12-13-99 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 13, 1999 and Indiana Code 6- 1.1 -12 et. seq. SECTION III. This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption by the Common Council and approved by the Mayor. s /Sean Coleman Member of the Common Council Councilmember Kelly indicated that the Community and Economic Development Committee discussed this tax abatement at its meeting this afternoon and sends it to the Council without a recommendation. Mr. William Faust, Engineering Manager, Uniroyal Technology Corporation, 2001 West Washington Street, South Bend, Indiana, made the presentation for this Resolution. Mr. Faust informed the Council that Mr. Jim Elgin, Vice - President and General Manager, was also present. Mr. Faust indicated that they are requesting support for this Confirming Resolution for the construction of a new eighteen thousand (18,000) square foot addition to their building as described during the Public Hearing on the designating Resolution. Mr. Faust stated that he understands that there is some concern with their selection of the contractor for this project. He informed the Council that they received four (4) bids and the decision was based on the value of the project and the quality reputation of the Butler building system that they have selected. The contractor they intend to use does use local subcontractors and they have been told that typically sixty per cent (60 %) to seventy -five (75 %) per cent of the work is performed by union contractors. The contractor works with all thirteen (13) local trades. He sited the dollar amounts spent by this contractor on subcontractors on previous projects. A Public Hearing was held on the Resolution at this time. There was no one present wishing to speak to the Council in favor of this Resolution. Mr. Eric Brown, 926 East Oakside, South Bend, Indiana, spoke in opposition to this Resolution. He stated that he is not against tax abatements when they fit into an economic development plan for the community with part of that plan being to enhance the quality of life for the citizens of the community. He noted that the contractor that has been selected is from Elkhart County and this does not benefit the citizens of South Bend. Ms. Jean Troutman - Poole, 302 South Coquillard, South Bend, Indiana, stated that she is not against tax abatements when they are responsible. However, Uniroyal is not a good corporate citizen. She urged the Council to vote against this abatement. Mr. Mike Kruk, 449 South Phillipa, South Bend, Indiana, stated that he also is not against giving tax abatements to responsible corporate citizens but Uniroyal is not a good corporate citizen. He asked that the City reject this request for tax abatement. There was no one else present wishing to speak in opposition to this Resolution. In rebuttal, Mr. Faust reiterated that they received four (4) bids, two (2) from South Bend general contractors and two (2) from contractors in the Michiana area. They went with the best value for their dollars and they have been told by that contractor that they will utilize local union subcontractors. Councilmember King stated that at the last Council meeting two (2) members of the Mishawaka Common Council spoke to this Council and recommended that they not adopt this Resolution with their reasoning being the history of Uniroyal in Mishawaka. He noted that it appears that Uniroyal has consistently made decisions based on what is good for Uniroyal and not for the good of the community and they have made a choice to choose what is good for Uniroyal and not the community and he therefore will not be supporting this Resolution.