2011 Annual Report - Community & Economic Development Committee

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CED COMMITTEE 2011 ANNUAL REPORT Committee members are Ann Puzzello, Karen White, Murray Miller resident member, Henry Davis Jr., Vice Chairman and Timothy Rouse, Chairman. As chairman I want to thank President Dieter for the privilege of serving as chair of the CED Committee. I am especially pleased to file this report at our last 2011 regular committee meeting and my last meeting as a member of this august body, CED Committee started 2011 with a litany of major legislative as well as fiduciary functions on the agenda. Bills 25 -10 and 61 -10 were two proposed tax phase -in revisions scheduled for consideration as revisions to the existing ordinance. Bill 86 -10 was filed in December of 2010, as the result of a "privilege of floor" compliant and assigned by the Council President for Chairman Rouse to look into the matter. Resolution 11 -06 was designed to discuss and explore financing of governmental services with elected officials of St. Joseph County and the Cities of Mishawaka and South Bend, aka "2011 Financial Summit." As indicated above 2011 was a very busy year for the CED Committee we met 23 times addressing 12 tax abatements totaling approximately $2,290,064 in new tax revenues for the city. Approximately $1,889,815 tax phase -in revenues were approved by the council as recommended by the CED Committee. We attempted to revise the tax phase -in ordinance, per the proposals in bills 25 -10 and 61 -10. Much dialogue and due diligence took place and at the request of the administration - revision of the current tax phase -in ordinance was tabled until 2012 when the new council and the new administration will be in place. 86 -10 revising the existing procurement ordinance 7811 -87 was successful, codified as 10081 -11. This revision created a voluntary nine (9) member board known as the Diversity Utilization Board (DUB). At the filing of this report the members have been appointed and sworn in. They have elected officers and are preparing to make recommendations on a Diversity Compliance Officer position as provided by the ordinance. 11 -06 stalled, and no action was taken. Although sweeping change is occurring in Saint Joseph County and the surrounding areas, elected officials have not met and discussed the impact of regional and global change on local governmental services. Research by Karl King and John Roos as well the 2010 Census Data indicate change is needed. Project Future is responding with a major restructuring initiative. The Chamber of Commerce is preparing to fill the gap created by the Project Future's move. Below is a portion of a memo from Patrick McMahon, Director of Project Future regarding a meeting scheduled to meet at 4:00pm December 12, 2011. Our agenda will address the following: * Economic Development - The Need to Evolve i * Maintaining Continuity - Transitional Plans * Regional / Local Needs * March Celebration It is my understanding that on January 1, 2012 Project Future will in effect go out of business as a practitioner of community economic development. Staffers will partner with Innovation Park personnel and work with special focus on development of nano technology. I am sure there will be economic benefits to the aggregate Michiana region but the focus of the past will not the same for Project Future. I am delighted that the Chamber of Commerce is willing to step up to fill the gap left by Project Future's restructuring.