10-22-01 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 22, 2001 The Common Council hereby determines that the property owner is qualified for and is granted property tax deduction for a period of ten 10 years. SECTION VII. The Common Council directs the City Clerk to cause notice of the adoption of this Declaratory Resolution for Real Property Tax Abatement to be published pursuant to Indiana Code 5 -3 -1 and Indiana Code 6- 1.1- 12.1 -2.5, said publication providing notice of the public hearing before the Common Council on the proposed confirming of said declaration. SECTION VIII. This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption by the Common Council and approval by the Mayor. s /Charlotte Pfeifer Member of the Common Council Councilmember Kelly reported that the Community and Economic Development Committee met on this bill and recommends this Resolution to the Council favorably. Mr. Jerry Thoma, 1308 East Monroe Street, South Bend, Indiana, President ofEnvironmental Health Laboratories, made the presentation for this bill. Mr. Thoma advised that J & J Leasing is a real estate holding company that leases to Environmental Health Laboratories located at 110 South Hill Street. Since 1987, EHL has focused on becoming the nation's largest and most prestigious provider of laboratory analysis for the public water supply industry and they have obtained that goal. EHL has now become the nation's most comprehensive certified facility with certifications under the Safe DrinkingWater Act for compliance monitoring of municipal drinking water supplies from forty -eight (48) state agencies. EHL currently provides analysis to thousands of municipalities and hundreds of laboratories and engineering firms across the nation documenting the safety of drinking water for literally millions of United States citizens. In April of 2001 EHL was purchased by Underwriters Laboratories. Underwriters Laboratories (UL) wants to continue the tremendous growth that EHL has experienced by nearly tripling the size of the facility with a fifty thousand (50,000) square foot building addition at a cost of $7 million dollars. UL will also be investing additional funds for new instrumentation, furniture, fixtures and infrastructure improvements in the coming years. It is estimated that this project will create thirty - two (32) new permanent job within the first year with an average salary of thirty nine thousand two hundred fifty three dollars ( $39,253.00) per position. The project will also maintain ninety one (91) existing permanent full time jobs and twelve (12) part time jobs with an average salary of forty thousand four hundred sixty seven dollars ($40,467.00) per position. The expansion plan will also permit UL to move existing business programs from other UL facilities to the enlarged South Bend facility with the potential for one hundred fifty (150) new jobs within the next five (5) years. Mr. Thoma stated that the current property is located within an older mixed use City neighborhood that presents a variety of developmental challenges. The cost and difficulties of providing employees with off street parking has significantly affected the project budget and reduces the funds available for the construction project. In addition, there are significant costs involving the vacating of the alley and moving four (4) utilities that currently have easements in the alley. Mr. Thoma further noted that UL and EHL are enthusiastic about making a commitment to South Bend and being a part of the East Race area for many years to come. He stated that he believes that this project will offer vitality to small businesses in the East Race area and hopefully attract more high tec cutting edge companies to South Bend. A Public Hearing was held on the Resolution at this time. There was no one present wishing to speak to the Council either in favor of or in opposition to this Resolution. Councilmember King stated that over the last couple of months concerns have been raised about ME