HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 41st - January 14, 1982 signedMINUTES OF A SPJCIAL MEETING OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
OF LIVONIA
A Special Meeting of the Economic Development Corporation of Livonia was called
to order by the Chairman, Peter Ventura, at approximately 5:03 p.m., January 14,
1982, in the Council Chambers of the City Hall, 33000 Civic Center Drive, Livonia,
Michigan. The Secretary called the roll:
Directors Present: Mr. Kenneth Hale
Mr. Frank Hand
Mr. Alan Helmkamp
Mr. Robert Jankowski
Ms. Helen Kavanaugh
Mr. Ron Mardiros
*Mr. Angelo Plakas
Mr. Peter Ventura
Directors Absent: Mr. Stanley Telman
Others Present: Mr. Rodman Myers, Attorney for Strand Co.
Mr. Dennis Neiman, Miller/Canfield
Mr. Daniel Gilmartin, Executive Director
Ms. Marie King, Recording Secretary
On a motion by Mr. Mardiros, supperted by Mr. Hale, it was
#182-256 RESOLVED, that the minutes of December 10, 1981, of the
Special Meeting of the Economic Development Corporation of Livonia
be approved as submitted.
A roll call vote was taken on the foregoing motion with the following results:
AYES: Hale, Hand, Helmkamp, Jankowski, Kavanaugh, Mardiros, Ventura
NAYS: None
The Chairman declared the resolution adopted.
*Mr. Plakas arrived at 5:07 p.m.
The Chairman introduced Mr. Rodman Myers. He is an attorney representing
the Charles A. Strand Co, Project. Mr. Myers explained that when the Strand Co.
received their inducement resolution from the EDC (January 15, 1981), it was at
a time when they were thinking of purchasing three plus acres and constructing
a building of around 25,000 square feet. They came back to the EDC in March of
1981 and expanded their project site from 3.8 acres to 7.6 acres. Now, after
examining their program further, they would like to construct a 45,000 square
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feet building rather than.25,000 square feet. Therefore, they seek an amount
not to exceed $7,000,000 in bonds rather than $2,000,000 as previously approved
by the EDC.
Mr. Ventura asked when they will be starting construction. Mr. Jankowski
said they are looking to break ground in the latter part of 1982, or early part
of 1983.
Mr. Hand asked if there would be an increase in their fee now that they
are raising the amount of the bonds. Mr. Gilmartin said the company should be
made aware that they will now owe an additional $5,000.00 in fees. Our application
reads that the fee is 1/10 of 1% of the project cost.
Mr. Mardiros asked if they did not use all of the $7,000,000, would the EDC
have to refund part of the $5,000?
Mr. Helmkamp replied that one of the EDC's concerns was to encourage the
accurate estimate of what the project would cost. We do not want companies to
underestimate the cost and then come back for amendments.
Mr. Myers requested the Board go on to the next item on the agenda while
he tried to reach Mr. Hedke by phone and see how accurate the $7,000,000 figure
is.
The next item on the agenda was discussion of the EDC policy regarding
withdrawing inducement resolutions when a project fails to move forward after
a specified period of time.
The Executive Director explained that all applicants who we have not heard
from for a while were sent letters regarding their intentions. Two (2) letters
were received and three (3) verbal communications were transmitted to the
Executive Director. No information was forthcoming from the five other applicants
who were sent letters: DeMarco Investment Co., Levan Group, Phil Barth, Drury
Inns, Inc., J. D. Dinan Co.
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Mr. Helmkamp asked if there were still some outstanding fees from these
applicants? Mr. Gilmartin replied yes,there were fees due at the time the
inducement resolution was passed.
Mr. Hand said that once we pass the inducement resolution, we are
entitled to the balance due. The longer these petitions lay dormant, the less
chance of our ever seeing any action.
Mr. Hale said how does it hurt us if an applicant takes a long time to
complete his project? As long as he pays his fee, why do we care how long it
takes.
Dennis Neiman explained that once an applicant's building is completed
and placed in service, he only has one year in which to complete the EDC
proceedings. If he does not complete it within that time, he must seek another
method of financing.
Mr, Plakas said he could see two problems the EDC is faced with - 1) trying
to collect the money; and 2) stale resolutions. He suggested the applicant should
be told to bring in his check prior to the inducement resolution or that night.
On a motion by Mr. Hale, supported by Mrs. Kavanaugh, it was
#82-257 RESOLVED, that upon adoption of an inducement resolution,
the balance of the fee must be paid prior to the adoption of the
minutes of that meeting, or the resolution is rescinded.
A roll call vote was taken on the 'foregoing motion with the following results:
AYES: Hale, Hand, Kavanaugh, Jankowski, Mardiros, Ventura
NAYS: Helmkamp, Plakas
The Chairman declared the resolution adopted,.
The Executive Director asked the Chairman if this meant that the staff
should not forward any material on to the City Council until the minutes are
approved. The Chairman said that until payment is made, no action should be
taken.
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At this time, Mr. Myers returned to the room. He contacted Mr. Hedke,
Vice President of Strand Co., and was advised to have the resolution of
inducement be in an amount not to exceed $5,000,000, not $7,000,000 as stated
earlier.
On a motion by Mr. Mardiros, supported by Mrs, Kavanaugh, it was
1182-258 WHEREAS, there exists in the City of Livonia (the Municipality)
the need for certain programs to alleviate and prevent conditions of
unemployment and to assist and retain local industries and commercial
enterprises in order to strengthen and revitalize the economy of the
Municipality and provide needed services and facilities to the Muni-
cipality and the residents thereof; and
WHEREAS, as one of its programs to alleviate the aforesaid
conditions and accomplish said purposes, the Economic Development
Corporation of the City of Livonia (the "Corporation") in conformity
with Act 338, Michigan Public Acts, 1974, as amended (."Act 338"), has
initiated proceedings with respect to the potential issuance of its
limited obligation economic development revenue bonds to assist in
the financing of the Project captioned in the title of this resolution;
and
WHEREAS, although a "Project Plan" as defined in the Act has
not yet been completed or approved with respect to the proposed
facility (the "Project"), it is likely that the Project will require
issuance of revenue bonds by the Corporation; and
WHEREAS, the Corporation on January 15, 1981 adopted a
Resolution of Inducement for the Project in an amount of $2,000,000
(the "Resolution"); and
WHEREAS, the Resolution was amended by the Corporation on
March 17, 1981 to amend the Project area for said Project; and
WHEREAS, the Corporation has now been advised by Chas. A.
Strand Co. (the "Applicant") that because of rising building costs,
and enlargement of the project, it would be advisable to increase
the principal amount of the bonds which the Corporation proposes to
issue under Act 338 to an amount not exceeding $5,000,000;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
1, Paragraph 3 of the Resolution,. as amended is hereby
amended by deleting therefrom the phrase "Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000)"
and substituting therefor the phrase "Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000)".
2. All resolutions and parts of resolutions insofar as they
conflict with the provisions of this resolution are rescinded.
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A roll call vote was taken on the foregoing motion with the following results:
AYES: Hale, Hand, Helmkamp, Kavanaugh, Mardiros, Plakas, Ventura
NAYS: None
ABSTENTIONS: Jankowski
The Chairman declared the resolution adopted.
On a motion by Mr. Hand, supported by Mr. Hale, it was
#82-259 RESOLVED, that those applicants who have paid their fees
but are unable to proceed with their project at this time, should
be advised that they can be put on an inactive status until such
time that they are ready to move forward.
A roll call vote was taken on the foregoing motion with the following results:
AYES: Hale, Hand, Helmkamp, Kavanaugh, Mardiros, Plakas, Jankowski,
Ventura
NAYS: None
The Chairman declared the resolution adopted,
The next item on the agenda was a discussion regarding changing the times
of the regular meetings from 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Mr. Hand did not wish to see the time changed because he would not have
enough time to review the materials in advance of the meeting.
0n a motion by Mr. Hale, supported by Mr. Helmkamp, it was
#i82-260 RESOLVED, that the starting time for the regular meetings
of the Economic Development Corporation of Livonia be changed from
7:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
A roll call voted was taken on the foregoing motion with the following results:
AYES: Hale, Helmkamp, Kavanaugh, Jankowski, Mardiros, Plakas, Ventura
NAYS: Hand
The Chairman declared the resolution adopted,
*Mr. Mardiros left the meeting at 5:52 p.m..
Mrs. Kavanaugh gave the Treasurer's Report. There is currently $20,742.00
in the various accounts. $19,726.53 is invested in C.D. Accounts; $805.49 is in
the Savings Account;; and $209.98 is in the Checking Account.
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On a motion by Mrs. Kavanaugh, supported by Mr. Hand, it was
#82-261 RESOLVED, that the Treasurer's Report be accepted as
submitted.
A roll call vote was taken on the foregoing motion with the following results:
AYES: Hale, Hand, Helmkamp, Jankowski, Kavanaugh, Plakas Ventura
NAYS; None
The Chairman declared the resolution adopted..
On a motion by Mr. Hale, supported by Mr. Hand, and unanimously
adopted, it was
#82-262 RESOLVED, that the Special Meeting of January 14, 1982,
of the Economic Development Corporation of Livonia be adjourned
at 6:02 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Frank Hand, Secretary
FH/mek