HomeMy WebLinkAbout59-09 OrdinanceRECORD OF ORDINANCES
Dayton Leeal Blank, lnc Form No. ;0043
59-09
Ordinance No. Passed , 20
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE PROVISION
OF CERTAIN INCENTIVES TO MINDLEADERS,
INC. TO INDUCE IT TO EXTEND THE LEASE
_ TERM ON ITS FACILITY WITHIN THE CITY AND
THE EXPANSION OF ITS 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 provide for the creation of
employment opportunities within the City; and
WHEREAS, MindLeaders, Inc. (the "Conicany") 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 incentive provided in the proposed
Economic Development Agreement (as described below), the Company is desirous of
extending the lease term on its existing facility within the City by 5.5 years and expanding
its 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 an economic development incentive to the
Company, as described in the proposed Economic Development Agreement; and
WHEREAS, this Council has determined to offer the economic development incentive, 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
extend the lease term on its existing facility within the City by 5.5 years and expand its
operations and workforce within the City, 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 ofDublin, State of
Ohio, ~ of the elected members concun-ing, 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 inconsideration for
the Company's agreement to extend the lease term on its existing facilitywithin the Cityby
5.5 years and expand its operations and workforce within the City, 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 fiirther 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.
RECORD OF ORDINANCES
Dayton Legal Blank, Inc.
Ordinance No. _
Passed
Pa~c 2
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
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.
Signed:
Mayor -Presiding Officer
Attest
'~~
Clerk of Council
Passed: 0 U . , 2009
Effective: ~~ ~ , 2009
59-09
CITY OF DUBLINM
Of't"ice of the City Manager
5200 Emerald Parkway • Dublin, OH 43017-1090
Phone: 614-410-4400 • Fax: 614-410-4490
To: Dublin City Council
From: Terry Foegler, City Manager~~~
Date: October 29, 2009
Memo
Initiated By: Dana McDaniel, Deputy City Manager/Director of Economic Development
Colleen Gilger, Economic Development Administrator
Re: Additional Information re. Ordinance 59-09 -Economic Development Agreement
with Mindleaders, Inc.
Summary
In the previously executed Economic Development Agreement between the City of Dublin and
Mindleaders, Inc. (2005 through 2008), Mindleaders received a $150,000 Relocation Grant from the
City of Dublin in 2005. This was the only payment the company qualified to receive over the course of
the incentive agreement.
Additionally, the company was eligible for a second grant payment of $125,000 and athree-year
performance incentive equal to 10% of annual payroll withholdings collected by the City (estimated to
be valued at approximately $99,310 over three years).
Unfortunately, the company did not realize its growth projection and did not qualify for those additional
performance-based incentive dollars. Therefore, the company did not qualify for an additional $224,310
in incentive payments.
Since 2005, the City has netted $656,548 in income tax withholdings from Mindleaders. The
company's one payment of $150,000 over the agreement term resulted in a 22.8% return to the
company.
Had the company attained each of the predetermined withholding targets during the agreement, the City
could have netted approximately $792,191 in withholdings over the term. Mindleaders could have
received approximately $374,310 in incentives. This could have been a 32% return to the company over
the term.
Mindleaders initially pledged in 2005 to grow its workforce of 180 to 280 within three years;
subsequently, the company faced several, nearly immediate hurdles, including an abrupt end in the dot-
com boom for on-line based companies, a related downsizing of staff and restructuring of core products,
an exit of its venture capital funding organization, and an international merger.
Since the merger was completed in late 2007, the company has launched new products developed in
Ireland into the U.S. market, and taken its successful U.S. e-learning programs into European markets.
The company's head count has remained stable since.
Looking forward, the company is again predicting growth, and has committed to a new 66-month lease
of 33,000 square feet at 5500 Glendon Court, where it has the ability to grow into an additional 15,000
square feet of empty, contiguous space. Over the course of the new EDA (2010-2014), the City
Memo re. Additional Information for Ordinance 59-09 -Mindleaders
October 29, 2009
Page 2 of 2
estimates it will net at least $708,152. Staff also estimates Mindleaders would receive no more than
$155,448 in incentives (capped), which equates to an 18% maximum return to the company over the
team of the agreement.
Recommendation
Follow-up information only.
CITY OF DUBLIN_
Office of the City Manager
5200 Emerald Parkway • Dublin, OH 43017-1090
Phone: 614-410-4400 • Fax: 614-410-4490
To: Dublin City Council
From: Terry Foegler, City Manager ~/
Date: October 15, 2009
Memo
Initiated By: Dana McDaniel, Deputy City Manager/Director of Economic Development
Colleen Gilger, Economic Development Administrator
Re: Ordinance 59-09 -Authorizing an Economic Development Agreement with
Mindleaders, Inc.
Summary
Staff has been in discussions with Mindleaders, Inc. regarding the possible expansion of its
workforce and retention of its current office location at 5500 Glendon Court. The company
executives looked at relocation and expansion opportunities around central Ohio, including a site in
Grandview Heights.
The City is proud to have retained Mindleaders as part of our community. Mindleaders is a learning
company with over 25 years of experience designing e-learning programs. The company located in
Dublin in 2004. In 2007 Mindleaders merged with ThirdForce, an e-learning company in Ireland
and the United Kingdom. Through this merger, Mindleaders remained headquartered in Dublin,
Ohio. The combination of Mindleaders and ThirdForce created a global organization with a deep
catalog of courses (over 3,000), including many specialized sectors such as food safety, literacy and
numeracy skills for life. Today, the company has over 1,000 clients in more than 30 countries in the
commercial, government, and education sectors.
The economic development agreement to retain Mindleaders in Dublin proposes afive-year, 18%
Performance Incentive, which is capped at $155,448 for the term of the agreement. The company
would have to reach predetermined annual withholdings targets to qualify for performance
incentives from 2010 through 2014. In addition, the company has agreed to sign a S.5-year (66-
month) lease agreement. The company plans to retain its Dublin workforce of 98 employees and
grow to 130 by 2015. The City estimates it will retain and net approximately $708,152 in payroll
withholdings during the agreement term.
Recommendation
Staff recommends Council passage of Ordinance 59-09 at the second reading/public hearing on
November 2, 2009. Please contact Dana McDaniel or Colleen Gilger with any questions you may
have.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT
THIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT (th1S `AgreerilBriP~ 1S made and entered ]rit0
this day of , 2009, by and between the CITY of DUBLIN, Oxlo (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 MINDLEADERS, INC. (the "Company" and
collectively with the City, the "Parties', a Delaware corporation with its main office currently
located at 5500 Glendon Court, Dublin, Ohio 43016, 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 provide for the retention and creation of
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 incentive provided
in this Agreement, the Company is desirous of extending the lease term on its existing facility
within the City by 5.5 years and expanding its operations and workforce within the City; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Ordinance No. -09 passed on 2009 (the
"Ordinance"), the City has determined to offer the economic development incentive described
herein to induce the Company to extend the lease term on its existing facility within the City by 5.5
years and expand its operations and workforce within the City, which will result in the creation of
new jobs 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 extend the lease term on its existing
facility within the City by 5.5 years and expand its operations and workforce within the City;
Now THEREFORE, the City and the Company covenant, agree and obligate themselves as
follows:
Section 1. Company's Agreement to Extend the Lease Term on its Facility and Expand
its Operations and Workforce Within the City. In consideration for the economic development
incentive to be provided by the City herein, the Company agrees that it will extend the lease term on
its existing facility within the City by 5.5 years (through November 30, 2015) and expand its
operations and workforce within the City pursuant to this Agreement. The Company expects to
expand the number of its employees from ~~ to ~~ over the
years 2010 through 2014. The average annual wage of these employees for this period is estimated
to be approximately and 00/100 Dollars ($~, with total estimated payroll
withholdings of approximately Eight Hundred Sixty-Three Thousand Six Hundred and 00/100
Dollars ($863,600.00) over the term of this Agreement.
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Section 2. City Agreement to Provide Incentives.
(a) General. In consideration of the Company's agreement to extend the lease term on
its existing facility within the City by 5.5 years and expand its operations and workforce within the
City, the City agrees to provide economic development incentives to the Company in accordance
with this Section.
(b) Workforce Retention/Exnansion Grant.
(i) Calculation of Actual Withholdings. On or before March 15 of each of the
years 2011 through 2015, the City shall calculate the actual payroll withholding taxes
collected and received during the 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 for any calendar year shall
be determined based solely upon the amount of tax payments actually received by the City
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.
(ii) Information Relating to 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) Incentive Payments to the Comnany. If the actual payroll withholding taxes
collected and received by the City during the then preceding calendar year from all
Employees, net of refunds (Actual Withholdings"), meet or exceed the Target Withholdings
(as defined in subsection 2(b)(iv)) 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(d)), an amount equal to the product of (A) an amount
equal to the Actual Withholdings, multiplied by (B) eighteen percent (18%) (with such
product being referred to as the `An~rual Incenrive PaymenP~; provided, however, that the
City shall not be required pursuant to this subsection 2(b) to remit an Annual Incentive
Payment to the Company in excess of the Annual Cap (as defined in subsection 2(b)(iv)) in
any calendar year, nor shall the aggregate of all Annual Incentive Payments remitted
pursuant to this subsection 2(b) by the City to the Company exceed One Hundred Fifty-Five
Thousand Four Hundred Forty-Eight and 00/100 Dollars ($155,448.00).
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(iv) Target Withholdings and Annual Can. The Target Withholdings and Annual
Cap for each of the calendar years 2010 through 2014 shall be:
Calendar Year Target Withholdings Annual Cap
2010 $148,960 $26,813
2011 159,650 28,737
2012 170,640 30,715
2013 185,150 33,327
2014 199,200 35,856
(v) Forfeiture of Right to Receive Incentive Payment The Company agrees and
acknowledges that Annual Incentive Payments provided for in subsection 2(b) are being
made by the City to the Company in consideration for the Company's agreement to extend
the lease term on its existing facility within the City by 5.5 years and expand its operations
and workforce within the City. The Company further agrees that if the Target Withholdings
requirement is not met for any given year as set forth in subsection 2(b)(iv), the City shall
not be obligated to make any Annual Incentive Payment to the Company for the calendar
year in respect of which the Target Withholdings requirement was not satisfied. Failure to
meet 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.
(c) 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.
(d) City's Obligation to Make Payments Not Debt: Payments Limited to Non-Tax
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 non-tax 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 non-tax 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
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City's General Fund; and (viii) rental income which is deposited in the City's General Fund; and
(ix) gifts and donations.
(e) Applicable City Payroll Tax Rate. For purposes of calculating the Actual
Withholdings in each calendar year under this Section 2, the City's payroll tax rate shall be
assumed to be two percent (2%).
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 the
successors or assigns of the Parties.
(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.
(d) Day 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) Entire Agreement. This Agreement embodies the entire agreement and
understanding of the Parties relating to the subject matter herein and therein and may not be
amended, waived or discharged except in an instrument in writing executed by the Parties.
(f) 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 (30) 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.
(g) Executed Countemarts. 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.
(h) 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
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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
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.
(i) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of Ohio or applicable federal law. 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.
(j) Legal Authority. 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.
(k) 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.
(1) 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 ofthis 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: MindEeaders, Inc.
5500 Glendon Court
Dublin, Ohio 43016
Attention: President
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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.
(m) 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.
(n) 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.
(o) Survival of Representations and Warranties. All representations and warranties of
the Parties in this Agreement shall survive the execution and delivery ofthis Agreement.
(remainder of page intentionally left blank-signature page follows)
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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.
CITY OF DUBLIN, OHIO
By:
Printed: Terry Foeeler
Title: City ManaEer
Approved asto Form:
By:
Printed: Stephen J. Smith
Title: Director of Law
MINDLEADERS~ INC.
By:
Printed:
Title:
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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
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: .2009
Marsha I. Grigsby
Deputy City Manager/Director of Finance
City of Dublin, Ohio
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