weed & Seed:
Council Member Dieter called for a presentation on Substitute Bill No. 63-07 which
would appropriate $200,000 received from the US Department of Justice for the Weed
& Seed Program.
Pamela C. Meyer, Community Development Director made the formal presentation.
She noted that this will be the 5~h and final year for site # 1 for the period of September
1, 1007 through August 31, 2008. The funds will be used for law enforcement,
community policing and prevention, intervention and treatment activities. Activities such
as graffiti paint-overs, GED training, after school programs and additional police patrols
will be funded. She added that there was a press conference at LaSalle a couple of
weeks ago about this funding.
Council Member Pfeifer noted that the neighbors are very pleased with the program and
that it has made many positive differences. Better relationships have been built
between the police and the neighbors.
Council Member Kelly made motion, seconded by Council Member Puzzello that
Substitute Bill No. 63-07 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed.
Ms. Meyer provided a 1-page handout to the committee highlighting activities of the
Weed & Seed Program serving LaSalle Park, Westside & Oliver Gateway {copy
attached).
Comrr7unity and Economic Development Committee
October 8, 2007
Page 2
Bill No 07-125: 5-Year Residential Real Property Tax Abatement for 101 South Iowa
Council Member Dieter then called for a report from the Department of Community and
Economic Development on Bill No. 07-125 which is a request fora 5-year residential
real property tax abatement fro Jonathan Burkholder for the property located at 101
South Iowa Street,
Bob Mathia, Economic Development Assistant Director reviewed his report dated
September 14, 2007 (copy attached). He noted that the petitioner plans to construct a
1,000 square foot three-bedroom home an a vacant lot in the LaSalle Park area.
Estimated cost is $111,700. Taxes to be paid over the 5-year period are estimated to
be $'1,371; and taxes to be abated over this period of time are estimated to be $7,804.
The report concluded that the petitioner meets the qualifications fora 5-year residential
real property tax abatement under Section 2-77.1 of the South Bend Municipal Code
addressing single family construction.
The petitioner was not present. The Council Attorney recommended that the
Committee recess and then reconvene once the petitioner arrived.
Council Member Dieter recessed the meeting at 3:25.
Council Member Dieter reconvened the Committee meeting at 3:29 pm.
Doug Merritt was now present and made the formal presentation on behalf of the owner
Jonathan Borkholder.
In response to a question from Council Member White, Mr. Merritt stated that the
contractor is a licensed contractor in the city, and that this will be his first home
construction.
Following discussion, Council Member Puzzello made a motion, seconded by Council
Member Kelly that Bill No. 07-125 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion
passed.
Miscellaneous Business:
Citizen Member Phil Panzica circulated two (2) pictures of PE1 noting that this facility is
now 150,00 square feet with 165 jobs, They are grateful for the support they received
from the City of South Bend.
In response to a question from Council President Rouse, Mr. Panzica stated that their
former facility on Bendix is up for lease or sale, and is now vacant.
Community and Economic Development Committee
October 8, 2007
Page 3
The Council Attorney noted that Bill Nos. 07-8D and 07-122, both confirmatory
resolutions will be continued this evening, since agreement has not yet been reached
on the memorandums of agreements.
There being no further business to come before the Committee, Council Member Dieter
adjourned the meeting at 3:31 p.m.
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Respectfully submitted,
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Council Member Derek Dieter, Chairperson
Community and Economic Development Committee
Attachments