PRELIMINARY APPROVAL FOR NEW CITY ECONOMIC DEV DEPT

The Logansport City Council gave preliminary approval last night to create a department of economic development for the city. On a first reading vote of 4-3, the council approved an ordinance that would create a board that would then hire a manager to oversee the city’s economic development efforts.

Previously, an independent non-profit organization called CLEDO, formerly known as LEDF, handled economic development for both the city and county. Both entities contributed funds from the community economic development income tax or CEDIT. In 2013, the county hired its own economic development director. Earlier this year, CLEDO announced it was restructuring its bylaws and mayor Ted Franklin says it is now necessary for the city to pursue handling its own economic development.

Councilman Bob Bishop, who also serves as the paid executive director of the city’s Redevelopment Commission, proposed a five member board for the new city department, which would include the mayor and a city council member; other members would be appointed by the mayor and council. The council left term limits for the members at four years on first reading.

The council also did not address a figure for a salary for the board members during last night’s meeting.

Also at their meeting last night, the council approved the rezone of property at KAT Corporation, DBA as Logan’s Run Family Golf Center. The council unanimously approved $65,000 in funds for repairs to the Penman Building, which was donated to the parks department. This year, the city took control of the building and plans to offer it as incubator office space for two companies - Waste 2 Fuel and SG. Preston. The city is in negotiations with S.G. Preston to pursue the power plant project and approved a $550,000 loan to the company late last year for a separate $400 million biodiesel project. Funds for the building repairs would come from CEDIT.

The council also unanimously authorized a joint resolution to retain Barnes and Thornburg LLP to represent the council and the mayor in the annexation appeal, and approved a non-reverting fund for the police department for radios.

Mayor Ted Franklin said a special meeting is likely to be scheduled so that the council can approve tax abatements before June 30.