09-08-08 Community & Economic Committee

Home Browse Search

COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT JUNE 23, 2008 Committee Members Present: Councilmember Henry Davis, Vice-Chairperson, Councilmember Ann Puzzello, Councilmember Karen L. White, Catherine Andres, Citizen Member, Mark Smith, Citizen Member Others Present: Don Inks, Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, John Voorde BILL N0.37-08 APPROVING A LEASE FOR IMPROVEMENTS FOR CENTURY CENTER This bill requests the Council to approve a lease for improvements to Century Center between the Redevelopment Authority and the Redevelopment Commission. Acting Chairperson, Henry Davis recognized Don Inks to explain the lease. Don introduced Rich Hill of the law firm Baker & Daniels, who authored the terms and conditions of the lease. Also, introduced and part of the presentation were Vivian Sallie, Chairperson of the Century Center Board of Managers and Kurt Brown, Executive Director of Century Center. With the attached handout the Council was apprized of the needed capital costs to keep the center safe and attractive. On a motion by Councilmember Ann Puzzello, seconded by Councilmember Karen White, the bill was sent to the full Council with a favorable recommendation. BILL N0.38-08 EXPANSION OF THE AIRPORT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AREA (AEDAI TO INCLUDE ALL OF PORTAGE PRAIRIE Councilmember Henry Davis, Vice-Chairperson, called upon Don Inks, Director of the Economic Development division to make a presentation. Mr. Inks noted that due to the July 1St deadline imposed by HEA 1001, the city hoped to add a11450 acres of Portage Prairie to the AEDA tax incremental finance district (TIF). After July 1St the expansion decision would fall to the state through the Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF). Mayor Luecke reinforced the deadline requirement advocating this type of decision should be a local one. Tim Rouse asked why not make the entire city one big TIF. Mayor Luecke said this would be inappropriate, having ramifications for other units of local government in terms of tax allocations.