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File #: 130055    Version:
Type: Resolution Status: Passed
File created: 4/30/2013 In control: COMMON COUNCIL
On agenda: Final action: 5/21/2013
Effective date:    
Title: Substitute resolution regarding the 2011 Development Fund loan to Sweet Water Organics.
Sponsors: ALD. ZIELINSKI
Indexes: BUSINESS ENTERPRISES, DEVELOPMENT FUND
Attachments: 1. Department of City Development Cover Letter, 2. Hearing Notice List, 3. Fiscal Impact Statement, 4. PowerPoint-Loan Workout Recommendation 5-13-13, 5. Informal Consent - Sweet Water Organics, 6. Revised PowerPoint-Loan Workout Recommendation 5-13-13, 7. Motion by Ald Zielinski
Date Ver.Action ByActionResultTallyAction DetailsMeeting DetailsVideo
5/30/20133 MAYOR SIGNED   Action details Meeting details Not available
5/21/20132 COMMON COUNCIL AMENDED

Minutes note: Ald. Zielinski moved to amend Common Council Resolution Number 130055, a substitute resolution regarding the 2011 Development Fund loan to Sweet Water Organics, by inserting the following further resolved clause between the 2nd and 3rd “Further Resolved” clauses: “Further Resolved, That the Department of City Development shall obtain prior Common Council approval for any sale or lease agreements, or other arrangements for the disposition of Sweet Water Organics collateral; and, be it"
Pass11:1 Action details Meeting details Not available
5/21/20133 COMMON COUNCIL ADOPTEDPass11:1 Action details Meeting details Not available
5/13/20131 COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE AMENDED

Minutes note: Individuals appearing: Martha Brown, Department of City Development Deputy Commissioner Jeremy McKenzie, Assistant City Attorney Ald. Perez moved to enter into the record a Sweet Water Organics, Inc. Board of Directors Informal Consent, submitted by Ms. Brown, into the record. There were no objections. Individuals from the public testifying: Jessie Hall, Imagine Aquaponics Michael Fecker, chef Molly Stanek, Imagine Aquaponics Michael Carriere, Milwaukee School of Engineering Ald. Zielinski moved to hold to the call of the chair. Ald. Zielinski withdrew this motion. There were no objections to the withdrawal of this motion. Ald. Zielinski moved to amend the resolution to direct the Department of City Development to take immediate and direct control of the assets but to hold off any sale of the assets for 30 days.
Pass3:2 Action details Meeting details Video Video
5/13/20132 COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTIONPass4:1 Action details Meeting details Not available
5/9/20131 CITY CLERK DRAFT SUBMITTED   Action details Meeting details Not available
5/8/20130 COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE HEARING NOTICES SENT   Action details Meeting details Not available
5/8/20130 COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE HEARING NOTICES SENT   Action details Meeting details Not available
4/30/20130 COMMON COUNCIL ASSIGNED TOFail  Action details Meeting details Not available
Number
130055
Version
SUBSTITUTE 3
Reference
101375
Sponsor
ALD. ZIELINSKI
Title
Substitute resolution regarding the 2011 Development Fund loan to Sweet Water Organics.
Analysis
This substitute resolution accepts certain securitized assets in settlement of debt due to the City from Sweet Water Organics and directs the Department of City Development to dispose of those assets, with proceeds returned to a Development Fund revenue account, so it may be applied to the debt service fund.
Body
Whereas, Common Council File No. 101375 authorized the expenditure of $250,000 from the Development Fund in the form of a forgivable loan to Sweet Water Organics to assist the company to expand its operations in the Bay View neighborhood; and
 
Whereas, File No. 101375 approved a term sheet providing for forgiveness of the loan over a four-year period if the Borrower maintained stated employment levels; and
 
Whereas, The City of Milwaukee ("City") and Sweet Water Organics entered into a Loan and Security Agreement ("Agreement") in 2011; and
 
Whereas, Sweet Water Organics expended $206,699 of the loan, using the loan to fund capital expenditures, including the purchase of equipment and construction of an outdoor aquaponics system; and
 
Whereas, Sweet Water Organics achieved the required employment level in 2011, triggering forgiveness of one-fourth, $62,500, of the loan principal; and
 
Whereas, Sweet Water Organics employment in 2012 was sufficient to trigger forgiveness of an additional $6,994.05 of the loan principal; and
 
Whereas, The unspent portion of the loan, $42,829.70, was returned to the City on March 4, 2013, deposited in revenue account 987020 in fund 0339 with the original Development Fund project number UR03399402, and will be applied to the debt service fund, since this loan was financed with bond proceeds; and
 
Whereas, Sweet Water Organics has ceased production; and
 
Whereas, Sweet Water Organics has indicated that it does not have a source of revenue to repay the outstanding loan balance; and
 
Whereas, The Agreement requires that if Sweet Water Organics fails to pay, perform or otherwise comply with provisions of the agreement, Sweet Water Organics must assemble and make available all collateral protected by the Agreement; and
 
Whereas, The collateral granted by the Agreement includes a tractor; a compost mixer; and the outdoor aquaponics system installed at the property located at 187 East Becher Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, otherwise known as the Cobb Property; now, therefore, be it
 
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Department of City Development is directed to work with the City Attorney's office to exercise the City's rights to recapture the collateral granted by the Agreement between the City and Sweet Water Organics, in full satisfaction of the City's loan to Sweet Water Organics; and, be it
 
Further Resolved, That the Department of City Development is directed to dispose of the collateral through sale or lease arrangements with a qualified purchaser or lessor, with proceeds returned to a Development Fund revenue account so they may be applied to the debt service fund; and, be it
 
Further Resolved, That disposition activities may begin no earlier than June 13, 2013; and, be it
 
Further Resolved, That the Department of City Development shall obtain prior Common Council approval for any sale or lease agreements, or other arrangements for the disposition of Sweet Water Organics collateral; and, be it  
 
Further Resolved, That the proper City officials are authorized to execute any documents necessary to effectuate the directives set forth in this resolution.
 
Drafter
CC
Chris Lee
05/21/13