Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 072-15Dayton Legal Blank, Inc. Ordinance No. RECORD OF ORDINANCES 72 -15 Form No. 30043 Passed 20 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE PROVISION OF CERTAIN INCENTIVES TO QUESTLINE, INC. TO INDUCE IT TO LOCATE AN OFFICE AND ASSOCIATED OPERATIONS AND WORKFORCE WITHIN THE CITY; AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT. WHEREAS, consistent with its Economic Development Strategy (the "Strategy] approved by Dublin City Council Resolution No. 07 -94 adopted on June 20, 1994, and the updated Strategy approved by Dublin City Council Resolution No. 30 -04 adopted on July 6, 2004, the City desires to encourage commercial office development and create and preserve jobs and employment opportunities within the City; and WHEREAS, Questline, Inc. (the "Compan)l) recently performed a comprehensive examination of its workforce needs, and based on the results of this examination, and induced by and in reliance on the economic development incentives provided in the proposed Economic Development Agreement (as described below), the Company is desirous of leasing a facility within the City to locate an office and associated operations and workforce within the City in order to achieve the payroll withholding targets set forth in the Economic Development Agreement; and WHEREAS, this Council has determined that it is necessary and appropriate and in the best interests of the City to provide for certain economic development incentives to the Company, as described in the proposed Economic Development Agreement; and WHEREAS, this Council has determined to offer the economic development incentives, the _ terms of which are set forth in a substantially final form of Economic Development Agreement presently on file in the office of the Clerk of Council, to induce the Company to lease a facility and locate an office and associated operations and workforce, all within the City, which will result in the creation of new jobs and employment opportunities, thereby improving the economic welfare of the people of the State of Ohio and the City, all as authorized in Article VIII, Section 13 of the Ohio Constitution; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of Dublin, State of Ohio, of the elected members concurring, that: Section 1. The Economic Development Agreement by and between the City and the Company, in the form presently on file with the Clerk of Council, providing for, among other things, the provision of certain economic development incentives in consideration for the Company's agreement to lease a facility within the City for the location of an office and associated operations and workforce within the City, which will result in the creation of new jobs and employment opportunities, is hereby approved and authorized with changes therein not inconsistent with this Ordinance and not substantially adverse to this City and which shall be approved by the City Manager. The City Manager, for and in the name of this City, is hereby authorized to execute that Economic Development Agreement, provided further that the approval of changes thereto by that official, and their character as not being substantially adverse to the City, shall be evidenced conclusively by the execution thereof. This Council further authorizes the City Manager, for and in the name of the City, to execute any amendments to the Economic Development Agreement, which amendments are not inconsistent with this Ordinance and not substantially adverse to this City. Section 2. This Council further hereby authorizes and directs the City Manager, the Director of Law, the Director of Finance, the Clerk of Council, or other appropriate officers of the City to prepare and sign all agreements and instruments and to take any other actions as may be appropriate to implement this Ordinance. Section 3. This Council finds and determines that all formal actions of this Council and any of its committees concerning and relating to the passage of this Ordinance were taken in open meetings of this Council or committees, and that all deliberations of this Council and RECORD OF ORDINANCES Dayton Legal Blank, Inc. 72 -15 Ordinance No. Form No. 30043 Page 2 of 2 Passed 20 any of its committees that resulted in those formal actions were in meetings open to the public, all in compliance with the law including Section 121.22 of the Revised Code. Section 4. This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect on the earliest date permitted by law. S' Ma r - Presiding Officer Attest: Clerk of Council Passed: O 2015 -:� Effective: D 2015 10tyoffice of the City Manager of Dublin 5200 Emerald Parkway • Dublin, OH 43017 -1090 Phone: 614 - 410 -4400 • Fax: 614 - 410 -4490 memo To: Members of Dublin City Council From: Dana L. McDaniel, City Manager 1.97XG10,y Date: October 8, 2015 Initiated By: Jeremiah Gracia, Economic Development Administrator Re: Ordinance 72 -15 - Economic Development Agreement with Questline, Inc. Background Economic Development staff has been in discussions with Questline, Inc. about the relocation and expansion of their corporate headquarters to Dublin. The company has outgrown its current owner - occupied office located off Riverside Drive in Upper Arlington. Questline is the leading provider of energy communications in the nation, partnering with energy utilities in all 50 states for more than 20 years. Their clients use Questline's white - labeled, customer - facing content to improve customer satisfaction scores, drive energy - related revenue, increase energy - efficiency program participation, and to address utility- related marketing and communication objectives. Questline provides client- branded content through a proprietary communication hub that enables seamless delivery of email, text messages, Web -based portals, social media, Webinars, Ask an Expert services, and eNewsletter communications with built -in reporting features. The project results in the relocation of 45 existing employees to Dublin and adding 19 new employees by the end of 2020. The company must sign a lease extension through at least 2022 at an office location within the City of Dublin. The Economic Development Agreement proposed by the City of Dublin to Questline, Inc. is a five - year, 15% Performance Incentive on withholdings collected on new employees (2016- 2020), that is capped at $18,000 for the term of the agreement. The company will also utilize a $12,000 location grant to offset moving costs. In consideration, Questline agrees to add 19 new jobs in Dublin by the end of 2020. The company must reach predetermined annual withholdings targets to qualify for these performance incentives. The State of Ohio has also provided economic development incentives to Questline to help retain and expand its workforce and investment in Ohio. The project was in competition with the states of Oklahoma and Oregon. The City estimates it will net approximately $406,000 in income tax withholdings over the term of this agreement. Recommendation Staff recommends Council passage of Ordinance 72 -15 at the second reading /public hearing on October 26, 2015. Please contact Jeremiah Gracia with any questions. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT THIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made and entered into this day of ' 2015, by and between the CITY OF DUBLIN, OHIO (the "City "), a municipal corporation duly organized and validly existing under the Constitution and the laws of the State of Ohio (the "State ") and its Charter, and QUESTLINE, INC., an Ohio corporation (the "Company" and together with the City, the "Parties "), under the circumstances summarized in the following recitals. RECITALS: WHEREAS, consistent with its Economic Development Strategy (the "Strategy") approved by Dublin City Council Resolution No. 07 -94 adopted on June 20, 1994, and the updated Strategy approved by Dublin City Council Resolution No. 30 -04 adopted on July 6, 2004, the City desires to encourage commercial office development and create and preserve jobs and employment opportunities within the City; and WHEREAS, based on the results of the Company's recent comprehensive examination of workforce needs, and induced by and in reliance on the economic development incentives provided in this Agreement, the Company desires to locate an office and associated operations and workforce within the City; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Ordinance No. -15 passed on , 2015 (the "Ordinance "), the City has determined to offer the economic development incentives described herein to induce the Company to lease a facility within the City for the location of an office and associated operations and workforce within the City, which will result in the relocation and creation of new jobs and employment opportunities to improve the economic welfare of the people of the State of Ohio and the City, all as authorized in Article VIII, Section 13 of the Ohio Constitution; and WHEREAS, the City and the Company have determined to enter into this Agreement to provide these incentives in order to induce the Company to lease a facility and locate and expand its operations and workforce, all within the City; Now THEREFORE, the City and the Company covenant, agree and obligate themselves as follows: Section 1. Company's Agreement to Lease a Facility and Locate Its Operations and Workforce Within the City. In consideration for the economic development incentives to be provided by the City herein, the Company agrees that it will lease a facility within the City for the location of an office and associated operations and workforce within the City, all consistent with the terms of this Agreement. The Company expects to relocate forty-five (45) existing employee positions to the City. The Company also expects to create nineteen (19) new employee positions within the City by December 31, 2020. The total estimated payroll withholdings for existing and new employee positions is estimated to be Four Hundred Thirty-Six Thousand and 00 /100 Dollars ($436,000.00) over the term of this Agreement. The Company agrees that the City's obligations to remit payments pursuant to Section 2 of this Agreement shall be contingent upon (a) the Company delivering to the City a fully executed copy of an agreement evidencing the Company's lease of a facility within the SPB #010- 8144- 5884v1: 09 -24 -2015 City for a minimum term of seven (7) years (from 2016 through 2022) (the "Lease ") and (b) such other conditions as are set forth in Section 2. Section 2. City Agreement to Provide Incentives. (a) General. In consideration for the Company's agreement to execute the Lease for the location of an office and associated operations and workforce within the City, the City agrees to provide economic development incentives to the Company in accordance with this Section. (b) Location Incentive. (i) Incentive Payment to the Company. The Company agrees to execute the Lease for the location of an office and associated operations and workforce within the City. In consideration of the Company's agreement to execute the Lease and to locate that office and create employment opportunities within the City, the City agrees to provide to the Company a Location Incentive (the "Location Incentive ") in the aggregate amount of Twelve Thousand and 00 /100 Dollars ($12,000.00), payable to the Company within thirty (30) days following the occurrence of (A) the Company's execution of the Lease and provision to the City of documentation in support thereof and (B) the occupancy of the space described in the Lease to locate the Company's office and associated operations and workforce within the City in a manner consistent with this Agreement. (ii) Forfeiture of Right to Receive Incentive Payment. The Company agrees and acknowledges that the Location Incentive provided for in subsection 2(b)(i) is being made by the City to the Company in consideration for the Company's agreement to execute the Lease and locate an office and associated operations and workforce within the City and to create employment opportunities, all within the City. The Company further agrees that if the requirements of subsection 2(b)(i) are not satisfied, the City shall not be obligated to remit the Location Incentive to the Company as required by this subsection 2(b). (c) Workforce Creation Incentive. (i) Calculation of Actual Payroll Withholding Taxes. On or before March 15 of each of the years 2017 through 2021, the City shall calculate the actual payroll withholding taxes collected and received during the then preceding calendar year and in respect of that preceding calendar year by the City from all Employees (as defined below). For purposes of that calculation, the Company acknowledges and agrees that the total amount of actual payroll withholding taxes in respect of any calendar year shall be determined based solely upon the amount of payroll withholding tax payments actually received by the City from the Company during that calendar year. The Company agrees that the determination of whether to include in such calculation any amount received by the City in respect of any calendar year but following the conclusion of that calendar year, shall be solely within the discretion of the City. For purposes of this Section 2, "Employees" shall include only those individuals employed by the Company and working within the City. S P B #010- 8144- 5884v1: 09 -24 -2015 - 2 - (ii) Information Relating to o Employees. The Company agrees that, in accordance with the Dublin City Code, the annual payroll reconciliation and related W -2 forms relating to its Employees will be provided to the City prior to February 28 of each calendar year. (iii) Employer Identification Number. The Company's Employer Identification Number is . The Company agrees that if the Employer Identification Number changes at any time during the term of this Agreement, the Company will notify the City of such change, including the new Employer Identification Number, within thirty (30) days of the occurrence of such change. (iv) Annual Incentive Payments to the Company. If the actual payroll withholding taxes collected and received by the City pursuant to subsection 2(c)(i) during the then preceding calendar year and in respect of that preceding calendar year from all Employees, net of refunds (such amount being referred to as the "Actual Withholdings "), equal or exceed the Target Withholdings (as defined in subsection 2(c)(v)) for that preceding calendar year, the City shall, on or before April 15 of the then current calendar year, pay to the Company, solely from nontax revenues (as defined in subsection 2(e)), an amount equal to the product of (A) the difference between (1) an amount equal to the Actual Withholdings for that preceding calendar year minus (2) an amount equal to the Base Withholdings for that preceding calendar year, multiplied by (B) fifteen percent (15 %) (with each such product being referred to as an "Annual Incentive Payment"); provided, however, that (1) the City shall not be required pursuant to this subsection 2(c) to remit an Annual Incentive Payment to the Company in excess of the Annual Cap (as defined in subsection 2(c)(v)) in any calendar year, and (2) the aggregate amount of all Annual Incentive Payments remitted pursuant to this subsection 2(c) by the City to the Company shall not exceed Eighteen Thousand and 00 /100 Dollars ($18,000.00). (v) Base Withholdings, Target Withholdings and Annual Cap. The Base Withholdings, Target Withholdings and Annual Cap for each of the calendar years 2016 through 2020 shall be: Calendar Year Base Withholdings' 2016 $68,000 2017 68,000 2018 68,000 2019 68,000 2020 68,000 Target Withholdings' Annual Can $74,000 $1,500 80,000 2,500 86,000 3,500 94,000 4,500 102,000 6,000 (1) The Base Withholdings represents the estimated payroll withholding taxes which will be collected in respect of the Company's forty-five (45) existing employees which will be relocated to the City. The difference between the Target Withholdings and the Base Withholdings for each calendar year reflects the anticipated minimum withholdings attributable to new employee positions created after the Company relocates to the City. (vi) Forfeiture of Right to Receive Workforce Creation Incentive Payment. The Company agrees and acknowledges that Annual Incentive Payments provided for in subsection 2(c) are being made by the City to the Company in consideration for the Company's agreement to execute the Lease for the location of an office and associated operations and workforce within the City and to create employment opportunities, all within SPB #010- 8144- 5884v1: 09 -24 -2015 - 3 - the City. The Company further agrees that if the Target Withholdings requirement is not met for any given calendar year as set forth in subsection 2(c)(v), the City shall not be obligated to make an Annual Incentive Payment to the Company for the calendar year in respect of which the Target Withholdings requirement was not satisfied. Failure to satisfy the Target Withholdings requirement in respect of any one calendar year does not prohibit the Company from receiving an Annual Incentive Payment for any subsequent calendar year in respect of which the Target Withholdings requirement is satisfied. (d) Method of Payment. The payments to be paid to the Company as provided in this Section 2 shall be made by the City to the Company by electronic funds transfer or by such other manner as is mutually agreed to by the City and the Company. (e) City's Obligation to Make Payments Not Debt; Payments Limited to Nontax Revenues. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the obligations of the City pursuant to this Agreement shall not be a general obligation debt or bonded indebtedness, or a pledge of the general credit or taxes levied by the City, and the Company shall have no right to have excises or taxes levied by the City, the State or any other political subdivision of the State for the performance of any obligations of the City herein. Consistent with Section 13 of Article VIII, Ohio Constitution, any payments or advances required to be made by the City pursuant to this Section 2 shall be payable solely from the City's nontax revenues and on a subordinated basis to the payment of debt service charges as may hereafter be payable on securities of the City which are payable from the City's nontax revenues. Further, since Ohio law limits the City to appropriating monies for such expenditures only on an annual basis, the obligation of the City to make payments pursuant to this Section 2 shall be subject to annual appropriations by the City Council and certification by the Director of Finance of the City as to the availability of such nontax revenues. For purpose of this Agreement, " nontax revenues" shall mean, all moneys of the City which are not moneys raised by taxation, to the extent available for such purposes, including, but not limited to the following: (i) grants from the United States of America and the State; (ii) payments in lieu of taxes now or hereafter authorized to be used for the purposes by State statute; (iii) fines and forfeitures which are deposited in the City's General Fund; (iv) fees deposited in the City's General Fund from properly imposed licenses and permits; (v) investment earnings on the City's General Fund and which are credited to the City's General Fund; (vi) investment earnings of other funds of the City that are credited to the City's General Fund; (vii) proceeds from the sale of assets which are deposited in the City's General Fund; (viii) rental income which is deposited in the City's General Fund; and (ix) gifts and donations. Section 3. Miscellaneous. (a) Assignment. This Agreement may not be assigned without the prior written consent of all non - assigning Parties. (b) Binding Effect. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. (c) Captions. The captions and headings in this Agreement are for convenience only and in no way define, limit or describe the scope or intent of any provisions or sections of this Agreement. S P B #010- 8144- 5884v1: 09 -24 -2015 - 4 - (d) DU for Performance. Wherever herein there is a day or time period established for performance and such day or the expiration of such time period is a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, then such time for performance shall be automatically extended to the next business day. (e) Economic Development Assistance Certification. The Company has made no false statements to the City in the process of obtaining approval of the incentives described in this Agreement. If any representative of the Company has knowingly made a false statement to the City to obtain the incentives described in this Agreement, the Company shall be required to immediately return all benefits received under this Agreement pursuant Ohio Revised Code Section 9.66(C)(2) and shall be ineligible for any future economic development assistance from the State, any State agency or a political subdivision pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 9.66(C)(1). The Company acknowledges that any person who provides a false statement to secure economic development assistance may be guilty of falsification, a misdemeanor of the first degree, pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 2921.13(F)(1), which is punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000 and/or a term of imprisonment of not more than six months (f) Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire Agreement between the Parties on the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior negotiations, agreements and understandings, both written and oral, between the Parties with respect to such subject matter. This Agreement may not be amended, waived or discharged except in an instrument in writing executed by the Parties. (g) Events of Default and Remedies. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, in the event of any default in or breach of this Agreement, or any of its terms or conditions, by any Party hereto, such defaulting Party shall, upon written notice from any non - defaulting Party, proceed immediately to cure or remedy such default or breach, and, in any event, within thirty (30) days after receipt of such notice. In the event such default or breach is of such nature that it cannot be cured or remedied within said thirty (3 0) day period, then in such event the defaulting Party shall upon written notice from any non - defaulting Party commence its actions to cure or remedy said breach within said thirty (30) day period, and proceed diligently thereafter to cure or remedy said breach. In case such action is not taken or not diligently pursued, or the default or breach shall not be cured or remedied within a reasonable time, the aggrieved non - defaulting Party may institute such proceedings as may be necessary or desirable in its opinion to cure and remedy such default or breach, including, but not limited to, proceedings to compel specific performance by the defaulting Party. (h) Executed Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to constitute an original, but all of which together shall constitute but one and the same instrument. It shall not be necessary in proving this Agreement to produce or account for more than one of those counterparts. (i) Extent of Covenants: No Personal Liability. All covenants, obligations and agreements of the Parties contained in this Agreement shall be effective to the extent authorized and permitted by applicable law. No such covenant, obligation or agreement shall be deemed to be a covenant, obligation or agreement of any present or future member, officer, agent or employee of the City or the Company other than in his or her official capacity, and neither the members of the SPB #010- 8144- 5884v1: 09 -24 -2015 - 5 - legislative body of the City nor any official executing this Agreement shall be liable personally under this Agreement or be subject to any personal liability or accountability by reason of the execution thereof or by reason of the covenants, obligations or agreements of the City and the Company contained in this Agreement. 0) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio without regard to its principles of conflicts of laws. All claims, counterclaims, disputes and other matters in question between the City, its agents and employees, and the Company, its employees and agents, arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its breach will be decided in a court of competent jurisdiction within Franklin County, Ohio. (k) Legal Authori ty. The Parties respectively represent and covenant that each is legally empowered to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and to enter into and carry out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The Parties further respectively represent and covenant that this Agreement has, by proper action, been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Parties and all steps necessary to be taken by the Parties have been taken to constitute this Agreement, and the covenants and agreements of the Parties contemplated herein, as a valid and binding obligation of the Parties, enforceable in accordance with its terms. (1) Limit on Liability. Notwithstanding any clause or provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in no event shall City or the Company be liable to each other for punitive, special, consequential, or indirect damages of any type and regardless of whether such damages are claimed under contract, tort (including negligence and strict liability) or any other theory of law. (m) Notices. Except as otherwise specifically set forth in this Agreement, all notices, demands, requests, consents or approvals given, required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed sufficiently given if actually received or if hand - delivered or sent by recognized, overnight delivery service or by certified mail, postage prepaid and return receipt requested, addressed to the other Party at the address set forth in this Agreement or any addendum to or counterpart of this Agreement, or to such other address as the recipient shall have previously notified the sender of in writing, and shall be deemed received upon actual receipt, unless sent by certified mail, in which event such notice shall be deemed to have been received when the return receipt is signed or refused. For purposes of this Agreement, notices shall be addressed to: (i) the City at: City of Dublin, Ohio 5800 Shier Rings Road Dublin, Ohio 43016 -7295 Attention: Economic Development Director (ii) the Company at: Questline, Inc. Dublin, Ohio 4301_ Attention: The Parties, by notice given hereunder, may designate any further or different addresses to which subsequent notices; certificates, requests or other communications shall be sent. S P B #010- 8144- 5884v1: 09 -24 -1015 - 6 - (n) No Waiver. No right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to any Party is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and each and every right or remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to any other right or remedy given hereunder, or now or hereafter legally existing upon the occurrence of any event of default hereunder. The failure of any Party to insist at any time upon the strict observance or performance of any of the provisions of this Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy as provided in this Agreement shall not impair any such right or remedy or be construed as a waiver or relinquishment thereof. Every right and remedy given by this Agreement to the Parties hereto may be exercised from time to time and as often as may be deemed expedient by the parties hereto, as the case may be. (o) Recitals. The Parties acknowledge and agree that the facts and circumstances as described in the Recitals hereto are an integral part of this Agreement and as such are incorporated herein by reference. (p) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement, or any covenant, obligation or agreement contained herein is determined by a court to be invalid or unenforceable, that determination shall not affect any other provision, covenant, obligation or agreement, each of which shall be construed and enforced as if the invalid or unenforceable portion were not contained herein. That invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect any valid and enforceable application thereof, and each such provision, covenant, obligation or agreement shall be deemed to be effective, operative, made, entered into or taken in the manner and to the full extent permitted by law. (q) Survival of Representations and Warranties. All representations and warranties of the Parties in this Agreement shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement. (r) Third Party Beneficiaries. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other person any right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement. (REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK- SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS) S P B #010- 8144- 5884v1: 09 -24 -2015 - 7 - IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the City and the Company have caused this Agreement to be executed in their respective names by their duly authorized representatives, all as of the date first written above. Approved as to Form: LM Printed: Stephen J. Smith Title: Director of Law CITY OF DUBLIN, OHIO L Printed: Dana L. McDaniel Title: City Manager QUESTLINE, INC. C Printed: Title: S P B #010- 8144- 5884v1: 09 -24 -2015 - 8 - FISCAL OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE The undersigned, Director of Finance of the City under the foregoing Agreement, certifies hereby that the moneys required to meet the obligations of the City under the foregoing Agreement during Fiscal Year 2015 have been appropriated lawfully for that purpose, and are in the Treasury of the City or in the process of collection to the credit of an appropriate fund, free from any previous encumbrances. This Certificate is given in compliance with Sections 5705.41 and 5705.44, Ohio Revised Code. Dated: 52015 Angel L. Mumma Director of Finance City of Dublin, Ohio S P B #010- 8144- 5884v1: 09 -24 -1015 - 9 -