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COMMUNITY 8< ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT JUNE 9.2008 <br />Committee Members Present: Councilmember Derek D. Dieter, Chairperson, Councilmember <br />Henry Davis, Vice-Chairperson, Councilmember Ann Puzzello, Councilmember Karen L. White <br />Others Present: Ann Kolata, Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, John Voorde <br />BILL NO.34-08 - BROWNFIELD SITE ASSESSMENT <br />Councilmember Derek D. Dieter, Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 4:35 p.m.. He asked <br />Ann Kolata, Senior Planner, Economic Development to present the bill. She explained the <br />appropriation request represented a $40,000 grant from the EPA and $6,000 from an Indiana <br />Finance Authority grant to test for petroleum pollutants in Brownfield sites. Councilmember Karen <br />White made a motion to recommend this bill favorably to full Council. Councilmember Ann <br />Puzzello seconded the motion which carried. <br />BILL NO. 37-08 -PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT LEASE <br />Chairperson Dieter made a motion to continue this bill until the June 23, 2008, at the request of <br />the petitioner. Councilmember Puzzello seconded the motion which carried. <br />UPDATE -CURRENT HOLD ON ACCEPTING NEW RESIDENTIAL TAX ABATEMENTS <br />Chairperson Dieter recognized Don Inks, Economic Development Department to report his <br />findings. Mr. Inks provided 3 handouts (attached) titled "Review of Residential Property Taxes <br />and Tax Abatement." The purpose of the study was to ask whether or not residential tax <br />abatement should continue to be offered in South Bend, especially in light of the effects of HEA <br />1001. The bottom line, according to the study, indicates even with abatement City taxes are even <br />more competitive with County taxes than prior to HEA 1001. Therefore, Community 8~ Economic <br />Development's recommendation would be to continue accepting applications for residential <br />abatement. <br />Councilmember Varner said he would like to see a study identifying the cost of city services on a <br />per household basis. <br />Councilmember's Rouse and White both urged the need for an investment strategy to encourage <br />development in the heart of the city. Both observed the danger of a donut affect of development <br />on the fringes of the city while without adequate attention or development incentives and overall <br />strategy. Councilmember White made a motion to recommend favorably to full Council the <br />continuance of residential abatement. Councilmember Puzzello seconded the motion which <br />carried. <br />There being no further business to come before the committee at this time, Chairperson Dieter, <br />adjourned the meeting at 5:00 p.m. <br />Respectfully Submitted, <br />~~ I <br />Derek D. Dieter, Chairperson <br />Community & Economic Development Committee <br />