03-24-14 Community Investment - Laserfiche WebLink

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COMMUNITY INVESTMENT March 24, 2014 3:30 P.M. Committee Members Present: Gavin, Ferlic, Valerie Schey, Henry Davis, Derek Dieter Citizen Members Present: Patrick Mullin Other Council Present: Tim Scott, Dr. Fred Ferlic, Dr. David Varner, Oliver Davis, Karen White Others Present: Cecil Eastman, Roberto Parisi, Kathy Cekanski - Farrand, Chris Fielding, Kathy Hahn, Kathryn Roos, Bernie Hunt, Joe Limone, Scott Ford, Brock Zeeb, John Voorde Agenda: Bill No. 14 -17 Tax Abatement for Noble Americas South Bend Ethanol LLC, 8 Yr. Real Property Bill No. 14 -25 Tax Abatement for Noble Americas South Bend Ethanol LLC, 5 Yr. Personal Property Bill No. 14 -26 Tax Abatement for Lippert Components Manufacturing Inc., 2 Yr. Real Property Bill No. 14 -27 Tax Abatement for Lock Joint Tube, 5 Yr. Personal Property Bill No. 14 -28 Tax Abatement for Lock Joint Tube, 7 Yr. Real Property The Community Investment Committee met to consider five separate tax abatement petitions. The first two were for Noble Americas South Bend Ethanol LLC; Chris Fielding from Community Investment Department made the presentation. For purposes of the public hearing, Gavin Ferlic allowed both bills to be considered together. Chris Fielding explained the scope of the project first. To get the ethanol plant producing again Noble Americas proposed to make an investment over the next five years. Once up and running the plant would employ 50 plus workers with a payroll over $2.8 million. Chris asked the Council to consider two bills at once. Bill No. 14 -17 was a real property tax abatement for up to 8 years. Bill No. 14 -25 was a request for personal property abatement for up to 5 years. Chris went on to explain the Assessor's office had yet to determine whether the plant was to be considered real or personal property. Qualifying petitions for each were filed so construction could begin and to meet abatement deadlines. The company would accept either real or personal based upon the Assessor's call. Both Derek Dieter and Valerie Schey asked about skill sets needed for the 50 new jobs and asked assurance the company would accept one or the other abatements. Two representatives from Noble Americas were present to answer the questions. Finally on a motion to send both bills favorably to Council by Derek Dieter and seconded by Gavin Ferlic, subsequently supported unanimously the bills were so forwarded.