HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/04/1993 EDC MinutesMINUTES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
Thursday, March 4, 1993
7:30 P.M.
The first meeting of the advisory Economic Development Commission for the Village of
Mount Prospect was held on Thursday, March 4, 1993 at the Village Hall, 100 South
Emerson Street, Trustees Room.
CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M. by Chairman James Ebbinghaus.
Commissioners present: John Riordan, Bennett Trapani, Ed Sroczynski, Patrick O'Donnell,
Karen Johnson, Dale Jessie, and Chairman James Ebbinghaus. All members were present
and a quorum was declared. Also present: Mayor Gerald "Skip" Farley, David Clements,
Director of Planning, Kenneth Fritz, Economic Development Coordinator, and Richard
Hendricks, resident.
WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION:
Chairman Jim Ebbinghaus welcomed the new members to the organization meeting of the
Economic Development Commission. He introduced himself and then asked each member
to introduce themselves to the group by indicating their interest and expectations as a
member of the Economic Development Commission. It was observed that a broad
representation of the business community has been reflected in the Commission members
background. Banking, development /construction, retailing, regional marketing, large
corporate manufacturing /distribution, corporate management, and regional automotive
sales are all represented in the Commission members background.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE
MAYOR AND VILLAGE BOARD:
Mayor Farley indicated that he envisioned the Commission being involved in some of the
following activities during the initial weeks and months of activity:
1. Assist in attracting new business to Mount Prospect.
2. Retain existing business already located in Mount Prospect.
3. Provide assistance in site consultation and identification.
4. Help determine zoning classification.
5. Prepare community profile data.
Economic Development Commission Minutes Page Two
March 4, 1993
6. Prepare a labor /wage survey and other demographic information.
7. Conduct site tours.
8. Establish community referral contacts.
9. Continue direct access to Mayor and Board of Trustees.
In addition, he noted that the enabling ordinance adopted in September identified eight
specific objectives and role functions for the Economic Development Commission (EDC).
These basically coincided with the points that he had made earlier to the Commission.
The objective to develop a local Economic Development Action Plan is among the more
detailed areas of the ordinance. Another requirement of the ordinance was the preparation
of an Annual Report each December made to the President and Board of Trustees that
outlined the business development, current climate and specific activities of the EDC within
the past 12 months.
Dave Clements, Village Planning. Director, indicated that the staff would provide liaison and
assistance to the EDC in the formulation.of an Action Plan and other work areas deemed
appropriate by the EDC. s r
PARTICIPATION IN JOURNAL'S ANNUAL "PROGRESS EDITION ":
Mayor Farley asked that the EDC consider advertising in the 15th Annual 'Progress Edition"
that is circulated widely among the north /northwest suburban communities. He indicated
that in the past we had participated in placing a full -page ad in close proximity to Mount
Prospect's Community Profile. It was agreed that we should continue the ad, making an
effort to change toe copy and picture story to reflect the latest economic development
attractions to the Village. The cost of the ad is $735.00.
COMMISSION MEMBERS INPUT:
Jim Ebbinghaus asked that each member take five minutes to write down the reasons "A
business would be attracted to and want to locate in Mount Prospect ". He stated that he'd
like the comments to be made available to the members prior to the next meeting date.
A full range of topics and issues were discussed. Among them:
* Challenges to the EDC in setting up a workable plan
* Status of information /resources (what kind & in what form)
* Sharing demographic /financial information among members
* Spinoff effect of large business creating smaller service business
* Advisability of use of incentives for new businesses
* Activities of other community EDC's
Economic Development Minutes Page Three
March 4, 1993
SELECTION OF OFFICERS:
The ordinance creating the Economic Development Commission calls for the selection of
a Vice - Chairman and a Secretary from among the Commission members. Mr. Ebbinghaus
called for volunteers for the positions. By general consensus, it was decided that John
Riordan would serve as Vice - Chairman and Ed Sroczynski as Secretary.
SELECTION OF MEETING DATE:
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Following a brief discussion, it was decided to meet next on Wednesday evening, April
14th, at 6:30 P.M. at the Village Hall, Trustees Room. It : agreed that all mWings
would adjourn promptly at 8:30 P.M. -
ESTABLISHMENT OF SUBCOMMITTEE: x
It was decided to form a committee of three members to begin the task of putting together
a first draft of an "Action Plan" outline for discussion at the April 14th meeting. John
Riordan, Karen Johnson and Chairman Jim ' Ebbinghaus were to serve as members. A
meeting was set for Wednesday morning, 8:30 A.M., March 24th, at the Village Hall,
Trustees Room.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 P.M.
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