HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 42nd - February 11, 1982 signedbp
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
OF LIVONIA
A Regular Meeting of the Economic Development Corporation of Livonia was called
to order by the Chairman, Peter Ventura, at approximately 5:02 p.m., February 11,
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
Mr. Joseph Iovannisci(Pittsburgh Testing)
Mr. Dana King (Pittsburgh Testing)
Directors Absent: Mr. Stanley Telman
Others Present:
Ms. Kimberly Kellogg, Student
Mr. Dennis Neiman, Miller/Canfield
Mr. Daniel Gilmartin, Executive Director
Ms. Marie King, Recording Secretary
On a motion by Mr. Mardiros, supported by Mr. Jankowski, it was
#82-263 RESOLVED, that the minutes of January 14, 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,
Plakas, Ventura
NAYS: None
The Chairman declared the resolution adopted.
The first item on the agenda was a resolution authorizing the issuance
of EDC bonds for the Pittsburgh Testing Laboratory Project. There was no discussion.
0n a motion by Mr. Helmkamp, supported by Mr. Hand, it was
1182-264 WHEREAS, the Economic Development Corporation of the City
of Livonia (the "EDC") is empowered under Act 338, Public Acts of
Michigan, 1974, as amended (the "Act"), to assist in the financing
of certain projects and facilities through the issuance of its
economic development limited obligation revenue bonds. Pittsburgh
Testing Laboratory, a Pennsylvania corporation (the "Company") has
proposed that the Company acquire and construct an industrial
building (the "Project"), and as an inducement therefor, has
requested the EDC to assist in the financing of the Project in the
following general manner (as detailed in the Loan Agreement (the
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"Agreement"): The EDC would issue its Economic Development Limited
Obligation Revenue Bonds (Pittsburgh Testing Laboratory Project),
Series A, in the principal amount of $350,000 (the "Bonds") under
the Act and would loan the proceeds of the Bonds to the Company to
be used to finance the acquisition, construction and installation
of the Project as the Company causes the Project to be acquired,
constructed and installed. Under the terms of the Agreement the
Company would make loan repayments (the "Loan Repayments") in
amounts sufficient to pay the principal, premiums, if any, and
interest on the Bonds, and would be responsible for paying any Project
Costs (as defined in the Agreement) exceeding the amount of the Bonds,
maintaining and insuring the Project and paying all taxes and expenses
relating to the Project. In addition, the Company would execute and
deliver to the EDC an Economic Development Note (the "Note") evidencing
the Company's obligation under the Agreement. The Company would also
grant a mortgage and security interest in the Project pursuant to a
Mortgage (the "Mortgage") and a Security Agreement (the "Security
Agreement"). The EDC would enter into an Indenture (the "Indenture")
with Mellon Bank, N.A., as Secured Party (the "Secured Party") wherein
the EDC would assign and pledge its right, title and interest in the
Agreement, the Note, the Mortgage and the Security Agreement to the
Secured Party as security for the Bonds. Upon full payment of the
Bonds or provision therefor,the Agreement would be terminated and the
Note appurtenant thereto cancelled.
The EDC's participation in the financing of the Project is to
enable the Company to utilize applicable provisions of the United
States Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended (the "Code"). Section
103 of the Code encourages the construction of certain facilities and
the public financing thereof through economic development limited
obligation revenue bonds by providing that the interest on such bonds,
as contrasted with any bonds issued by the Company itself, will be
exempt from Federal income tax. This tax exemption enables the bond
purchaser to accept a lower rate of interest, and since the Company
in effect pays the interest on the Bonds, reduces the interest cost of
the Project financing to the Company.
On the basis of representations of the Company and the advice of
Bond Counsel that the EDC has the authority to issue the Bonds and
loan the Bond proceeds to the Company; and in order to induce construc-
tion of the Project, and thereby serve the purposes of the Act, the
EDC has previously determined to issue the Bonds, subject to the
following condition: principal and interest on the Bonds and any other
cost or liability relating to the Bonds or the issuance or sale thereof,
the Project, or the ownership or financing of the Project and the
performance of any obligation of the EDC under the Agreement, the
Indenture or the Bond Purchase Agreement between the EDC and Mellon
Bank, N.A. (the "Purchaser"), shall never be payable from tax revenues
or other public or general funds of the EDC or the City of Livonia,
Michigan (the "Municipality"), but shall be payable only from the Security
(as defined in the Indenture) or otherwise by the Company.
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The Company has estimated Project Costs to be not less than
#350,000 and has tentatively arranged the financial terms and sale
of the Bonds in that amount to the Purchaser. The EDC, the Company,
and the Purchaser have completed negotiation and drafting of the
Agreement, the Indenture, the Mortgage, the Security Agreement, the
Bond Purchase Agreement between the Company and the Secured Party
and the Guarantee Agreement between the Company, as Guarantor, and
the Secured Party, and have submitted these documents to the EDC
for review and action. It is now appropriate for the EDC to act on
the proposed documents and the proposed issuance and sale of the Bonds.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
SECTION 1. Determination of Necessity. The Project creates
employment in and stimulates the economy of the Municipality and
constitutes a public purpose under the Act. The issuance of the Bonds
is necessary to induce the Company to locate in the Municipality and
thereby obtain the employment and economic benefits.
SECTION 2. Issuance of Bonds, Limited Obligation. The Bonds
shall be issued by the EDC in the principal amount of $350,000, in
such form and denominations as provided in the Indenture.
SECTION 3. Approval of Agreement and Note. The forms of
Agreement and Note on file with the Secretary of the EDC ("Secretary")
are hereby approved.
SECTION 4. Approval of Indenture.
The form of Indenture on file with the Secretary is hereby approved.
SECTION 5. Approval of Bond Purchase Agreement. The form of
Bond Purchase Agreement on file with the Secretary is hereby approved.
SECTION 6. Execution and Delivery of the Agreement, the Indenture,
the Bond Purchase Agreement and Changes Therein. The Chairman of the
Board ("Chairman") is hereby authorized to execute and deliver and the
Secretary is authorized to attest and seal the Agreement, the Indenture
and the Bond Purchase Agreement, all in the forms approved, with such
changes and insertions in such documents as may be necessary or desir-
able, permitted by the Act and otherwise by law, and not materially
adverse to the EDC.
SECTION 7. Acknowledgment of Other Agreements. The forms of the
Mortgage, the Security Agreement and the Guarantee Agreement on file
with the Secretary are hereby acknowledged.
SECTION 8. Sale and Delivery of the Bonds. The Bonds shall be
sold by the EDC to the Purchaser under the Bond Purchase Agreement at
a purchase price of 100% of the principal amount thereof. Upon com-
pliance with the terms and conditions of the Bond Purchase Agreement,
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the Chairman and the Secretary shall execute, seal and deliver the
Bonds upon receipt by the Secured Party of the proceeds therefor to
the credit of the Project Fund (as defined in the Agreement) in
accordance with the Agreement.
SECTION 9. Approval of Filings and Submissions with Other
Governmental Agencies. The Chairman, Secretary, members, staff
and counsel for the EDC, or any of them, are authorized on behalf
of the EDC to apply for such rulings, orders and approvals and file
or submit such elections or other documents to any governmental
agency, in order that the Bonds may be validly issued and the interest
thereon be exempt from Federal income taxation, and to execute such
powers of attorney as may be appropriate in connection with the
foregoing.
SECTION 10. Authorization of Other Documents. The Chairman,
Secretary, members, staff and counsel for the EDC or any of them, are
hereby authorized to execute and deliver such other certificates,
documents, instruments, and opinions and other papers as may be
required by the Agreement, the Indenture or the Bond Purchase Agree-
ment or as may be necessary or convenient to effectuate the sale and
delivery of the Bonds in accordance with the terms of the Agreement,
the Indenture and the Bond Purchase Agreement.
SECTION 11. Conflict and Effectiveness. All resolutions and
parts of resolutions or other proceedings of the Issuer in conflict
herewith are repealed to the extent of such conflict. This resolu-
tion shall become effective upon adoption.
SECTION 12. Definitions. The words used herein and in the
premises shall have, where not otherwise indicated, those meanings
established in the Indenture, dated as of February 1, 1982, by and
between the EDC and the Secured Party.
A roll call vote: was taken on the foregoing resolution with the following results:
AYES: Hale, Hand, Helmkamp, Jankowski, Kavanaugh, Mardiros, Plakas,
Ventura, Iovannisci, King
NAYS: None
The Chairman declared the resolution adopted.
Mrs. Kavanaugh gave the Treasurer's Report. There is $21,655.72 in the
various accounts. $20,668.05 is invested in C. D. Accounts; $805.49 is in the
Savings Account; and $182.18 is in the checking account.
On a motion by Mr. Mardiros, supported by Mr. Hale, it was
#182-265 RESOLVED, that the Treasurer's Report be accepted as
submitted by Mrs. Kavanaugh.
A roll call vote was taken on the foregoing motion with the following results;
290
AYES: Hale, Hand, Helmkamp, Jankowski, Kavanaugh, Mardiros, Plakas,
Ventura
NAYS: None
The Chairman declared the resolution adopted.
The Executive Director reported that letters were sent out to those applicants
who have not paid the balance of their fee. Checks were received from Central
Properties, Borregard, and Charles Strand Co. The Levan Group indicated that the
check was in the mail, although we have not received it. Dr. Ajluni asked that
his project be kept active but he does not have the money to pay the balance of the
fee at this time. Mr. Dinan is out of town and should be back next week, Valassis
is seeking other financing. Drury has withdrawn its proposal. Mr. DeMarco has not
responded. We have not heard from Bailey or the Livonia Professional Pavilion.
Mr. Ventura suggested we turn these accounts over to our attorney, Mr. Neiman,
and see if he can collect from them.
Mr. Hand said that to go back to companies who have found an alternate source
of financing at this point and have not received any value from the EDC would be a
very valid argument in their behalf. It would only antagonize reputable businessmen.
Maybe in the future we could try to eliminate this from happening.
Mr. Plakas asked if the total for the three main applicants, Valassis, Drury,
and DeMarco, was $12,500. The Executive Director said that was correct.
Mr. Neiman said it would not be difficult to collect from those who wish to
be kept active; however, it would be difficult to collect from those who are no
longer interested. He suggests that the contract should be pointed out to each of
them so they realize the obligation exists and then ask them for payment,
Mr. Hale asked how the Executive Director felt about this.
The Executive Director said he would hesitate to take any legal action against
the applicants. Drury already left the City of Livonia with hard feelings. He would
hate to see them go public with their complaints. He doesn't know how Valassis
would react, and he thinks Mr. ā¢eMarco is trying to sell his property,
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Mr. Helmkamp said he did not think this group wants the reputation of being
an easy touch. If we develop the reputation of being hard-nosed, that is not all
bad. A bit of publicity could help us avoid this in the future.
Mr. Ventura suggested that Mr. Gilmartin write letters to the applicants
involved and point out that they have entered into a contract.
Mr. Hale suggested that the letters come from Mr. Neiman instead.
Mr. Hand said he is not against making an attempt at collecting the fees from
those three who have expressed no further interest in pursuing EDC financing, but
it is more important that we collect from those who have expressed an interest in
continuing with this vehicle for financing. They should make an immediate payment
of monies due.
Mrs. Kavanaugh asked if there had ever been a time limit set.
Mr. Gilmartin replied that it states in the application that the balance is
due at the time of the Inducement Resolution.
Mr. Plakas did not think we should start a law suit to collect these fees.
We made a mistake by not collecting them sooner. Hopefully, we have learned by
this mistake and we have outlined a procedure so we do not get into this position
again.
On a motion by Mr. Ventura, supported by Mr. Plakas, it was
#82-266 RESOLVED that Dennis Neiman write letters to all delinquent
applicants and explain that they have signed a contract and are
obligated to pay the fee even if they no longer wish to pursue the
EDC financing.
A roll call vote was taken on the foregoing motion with the following results;
AYES: Hale, Hand, Helmkamp, Jankowski, Kavanaugh, Mardiros, Plakas,
Ventura
NAYS; None
The Chairman declared the resolution adopted.
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On a motion by Mr, Mardiros, supported by Mrs. Kavanaugh, and unanimously
approved, it was
##82-267 RESOLVED, that the meeting of the Economic Development
Corporation of the City of Livonia be adjourned at 5:25 p.m.
Thursday, February 11, 1982.
Respectfully submitted,
Frank Hand, Secretary
FH/mk