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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 3/9/2004 - Economic Development Commission Economfc Development Commission Meeting Tuesday, March 9,2004 McHenry Municipal Center 12:30 p.m. � Present: Kay $ates, W illiam Bolger, Kit Cazstens, D. William Dodds, Donald Doherty, David Gelwicks, Phil Hintz, Janice Jones (arrived at 12:55 p.m.)Kathleen Kunzer, Susan Low, Bill Marinangel, Doug Martin, Joseph Napolitano, Ned Neumann. Absent: Carol Chrisman, Daniel Curran, Doug Maxeiner, Dick Pagealow, Karen Patel, John Smith, John Swierk, Richazd Wimmer. Also in attendance representing District 15 efforts to inform the comrr�unity about the impending referendum on the March 16`�primary ballot. Chairn�an Gelwicks called the meeting to order at 12:32 p.m. Approval of Minutes Motion by Bolger, seconded by Neumann, to approve the minutes of the November January 13, 2004 Board Meeting as presented. All ayes. Motion carried. Treasurer's Report Chairman Gelwicks noted the balance in the EDC Treasury remains at$1110.69 as there was no activity in the account during the past iwo months. A request for payment of the McHenry County Industrial Council Annual Dues in the amount of$100 was received and required Board authorization to pay. Motion by Carstens, seconded by Bolger,to authorize the payment of$100 to the McHenry County Industrial Council for Annual Dues in the amount of$100, and to approve the February 2004 Treasurer's Report as presented. All ayes. Motion ca.rried McHenrY County Industrial Council Report Representative Gelwicks stated there was no meeting since the last EDC Board meeting and there was no MCIC `• report. Chamber Re�ort Bates reported the 2004 Fiesta Days has been scheduled for July 16`�thru the 25`h. Entertainment is being lined up. It was suggested the Fiesta Days Guide be utilized as a summertime guide (advertising such events as the Kiwanis Soap box Derby, 4`�of July Fireworks, etc.)and not strictly for Fiesta Days Events. The McHenry Downtown Merchants organization met within the past month and several members are considering joining the Cha.mber in order to coordina.te downtown revitalization efforts. Bates reported there is great interest in esta.blishing a cruise night in the community. Bates acknowledged the Welcome to McHenry sign is in need of replacement. The sign is located on Dr. Hult's properry who is being consulted regarding locating a replacement sign on his premises. Motion by Bolger, seconded by Low,to approve the Chamber Report as presented. All ayes. Motion carried. City Report Director of Community Development Napolitano reported building activity continues to flourish in the city. He also reported on the status of the following projects: • Budreck Property annexation and development • Gilger Property annexation and development • Koehn Property annexation and development • First Midwest Property redevelopment of the Carey Building. �. Director Napolitano and Planner Martin recently attended a Shopping Center Alliance Conference in Chicago where networking was initiated with potential retail and restaurant entities. Page 2 EDC � January 13,2004 `, Route 120 roadway improvements are continuing with completion anticipated by late summer. The city will meet with IDOT officials regarding IDOT's request to entirely close the Crystal Lake Road/Route 120 intersection and Front and Elm Streets intersection for improvements.Work will begin on the McCullom Lake Road and Route 31 intersection in Augast. In response to an inquiry, Director Napolitano stated PRDC is progressing with the purchase and build out of Windsor's Village Green Project. PRDC is also moving forward with the senior citizen residential development along Bull Valley Road nortb of Church of Holy Apostles. City Staff is working with the County to coordinate Bull Valley Road access and signalization to assist the PRDC development, the Gilger Property development, and the Church of Holy Apostles. � In response to board inquiries, Director Napolitano reported: • China Light is awaiting delivery of specialized kitchen equipment; • Pea Pod Restaurant is slowly moving forward toward opening—they have experienced construction delays; • No Way Jose—no cunent status on the viability of the restaurant is known; • Wahl Property redevelopment—no cunent viable projects at this time. Motion by Doherty, seconded by Dodds,to approve the City Report as presented. All ayes. Motion carried. Trans,portation Report Doherty suggested city Staff provide the board updates to transportation issues as they are more informed regarding current transportation concerns and projects. �ecial Projects Report � Cazstens reported the Riverwalk Liaison Committee will meet Wednesday, March 10`� at 3 p.m. The committee will work on finalizing the design development plan prior to its presentation to Council in the near future. It is hoped the final design will be approved within the next sixty days. If this occurs, Riverwalk groundbreaking could potentially occur this spring or summer pending the city's securing a second strong deveIoper for the project. Some discussion occuned regazding the Eby Brown property, the Ponarelli Property, the Green Street Medical Arts building and the Wahl Property. Bolger indicated no further fundraising efforts would occur until the final development design plan has been approved. Motion by Napolitano, seconded by Neuma.nn, to approve the Special Project Report as presented. All ayes. Motion carried. � Welcomin�,Committee Report There was no Welcoming Committee Report. McHenry Countv EDC Tourism Committee Report Cazstens reported the Tourism Committee is planning a Tourism Roundup in April. Brainstorming and determining the needs of tourism-associated business and industry will be accomplished. Motion by Bolger, seconded by Doherty, to approve the McHenry County EDC Tourism Committee Report as presented. All ayes. Motion carried. McHenr�Elementary School District 15 Presentation In attendance were Dorothy Wolf and Geri Condon, residents and pazents of School District 15 students. Ms. Wolf � reminded the Board School District 15 has placed a referendum question on the March 16`� primary ballot. The request is for a $.30 increase in the district's rate. Ms. Wolf cited the large class sizes, old text books, and removal of sports and activities as reasons the community should support the upcoming referendum. The school board has pared back and done what the community has requested following previous referendum request failures. School administrator salaries have been frozen. Efforts have been made at communicating the status and position of the Page 3 EDC January 13,2004 board's request. The community-at-large has been surveyed. The results of the survey are indicated on the district's `'' website. Dr. Dodds noted an article and table indicating how the referendum would impact homeowners was puhlished in Sunday's Northwest Herald. Ms. Condon affirmed the pledge to reduce class sizes, replace the outdated text books and reduce the need to further remove curriculum and activities from the schools. The proposed $.30 tax rate increase can work. Ms. Condon stated a community is known by the schools it keeps. The McHenry community must do a11 in its power to support the school system. The community needs a solid school base in order to attract quality development to the azea. For further information the public may visit the website: ����«.d 1�ref.com Some discussion followed regarding ways the EDC can support the efforts of the referendum committee. It was suggested the EDC be listed as a co-sponsor of an advertising campaign which will be implemented on March 12�' through the 15�'. Mation by Bolger, seconded by Carstens, that the EDC endorse the McHenry Elementary School District 15 referendum question on the March 16, 2004 Prima.ry Ballot, and that the EDC be a co-sponsor of the pro-referendum ad campaign to take place this weekend. All ayes. Motion carried. New Business There was no New Business. 2004 Goa1s and Objectives Chairman Gelwicks suggested the Board scheduled a special meeting to discuss the 2004 Goa1s and Objectives. It was `— the consensus of the Board to schedule a Special Meeting on Tuesday, April 13, 2004 at 12:30 p.m. at the McHenry Municipal Center Council Chambers. Each member was asked to rate the list of obtainable goals: A Top priority B. Important but not priority C. Not important at this time. Each member is asked to submit their list of rated goals to the recording secretary so that a complete list of rated priorities can be set prior to the meeting on April 13�'. Adjournment Motion by Doheriy, seconded by Dodds,to adjoum at 1:55 p.m. � �11 ayes. Motion camed. Respectfully submitted, Kathleen Kunzer,Recording Secretary � Economic Development Commission Special Meeting Tuesday,April 13, 2004 McHenry Municipal Center �-- 12:30 p.m. Present: Ka.y Bates, Kit Carstens, Daniel Curran, D. William Dodds, David Gelwicks, Kathleen Kunzer, Susan Low, Kathleen Marinangel, Doug Martin, Douglas Maxeiner, Joseph Napolitano, Ned Neumann, John Smith, Rich Wimmer.. Absent: William Bolger, Carol Chrisman, Donald Doherty, Phi1 Hintz, Janice Jones, Dick Pagealow, Karen Patel,John Swierk. Chairman Gelwicks called the meeting to order at 12:35 p.m. 2004 Goals and Ob,�ectives Chairman Gelwicks stated the purpose of today's Special Meeting if to have a round-table discussion in order to discem obtainable goals and obje�tives for 2004 for the EDC. He noted a survey was distributed to all members who were asked to prioritize the list of suggested goals and objectives. The results of the survey were as follows: A—Top Priority(3 PTS) B-Important but not priority(2 PTS) C-Not important at this time(1 P'T) Tall of surve results Points Goals and Ob'ectives ABCBCBACC-AAACAB: 31 1. Support reopening of McHenry Downtown Theatre 6A;4B;SC ABCCCC-CCC-CCCCCC: 18 2. Voice objection to Metra's possible Johnsburg railyard and station lA;1B; 13C AABCCC-CCC-CCCCCB: 21 3. Promote siting Metra railyard and/or station south of McHenry ZA;2B; 11C Co rate Center AAACABAAABAABBA: 39 4. Rivenvalk-promote 2004 groundbrealdng 10A;4B; 1C `' BBBBBBBAAAAACA.A: 36 5. Tourism—encourage Ciry Council to pass Hotel Tax and cooperate 7A;7B; 1C with Co EDC tourism committee CAACABCAABBCAAA: 34 6. Recognition Awards— 8A;3B;4C o Im rwed commercial corridors o Efforts of individuals and business owners o New arrivals in town AACCABBBAAABCAB: 34 7. Support statewide alternative school funding 7A;SB; 3C o Relationship between Governor and State Board of Education is unhealth o Tax monies are sent to Spring�ield with litile return to McHe Coun schools o Local communities will deteriorate if local funding is sole su rt of schools BACCABACC-AACBAA: 32 8. Support improvement of city administradve infrastructure to court, 7A;3B;SC attract and entice u scale commercial entre reneurs CABABAABAABAAAA: 39 9. Identify commercial deficiencies(i.e.large home furniture store) 10A;4B; 1C and encoura e loca ' of retailer in ci CACACBAAACAAACA: 34 10. Encourage diversification of retail offerings in city(too many banks, 9A;1B; SC a da advance,car tifle loans, izra arlors,etc) CACCBCACCCA-C-AAA: 28 11. Assist in developing administrative arm of city Staff and 6A;1B;8C d arhnents wluch attract develo ment CACAABAABAAABBA: 37 12. Encourage development of vacant land next to Sullivan Foods 9A;4B; 2C CAACABABAAAAAAB: 38 13. Enwurage beautification of Route 31 between Lillian Street and �-- 10A;3B;2C John 5treet BAACA+AABBAAAA.AA: 40 14. Transportation issues 11A;3B; 1C Page 2 EDC April 13,2004 � CABAAABBBAAAAAA: 39 15. Business retention 10A;4B; 1 C CABABBAAAA.AAAAA: 40 16. Downtown vitality 11A;3B; 1C CBBABBBBABACABA: 33 17. Vacant office space SA;8B;2C CABBACABBBBCABA: 32 18. Restaurant and retail development along Route 31 SA;7B;3C Additional comments submitted were: If EDC makes items#2,#3,and#10 priority,this individual will submit resignation Items #2 and#3 are City Council decisions Udlization of space is market-driven. Metra service is a priority but ciry and Metra must work together Diversification of retail offerings is none of EDC business—this is a free market. Siting Metra south of town only worsens city traffic issues and provides no relief. Why would Metra siting in Johnsburg/north of McHenry be deVimental to McHenry economic development? Final Results Listed Order of Prioriri: • Transportation Issues • Downtown vitality • Promote Riverwalk ground-breaking � • Identify commercial deficiencies and encourage locating of large box retailer in city • Business retention • Beautification of Route 31 between Lillian Street and John Street • Development of vacant land next to Sullivan Foods • Tourism—Hotel Tax—and cooperation with County EDC Tourism Commitiee • Recognidon awazds • Support statewide alternative school funding • Diversification of retail offerings in city • Vacant office space • Improvement city administrative infrastructure to encourage more commercial development • Restaurant and retail development along Route 31 , • Reopening of Downtown Theater • Develop administrative dept of city in order to attract more development • Promote Metra siting south of McHenry Corporate Center • Object to Metra 7ohnsburg railyard and station Chairnian Gelwicks stated all responses were submitted and compiled by the Recording Secretary and the listed results are being presented to the Commission for general discussion at this meeting. Chairman Gelwicks stated he hoped following discussion,the Commission would arrive at three or four attainable goals and/or objectives for this year.He anticipated creating ad hoc committees to meet and discuss ways to accomplish the stated goals and objectives. Chairman Gelwicks invited open discussion regarding the listed items. Transportation: Several points were discussed including: `' • City has a newly-creaied Transportation Committee which is in its infancy. • It is too early in the Transportation Study/Transportation Committee timeline to initiate a letter-writing campaign to elected federal and state officials. Page 3 EDC Apri113,2004 � • The EDC could act as a liaison between the city and participating landowners to help secure needed right-of- way for roadway expansion, etc. • TFIC is already in place to provide a united effort in securing grants and other funding for transportation improvements/expansion projects. • The EDC should wait for the city's transportation study to be completed prior to offering support as needed. Consensus: There is not much the EDC can do at this juncture to facilitate transportation issues. Suggestion was made to have Chauman Gelwicks draft a letter to the City Council stating the EDC is available to support in whatever way possible Council's efforts to assuage transportation issues in the city. Action Item: Chairman Gelwicks draft letter to City Council. Downtown Vitalitv: It was noted Downtown Vitality is actually encompassed in several listed priorities,namely: Riverwalk, commercial deficiencies, development of the vacant land next to Sullivan Foods, support of the downtown theater. Following very lengthy discussion,the following points were noted: • Promote developers approaching city for potential Riverwallc and/or downtown redevelopment. • Infrequency of rail service is an impediment to downtown business recruitment. • Consider approaching Metra rega.rding increased rail service and promote siting station/railyard in Johnsburg. • Need assurance that downtown Metra.station will not be abandoned. • City needs existing and expanded rail service. Lengthy discussion occurred regarding Metra service expansion. It was noted Metra will talce the path of least resistance and utilize available monies where there is no opposition to service expansion. � Consensus: It is important to let Metra lrnow the EDC wholeheartedly supports the expansion of rail service to and for our community. Action Item: (����r ' i o c ' draft EDC aggressive letter of support to Metra. Letter to be reviewed and signed by all members of the EDC Board. Action Item: Prepare resolution of support to be submitted to Metra. Further discussion occurred regarding what the EDC should focus its energies on during the coming year. Discussion included ways in which to become more aggressive in downtown redevelopment recruitment It was agreed this item is a top priority. The Board agreed the best way to redevelop the downtown is to be proactive in recruitment. Action Item: Create Ad Hoc Downtown Redevelopment Recruitment Committee comprised of Chairman Gelwicks, Bates, Carstens and a member of city staffto be deternuned by the Mayor and City Administrator. Action Item: Ad Hoc Committee to meet prior to next regularly scheduled Board meeting to determine definitive recruitment plans. Other Issues: • It was also suggested a large furniture store should be recruited. � Identify developers for Riverwalk and/or downtown redevelopment and have a team of EDC Board members personally visit them �, • Investigate affordable housing for the downtown area • Mayor Low is talking with area Mayors regarding statewide alternative school funding. She will keep the Board apprised of this group's efforts. • General concurrence there are three principal areas the EDC should focus on this year: Page 4 EDC Apri113,2004 � o Downtown Redevelopment including Riverwalk development o Business Retention o Transportation including Metra service and expansion. Adj,ournment Motion by Neumann, seconded by Cazstens,to adjourn at 2:02 p.m. All ayes. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Kathleen Kunzer, Recording Secretary � �.. � 'McHENRY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION 333 South Green Streek McHenry,iilinois 60050 (815)363-2100 e-mail: kkunzer(c�ci.mchenrv.il.us fax: 815-363-2128 � Economic Development Commission Apri I 2004 Treasurer's Report Balance as of 3/31/04 $1110.69 Date of Transaction Income Expenditure Balance Previous Balance $1110.69 �.. Current Balance as of 4/30/04 $1110.69 signed: date: �-�-�`� Janice . Jo s, Secret reasurer � Executive Board: David Gelwicks,Donald Doherty,Janice Jones,Kit Carstens