07-14-14 Common Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING JULY 14,201 Council Attorney Kathy Farrand, there is a typo is the substitute bill I recommend that you strike the words a resolution confirming the adoption so it begins, a declaratory resolution designating of the substitute bill. Sole moved Councilmember White, Councilmember Scott seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. Councilmember White before we proceed you'll address the validity about this abatement? Councilmember Gavin Ferlic, Chairperson, Community Investment Committee met this afternoon and send bill 14 -66 to the full Council favorably. Presenter: Larry Pierson- 14' floor of this building — This is a 9 year tax abatement projected investment to be $7.1 million, total taxes to be abated $795,000, total taxes to be paid $1.1 million. I have researched that Mr. Dieter inquired about whether it is eligible for a tax abatement, in the deed there is nothing opposed to that. I went back through the minutes, in the minutes it spoke to the property about where the current homes are built but did not what we are looking to move forward on that. Councilmember White, Council Attorney Kathy is this something you can confirm Council Attorney Kathy Farrand- no I don't have access to those documents, and because this is at declaratory status so if there is information that is contrary to what you state we can bring that up later. Council President Davis, so this will come through one more time before it is correct? Therefore if we process tonight, then if we find out otherwise we can change that in our disclosure and be on target. Councilmember Dr. Varner, I think there needs to be a memorandum of understanding and we need to include that. That is what will make it clearer. Councilmember Henry Davis, who is the person that comes up with tax abatement years, how is it that we come up 9 years for certain properties, we talked about this before why is this not policy, it sounds like you want certain areas of the city to grow and not others, I have a strong issue with this? Scott Ford- Executive Director of Community Investment Offices on the 14' floor- I appreciate your comments on the discussion that we had, in terms of the points system, the point system is there to incentify; it's not a reward. Obviously the city needs taxes to operate, there are certain practices that we incentify, I welcome the opportunity to have a longer dialogue. Councilmember Davis- I get it, but there are business owners that don't have the same opportunity as other places in the city, if it is offered in one area it should be offered in another area. Scott Varner- early on tax abatement did have the appearance of being rewarded for special projects for special programs, it is based on a model, you can file a tax abatement, the pages has been shortened to 4 pages, it is available to anyone, there is more interest in certain areas than others. Anyone looking to expand their building can get a tax abatement, it is not restricted, if you fill out the paperwork and you qualify you should get it. Councilmember Henry Davis, so than why recently why are you giving out 9 year tax abatements, if you can do 9 over here than you should be able to 9, it doesn't state that you can get 9 years as part of policy it needs to be the same throughout. Petitioner you are not geographically limited for the length of the tax abatements. Council President what district was that in? Petitioner on Michigan Ave. Healthcare Facility, Council President well that is in the sixth district. Presenter: Dave Matthews- 215 E Colfax Ave- On a site we purchased 2 years ago, with restrictions those contain the townhomes on the site plan, that we weren't allowed to have tax abatements on those, there weren't restrictions on what else could be built on the site. At the time, this would be the second project on the east side of the river at the time it wasn't viable, but now it is viable. 22