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<br />Council Member Travis stated he did not like the wording of the letter from <br />Northern Forest Products and found it almost intimidating if the City chooses not <br />grant the five (5) year abatement. He questioned the ramifications if the business <br />chose to leave. Mr. Inman explained that the tax value is based on the fair market <br />value of the building and property so the taxes would remain the same if the <br />business were to leave town. <br /> <br />Council Member Travis indicated he would vote in favor of keeping Northern <br />Forest Products in Centerville providing the first notes were paid in full. <br /> <br />Mayor Wilharber stated the letter is a situation of the business owner "playing <br />poker" to raise the stakes. He then stated he believes it is apparent that Northern <br />Forest Products came to town and created a nice, well-kept business. He stated he <br />is in favor of the five (5) year tax abatement as an incentive to expand in <br />Centerville. <br /> <br />Council Member Broussard Vickers questioned if the last paragraph of the letter, <br />which indicated a need to come to an agreement meant that there was no <br />agreement. Mr. March said it feels as though the City is being held hostage. He <br />also stated that most industrial manufacturers ask what the City will offer them to <br />located within their community. <br /> <br />Mayor Wilharber indicated he has had contact with the business owner and said <br />he does have other offers that he is entertaining and stressed the importance of <br />keeping the business in the community. Mr. March indicated it is easier to keep <br /> <br />kll("~'f""In.(",(""D(",, ~,....." t~n 1"'r'\"t""\"l"'-"'l"11"\;t"'l! ...."t1.,Clo.... t~............ h...,"'lr~1"'l,.,. tf"\ f)ttl"f)rot .,.-,nH! hl1C";""'f"'C'("'CIoC" <br />~..~u._~~_~ .u 'u_ -_.............1 .....h. u"'" nO" '''0 .- <br /> <br />Council Member Broussard Vickers suggested having a public hearing on the five <br />(5) year abatement. <br /> <br />Motion by Council Member Broussard Vickers. seconded by Council <br />Member Travis to set a public hearing on the five (5) year tax abatement. All <br />in favor. Motion carried unanimously. <br /> <br />Council Member Sweeney indicated a desire to have any conditions or <br />contingencies that the City may request be arranged prior to the public hearing. <br /> <br />Council Member Broussard Vickers said she desired establishing a public hearing <br />date to avoid delay. <br /> <br />Mr. March asked Mr. Inman if publication of the public hearing notice for a five <br />(5) year tax abatement was appropriate. Mr. Inman concurred. He would accept <br />the one (1) year deal with a possibility of working toward five (5) year agreement. <br />He also indicated they would draft a proposed development agreement and <br />forward it to the City for approval. <br /> <br />Page 4 of 22 <br />