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Home My WebLink AboutMinutes - 5/3/2006 - Economic Development Commission ' � Economic Development Commission Egecutive Committee Meeting Wednesday,May 3,2006 McHenry Municipal Center `.- 3:30 p.m. Present: Kay Bate�, Kathleen Kunzer, Ned Neumann, Richard Wimmer. Absent: Dave Gelwicks. The May 3, 2006 Executive Committee Meeting of the McHenry Economic Development Commission was called to order by Chairman Wimmer at 3:30 p.m. Discussion• Marketin�Brochure and Board Business Cards Chairman Wimmer opened discussion regarding the draft EDC marketing brochure included in the agenda packet. Suggestion was made to include "Heart of the Fox" below the Fox logo on the front of the brochure. It was also suggested if a more current digital photo of the Riverwalk area (including the completed Lanco Development)is a��ailable, to use it on the front of the brochure. Neumann suggested the brochures be included in Welcome Wagon handouts and in City new resident packets. It was noted the brochure would ideally be presented to potential developers and/or businesses contemplating a location in McHenry. Responding to an inquiry, Chairman Wimmer stated when the EDC brochures are distributed to potential developers and/or businesses, they should be encouraged to contact Director of Community Development Napolitano or City Administrator Maaceiner for further inquiries into zoning, land availability, possible site locations, development processes, annexation proceedings, needs of the community, etc. It was the consensus of the Committee that EDC business cards are not necessary. Providing EDC Board � members with a small supply of brochures should be adequate. In addition, the City's Community Development Department, Administration Department, and the McHenry Chamber will be provided with a generous supply. Copies of the brochures will be produced upon approval of the full Board. Discussion: B, 1�s Neumann stated the Bylaws should include goals and purpose which would allow Board members to express an opinion as far as housing needs in the community, the lack of affordable housing, and comment on potential residential developments being proposed for the area. Chairman Wimmer inquired if the Committee felt a sub-committee should be created to review the bylaws. The sub-committee could review the existing document and recommend additions, changes or amendments to the full Board. A lengthy discussion followed regarding the mission, goal, and purpose of the EDC as stated in the cunent bylaws. It was the consensus of the Committee, the bylaws could remain as is with the following amendments: l. Bylaws need to address absenteeism and consequences for member non-attendance at meetings: How many unexcused absences per year should be allowed? Consecutive absences? Does absenteeism put board membership in jeopardy? 2. Terms of Officers: Should match cunrent practice of two-year terms for Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer. � Should clarify board election procedures in the bylaws as it is currently not spelled out. 3. Membership on the board should not include more than one family member and/or employee of the same business. 4. Purpose should include "Encourage and facilitate the development/redevelopment of the �age 2 EDC March 14,2006 � commerciaUindustrial areas". Neumann stated thc EDC should get involved with potential new developers and help to smooth the way for their projects to be developed in the City. Chairman Wimmer stated the goal of the EDC for 2006 should be to assist in Downtown Redevelopment, specifically focusing on Cindy Kottke and her Green Street project. Member Recruitment Lengthy discussion followed regarding the means of recruiting new board candidates. Membership applications have been included in the May 9, 2006 board packets. Board members will be encouraged to recruit viable candidates who may choose to attend a meeting in an effort to determine their desire to participate. Bates distributed a list to the Committee of potential candidates which the Board may wish to consider. Other Business Chairman Wimmer noted since Janice Jones is no longer active in the EDC, a new signatory is needed to sign the EDC checking account. Suggestion was made as the checking account is maintained at the City's Administration Department, the signatory should be an employee of the City. Chairman Wimmer suggested Deputy Clerk Kunzer could be the signatory, provided she is approved as Treasurer by the full Board. He stated he would bring the matter up before the Board at Tuesday's Board meeting under Other Business. The Board elected Bates as Secretary/Treasurer in January. Action by the Board is therefore required to make the `— change. Neumann expressed concern regarding recent publicity resulting from the water contamination attributed to Morton, Rhom and Haas and Modine Manufacturing, particularly as the impact is so close to the City. He questioned whether the City or the EDC should go the press and confront them about their sensationalism of this issue. Neumann and Bates reported on their successful meeting with a potential banquet facility developer. They intend to report to the Board at Tuesday's meeting. Chairman Wimmer stated Director Napolitano has been investigating potential site for the facility in McHenry. Neumann stated that the committee would like to ascertain the feasibility of utilizing the southeast corner of Ringwood Road and Route 120 or the commercial site on the Pheasant Valley property. Adjournment Chairman Wimmer adjourned the meeting at 4:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, � � , Kathleen Kunzer, Recording Secreta � '��`�i:��..��i�� Care Real Estate Inc. ;^� � s;;�� April 14,200f> O(fice 1993-2001 � Dave Gelwicks y 333 South Green Street �� McHenry, IL 60050 Office 2001 Dear Mr.Gehrvicks, The purpose of this letter is to address several issues that have arose during the past year in regard to our clienYs property located at 4030 Main St. in McHenry. During the past few months we have received several offers on our clienYs property to locate various types of businesses at this address. Each of these prospective buyers have been informed by us that the city of McHenry has designated this area as zoned for"mixed-use". Our company has assisted these buyers in researching the feasibility of a mixed-use project at this ' location. The results of their analysis were very disappointing. One buyer found that the retum on this type of development, with retail space on the ground level and condominiums above, would only produce a return of 3% over the next 10+ years. This type of retum is substantially below current required returns for commercial real estate in this area. The results of this analysis caused the prospective buyer to withdraw their offer. , � The other potential buyers have either been rejected by the City or have found the expected return to be lower than required to justify the expense. The stance that has been taken by the Ciry of McHenry is causing the owner to be left, in our opinion, with an unfair situation in trying to sell his property in order to relocate his business. , All of the properties surrounding this location are cuRently occupied as industrial type businesses. The desire of the City does not seem to be in line with the desires for specific locations by retail and � condominium owners. We are requesting your guidance in pursuing the sale of this property. It is our hope that your committee can discuss this issue with the Planning and Administrative divisions of the City of McHenry, to see if some type of compromise can be accomplished. Please let us know what we can do to assist in this process. Sincerely, Hal Forsyth President/Owner Century 21 Care Real Estate, Inc. �. Website www.century2lcare.com E-Mail info@century2lcare.com Century Plaza 3717 West Elm Street, McHenry, Illinois 60050•(815) 344-1033 6315 Northwest Highway, Crystal Lake, Illinois 60014•(815)459-5400 37 S. Route 12, Fox Lake, Illinois 60020•(847)587-2575 141 S. Northwest Highway, Barrington, Illinois 60010•(847)381-0808 Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated