Minutes Enterprise Zone 6 14 01ENTERPRISE ZONE COMMISSION
City of Dubuque, Iowa
MINUTES
DATE:
TIME:
PLACE:
COMMISSION:
STAFF:
June 14, 2001
4:00 P.M.
Conference Room B, City Hall
50 West 13th Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001
Present: Dave Baker, Bill Baum, Doug Buswell, Dan LoBianco, Rick
Stein, Doug Stillings, Mike Van Milligen, and Dan White,
Absent: None
Pamela Myhre
INTRODUCTIONS
Dan White, new commissioner representing Northeast Iowa Community College,
introduced himself. Staff reported that the Iowa Workforce Development Center=s
representative was a Dubuque County resident and would need to be replaced.
AT-LARGE APPOINTMENTS
Staff asked that a vote be taken to approve the extension of terms for the three at-large
members (Buswell, LoBianco and Stillings).
Motion by Van Milligen, seconded by Baker, to approve the three at-large
representatives. The following vote was taken:
Aye: Baker, Baum, Stein, Van Milligen, and White
Nay:
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE
Staff certified that the meeting was being held in compliance with the Iowa Open
Meetings Law.
BUSINESS
Election of Officers
Motion by Baum, seconded by Buswell, to appoint Stein as Chair and Baker as Vice-
Chair. The following vote was taken:
Aye: Baker, Baum, Buswell, LoBianco, Stein, Stillings, Van Milligen, and White
Nay: None
Iowa Inn Application
Staff presented its report on the application by MetroPlains for housing Enterprise Zone
benefits. Myhre explained the circumstances preventing the applicant from being
present at the meeting. She also explained the concem over the appraised value of the
units meeting the State=s $120,000 value limit. The developer assured staff that the
total cost of construction divided by the number of units did not accurately reflect the
appraised value of the units. Based on an income approach to valuation, the value
would be much lower than $120,000/unit. Should the State need further evidence, the
developer offered that an after-rehab appraisal would be commissioned to confirm the
market value of the units. In all other respects, the application met the State=s
minimum requirements for filing.
Baum questioned the City=s policy regarding financial support to tax credit housing
projects. Van Milligen stated that the City=s policy does not provide assistance to new
construction projects; however, the City has already supported this rehabilitation project
with multiple actions, including urban renewal distdct designation, loans and tax credit
application support.
Motion by Buswell, seconded by Van Milligen, to approve the resolution approving the
filing of an application on behalf of MDI Limited Partnership #47 for the Iowa Inn
project.
Buswell asked about the financing programs involved. Staff cladfied the vadous tax
credits and indicated that Alliant Energy was the limited partner that would use the
various tax credits. Baum explained that the equity cash for the project came from the
tax credits,
Baker stated that the applicant=s representative should always be present at the
meeting to present their application. Van Milligen suggested that should be a
Commission policy. Baker also asked whether the project would be subject to
prevailing wage requirements. Staff indicated that it would but not because of
Enterprise Zone benefits but rather because of Community Development Block Grant
funds in the project.
The Chair then asked for any public input on the application. Bud Isenhart
congratulated the Commission on their work and stated that he supported the project.
He commented on the impact of TIF funding to county residents as it affects school
distdct taxes.
Baker called for the question. The following vote was taken to approve the application:
Aye: Baker, Baum, Buswell, LoBianco, Stein, Stillings, Van Milligen, and White
Nay: None
Myhre stated that she would confirm the number of units with MetrePlains, make
corrections as necessary to both the application and the resolution and meet with the
Chair to get signatures.
Motion by Baker, seconded by LoBianco, to add an amendment to the By-Laws stating
that in-person representation at meetings is required for the Commission to take action
on an application. The following vote was taken:
Aye: Baker, Baum, Buswell, LoBianco, Stein, Stillings, Van Milligen, and White
Nay: None
Staff read aloud the procedure for amending the By-Laws and will prepare an
amendment for the next Commission meeting as required by law.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 4:55 p.m. Staffto provide list of commissioners and terms, send
minutes and the proposed amendment as soon as possible.
Approved
Chairperson
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