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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/19/2007 EDC minutes MAYOR Irvana K. Wilks VILLAGE MANAGER Michael E. Janonis TRUSTEES Timothy J. Corcoran Paul Wm. Hoefert A. John Kom Richard M. Lohrstorfer Michaele Skowron Irvana K. Wilks Michael A. Zadel Village of Mount Prospect Community Development Department 50 South Emerson Street Mount Prospect, Illinois 60056 VILLAGE CLERK M. Lisa Angell Phone: 847/818-5328 Fax: 847/818-5329 TDD: 847/392-6064 MINUTES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION 1st Floor Community Center, Village Hall Thursday, April 19, 2007 8:00 a.m. The meeting ofthe Economic Development Commission (EDC) of the Village of Mount Prospect was held on Thursday April 19, 2007 in the first floor Community Center of Village Hall, 50 South Emerson Street, Mount Prospect, Illinois. CALL TO ORDER Chairman David Lindgren called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. Commissioners Tom Castagnoli, Ken Fritz, Ben Trapani, and Tom Zander were present. Commissioners Bruce Gillilan and Skip Robertson were absent. Also present were Mayor Irvana Wilks, Bill Cooney, Director of Community Development, Ellen Divita, Deputy Director of Community Development, and Jim Uszler, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the February 15,2007 meeting were reviewed and approved unanimously. OLD BUSINESS Development Update Mr. Cooney provided an update of economic development projects throughout the Village. He stated that the Opus industrial development on the south side of town is moving along well and approximately 30% of the available square footage was accounted for. He also indicated that there are two banquet facilities looking to locate in the southern portion of the Village. The first being in the former Chicago Title building on Wall Street and the second in the Golf Plaza II shopping center at the south west comer of Go If Road and Route 83. He provided a brief update ofthe downtown projects; highlighting the Blues Bar that is looking to open doors in August. He stated that Staff continues to work with Dr. Oztekin in an effort to formalize the redevelopment of Sub-Area 1. Mr. Cooney asked Commissioner Castagnoli to provide a brief update on activity on Randhurst. Mr. Castagnoli indicated that it was highly likely that mall ownership would pursue the redevelopment ofthe mall structure into a lifestyle center. Mall ownership is currently negotiating with a national developer to pursue this option. There was general discussion regarding the redevelopment opportunities at this location and a consensus that this will be a positive change for the mall. Comprehensive Plan Update Mr. Cooney indicated that the Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing on April 12, 2007 to hear comments from residents and the business community. He stated that the Commission recommended approval of the document to the Village Board for adoption. He stated the Village Board would be holding a Committee of the Whole meeting on May 8, 2007 to discuss this matter and welcomed the Commission members to attend that meeting. He stated that if all goes well, the Village Board would approve the Plan in June. Economic Development Commission April 19, 2007 Minutes Page 2 NEW BUSINESS Promotional Video Mr. Cooney stated that he has investigated utilizing outside professionals to create a marketing video for the Village. In addition, he has had discussions with the Village's Television Services Division who indicated they believe they could produce a high-quality video that could be used for these purposes. He indicated that he was going to pursue the in-house option first and the goal would be to create short videos that could be posted on the Village website and distributed on DVD. The Commission discussed this matter briefly and concurred with Mr. Cooney's recommendation to utilize in-house services for the production of the video. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT Chairman Lindgren stated that the Commission is committed to the July 14,2007 Downtown Merchants Cruise Night. He asked that Commission members volunteer for shifts to cover the events that evening. He also indicated that on April 26, 2007, there would be an after-hours and the Engineering Export Council ofIndia, located in the Kensington Business Center. He encouraged members ofthe Commission to attend to represent the Village and the EDC. Chairman Lindgren then offered his sincere gratitude, on behalf of the EDC, to Commissioner Zander for his commitment to the Commission over the past several years. Mr. Zander will be leaving the Commission to become the Chairperson for the Special Events Commission for the Village. All Commission members concurred and thanked Mr. Zander for his efforts and wished him luck with the Special Events Commission. Mayor Wilks stated that the Village continues to work with the south side Business District to create an association that can unify efforts to market that area. She encouraged EDC members to be active in that effort. Chairman Lindgren offered to participate in those discussions. The Mayor also indicated that she was sending out a letter to large employers in the Village requesting their input for the Employee Assisted Housing Program. This program provides mortgage subsidies for income-eligible workers in the Village. There is a consortium of local municipalities that are working to create a unified program for the Northwest Suburban area. Chairman Lindgren stated that the Commission would conduct Business Retention Visits on May 17, 2007. Commissioners Castagnoli and Trapani stated that they would be available for the visits. Chamber Executive Director Jim Uszler also offered to participate in the visits. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 a.m. Respectfully submitted, William J. Cooney, Jr., AICP Director of Community Development WJC:sld C:\Documents and Settings\kdewis\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\OLK6B\April 19.doc