04-14-14 Community Investment - Laserfiche WebLink

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investment to just under $4.5 million. Joe Shabazz urged the Council to follow -up on affirmative action hiring results. Finally on a motion from Derek Dieter, seconded by Valerie Schey and approved by all the bill got a favorable recommendation. The next two bills on the agenda, 14 -34 and 14 -35, were personal an" property tax abatement petitions for IRBN Inc. at 2115 West Western Ave. Chris Fielding from!CI made the presentation for both bills, to be considered together but voted separately. Chris said IRBN wzIs a wholesale food warehouse and distribution company working primarily with food banks in the great lakes region. The five year personal property request and the two year real property allowed by state law for vacant building start- ups would protect 9 jobs and create five more with a total payroll of over $500,000. The operation was relocating from Mishawaka. Dane Vida, President of IRBNWas present to answer any questions. Responding to Valerie Schey, he said he would file an affirmative action plan. The real property petition for two years of abatement was explained by Chris Fielding as one available under state law to someone moving into a vacant building. He said both petitions had passed muster by the Cl Staff. Subsequently both bills were forwarded favorably on motions by Derek Dieter, seconded by Valerie Schey and affirmed by all. The final abatement petition, 14 -36, was for Lippert Components Manufacturing. Lippert was consolidating operations from surrounding counties to locate and expand manufacturing in the vacant TJ Max building at 1902 W. Sample. Lippert manufactures parts for the RV and trailer industries. Chris said 180 jobs would be created this year with 200 additional projected over the next 10 years. Chris also said an affirmative action plan would be filed. Again on motions by Derek Dieter and Valerie Schey with unanimous support the bill was forwarded favorably. The next bill, 14 -32, asked for preliminary approval of bonds to be issued for the restart of the ethanol plant, up to the amount of $25 million. Attorney Randy Rompala, representing the petitioner said state law allowed these economic development bonds to be tax exempt if the City would endorse them. The City would act as a conduit for the bonds. No liability could be incurred of bonding capacity compromised for the City. Valerie Schey was given additional assurance there would be, no liability following to the City of the bonds were to default. Derek Dieter and Valerie Schey made the appropriate motions to receive a favorable recommendation supported by all. The last agenda item was an update from the Director of Cl Department, Scott Ford regarding the "Smart Streets" initiative. Scott began using a video presentation; but in the interest of time was but short to be rescheduled.