HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 11/01/2017 - Economic Development Commission (2)City of McHenry
Economic Development Commission Minutes
November 1, 2017
Chairwoman Baehne called the regularly scheduled November 1, 2017 meeting of the City of
McHenry Economic Development Commission to order at 4:00 p.m. In attendance were the
following: Arnold, Baehne, Bionda, Jessup, Joern, and Sterwerf. Absent: Mrachek. Also in
attendance were: Alderman Andy Glab, Mayor Wayne Jett, Director of Economic Development
Martin, and Economic Development Coordinator Wolf.
Public Comments: There was nobody in attendance who wished to address the Commission.
Introduction of Members
Introductions and community affiliations were made.
Procedure for Approval of Minutes
Director of Economic Development Martin stated in accordance with state law Open Meetings
Act requirements must be met, which requires approval of meeting minutes within 60 days of
each public meeting. A suggestion was made for the meeting minutes to be distributed to the
Chairwoman and Vice Chairman for review and approval so they can be posted in the required
60-day time period. The commission was informed all meetings will be recorded and uploaded
to You Tube as well. Chairwoman Baehne asked for discussion and a motion for approval.
Motion by Sterwerf, seconded by Arnold, to recommend the procedure for Commission
meeting minutes to be distributed to and approved by the Chairwoman and Vice Chairman at
the conclusion of each meeting.
Alderman Glab suggested each member of the Commission be given a copy of the minutes
before they are signed and posted and have a certain number of days to make suggestions
and/or changes if necessary, further suggesting silence of any member during that time period
be considered an Aye vote. Discussion ensued. If changes or comments are made a marked-up
copy of the minutes would be re-sent to all members for an additional 3-day review period and
approval.
Amended motion by Sterwerf, seconded by Arnold, to recommend Economic Development
Commission meeting minutes be distributed to all members of the Commission at conclusion of
each meeting and all members be given 3 days for review, with silence of any member during
that 3-day time period being considered an Aye vote, before the Chairwoman and Vice
Chairman may proceed with giving approval and allowing posting of the minutes of any
meeting.
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Voting Aye: Arnold, Baehne, Bionda, Jessup, Sterwerf, Glab, and Jett
Voting Nay: None.
Not Voting: None.
Abstaining: None.
Absent: Joern, Mrachek.
Motion carried 7-0.
OMA Requirements
Open Meetings Act Requirements were reviewed and Commissioners were encouraged to
complete their training in a timely manner.
General Discussion
Director of Economic Development Martin distributed the 2009 Economic Development Plan
noting that it is not accurate as written for now but is just a starting point.
“A Grassroots Community-Wide Planning Effort” sheets were distributed to all members.
Director Martin explained they highlight things to be taken into consideration for future
planning. Director Martin stated a book entitled “Resilient Downtowns” has been purchased
for each member and all were asked to attempt to read the book by the January meeting.
Vibrant downtowns are a part of successful communities. Reading the book is a start just laying
the groundwork and will be discussed further.
Education, empowerment, social media, and technology are key components to economic
development in our community. How to pursue each of these components is part of the job of
the commission to decide. Commission members will empower and be advocates in and for
the community.
Alderman Glab suggested each commissioner give a description of what their idea of economic
development is and give ideas and priorities and pick discussion ideas from that discussion.
Commissioner Jessup opined manufacturers in McHenry have a lack of potential labor force.
He believes it comes down to education. Many residents not aware of what opportunities are
available in McHenry. He commented it’s starting to get better but we need to help keep and
grow jobs in McHenry.
Commissioner Bionda opined we need to talk to local businesses and allow them to market to
their local community. Education is a priority.
Alderman Glab opined that high school children are leaving McHenry after school. He further
opined education isn’t the key but rather we need to instill in our youth not to leave stating we
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need to look at how many are going to look to McHenry for jobs if and when they return to
McHenry and not just live here but not work here. Lack of workforce has been a topic for
several years. Alderman Glab suggested someone from the high school be invited to the next
meeting and give a presentation on what is available at the high school in regard to job training.
He opined there is a stigma regarding college vs trades/manufacturing and the commission
should also look at educating the parents to look at these jobs in a different way. Discussed
ensued regarding work program availability at the high schools.
Chairwoman Baehne opined many students are coming back and more are going through MCC
so it is ok for these young adults to leave but they should be welcomed back with a hometown
feel and more opportunities. There is a real problem from local companies in finding skilled
labor for jobs that are here. The MTI expo is a great tool used by the City and the schools to
show what is being offered in the city. Discussion ensued regarding the Incubator Edu program
at the high schools. MCC HAS a growing community vs other community colleges that have
shrinking communities. Community needs are being brought forth, worked on and met.
Director Martin stated we need to show a return on investment. The MTI Expo is targeted at
parents and students and that is the purpose to show a graph of the return on investment to
the parents.
Commissioner Bionda opined it would be helpful to tap into the age group that is coming back
after leaving the community by highlighting a sense of community, sense of family, open space
and parks. He opined more students need to learn to network rather than doing everything
online.
Director Martin led a discussion on open space, jobs, education and amenities in the
community. He suggested promotion and education at the elementary level should be
considered.
Commissioner Arnold opined it starts with education and educating people on what is available
in the town is necessary.
Commissioner Sterwerf stated Incubator Edu is being used in Woodstock and suggested
McHenry schools look at that program. Director Martin replied that is already in progress in
McHenry High Schools. Discussion ensued regarding other programs being offered in
neighboring towns and counties. Chairwoman Baehne stated it is Important to educate and
expose students to different opportunities available after high school.
Mayor Jett stated for his personal business they have to send techs to Texas for training right
now and the money goes to Texas and it takes them away from our local area. He opined a
discussion item should address how we can help keep programs and workforce here for
education and training. Discussion ensued regarding action to be implemented.
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Commissioner Eric Joern joined the meeting at 5:05 pm.
Director Martin stated social media/technology can be a double edged sword and is
challenging. He suggested someone who is good with social media address this. Director
Martin will have a policy sent to all commissioners in regard to social media from our attorney.
Discussion ensued including whether or not it would be appropriate for each or any of the
commissioners to post on social media for the commission on their own. Other opportunities
for pursuing students that can help through the process and have influence with students were
discussed.
Chairwoman Baehne suggested each member of the Commission invite others on their own
pages to encourage others to come to the meetings at city hall that are posted. She further
mentioned tagging each other on important items and what is important to get out and share
adding a process should be determined to communicate proper information on social media.
She further opined it would be helpful to determine how to identify students who can be an
influence in the community to join in our efforts.
Commissioner Bionda stated we need to be stewards on local McHenry social media pages to
help educate others to educate themselves in the proper way by inviting them to meetings,
providing complete factual information, etc. He volunteered to talk to students and try to
determine a good opportunity to get small businesses involved and offer incentives to students
for sharing our information on social media.
Alderman Glab opined there is a need to look at better forums to get the public to listen stating
many times they don’t come to the meetings we suggest.
Commissioners Baehne, Sterwerf and Bionda all opined some focus should be on looking at the
social media platforms younger people are using other than Facebook and publish information
on all platforms. Suggestions included a program through the schools, possibly having a high
school student be a member of the commission, or having advisory ambassadors for the
schools to implement a program for us.
Mayor Jett spoke of the Nixle 360 program currently being considered by the City. Discussion
ensued. He suggested possibly offering an incentive for students to follow or like our pages and
information on social media. Mayor Jett stated he will send all on the commission information
on Nixle as well as the MTI Expo video. Director Martin stated the “#mchenry matters” and “I
Love McHenry” initiatives were started to address giving positive responses on city news.
Commissioner Bionda led a discussion on IOT – internet of things, explaining there are many
new ways of marketing such as apps on cellphones and suggested that be looked into it in the
future. He further stated perhaps local businesses could be asked to contribute and have/offer
incentives for using this format, opining this committee exists to benefit local businesses by
offering a unique experience and materials – we can provide examples to businesses.
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Chairwoman Baehne opined community based education seminars could be held to better
inform people and help us to reach into businesses and help them identify ways to provide a
better customer service experience so we can achieve the goal of becoming a city that is
considered a destination. Discussion ensued.
Commissioner Joern remarked it will be good for the commission to look at successful
downtown areas.
Discussion on MCC’s Shaw Center as a free resource, including information on funding sources,
ensued. Director Martin stated we, as a City, already refer people with new business questions
to the Shaw Center on things such as the process for entrepreneurs and a next step is for us to
determine the most needed-resource for businesses so we can help provide that.
Commissioner Sterwerf suggested creating a structure to allow mentoring to happen within our
own community possibly by asking for volunteer businesspeople to mentor others.
ACTION ITEMS
We will attempt to obtain dates and times of all group meetings: Riverwalk Foundation (Pat
Arnold); Chamber of Commerce (Bobbi Baehne); Downtown Business Association (Nick Bionda);
Downtown SuperGroup (Doug/Dorothy); Landmark Commission (Rob Jessup); Planning &
Zoning Commission (Doug/Dorothy); Mayor’s Ad Hoc Committee (Wayne Jett); Kiwanis (Doug);
Rotary (Wayne for Derik); and General Public (all) - and set each coordinating member up with
a contact for that group or commission.
Alderman Glab suggested someone attend and inform the Lions Club as well. Another
suggestion was made to identify city projects that can be done by local groups rather than
contracting out or bidding out the work further stating the Young Professionals group of the
Chamber is always looking for projects to embrace to make a difference in our town.
Commissioner Baehne suggested an action item be reviewed on how to work as a commission
with the educational bodies to find out what the needs are in the community – and to
strengthen and identify what is needed.
Commissioner Sterwerf suggested an action item of getting a presentation by MCC highlighting
the multitude of programs available locally. Chairwoman Baehne stated she will be happy to
arrange a presentation and tour for the commission with Dr. Gabbert at MCC before the next
meeting.
Chairwoman Baehne suggested as an action item someone from MCC should be invited to do a
presentation as well as someone from the high school and then go forward from there.
Director Martin suggested the Commission can go to the college for a tour before the next
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regular meeting of the Commission and post the tour as a special meeting but it may be difficult
to get the local districts to commit in that time frame. Mayor Jett volunteered to attempt to
contact the local school districts to come with a presentation to the next meeting in January.
Commissioner Sterwerf reminded the Commission the Saturday after Thanksgiving is Small
Business Saturday, November 25th, and encouraged others to shop local.
Commissioner Joern suggested someone live stream videos of downtown businesses on small
business Saturday and other City events.
Staff Report
National Apprenticeship Week is November 13-19. An Apprenticeship Breakfast Event is being
held sponsored by McHenry County Workforce Network on 11/14 in Woodstock and is directed
at employers to inform them on how to implement apprenticeships for any business. The next
Economic Development Commission meeting is scheduled for Wednesday January 10, 2018.
Adjournment
Motion by Arnold, seconded by Sterwerf, to adjourn the meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Voting Aye: Arnold, Baehne, Bionda, Jessup, Joern, Sterwerf, Glab, and Jett.
Voting Nay: None.
Not Voting: None.
Abstaining: None.
Absent: Mrachek.
Motion carried 8-0. The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
____________________________________________
Bobbi Baehne, Chairwoman