HomeMy WebLinkAbout2. COW Minutes 01/27/2015
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES
January 27, 2015
I. CALL TO ORDER – ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. in the Village Board Room of the Village
Hall, 50 South Emerson Street, by Mayor Arlene Juracek. Trustees present included
Paul Hoefert, John Korn, John Matuszak, Steven Polit, Richard Rogers and Michael
Zadel. Staff present included Acting Village Manager David Strahl, Community
Development Director Bill Cooney and Administrative Analyst Alexander Bertolucci.
II. APPROVAL OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES FOR JANUARY 13, 2015
Motion made by Trustee Matuszak seconded by Trustee Polit. Minutes were approved.
III. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD
None
IV. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UPDATE
Acting Village Manager Strahl
stated this is the first of two meetings in 2015 to discuss
economic development. He stated Community Development Director Cooney will
present an overview of development projects and discuss current economic
development efforts. He noted the discussion will cover elements of the Village’s
Strategic Plan that was adopted in 2014 and are related to the following goals; Business,
Commercial Business Districts and Development.
Development Activity Overview
Community Development Director Cooney
provided information to the Village Board
summarizing 2014 and anticipated 2015 development projects. He noted the Village’s
regional shopping center Randhurst Village is wrapping up the first round of tenancy and
Mount Prospect Plaza has experienced an increase in activity with the opening of
several new stores. He mentioned the office space and industrial market is one of the
bigger challenges to development due in part to Cook County’s tax structure. He said
the old Tri-State property should be redeveloped after being delayed due to underground
tanks and Central Plaza is expected have site work that will support future
redevelopment. He stated development is not limited due to a lack of demand for
properties; although, some inhibiting factors are property owners’ lack of motivation to
actively pursue redevelopment or lessees. He stated staff is currently in discussion with
developers and entrepreneurs regarding underutilized sites around the downtown. He
said excluding Central Plaza’s vacancies the downtown averages about a 10% vacancy
rate which matches the market’s average. He stated the Downtown Plan suggests
additional pedestrian crossings and way finding signage to improve foot traffic and would
be implemented with feedback from the business community. He also mentioned Metra
has planned a complete rehab of the Mount Prospect train station in 2015. He stated
development projects are expected to continue around Randhurst Village and along the
01/27/15
Committee of the Whole
Page 1 of 3
Rand Road corridor and a study of the Rand Road corridor will be conducted with the
use of a grant from the Regional Transportation Authority.
Economic Development Activities
Community Development Director Cooney
provided a summary of economic activities
the Village currently employs to further investment in the community. He stated the
Village has historically focused on trade show efforts by attending local and national
International Conference of Shopping Centers events and in 2015 the Economic
Development Commission (EDC) will investigate attending local manufacturing and tech
shows to attract businesses to the Kensington Business Center (KBC) and other
industrial properties. He noted the Entrepreneur’s Café program has provided
prospective small businesses the tools and mentoring to start up within Mount Prospect.
He stated the department has established a good rapport with the commercial/industrial
brokerage community and these relationships are critical as these professionals have a
big impact on location decisions throughout the region. He stated the Village’s website
provides interested parties with the necessary information to locate and operate a
business in the community. He highlighted that the Experience Mount Prospect website
provides Mount Prospect businesses with free advertising opportunities that are sent to
over 2,000 registered customers via a monthly E-newsletter. He stated the EDC
conducts business visitations which allow the Village the opportunity to address
businesses’ needs.
General comments from the Village Board members included the following items:
1) There were general questions about the status of vacant sites throughout Village.
2) There was discussion regarding the impact of vacant properties on the perception of
the Village’s economic development image.
3) There was general discussion about the Entrepreneur’s Café Program.
4) There was discussion regarding how the Village Board may assist economic
development and it was suggested to review the use of incentives.
5) It was noted that a Mount Prospect promotional video could be developed to
advertise the community to potential businesses and residents.
6) There was a discussion regarding social media as a tool to promote local businesses
and economic activity.
7) There was a suggestion to review zoning designations and updating the Village’s
Comprehensive Plan.
8) It was also suggested to review parking within the downtown and parking
requirements for businesses.
9) There was a discussion on the available information technology infrastructure within
the Village.
10) It was noted how the older downtown properties facilitate creative independence as
spaces are priced to offer new businesses an affordable start up location.
11) There were questions regarding how national retailers determine the placement of
their stores.
12) There were general comments regarding infrastructure and traffic movement along
Rand Road by Randhurst Village and Mount Prospect Plaza.
Dan NovakEconomic Development Commission Member
, spoke. He stated the
EDC is a conduit between the Village and the business community. He stated the EDC
has conducted many business visits and the most successful visits are with locally
owned business, as store management at national chain stores does not have the
wherewithal to discuss EDC opportunities. He stated with the direction of Community
1/27/15
Committee of the Whole
Page 2 of 3
Development Director Cooney and Mayor Juracek the commission will reach out to
Kensington Business Center properties to see what the EDC can do to address
vacancies within the Center.
Dawn Fletcher CollinsExecutive Director of the Mount Prospect Chamber of
,
Commerce
spoke. She stated it is important the business community is aware the
Board is accessible for feedback. She stated the Village’s website is a great tool for
businesses, as many forms and informational documents are readily available. She
stated other communities have used the Village’s Entrepreneur’s Café program as a
template to implement their own program.
General comments from the Village Board members included the following items:
1) There was a general discussion regarding available resources for the business
community and local entrepreneurs.
2) There was a discussion regarding utilizing the Village’s Tax Increment Financing
(TIF) district and Village owned properties to simulate development.
3) There was a discussion on way finding and business signage effects on local
economic activity.
4) There was a suggestion to review ordinances that may inadvertently have a negative
impact on businesses.
5) There was a discussion on utilizing false storefronts to visually enhance vacant sites.
V. MANAGER’S REPORT
Acting Village Manager Strahl
stated the Village’s Celestial Celebration and Shining
Stars Awards will be held Friday, February 6, 2015 and tickets are still available.
VI. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
None
VII. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
ALEXANDER BERTOLUCCI
Administrative Analyst
1/27/15
Committee of the Whole
Page 3 of 3