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Home My WebLink AboutMinutes - 5/14/2002 - Economic Development Commission Economic Development Commission Meeting Tuesday, May 14,2002 McHenry Municipal Center 12:00 Noon � Present: Pamela Althoff, William Bolger, Kit Carstens (arrived at 12:25 p.m.), Daniel Curran, D. William Dodds (arrived at 12:26 p.m.), Joseph Gausden, David Gelwicks, Janice Jones, Kathleen Kunzer, Doug Martin, Joe Napolitano, Dick Pagealow, Scott Smith, John Swierk, Dennis Welter. Absent: Carol Chrisman, Donald Doherty, Debbie Han, John Lobaito, Kathy Marinangel, Karen Patel, John Smith, Richard Wimmer. Chairman Bolger called the meeting to order at 12:02 p.m. Approval of Minutes Motion by Gausden, seconded by Smith, to approve the minutes of the March 12, 2002 Board Meeting as presented. All ayes. Motion carried. Treasurer's Report Secretary/Treasurer Jones reported the balance in the EDC Treasury remains at $1610.69 with no new transactions. Motion by Curran, seconded by Gausden, to approve the Treasurer's Report as presented. All ayes. Motion carried. McHenry County Industrial Council Report Representative Gelwicks reported there was an Industrial Council meeting in April. The topic of discussion was Terrorism in Industry. Gelwicks distributed minutes of the January MCIC Meting for Board review. Motion by Gelwicks, seconded by Curran, to approve the McHenry County Industrial Council Report as presented. All ayes. Motion canied. � Chamber Report Chamber Board Chairman Pagealow reported the Chamber's Annual Golf Outing is scheduled for Wednesday, May 15`�'. Fiesta Days plans are well in progress. There will be fourteen venders at this years Food Fest. For the first time all food vendors will be located beneath one large tent, in order to accommodate the large number of participants. Advance Sale Tickets for the Kansas performance are doing very well. In conclusion, Pagealow stated there is a Chamber Mixer at Gary Lang Autogroup this evening. Motion by Althoff, seconded by Gausden, to approve the Chamber Report as presented. All ayes. Motion carried. Citv Report Director Napolitano reported on the following: ■ Buildin activitv is down, specifically with regard to new single-family residential permits. However, with the imminent approval of the Liberty Trails Phase One Final Plat and the Riverside Hollow Final Plat, activity will most likely increase in the near future. Director Napolitano also reported Kimball Hill Homes is rapidly moving forward with development of the south portion of the Shamrock Farm Property. Final Plat of the first phase is anticipated within the next month or two. ■ New Faces in town include: ■ Meijer Fresh Stores opening on May 21�` ■ Panera Bread opening within the next 6-8 weeks ■ Hampton Inn in the McHenry Corporate Center has just broken ground ■ Amcore Bank in Liberty Square Subdivision on Shamrock Lane has also just broken ground ■ American Community Bank in Tonyan Industrial Park is in progress. ■ McHenry Sa��ings Bank on Route 31 is nearing completion. � ■ Historic Preservation District. An Open House was held in April by the City's Landmark Commission, the purpose of the Open Hoi�se was to �ucate the Public regarding the proposed boundary of the proposed Main Street Page 2 EDC May 14,2002 Historic District. A presentation was given regarding the Historic Preservation Ordinance. Director Napolitano `-- noted prior to the establishment of the proposed Historic District a process and timeframe must be created. General discussion followed regarding the ramifications of the establishment of an Historic Preservation District in McHenry. Bolger stated there appeared to be very little support by area residents of the implementation of the District. Mayor Althoff noted the Historic District if done correctly should enhance the area. � Riverside Drive will be open effective May 24�'. Motion by Gausden, seconded by Curran,to accept the City Report as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. Facade Improvement Grant Committee Report Director Napolitano reported the Committee met in April to begin developing a strategy for implementing a Fa�ade Improvement Grant Program. Letters were sent to 12 area banks inviting them to participate in the program. Four of the twelve responded. The next step will be an informational meeting with the bank representatives assisting with the creation of procedures for the program. The Program will then be brought back to the EDC Board for comment and review, and ultimately taken to City Council for formal implementation and action. Motion by Gelwicks, seconded by Smith,to accept the Fa�ade Improvament Grant Committee Report as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. Transportation Gausden noted the bids for the State of Illinois Route 120 Improvement Project are due on June 24"'. The project will be completed in three phases between Woodstock and Route 31 South in McHenry. A portion of South Route 31 �, between Route 120 and Kane Avenue is also scheduled to be repaired. Additionally, Route 120 from South Route 31 east to the Fox River is scheduled to be resurfaced. In response to an inquiry, Mayor Althoff stated the Technical Advisory Committee(TAC) has scheduled a meeting for mid-June to make a final determination on the recommendation of the route of the West McHenry Bypass. She confirmed Ringwood Road is not cunently being considered by TAC for a portion of the Bypass route. Carstens anived at 12:25 p.m. Dodds anived at 12:26 p.m. Motion by Swierk, seconded by Gausden,to accept the Transportation Report as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. Special Projects Report: Riverwalk Riverwalk Committee Chairman Carstens reported the Tax Increment Financing(TIF) District was formally approved by the City Council. Members of the Riverwalk Committee have been invited to visit the San Antonio Riverwalk. Following the visit, a meeting will be scheduled between the Riverwalk Committee and City Staff to determine how to proceed. The Riverwalk Committee hopes to be involved in the design of the project and will assist in procuring easements necessary for the implementation of the project. Motion by Cunan, sec;onded by Gelwicks,to accept the Special Projects Report as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. Retention Survey Report Mayor Althoff reportc;d the Board was vety successful in completing the surveys in a timely manner. The information � will not be submitted to McHenry County EDC and Commonwealth Edison representative Don Westfall for compilation. Reports of the final analysis will be presented to the Board when received from Mr. Westfall. Mayor Althoffnoted EDC Members were very warmly received by local business entities throughout the process. Page 3 EDC May 14,2002 Motion by Carstens, �econded by Smith, to accept the Retention Survey Report was presented. `— All Ayes. Motion carried. Tourism Re o�rt Carstens attended the April meeting of the McHenry County EDC Tourism Committee. He reported efforts are being made to implement a County Hotel Tax with the stipulation that funds received from this tax only be used for tourism purposes. Legislation must be passed by the McHenry County Board to create the Hotel Tax. Some concern was raised that monies might have to be spent in the town where it was collected. Carstens noted McHenry County is the only sizable county in the State of Illinois without Tourism dollars from the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs. Motion by Althoff, se�conded by Gausden, to accept the McHenry County EDC Tourism Report. All Ayes. Motion carried. New Business Chairman Bolger rep��rted the Ground Breaking far Amcore Banks new facility in Liberty Square was well-attended. Gelwicks inquired as to the status of the Meyer Material Gravel Pit Expansion Project. Mayor Althoff responded the matter will be discussed in depth at the Council's May 20r'' regularly scheduled meeting. Council had directed Staff to compile various data and information prior to the next discussion of this matter. The requested information has bee assembled. It is possible further materials will still be required before this matter goes to Public Hearing. Some discussion followed. Adjournment Motion by Srnith, seconded by Gausden, to adjourn at 12:48 p.m. All Ayes. Motion canied. � Respectfully submitted, / �� , i, � ��'� .i.C.�� Kathleen Kunzer, Recording Secretary �