04/09/07 Community and Economic Development Committee Minutes

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April 9, 2DQ7 Community and Economic ©evelopment Committee Meeting Minutes Page 3 Council Member Dieter called for a report from the Department of Community and Economic Development on Bill No. 0755. Bob Mathia noted that the petitioner qualifies for the requested five (5} year residential real property tax abatement with the details being set forth in the report which he has combined with the information on Bill No. 07-54. Violet Blosser of Habitat for Humanity noted they are very excited to move forward with both housing projects which should be completed by November. Na one from the public spoke in favor ar in opposition to the Bill. Council Member Puzzello made a motion, seconded by Council Member White that Bill No. D7-55 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. U date Downtown South Bend DTSB - Paut Me er Chair arson DTSB Board of Diirectors: Council Member Dieter noted that the 6th item on the Committee's agenda was to receive an update on Downtown South Bend {DTSB} by Paul Meyer, Board Chairperson. He noted that the Council has asked several questions of Mr. Meyer through a recent letter and have also requested several documents of him. Today's meeting is to receive updates from Mr. Meyer and to have the Committee asked additional questions. There will be no public input on this topic today, with additional meeting (s} being scheduled as needed. He Hated that two {2} Executive Sessions have been held by the Council with information from those meetings being confidential. Mr. Paul Meyer, DTSB, Inc. Chairperson, thanked the Committee for the opportunity to come and address the Committee, noting that he had originally requested to come before the Committee of the Whole. He then asked Marco Mariam to pass out amulti-page handout (copy attached) which addressed six {6) items: DTSB Strategic Plan Overview; 1=financial Control Actions taken in response to embezzlement; Recent letter to Downtown Business and Property owners and attached Accountability Report; DTSB Parade Grant program-3 year history; DTSB Ribbon Cuttings for new downtown establishments; and International Downtown Association consulting report. Mr. Meyer stated that he does not believe that he would be here today but for the embezzlement.. DTSB has been in operation for the past four (4} years and he believes that the downtown is better today as a result. He noted that the amount of the alleged embezzlement is $2D4,54D. The person charged has admitted to the embezzlement and the forgery and that they are attempting to recover as much as possible. He noted that this incident has damaged the credibility of DTSB. He stated that the Board's oversight was inadequate and that a new accounting firm has been hired and new