Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/06/2001 EDC minutes MINUTES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION 2nd Floor Conference Room, Village Hall Thursday, December 6, 2001 8:00 a.m. The meeting of the Economic Development Commission (EDC) of the Village of Mount Prospect was held on Thursday, December 6, 2001 in the second floor conference room of Village Hall, 100 South Emerson Street, Mount Prospect, Illinois. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Norm Kurtz called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. Commissioners John Amdt, David Lindgren, Bruce Gillilan and Ben Trapani were present. Commissioners Pat Biedar and Kevin Davies and were absent. Also present were Michael Blue, Deputy Director of Community Development and Madeleine Franklin, Executive Director of the Mount Prospect Chamber of Commerce. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the October 4, 2001 meeting were reviewed and approved unanimously. OLD BUSINESS Status Update Mr. Blue provided a general overview of several projects in the Village including: the CVS at Golf and Busse, Citgo Stations at Rand & Euclid and Dempster & Algonquin, Metro Credit Union, Autobam, Randhurst Crossings, Andrews Products, Albany Molecular, Sears Appliances & Electronic, and the Downtown. Mr. Lindgren raised for discussion the possibility of the Economic Development Commission assigning a portion of its budget to fund the Mount Prospect Chamber of Commeree, noting that the Chamber undertakes many projects of importance to the Village that would not likely take place without the Chambers efforts. He asked Madeline Franklin, Executive Director of the Mount Prospect Chamber of Commerce to provide further explanation. By way ofexample, Ms. Franklin described how the Chamber and Village had worked together to plan the Mid-summer block party, and while the Village had contributed to part of the cost, most of the expenses were borne by the Chamber. Ms. Franklin reiterated the Chamber undertakes many projects of benefit to the Village, and that while the Village is typically a sponsor, that additional funding of the Chamber was necessary to ensure its long term viability. Chairman Kurtz noted that the Village had not taken the opportunity to directly fund the Chamber in the past. Therefore, he felt that it would not be appropriate for the EDC to expend Village funds through its budget to directly support an activity that that the Village Board had chosen not to fund. Mr. Tmpani concurred with Mr. Kurtz's comment. After additional discussion, it was the consensus of the Commission that the EDC would not provide direct financial support to the Chamber, but would continue to sponsor the Chamber programs and publications, and that this issue should be on the agenda for a future meeting. NEW BUSINESS Review of the EDC 2001 Annual Report Mr. Kurtz directed the Commission's attention to the 2001 EDC Annual Report, which had been distributed earlier. He noted that the section on Goals for 2002 had been left blank and would be filled in based on their upcoming discussion, but asked if the Commission members had any comments or questions about the Draft report, other than the goals section. There were no comments and Mr. Kurtz asked the Commissioners to describe their goals for the EDC in 2002. conomic Development Commission December 6, 2001 Minutes Page 2 EDC Goals for 2002 Mr. Trapani raised the issue of real estate taxes being too high and adversely impacting development in the area. He suggested that the EDC join with other organizations in an effort to reduce taxation in the area. Mr. Trapani also suggested that the Village consider redevelopment o£the block that currently includes the Central Plaza Shopping Center. Mr. Gillilan stated his goals: 1. That the Village and EDC focus on more targeted promotion of the Village and avffflable development sites, rather than placing general ads in various real estate magazines. 2. That the amount of new development in the downtown would lead to higher rents and taxes for merchants and property owners, and that the Village and EDC should undertake an education campaign so that these groups were not taken by surprise. 3. That more services for residents and businesses should be brought to the Downtown (such as a grocery). 4. That the EDC should identify other organizations (in addition to the Chamber of Commerce) that it should be supportive of and work with. 5. That the EDC should be supportive of development and enhancement projects that are good additions to the downtown, such as the recent Fhedrich's Funeral Home expansion. 6. That the village should use an economic philosophy that is consistent with the economics ofthe times. Mr. Amdt suggested more business oriented facilities (such as restaurants) should be brought to the downtown that would entice the business community to make better use of the area. Mr. Kurtz stated his goals: 1. That the Village and EDC should continue to explore possible uses for underutilized properties in the downtown, and that an emphasis on good aesthetics should be continued. 2. That the Village work to improve the flow of traffic through the community. 3. That the EDC should have a closer working relationship with the Village Board. It was decided that staff would incorporate these ideas into the goals section of the EDC annual report and present it for the Commission's approval at the next meeting. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT Mr. Kurtz reminded the Commission members that that annual EDC meeting with the Chamber of Commerce would be held on January 16, 2002 at 8:00 at Bristol Court. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 a.m. The next meeting will be held on February 14, 2002. Respectfully submitted, Michael Blue, AICP Deputy Director of Community Development