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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/02/1994 EDC Minutes111 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMNE[SSION Trustees Room, Village Hall Wednesday, February 2, 1994 6:30 P.M. i tl'' ' The meeting was called to order at 6:35 p.m. by Chairman James Ebbinghaus. Members present were: Ben Trapani, Dale Jessie, Karen Johnson, John Riordan, Patrick ODonnell and Chairman James Ebbinghaus. Also present were: William Cooney, Director of Planning; Mayor Skip Farley and Kenneth Fritz, Economic Development Coordinator. Trustee Richard Hendricks arrived at 7:13 p.m. and left at approximately 7:25 p.m. Cook County Commissioner Carl Hansen arrived at 7:30 p.m. Mr. Ed Sroczynski had earlier sent a letter to the Mayor asking that his resignation be accepted as a member of the Economic Development Commission. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Minutes of the January 12th meeting were presented for consideration. A motion was made by Pat ODonnell, seconded by Karen Johnson, that the minutes be approved as read. The motion to pass was approved unanimously 6 -0. OLD BUSINESS Chairman Ebbinghaus asked the Mayor if the Board had any comments regarding the memorandum submitted by the Economic Development Commission on the functions and coordination of economic development issues between the Village Board and the Commission. Mayor Farley stated that the Board valued the expertise of the businessmen appointed to the Economic Development Commission and saw them acting as a sounding board for the business community in communicating with the Village government. He cautioned however, that as an advisory body their duties and responsibilities were limited to making recommendations to the Village Board in general matters on economic development in the community. He stated that at times the Economic Development Commission would not be called upon for input on matters that were beyond the advisory body's capacity. He stated that the elected officials must also take into consideration the political aspects of issues at hand. These decisions may not always agree with an Economic Development Commission recommendation based on dollars and cents issues. Mayor Farley cited the tough decisions that the Village Board has to make with regard to balancing the budget in times of deficit finance as just one example. Economic Development Commission Minutes Page 2 Mayor Farley recognized the need for the Economic Development Commission to work with the interested companies seeking to locate in Mount Prospect as well as existing businesses wishing to expand or remodel their businesses. To this end, he indicated that the Village Board, through the Manager's office, will budget monies to be set aside in the preliminary budget proposal for the Economic Development Commission. These funds could be used for marketing, communications with respective companies and building new communications linkages with existing businesses in the community. He cited as one example, the small business survey that is planned to be distributed within the next few weeks. He indicated the desirability of hosting a meeting of small businesses to discuss the findings of the survey and to offer new ways to work with the business community. The Mayor also indicated his pleasure with the fact that the Village board had voted to extend the term of Jun Ebbinghaus as Chairman of the Economic Development Commission one year from the date of their January 18th Board meeting. He indicated that the Board was very supportive of the Economic Development Commission and the leadership given by Mr. Ebbinghaus and wished the relationship with Mr. Ebbinghaus and the Commission to continue. Mayor Farley also urged the continuation of early contacts with interested parties seeking to locate in Mount Prospect and work with existing property management people to identify any potential concerns and establish contact with them through the staff and the Economic Development membership. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION DISCUSSION Dale Jessie indicated that he felt that the Economic Development Commission should be able to offer presentations to interested companies seeking to locate in Mount Prospect by putting together a professional slide program or video tape that would identify the best attributes of Mount Prospect from the business perspective. Karen Johnson indicated that the Village Board should look at the Economic Development Commission as another important resource for the Village Manager and Village Board and citizens of Mount Prospect to use in collecting information on community businesses, and linkages for marketing and communication purposes with businesses in Mount Prospect. Mr. Ebbinghaus indicated that as soon as the list of approximately 120 small businesses can be verified for address and contact person, questionnaires will be going out to small businesses in Mount Prospect. The same general questions would be asked as of the larger employers survey that was completed in 1993. It was anticipated that the questionnaire would go in the mail by the end of February. DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES Bill Cooney, Director of Planning, distributed and reviewed the draft prepared by staff of an Economic Assistance Program. He indicated that the proposal would be presented to the Village Economic Development Commission Minutes Page 3 Board at their Committee -of- the -Whole meeting on Tuesday, February 8. After a brief review of the draft, a suggestion was made by Dale Jessie that a percentage figure be used instead of an absolute dollar amount as the upward limit for assistance. NEW BUSINESS Carl Hansen, Cook County Commissioner, was introduced by Chairman Tim Ebbinghaus. Mr. Ebbk*"s stated that the purpose of inviting Mr. Hansen was to allow members of the Economic Development Commission to ask questions as to what programs the County might have to offer in aiding Economic Development in Mount Prospect. Mr. Ebbinghaus stated that several members had been concerned about the relocation of some businesses to Lake County. Several real estate brokers have indicated that the method of assessment for business and industry in Cook County places the communities in Cook County at a distinct disadvantage in relationship to the close -in areas ofLake County to the North. Mr. Hansen suggested that if more detailed information with regard to the impact of assesszneat Is needed, that Assessor Thomas Hynes office be contacted directly. Mr. Hansen passed out some general information which were discussed briefly with the Commission. The pamphlets contained information on marketing for business and industry in Cook County, and other resource material prepared by the Cook County Office of Economic Development. Mr. Hansen offered to arrange for the Cook County Assessoes Office or any other Cook County government office function for future programs. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:01 p.m. Chairman Ebbinghaus announced that the next meeting would be Wednesday, March 2, at 6:30 p.m. in the Village Hall.