HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2/26/2008 - Community Development Committee COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Aldermen's Conference Room, 7:00 p.m.
`' In Attendance: Committee Members: Chairman Alderman Condon, Alderman Santi and
Alderman Wi�nmer. Absent: None. Also in Attendance: Deputy City Administrator Martin,
City Planner J�.�rs and City Clerk Jones.
Chairman Ald��rman Condon called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
Discussi�►n: Comnrehensive Plan - Public Facilities and Imalementation Chaaters
Deputy City A dministrator Martin outlined Chapters 8 and 9 of the Comprehensive Plan, which
deal with Publ ic Facilities and Implementation.
Deputy City Administrator Martin stated the Public Facilities Chapter generally reviews all City,
as well as sch��ol, library and fire district facilities. Additionally, the chapter lists future goals
and objectives for public facility construction, expansion and/or alteration. He indicated the
Implementation Chapter discusses the process and means by which the entire Comprehensive
plan would be implemented moving forward.
Following the overview, Deputy City Administrator Martin noted suggested revisions would be
provided by the April Community Development Committee meeting with revised
Cornprehensive Plan maps provided at that time.
Chairman Alderman Condon opined there was a lot of validity to having all the information
spelled out in the Comprehensive Plan. Alderman Wimmer concurred. A brief discussion
L-- ensued and some typographical and grammatical errors were addressed.
It was the consensus of the Committee that Staff move forward with the Comprehensive Plan
with Staff providing revised comprehensive plan maps at the April meeting of the Community
Development Committee.
Discussion RegardinS Draft Economic Develoament Plan
Deputy City Administrator Martin informed the Committee that the draft Economic
Development Plan was prepared by Staff with input from the Economic Development
Commission. The purpose of the Plan is to create a vision statement along with the goals and
objectives deemed necessary to establish the vision. Staff is seeking the Committee's input
regarding the goals and objectives as well as the action items, particularly marketing the City and
increasing tourism.
Deputy City Aciministrator Martin highlighted the two most important factors of the Plan:
1. A vision for the City of McHenry; and
2. An economic development strategy.
Chairman Alderman Condon suggested tourism be moved from Goal Item 8 to Goa1 Item 5, with
an additional explanation. Additionally, Chairman Alderman Condon opined the Plan lacks a
tie-in to Character Counts, which is an important component of the City. She suggested
Character Cour.ts be identified in the document at Goal Item 6.
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Community Development Committee Meeting
February 26, 2008
Page 2
�'' Responding to an inquiry from Chairman Alderman Condon, Alderman Wimmer provided
historical information relative to when the Economic Development Commission ("EDC") was
established, it:� membership composition and its affiliation to the City of McHenry. Alderman
Wimmer stated that, at this time, the EDC is dormant and it is unlikely that it would be re-
established. F[e noted that the Plan was prepared with the intention that it would be used by the
City, followin;;the usual standards of approval.
Responding t� Chairman Alderman Condon's inquiry, Deputy City Administrator Martin
indicated the r ext step would be addressing the suggested revisions and then, following direction
from the Com�nittee, presenting the Plan to full Council for consideration.
Motion by Wimmer, seconded by Santi, to direct Staffto add Character Counts to the Economic
Development Plan and then to present the Plan to full Council for consideration.
Aye: Condon, Santi, Wimmer.
Nay: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried.
Staff Reaort
Deputy City Administrator Martin informed the Committee that Wicke's Furniture was closing.
He indicated the owner is currently seeking a purchaser and that would determine the fate of the
company.
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Deputy City Administrator Martin informed the Committee that Dominick's Food Store would
be closing on April 19, 2008. The structure is approximately 7,800 square feet in size and Staff
has suggested another grocery store or possibly a banquet facility might be appropriate for the
site. Chairman Alderman Condon re-iterated that it might be an opportune time to continue
negotiations for the right-of-way, which has been discussed for a significant period of time.
Deputy City Administrator Martin informed the Committee that representatives from the Olive
Garden made a site visit last week and were pleased with the placement. He has been informed
that representatives from the Olive Garden would be contacting City Staff shortly with a plan to
move forward on the site.
Deputy City Administrator Martin informed the Committee that the supported living facility
currently under construction on Crystal Lake Road is moving forward. They are hopeful for a
June 15, 2008 c>pening.
Responding to an inquiry regarding a surplus clothing box near Sears, Deputy City Administrator
Martin informed the Committee the clothing box is the property of Helping Hands. He placed a
call, left a voicc; message regarding the clothing box and is waiting to hear back from them.
Other Business
An outline of suggested goals for discussion by the Community Development Committee in
� 2008 was presented as follows:
Community Development Committee Meeting
February 26, 2008
Page 3
�" • Finish Com rehensive Plan U date
p P January-April
• Finish Main Street Sub-area January-October
• Finish Economic Development Plan February-May
• Reviev�/Modify Riverwalk Vendor Ordinance June-August
• Consider Use of Collection Agency for Unpaid Fines April
• Consider Public Arts Ordinance August-November
• Provid��Feedback on Development Proposals As needed
• Review and Update Tree Preservation Ordinance As needed
• Core��owntown(Green Street) Sub-Area Plan
• Establish Business Retention Implementation Strategy
• Review and Modify Existing Marketing and Tourism Strategy
• Discuss Code Compliance Activities/Process
• Collection of Sales Tax from Outside Vendors
Chairman Alderman Condon stated the next meeting of the Community Development
Committee would be on Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in the Aldermen's Conference
Room. She indicated some of the topics on the Agenda would be:
• Consideration of the use of a collection agency; and
• The Comprehensive Plan.
Alderman Santi inquired about discussions regarding Riverwalk vendors in the suggested goals
�. for the Community Development Committee. He indicated he has recently been approached by
a potential Riverwalk vendor and voiced concern regarding the timing of the discussions.
Chairman Alderman Condon assured Alderman Santi that discussions in June or August on the
subject would not hamper any potential vendors.
Adiournment
Motion by Santi, seconded by Wimmer, to adjourn the meeting at 7:45 p.m.
Aye: Condon, Santi, Wimmer.
Nay: None.
Absent: None.
Motion earried.
Respectfully submitted,
,
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Geri Condon, C'hairman
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