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<br /> <br /> <br /> there was no reactor or highly radioactive material used in the process and that the facility would be licensed <br /> by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. He said the project would involve the construction of an <br /> 82,000 square-foot production facility on the west of Gateway Boulevard north of the Gateway Business <br /> Park. The company will be investing $194 million into the facility, which plans to begin production by 2013. <br /> He said that the company plans to create over 150 jobs by 2016. He said that the City of Beloit and the State <br /> of Wisconsin both offered incentive packages to attract the development. Councilor Luebke moved to adopt, <br /> second by Councilor Haynes. Councilor Van De Bogart asked how the Wisconsin job creation tax credit <br /> would work, and Mr. Janke indicated that the state would verify employment over the course of three years <br /> and provide a percentage of the total tax credit to the Company based on the number of Wisconsin residents <br /> it employs. Councilor De Forest indicated that she was encouraged by the Company's commitment to <br /> working with the City to hire qualified residents from Beloit and the surrounding area. She said that after her <br /> research on the development and the 90-minute discussion during the workshop, she believes that this <br /> development is in the best interest of the City and its residents. Councilor Spreitzer echoed these <br /> comments. Mr. Janke explained that this development could spur additional development in the medical field <br /> in the area, just as what happened with the food cluster in the Gateway. Councilor Spreitzer asked about <br /> Section 7.c. in the development agreement, and Mr. Janke indicated that the section referred to up to a triple <br /> payment in the last year if the TID runs out before the developer has received the full tax benefit. Manager <br /> Arft indicated that there was not a likely scenario where the City would have to pay an additional payment in <br /> the future. Councilor Haynes inquired as to how much of the $194 million investment would be the building <br /> and how much would be personal property. Mr. Janke indicated that the state assesses manufacturing and <br /> the City did not feel comfortable providing an estimated assessment for this unique use. Manager Arft <br /> clarified a previous comment regarding a requirement to hire from within the City limits. He indicated that the <br /> City has never required a private company to require residency of employees because the development <br /> agreement is a contract is between the developers and the City. He also indicated that the company is <br /> committed to advertising these jobs in Beloit and working with the City to encourage relocation of other <br /> employees. Councilor Luebke indicated that he supports the agreement and the project because of the <br /> commitments made by the developers. The motion carried 6-0. File 8505 <br /> b. Resolution awarding Contract C11-24, Gantry and Gantry Plaza. City Engineer Mike Flesch explained that <br /> this was the second bidding of the project and that three bids were received. He said that funding for the <br /> project was coming from the 2010 Capital Improvements Budget, the Tax Increment District (TID) 5, and a <br /> private donation from the Fat Wallet Charitable Foundation. Councilor Luebke moved to adopt, second by <br /> Councilor Haynes. Councilor Van De Bogart asked about the re-engineering of the project and the painting <br /> process, and Mr. Flesch indicated that the City staff discussed some of the details and lighting with a <br /> structural engineer to redesign the structure in a more cost-efficient manner. He indicated that the additional <br /> paint process would add cost but would last for several decades. Councilor De Forest asked Downtown <br /> Beloit Association (DBA) Executive Director Kathleen Braatz to explain the public participation process, and <br /> Ms. Braatz indicated that the DBA went through an extensive process to develop and redevelop the project. <br /> Ms. Braatz said that Beloit had just won the Main Street Award, which is an once-in-a-lifetime award, and <br /> that constructing the Gantry feature would allow businesses to see with their eyes and then invest. Ms. <br /> Braatz also indicated that this is a historic year for Fat Wallet and that they are being great stewards by <br /> donating $40,000 to this project. Councilor De Forest asked Mr. Flesch to reiterate the funding sources, <br /> he said that the project would be paid for by the taxes from the downtown businesses who wanted the <br /> project and a private donation. Councilor Haynes indicated that the downtown was improving by leaps ar <br /> bounds and this project would continue those improvements. Councilor Spreitzer asked if this project wo.. . <br /> have any impact on the Farmers' Market, about the future maintenance costs, how long the structure would <br /> last, and about creating a large feature in the relative small space. Councilor Spreitzer also said that he <br /> recognized that this has been a long process, but he has done a lot of research and was prepared to defend <br /> the public process and the project. Mr. Flesch indicated that they have allowed for pedestrian access <br /> through the construction and would work only Monday through Friday. He said that an additional coat of <br /> paint would be needed in 25-30 years and said that it was difficult to visualize the structure from a set of <br /> plans but it would create the sense of a place that the downtown businesses desire. The motion carried 6-0. <br /> File 8494 <br /> 11. At 8:14 p.m. Councilor De Forest moved to adjourn, second by Councilor Spreitzer. The motion carried 6-0. <br /> S 0~ ~ <br /> Reb ca S. Hous man, City Clerk <br /> www.ci.beloit.wi.us <br /> Date approved by Council: July 18, 2011 <br />