HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 06/25/2019 - Economic Development CommissionCity of McHenry
Economic Development Commission
Special Meeting Minutes
June 25, 2019
Chairman Jessup called the June 25, 2019 special meeting of the City of McHenry Economic
Development Commission to order at 4:00 p.m. In attendance were the following: Bionda, Bremer,
Jessup, Mrachek, and Tenuto. Absent: Pfeifer, Sterwerf, Schaefer and Jett. Also in attendance were:
Director of Economic Development Martin and Economic Development Coordinator Wolf.
Commissioner Jessup welcomed new and prior members to the Commission and asked them to
introduce themselves.
Public Comment: Mr. Greg Denny, Business Development Director for Deigan & Associates,
Environmental Consultants located in Lake Bluff, Illinois, requested the Economic Development
Commission consider allowing his company to make a formal presentation to them regarding how
they can help coordinate and/or be a resource for future development projects in the City.
Approval of Minutes
Motion by Mrachek, seconded by Bionda, to approve the March 26, 2019 Regular Meeting minutes
of the Economic Development Commission, as presented:
Voting Aye: Jessup, Mrachek, Bionda.
Voting Nay: None.
Not Voting: Bremer, Tenuto.
Abstaining: None.
Absent: Pfeifer, Schaefer, Sterwerf, and Jett.
Motion carried 3-0.
Review of Draft Economic Development Plan
Commissioner Jessup explained the draft Economic Development Plan prepared by Director Martin
as a result of the SWOT Analysis initiatives and asked for comment.
Commissioner Tenuto liked the way the plan was broken down and noted that pride and passion of
the residents in McHenry is an asset and unique in the County.
Commissioner Bremer is looking forward to partnering with the Commission and liked the direction
noted in the draft plan.
Commissioner Jessup then identified the strategic initiatives noted in the SWOT Analysis as action
items to guide the Commission’s actions in the future. Putting subcommittees together and including
other representatives from the community is a key goal of the Commission in order to be more
effective. The process of defining committee structure was discussed.
Building relationships with key influencers in the County is something all Commissioners and future
sub-committee members can do to help build the City’s economy. EDC Business cards identifying the
ED department, Mayor Jett and the Commission members were distributed to all present.
Commissioner Jessup spoke on the marketing initiative and how we can get the marketing videos that
were made last year out to key influencers, developers, tourists, etc. as a way to introduce McHenry
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and everything it has to offer! Director Martin suggested Commission members might look up an
initiative done by the St. Charles, Missouri EDC called the Monday Morning Minute. Discussion
ensued regarding social media and stories to be shared as a marketing tool and how the Commission
can help City staff get the word out!
The four committees identified in the SWOT Analysis and the proposed action steps identified were
discussed. Prior Commission meeting notes were asked to be distributed for discussion.
Implementing a Social Media Policy was discussed as well as the possibility of simply not responding
at all to anything Commission members might be tagged in negative ways on their personal social
media accounts. Commissioner Bremer shared the policy that is followed by the School Board in
regard to social media posts. When asked for input, Director Martin stated it is important to relay a
unified message and Commissioners responding separately to social media posts as representatives
of the Commission may not lead to a unified message. It was agreed by all present that discussion on
the social media process would fall under the direction of the Outreach and Engagement Committee.
In the interim, it was agreed and directed that while a policy decision is being formalized by the
Outreach and Engagement Committee, members of that Committee only, along with Staff, will
control any posts and marketing mechanisms that go out publicly from the EDC and the remainder of
the Commission members will not respond to any social media posts created and posted from the
EDC or to responses from the public to those posts.
Commissioner Tenuto asked for clarification to be given of the role of Commission members in regard
to their representation of the Economic Development Commission, perhaps in the form of bylaws.
Commissioner Bremer made an effort to clarify how and when Commission Members might
represent the EDC as Commission members versus as a resident, parent, or business owner in the
community and suggested clarifying any discussions as being made in each person’s own personal
opinion.
Formation of Committees: Business Recognition; Outreach and Engagement; Relationship Building;
and Development Committees:
The following members volunteered or were suggested to represent on committees:
Business Recognition Committee
(Length of Years in City and/or Significant Civic or Community Contributions to the City)
Mrachek, Wolf
Outreach and Engagement Committee
(Business Attraction, Retention, Branding, Marketing, Video Distribution)
Bremer, Tenuto, Martin
Relationship Building Committee
(Other City Committees/Associations, Businesses and Chamber Members, Tours)
Schaefer and Pfeifer
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Development Committee
(Recruiting a Full, Engaged Commission Membership)
Jessup and Bionda
Chairman Jessup and Vice-Chairman Mrachek agreed to reach out to Commissioners Pfeifer and
Sterwerf, Alderman Schaefer, and Mayor Jett regarding the discussion on full committee
representation by the members. They will also contact previous Chair Baehne regarding a suggested
form that is used for recruiting committee members for the MCC board.
Business Recognition
The following businesses are known to have businesses anniversaries in 2019. Future follow-up will
be under the direction of the Business Recognition Committee.
Mr. Don’s – 50 yrs
Chas Herdrich – 86 years
Rietesel Boat – 80 years
Joule Technologies – 20 years
Tony’s Family Tailor – 30 years
Business Surveys
All members agreed future discussion and continuance of business surveys and questionnaires
should be included and under direction of the Outreach and Engagement Committee.
Assignment of Committees:
Agreement was met on including discussion and coverage of representation on other City Committees
and/or Associations under the direction of the Relationship Building Committee. For information
purposes, the following members were identified as currently being active participants on other City
Committees/Associations:
Riverwalk Foundation - Mayor Jett
Chamber of Commerce - Commissioner Mrachek
Downtown Business Association – Commissioner Bremer
Special Events Committee - Economic Development Coordinator Wolf
Landmark Commission – Open (City Administrator Morefield?)
Planning & Zoning Commission – Economic Development Director Martin
Discussion and Approval of 2019-2020 Meeting Schedule
Chairman Jessup presented the previously approved meeting schedule for discussion. All members
present agreed to continue meeting with the schedule as presented noting tours or special meetings
could be scheduled on an as-needed basis preferably during the “off” months.
Staff Report
The next Economic Development Commission regularly scheduled meeting is Tuesday July 23, 2019.
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Commissioner Mrachek asked if the summary of the City Council SWOT analysis meeting could be
shared with the Economic Development Commission when it is finished to ensure our initiatives are
united and aligned.
Motion to Adjourn by Bremer; Seconded by Mrachek
All members in favor. Meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_______________________________
Rob Jessup, Chairman
Economic Development Commission