09-23-2024 Common Council Meeting Minutes (2)

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REGULAR MEETING September 23, 2024 million and four hundred thousand dollars($1,400,000). These lots were vacant and owned by the City. Jordan Richardson, 1251 N. Eddy Street, South Bend IN 46617, petitioner, owns Property Bros LLC. Council President McBride thanked the petitioners for their investment in a distressed area. Councilmember Lee thanked the petitioners for their investment in the first (1st) district. Tony Ruiz, 837 Garden Lane, South Bend IN 46619, petitioner, thanked the Council for this opportunity. Tony Ruiz grew up in that neighborhood and is happy to give back to the community. Jordan Richardson thanked the Council for this opportunity and the investment into a minority- owned business. Councilmember Lee asked how necessary the tax abatement is to allow the developers to make this investment. Jordan Richardson stated that it is essential for all parties involved. The City saves money by no longer needing to maintain vacant lots, gains revenue from the new duplex taxes,and houses more of its residents in well-built homes. For developers tax abatements, it creates an incentive for investment. Council President McBride opened the public hearing. Sue Kesim, 4022 Kennedy Drive, South Bend, IN 46614, spoke in opposition to Bill No. 24-30. Sue Kesim stated that there is a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) deficit of three million and five hundred thousand dollars ($3,500,000). Sue Kesim stated that the tax abatements are too long and too high a percentage. Erik Glavich stated that an annual tax abatement report is available to the public. Councilmember Warner stated that TIF does not have a deficit of three million five hundred thousand dollars ($3,500,000). In TIF, it is uncommon that an allocation is made, and the money is spent not only in the same year but even years down the road. 300 East LaSalle Apartments was approved in 2017. The TIF funds were allocated from the 2018 TIF budget and were not spent until 2021 and 2022. Councilmember Warner stated that you must consider the cash on hand when looking at TIF. Councilmember Warner noted that this tax abatement does not affect the TIF budget. Council President McBride closed the public hearing. Councilmember Tomas Morgan motioned to adopt Bill No. 24-27, seconded by Councilmember White, and carried by a vote of eight(8) ayes with one(1) Councilmember absent. Council President Sharon McBride—Aye Council Vice President Sheila Niezgodski —Aye Councilmember Canneth Lee—Aye Councilmember Ophelia Gooden-Rodgers—Aye Councilmember Troy Warner—Aye Councilmember Sherry Bolden-Simpson—Aye Councilmember Dr. Oliver Davis—Absent Councilmember Karen L. White—Aye Councilmember Rachel Tomas Morgan—Aye BILLS ON FIRST READING BILL NO. 52-24 FIRST READING ON AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, APPROVING A PETITION OF THE ADVISORY BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 812 LASALLE AVENUE COUNCILMANIC DISTRICT NO. 4 IN THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA Clerk Tirado read the bill to the Council for its first(1st) reading. 14