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03/02/2011CITY OF DES PLAINES 1420 Miner / Northwest Highway * Des Plaines, Illinois 60016 — 4498 * (847) 391— 5300 MINUTES OF MEETING Economic Development Commission March 2, 2011 Chairman Ulett called the regular meeting of the Des Plaines Economic Development Commission to order at 7:45 A. M. on Wednesday, March 2, 2011, in Room 101 of the Des Plaines Civic Center. Present: Collins, Hills, Howard, Mauro, Rapp, Ryan, Shambora, Smith, Ulett, Wascher, Yu Absent: Gruen, Lee, Grosse, Khokhar Also present were Chan Yu, Staff Liaison; Patty Haugeberg, Alderman; and Michael Bartholomew, Community & Economic Development Director. Approval of minutes of December 8, 2010, meeting. A Motion was made by Commissioner Collins to approve the meeting minutes as submitted. The Motion was seconded by Commissioner Howard. Motion passed by unanimous voice vote. NEW BUSINESS A. Community and Economic Development staff introduction. New Community and Economic Development Director, Michael Bartholomew, was introduced. Mr. Bartholomew summarized his career background. New Staff Liaison, Chan Yu, introduced himself to the Commissioners, and gave his educational background. B. Report from nominating committee and selection of executive committee. Chairman Ulett appointed Commissioners Courtney Wascher, Randy Rapp, and Bob Shambora as the nominating committee, with Commissioner Wascher to act as Chairman to vote to keep the existing Executive Committee or to nominate new members. Commissioner Wascher made a motion and Commissioner Rapp seconded the motion to keep Jim Ulett, Mary Howard, and Ban -y Collins, as the Executive Committee. There was unanimous approval and the motion passed. C. Downtown Awning Program Initiative renewal. Chairman Ulett asked Alderman Haugeberg what she would like to see done through the commission. Alderman Haugeberg asked for support from the EDC commission. There were a few businesses willing to participate in the awning program. She would like this program to become a "never-ending" program so that businesses could continue to use this process. Chairman Ulett stated that the program had helped a number of businesses. Minutes: Economic Development Commission March 2, 2011 Page 2 Commissioner Hills asked if they were within the budget and how much was in the budget. Mr. Yu stated there was $100,000.00 total in the budget for the facade and awning program. He further explained that the awning program was now held within the facade program. Commissioner Smith asked if there were vacant businesses and how she would be able to track them down. Chairman Ulett stated she would be able to access that on the City's website. There was a discussion held on how to attract new businesses to the City. Commissioner Collins stated that we were working along the same guidelines as the Facade program as part of the Awning Program. Commissioner Shambora asked if the money for the program were coming from TIF 1. Chairman Ulett confirmed that it would. Commissioner Hills stated that the awning program is held within the facade rehab program with its own unique guidelines with a 75/25 split. Commissioner Ryan also stated that the 75%/25% split would continue. Alderman Haugeberg stated there were two separate applications for the program (for the facade and one for the awning program), but that the awning program was held within the facade program. Commissioner Collins asked if there was no ceiling on cost under the awning program. Mr. Bartolomew stated that the intent was that the awning would be a part of facade program. In theory, one could present a $20,000 awning, but that they would have to go before the committee for approval. A typical business would be $2,000 to $3,000 and that the program would reimburse them. Mr. Collins stated that a typical awning would be $2,000 to $3,000, but that a shopping center, due to the increased size, would naturally cost more. Commissioner Howard stated that a business could apply for a facade and then apply for the awning. Chairman Ulett pointed out, however, that there was a finite amount of $100,000.00 in the program. Mr. Bartholomew stated that a business could do both, for example, with total of $20,000, for facade and then the awning. 75% of the $20,000 would then be reimbursed for the facade and 25% for the awning. Commissioner Wascher stated that if the expense were to be over $10,000.00, it would have to go before City Council for approval. Commissioner Hills stated that a business could apply for the business grant, facade program, and the awning program. Alderman Haugeberg pointed out that the Minor Street Tavem had applied for both the facade and awning programs. Mr. Yu stated that the wording contained in the present program had "retroactive" in it and suggested that it be taken out. Commissioner Collins made a motion to reinstate the program without an end date and the removal of the wording "retroactive." Commissioner Wascher seconded the motion. Motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Commissioners Smith and Hills also discussed how to attract new businesses. Mr. Yu stated he spoke with coordinator in the Village of Arlington Heights, who stated that it was easier to attract big box business, but that it was very difficult to attract small businesses in these economic times. Chairman Ulett commented that Des Plaines was at 85%, which wasn't too bad. OLD BUSINESS Minutes: Economic Development Commission March 2, 2011 Page 3 D. Discussion of existing bylaws and city code by Chairman. Chairman Ulett addressed and commented on the existing bylaws and city codes. E. Discussion of emailing EDC agenda and materials. Chairman Ulett stated that in the past the agenda and materials were mailed out. He asked if anyone was opposed to receiving the materials and agenda by email, which would save on postage. Commissioner Collins commented that unless one had a color printer, the pictures would be difficult to see. Also, would need blowups to see at the meeting. Commissioner Shambora commented that pictures could be run around the room prior to taking the vote at the meeting. Commissioner Howard pointed out that one did not need to print out the photos on a color printer as they could be viewed on the computer screen. Chairman Ulett stated that this would be tried for a couple of months to see how it works. Mr. Bartolomew stated that the documents would all be in pdf format. Mr. Shambora recommended that the pdf document be locked so that no changes could be made. Staff Comments Both Mr. Yu and Mr. Bartholomew stated that they were looking forward to working with the committee. Chairman and Commissioner Comments Chairman Ulett asked for comments from commissioners. Commissioner Smith stated that she would like to see additional small businesses; i.e., bakery. Commissioner Hills stated that it was his last meeting with the EDC. He had seen many good changes within the City of DesPlaines; that it had been interesting; and that even more exciting things were in store for the city. Commissioner Smith also announced that she was leaving. Chairman Ulett stated he appreciated all of her work, wanted her to stay, and that she should ask the Mayor to stay on. Chairman Ulett stated that he would like Mr. Hills to stay on, but wished him luck on his future endeavors. Commissioner Howard made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Hills seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 am by unanimous voice vote. Respectfully submitted, r, Recording Secretary Approved on thi l 1 h day of 14Q L 2011, by: c,, James M. Ulett, Chairman