HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/03/1996 EDC MinutesMINUTES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
2nd Floor Conference Room, Village Hall
Thursday, October 3, 1996
8:00 A.M.
The meeting of the Economic Development Commission (EDC) of the Village of Mount Prospect
was held on Thursday morning, October 3, 1996, in the second floor conference room of Village
Hall, 100 South Emerson Street, Mount Prospect, Illinois.
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Norman Kurtz called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. Commissioners Norman Kurtz,
John Arndt, David Lindgren and Patricia Biedar were present. Commissioners Bruce Gillilan, Brian
McCarthy and Ben Trapani were absent. Also present was David A. Hulseberg, Deputy Director
of Community Development.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Kurtz called the meeting to order and indicated that the first item on the Agenda was approval
of the minutes of September 5, 1996. Mr. Kurtz asked if there were any additions or corrections to
those minutes. Seeing none, he entertained a motion by Pat Biedar to accept the minutes. The
motion was seconded by David Lindgren and passed unanimously. Mr. Kurtz then indicated the
next item on the Agenda was old business.
OLD BUSINESS
Status Report of Current Developments
Mr. Hulseberg reported on the following projects: United Airlines, US Robotics, TCI, Sun Harvest
Produce, Menard's, Schumacher Electric, Northfield Laboratories and Outback Steakhouse.
Shop Mount Prospect
Mr. Hulseberg indicated the Shop Mount Prospect Directory is on schedule and that the Chamber
of Commerce will be ready to disseminate it in late October. The Chamber is prepared to suggest
an increase in the business license fee in order to facilitate maximum participation of all service and
retail businesses within the community in the directory. Hence, businesses will be registering an ad
in the Shop Mount Prospect Book at the same time they are obtaining a business license with the
Village.
Additionally, the Chamber is considering in developing a piece entitled "The Home Audit
Handbook" which had originally been designed by Village staff but lacked financial funding to
produce the product. It was the Chamber's suggestion that the contractor's license be increased by
$10, with the $10 then going to the Chamber to facilitate the publication of "The Home Audit
Handbook." The various contractors would then receive the benefit of having their name listed in
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"The Home Audit Handbook" as an individual who is a licensed contractor within the Village of
Mount Prospect.
ICSC Midwest Exchan e
This event was held on Thursday, September 12, 1996 at the Chicago Hilton. Participation of this
event was excellent. There were more than 100 booths and 1,000 ICSC members participating. Mr.
Hulseberg indicated that the number of communities actively pursuing economic development
within their community is increasing at a rapid pace. He suggests that the Village of Mount Prospect
remain as one of the leaders within this pack.
Downtown Development Update
Mr. Hulseberg indicated that he had been in conversation with Dr. KuoHung of the Mount Prospect
medical facility located on East Busse Avenue. Dr. KuoHung has indicated a willingness to discuss
a potential purchase of this property by the Village. While no details have been worked out, this
discussion will continue over the next several months.
Pat Biedar suggested that the Village look at getting a medical clinic within the downtown area to
facilitate community need. There was some discussion, and it was agreed, that Northwest
Community Hospital would be contacted by Dave Lindgren because of his relationship with the
members of that organization. Mr. Lindgren will ascertain whether Northwest Community Hospital
has any interest in creating a medical treatment center within our community.
NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Kurtz indicated that the term "Marketing" Subcommittee be replaced with the title "Public
Relations ". He indicated that it more adequately defines the responsibilities of this subcommittee
and ensured that there was not an overlap between marketing and attraction.
Mr. Hulseberg suggested that the Public Relations Committee become involved with the Chamber
of Commerce in developing a Job Fair to benefit businesses such as Schumacher Electric, Braun
Mfg. and US Robotics. Dave Lindgren indicated that the Chamber is interested in such an event.
Other new ideas included a Kensington Round Table which the Retention Subcommittee could
spearhead. This event would be a semi - annual event designed to encourage participation of all the
Kensington Business Center representatives.
Mr. Arndt reported that the Kensington Business Center has not been meeting on a regular basis and
it has been nearly a year since they had gathered to discuss issues of mutual interest. Mr. Hulseberg
suggested that the Retention Subcommittee could develop a questionnaire that the Kensington
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Business Center businesses would complete that could identify potential subjects of interest to those
businesses. The Village could then sponsor a round table discussion at least once annually with
the issue that was chosen. Local banks could then sponsor the second annual meeting.
David Lindgren reported for the Retention Subcommittee that they had discussed in their meeting
the ability of holding two or three programs of interest to the manufacturers of the community on
an annual basis. The Subcommittee's ideas met very closely with the suggestions that staff
proposed. Additionally, Mr. Lindgren suggested that the Open House that was held last year for
members of Boards and Commissions should be done once again. However, this time it should be
open to the business community.
Chairman Kurtz requested that staff contact the individual members prior to the next meeting as a
reminder. Dave Hulseberg indicated that Ben Trapani had a brief hospital stay but is back at work
and doing fine. John Arndt indicated that he cannot attend the November 7th meeting due to a work
conflict. Dave Lindgren indicated that there is a "Meet your Local Representative and Tax" meeting
( "What you Could Do About Your Taxes ") forthcoming and the Chamber of Commerce can be
contacted for additional information. Lastly, Pat Biedar thought it would be a good idea if we
sponsored a breakfast or symposium with our local Congressman having the opportunity to meet the
business community.