Syracuse Moves Toward Industrial Park Development
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By John DeGroff-
Ken Jones, of the engineering firm Wightman Petrie, presented council with an update on the agreement and with terms for the town's consideration.[[In-content Ad]]"We've had continuing discussions with the Elkhart County Redevelopment Commission," Jones said. "We're trying to move this along to the point where we can secure an interlocal agreement with them that will then allow the town to decide whether to proceed or not. What we want to do is work out the terms (of the agreement) and I think we're there."
When the initial idea to develop an industrial park was put forward, there were three parties involved - the town of Syracuse, Elkhart County and Americamp Development. Americamp has since withdrawn from the project, so any negotiations will be between the two remaining entities. This is why new terms must be agreed upon, since the previous terms represented Americamp's needs and concerns.
The boundaries of the original tax incremental financing district remain intact, even with Americamp no longer involved. According to Jones, 85 percent of TIF income would be used to repay the town's investment in the project. The remaining 15 percent would be held back to cover future projects on site.
The new terms as presented to council by Jones are:
n Final zoning of site must be completed.
n Actual development standards need to be adjusted in order to lead to final interlocal agreement.
n Syracuse covers all work regarding state highway right-of-way.
n Town will be responsible to fund the work.
n Town will have the right to approve and/or apply annexation fees.
n Town has the right to apply a direct benefit assessment to other connecting parties.
n Can apply capital rate to service areas.
n No limitations on potential revenue sources.
n Town will fund interior improvement on site.
n Off-site costs (sewer, water, highway improvement) reimbursed 100 percent over 20 years.
n 85 percent of TIF revenues go to Syracuse; TIF income cannot be used for interior work.
According to Jones, even though the current market is not really conducive to industrial development, this agreement prepares the way for any upswing. "This is an investment that might take some time to come to fruition," he said. "Accepting the agreement would allow for bids to begin, in order to capture the first quarter of 2009, the first quarter of the year being the 'off-season' for building. You could have water and sewer completed by this time next year." Jones also stated that permits and IDOT approval could take 28 to 45 days.
In financial matters, council approved the water department's 2009 budget of $1,005,283, a reduction of 3 percent from 2008; approved the 2009 waste water budget of $721,370, a 4 percent reduction from last year; approved Cripe's Excavating to grind brush, total cost not to exceed $2,875; and paid claims for November 2008, in the amount of $370,188.81.
Chris Cotton, of Hall and Marose Insurance, Warsaw, presented an update on the Physicians Health Plan coverage for town employees. Although there is an increase of 5 percent in cost, the well plan coverage for dependent children is free.
In other business:
n The "Deck the Halls" Christmas tree display will continue through Saturday.
n Lakeland Learning Center's holiday program at the Community Center is Saturday, and "Light The Night" is also Nov. 22.
n Breakfast with Santa is scheduled for Dec. 6.
n Police Chief Tony Ciriello would like to remind residents of increased thefts over the holidays, so extra caution should be taken to lock houses and cars.
Syracuse town council members are Brian Woody, Bill Musser, Cassie Cowan, Larry Siegel and Paul Stoelting.
Ken Jones, of the engineering firm Wightman Petrie, presented council with an update on the agreement and with terms for the town's consideration.[[In-content Ad]]"We've had continuing discussions with the Elkhart County Redevelopment Commission," Jones said. "We're trying to move this along to the point where we can secure an interlocal agreement with them that will then allow the town to decide whether to proceed or not. What we want to do is work out the terms (of the agreement) and I think we're there."
When the initial idea to develop an industrial park was put forward, there were three parties involved - the town of Syracuse, Elkhart County and Americamp Development. Americamp has since withdrawn from the project, so any negotiations will be between the two remaining entities. This is why new terms must be agreed upon, since the previous terms represented Americamp's needs and concerns.
The boundaries of the original tax incremental financing district remain intact, even with Americamp no longer involved. According to Jones, 85 percent of TIF income would be used to repay the town's investment in the project. The remaining 15 percent would be held back to cover future projects on site.
The new terms as presented to council by Jones are:
n Final zoning of site must be completed.
n Actual development standards need to be adjusted in order to lead to final interlocal agreement.
n Syracuse covers all work regarding state highway right-of-way.
n Town will be responsible to fund the work.
n Town will have the right to approve and/or apply annexation fees.
n Town has the right to apply a direct benefit assessment to other connecting parties.
n Can apply capital rate to service areas.
n No limitations on potential revenue sources.
n Town will fund interior improvement on site.
n Off-site costs (sewer, water, highway improvement) reimbursed 100 percent over 20 years.
n 85 percent of TIF revenues go to Syracuse; TIF income cannot be used for interior work.
According to Jones, even though the current market is not really conducive to industrial development, this agreement prepares the way for any upswing. "This is an investment that might take some time to come to fruition," he said. "Accepting the agreement would allow for bids to begin, in order to capture the first quarter of 2009, the first quarter of the year being the 'off-season' for building. You could have water and sewer completed by this time next year." Jones also stated that permits and IDOT approval could take 28 to 45 days.
In financial matters, council approved the water department's 2009 budget of $1,005,283, a reduction of 3 percent from 2008; approved the 2009 waste water budget of $721,370, a 4 percent reduction from last year; approved Cripe's Excavating to grind brush, total cost not to exceed $2,875; and paid claims for November 2008, in the amount of $370,188.81.
Chris Cotton, of Hall and Marose Insurance, Warsaw, presented an update on the Physicians Health Plan coverage for town employees. Although there is an increase of 5 percent in cost, the well plan coverage for dependent children is free.
In other business:
n The "Deck the Halls" Christmas tree display will continue through Saturday.
n Lakeland Learning Center's holiday program at the Community Center is Saturday, and "Light The Night" is also Nov. 22.
n Breakfast with Santa is scheduled for Dec. 6.
n Police Chief Tony Ciriello would like to remind residents of increased thefts over the holidays, so extra caution should be taken to lock houses and cars.
Syracuse town council members are Brian Woody, Bill Musser, Cassie Cowan, Larry Siegel and Paul Stoelting.
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