03-17-09 Community and Economic Development Committee

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~6' a-~ ~) ~, ~)%~`~~ ~`Y ~ COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MARCH 17, 2009 Committee Members Present: Timothy Rouse, Chairperson; Ann Puzzello; Henry Davis present at 7:00 p.m. Other Council Members Present: Derek Dieter; David Varner Others Present: School Superintendent Jim Kapsa; School Board Members Sniadecki, Spivey, Bergeron, Chamber of Commerce Reps. Phil DaMico and Paul Laskowski; City Attorney Chuck Leone; Don Inks; Martha Lewis; George Lane; Jamie Loo; Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand; Roger Hamburg Agenda: Further discussion on Bill No. 09-19. This was a resolution set for Public Hearing at the March 9th meeting of the Council where it was continued to the meeting of March 23, 2009. The resolution filed on Wednesday, March 5, 2009 asked the Redevelopment Commission to defer action on consideration of using TIF funds to supplement the financial package for the New Tech High School proposal at Marycrest. Subsequently, on Friday, March 6, 2009 the Redevelopment Commission voted to support the use of TIF funds by a 3-2 vote preempting the Council's scheduled Public Hearing of March 9, 2009. On March 9, 2009 the bill was continued until the March 23, 2009 meeting and this meeting of March 17, 2009 was set for more information and discussion. Community & Economic Development Committee Chairperson, Tim Rouse opened the meeting stating the Council's overall support for the Tech High School concept; but felt many questions remained especially regarding the chosen Marycrest site and sustainable funding. Councilmember Varner echoed these comments and felt, as the Council's representative to the Redevelopment Commission, he would try to explain the Commissions vote from his perception. He explained it was presented to the Redevelopment Commission a sense of urgency. It was deemed critical to the school corporation moving forward to know whether the city would commit $1.3 million in TIF funds this year and $1.6 next year. Councilmember Varner preferring to defer a vote until more information was available ultimately voted against the use of TIF dollars. Councilmember Rouse added that he was disappointed the Redevelopment Commission were not present at this meeting. Council President Derek Dieter added that he was more than disappointed. He was perturbed. Dieter went on to ask Don Inks, Director of Economic Development, if there were any answers to questions asked in the Bill 09-19.