HomeMy WebLinkAboutPacket - 08/28/2018 - Economic Development CommissionECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MEETING NOTICE
DATE: Tuesday August 28, 2018
TIME: 4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
PLACE: McHenry Municipal Center
(City Council Chambers - Main Entrance)
333 South Green Street, McHenry, IL 60050
AGENDA
1. Call to Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Roll Call
4. Approval of Meeting Minutes dated July 24, 2018
5. Public Input -(five minutes total)
6. Business Cards (Economic Development Coordinator Dorothy Wolfl
7.
Review
List of
Businesses
(Director
of Economic
Development
Douglas
Martin
and
Economic
Development
Coordinator
Dorothy
Wolf)
8.
Review
Update
to
Economic
Development
Plan
and
2020 Census (Director of Economic
Development
Douglas
Martin and Economic Development
Coordinator Dorothy Wolf)
9. Committee Updates: Tours; Video and Business Recognition
10. New Business and Items for General Discussion by Staff and Members of the Commission
Tour of McHenry County College September 11 at 3:30 (Building B) (Chairwoman
BobbiBaehne)
Manufacturing Trade and Industry Expo Update (October 2 2018 East Campus 6.00
p.m. to 8:00 P.m.)
CORE Illinois — Creating Opportunities for Retention & Expansion Introduction
(Director of Economic Development Douglas Martin)
The City of McHenry is dedicated to providing the citizens, businesses and visitors of McHenry with the highest
quality of programs and services in acustomer-oriented, efficient and fiscally responsible manner.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MEETING NOTICE
DATE: August 28, 2018
TIME: 4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
PLACE: McHenry Municipal Center
(City Council Chambers - Main Entrance)
333 South Green Street, McHenry, IL 60050
AGENDA
11. Old Business/Committee Reports:
a. Riverwalk Foundation (Commissioner Pat Arnold)
b. Chamber of Commerce (Chairwoman Bobbi Baehne)
c. Downtown Business Association (Commissioner Nick Bionda)
d. Downtown SuperGroup (Director of Economic Development Douglas
Martin/Economic Development Coordinator Wolf)
e. Landmark Commission (Commissioner Rob Jessup)
f. Planning & Zoning Commission (Director of Economic Development
Douglas Martin/Economic Development Coordinator Wolff
12. Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting Date is Seatember25, 2018 in the City Council Chambers
13. Adiourn
The City of McHenry is dedicated to providing the citizens, businesses and visitors of McHenry with the highest
quality of programs and services in a arstomer-oriented, efficient and fiscally responsible manner.
City of McHenry
Economic Development Commission Minutes
July 24, 2018
Chairwoman Baehne called the regularly scheduled July 24, 2018 meeting of the City of McHenry
Economic Development Commission to order at 4:00 p.m. In attendance were the following:
Arnold, Baehne, Bionda, Grubich, Mrachek, and Sterwerf. Absent: Jessup and Shaefer. Also in
attendance were: Mayor Wayne Jett, Director of Economic Development Martin, Economic
Development Coordinator Wolf and Economic Development Assistant Conaway.
Public Comments: There was nobody in attendance who wished to address the Commission.
Approval of Minutes
Motion by Sterwerf seconded by Mrachek to approve the May 291 2018 Regular Meeting minutes
of the Economic Development Commission as presented:
Voting Aye: Arnold, Baehne, Bionda, Grubich, Jett, Mrachek, and Sterwerf.
Voting Nay: None.
Not Voting: None,
Abstaining: None.
Absent: Jessup and Schaefer.
Motion carried 7-0.
Chairwoman Baehne welcomed Commissioner Grubich to the Economic Development
Commission.
1. Committee Updates: Tours;. Video and Business Recognition
Tours — No report.
Video
Director of Economic Development Martin stated that Commissioner Bionda vetted out
six different video vendors and received proposals from all. He stated that Economic
Development Coordinator Wolf, Commissioner Bionda and himself reviewed each
proposal and are presenting for approval McDaniels Marketing Company. Director of
Economic Development Martin stated he is very impressed with this company. Economic
Development Coordinator Wolf opined their videos stood out because they were unique
and stated McDaniels Marketing is willing to tweak the videos to suit the City's needs.
Commissioner Bionda stated he had many leads from different sources and he personally
interviewed all of the candidates discussing cost and expectations and shared what is
happening in the City and impressed upon McDaniels Marketing that we want to maintain
our community roots. He agreed with Economic Development Coordinator Wolf that the
finished product is what drove him to his decision. Commissioner Bionda stated that after
the commission is in agreement the next step would be to get back to McDaniels
Economic Development Commission
July 24, 2018
Page 2
Marketing and hopefully have them begin the video-taping process before summer ends.
He opined there are still good opportunities, new events and new business to capture this
summer. He further stated the intent of the video is to grow and attract businesses to
the City. Economic Development Coordinator Wolf stated that she spoke with Kay Bates,
McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce in regards to sharing their Fiesta Days drone video
footage and confirmed that Ms. Bates would share that footage. She opined that
McHenry County Living would share their videos as well. Economic Development
Coordinator Wolf stated she had reviewed past Economic Development Commission
minutes and found reference that the McHenry Community High School was interested
in partnering with us on the videos and further stated that we would need to hone in on
a plan. Commissioner Bionda stated there is a need to find a McHenry Community High
School contact to put in touch with McDaniels Marketing. He stated that a partnership
with McHenry County College was originally discussed but that MCC stated they would
want the venture to be a semester -long class project. Chairwoman Baehne inquired if
there would be a single video or another option and stated from a marketing aspect there
are two target audiences; families and business. Director of Economic Development
Martin stated it would be two — four minute videos and one — one minute social media
short version video. Economic Development Coordinator Wolf stated she inquired with
McDaniels Marketing about the marketing and they stated the after marketing is not
included, but that the videos would be ours to use. Chairwoman Baehne inquired if all of
the raw footage would be ours or only the finished video. Director of Economic
Development Martin stated we would receive the MP4. Economic Development
Coordinator Wolf stated we would ask about the raw footage. Chairwoman Baehne
opined if we had that raw footage we might be able to partner with the McHenry
Community High School in the future. Director of Economic Development Martin stated
the finished product would be abstract rather than having big business in the forefront.
Chairwoman Baehne opined the video should not be too general. Commissioner Bionda
stated our challenge is two different audiences; resident and business. Economic
Development Coordinator Wolf stated the January and April minutes indicate we were
very specific about what would be covered in the video and opined the minutes should
be used as a guideline during communication with McDaniels Marketing. Chairwoman
Baehne inquired about the next step in the process. Director of Economic Development
Martin stated a commission vote on the proposal is the next step and then since the
money exceeds the original budget he would talk with City Administration and review the
Economic Development budget.
Economic Development Commission
July 24, 2018
Page 3
Motion by Baehne to approve the proposal from McDaniels Marketing as written allowing
Commissioner Bionda to ask more questions of McDaniels Marketing as we move forward
seconded by Bionda:
Voting Aye: Arnold, Baehne, Bionda, Grubich, Jett, IVlrachek, and Sterwerf.
Voting Nay: None.
Not Voting: None,
Abstaining: None,
Absent: Jessup and Schaefer.
Motion carried 7-0.
Business Recognition
Chairwoman Baehne stated that she and Commissioner Arnold identified four simple
categories for recognitions to provide to the community.
1. Existing businesses that are reinvesting in themselves,
2. Local organizations or businesses that are investing in the City with events drawing
people from the outside,
3. Larger business and manufacturing companies,
4. New business (less than 1 year)
Chairwoman Baehne stated the goal is to keep local businesses motivated.
Discussion ensured regarding business size, frequency of recognition and overlapping
with the McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce promotions. Mayor Jett inquired as to
the means of recognition. Chairwoman Baehne stated a wooden plaque presentation at
the business and recognition at a City Council meeting.
New Business and Items for General Discussion by Staff and Members of the Commission
Tour of McHenry County College (Chairwoman Baehnel
Chairwoman Baehne stated the Tour of McHenry County College has been scheduled for
September 11, 2018 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. She stated commissioners would meet in Building B at
the auditorium by the cafeteria. Public Notice will be posted for the Special Meeting,
McHenry Business List
Director of Economic Development Martin stated that the Economic Development Department
has been compiling a McHenry Business List and that would be reviewed and discussed at the
next regular meeting. He stated there are many new things going on with businesses in the City
including BP, JA Frate, Economic Development Coordinator Wolf working on Projecting Signs
Program in the downtown area, Speedway, Snapology (STEAM based program).
Economic Development Commission
July 24, 2018
Page 4
Director of Economic Development Martin stated the Manufacturing Trade & Industry Expo is
planned for October 2, 2018. He stated he spoke with Brian Johnson, International Brotherhood
of Electric Workers, Local 117 Apprenticeship Training who will participate with a semi -trailer
containing a solar demonstration at the McHenry Community High School, Chairwoman Baehne
inquired as to the use and the role of the Economic Development Commission in regards to the
business list. Director of Economic Development Martin stated the goal is to categorize the
businesses within the City by street and category and stated it is for ease in communication with
the businesses in McHenry for the Economic Development Commission and the City. Mayor Jett
stated it is for communication to share what is happening throughout the City. Discussion
ensued. Economic Development Coordinator Wolf stated that she personally visited all of the
businesses on Main Street and Riverside Drive to inquire about the Projecting Signs Program and
she opined the personal touch made a difference in the response. Commissioner Bionda
inquired if it would be possible to create zones in the different downtown areas...give an identity
to each district. He opined this might make the business areas more identifiable. Economic
Development Coordinator Wolf stated that the City has some historically named areas that could
be gathered from the Landmark Commission. Commissioner Bionda opined that it would be
great to resurrect the names and re -identify those areas. Mayor Jett encouraged commissioners
to promote the City while visiting other businesses out of the City. Discussion ensued regarding
the use of Economic Development Department/Commission business cards. Commissioner
Bionda stated the Economic Development Commission's goal is retaining and bringing businesses
into McHenry.
Chairwoman Baehne directed the commissioners to review Section 2-208 -the Powers &Duties
of the Economic Development Commission from the City Ordinance,
2. Old Business/Committee Reports:
Riverwalk Foundation
Mayor Jett stated that the Riverwalk Foundation is getting help from local businesses to
help fund the Riverwalk extension to Pearl Street or Weber Park. He further stated that
he spoke with John Smith regarding funding and further stated that City funding might be
needed to complete the plan all the way to Weber Park.
Chamber of Commerce
Chairwoman Baehne stated the Chamber of Commerce's main focus has been Fiesta
Days. Commissioner Mrachek stated the next event is the Wine Walk in September or
October.
Downtown Business Association
No Report.
Economic Development Commission
July 24, 2018
Page 5
Downtown SuperGroup
Economic Development Coordinator Wolf stated that Kim Loewe, President of the
Downtown Business Association is waiting for information on the "events committee" to
schedule a SuperGroup Meeting, Mayor Jett stated the Events Committee - whose
function would be to have formal meetings to facilitate a cohesive attitude for the City
and businesses - still needs to be formed. Discussion ensued.
Landmark Commission
Director of Economic Development Martin stated that the Landmark Commission has
issued several facade grants and that they are working on a marketing study on Petersen
Farm.
Plannin¢ & ZOnln(+ Commission
Director of Economic Development Martin stated the August 15, 2018 Planning & Zoning
Meeting has three cases to consider; the VFW conditional use permit for outdoor seating
and expansion, a proposed skill nursing facility and a garage variance.
Staff Report
The next Economic Development Commission meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 28,
2018,
Chairwoman Baehne called the meetingto adjourn. All members were in favor. The meeting was
adjourned at 4:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bobbi Baehne, Chairwoman