Village Center Commission (No longer holds meetings)

APPROVED Village Center Commission Meeting Minutes February 1, 2017 A meeting of the Village Center Commission was held on Monday, February 1, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. at the Village Hall Conference Room, 850 Waukegan Road, Deerfield, Illinois. Chairman Jannes Zobus called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were: Joan Reed Janice Shaw Kenneth Stolman Victoria Street Jannes Zobus, Chairperson Absent was: Garo Emerzian Also Present: Dan Nakahara, Village Planner Jeri Cotton, Secretary Public Comment There were no Public Comments on non-agenda items. Document Approval Ms. Shaw moved to approve the minutes from the November 16 2016 VCC meeting. Ms. Reed seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote with minor corrections. Business: 1. Discussion with DBR Chamber Director Victoria Street Mr. Nakahara reported the DBR Chamber of Commerce has been in existence since 1925. Serving businesses and residents is their highest priority. Vicki Street has been the Executive Director for 18 years and has seen numerous changes within the Village. Ms. Street reported the Deerfield Public Library is promoting podcasts for Deerfield business leaders. Mayor Rosenthal’s podcast is currently on the library website and Ms. Street’s podcast will be available shortly thereafter. 1 Ms. Street noted that the DRB Chamber is the oldest business in Deerfield. They have 400 members consisting of small, medium and large businesses with 50% of their membership have businesses within Deerfield, Bannockburn and Riverwoods. The other portion of their membership is there to network and do business within the area. The Chamber has resources for all businesses including idea sharing, civic participation, certificates of origin, and relocation kits, etc. The Chamber also performs many functions and holds numerous events annually including a health expo with the Patty Turner Center, a business-to-business expo, co- sponsoring Deerfield’s Harvest Fest. The Chamber publishes a community guide, which includes a separate restaurant guide, which is distributed to all households and businesses within the 60015 area code. Mr. Stolman asked if there are any networking events. Ms. Street explained they have facilitated events, but do not have speakers. Ch. Zobus indicated that the Chamber has after hour events where members can bring a guest. The February business after hour event will be held at the Deerfield Golf Course. The Chamber also holds monthly member workshops as well. Ms. Street reported they recently started a young professionals group for Chamber members under 40. The young professionals group holds quarterly programs and have their next event will be at DAO Sushi. Ms. Street explained there will be a monthly $10 Tuesday lunch for the young professionals as well. The young professionals group advertises through Facebook. Ms. Reed congratulated Ms. Street for the professional job she does, the Chamber’s growth and Ms. Street’s longevity with the Chamber. Ms. Street indicated she has tried to become partners with the Village and other entities. She believes that is one of the Chamber’s biggest accomplishments. Ms. Street indicated they are working on a campaign with the Village to promote restaurants. Ch. Zobus thanked Ms. Street for everything she does for the Commission and the Village. 2. Village Promotional Brochure Mr. Nakahara reviewed the recommendations that the VCC made at their last meeting and how they have been incorporated into the brochure. He briefly summarized the VCC comments that the brochure had had too much text, needed more “pizzazz”, more infographics and images, cover imagery, content changes and additions, readability, etc. Mr. Nakahara showed the previous version of the brochure and discussed the options from the last meeting. Mr. Nakahara incorporated the Commission’s comments into the brochure and wanted to ensure the Commission approved of the changes to the brochure draft proposal before sending the draft back to the graphic designer. Mr. Nakahara and the commissioners discussed the new draft proposal. Ms. Street noted the General Manager from the Marriott Suites Deerfield is no longer at this location and suggested getting a new quote. She also suggested adding the Eden’s 2 Expressway to the map. The commissioners believe the new map is much better. Mr. Stolman believes the draft is much more vibrant and pops. The main profile pieces have added pizzazz. Ms. Reed questioned whether the top pictures on the cover appear too different. The commissioners suggested removing the images at the top of the cover. The members discussed other aspects of the brochure including the color brightness and greed that softening some of the colors would be more attractive. Mr. Nakahara will have the designer work on a new cover. Ms. Street is not in favor of having the repeating deer logo. Mr. Nakahara will bring the latest comments to the graphic designer. Mr. Stolman moved to move forward with the proposed draft. Ms. Reed seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote. The commission is comfortable with the direction of the brochure and gave staff authority to proceed as appropriate to complete the brochure. Mr. Nakahara noted that next version that the VCC will see would be the completed draft right before they go to print. The commission was fine with this and agreed that the brochure does not have to reviewed further and should be completed. 3. Village Center Update Mr. Nakahara reported representatives from 711 Deerfield Road will appear before the Trustees regarding a multi-tenant building in the former Biaggi’s location. He noted the property owners are hoping to bring more activity to the center. The 630 Central Avenue building was removed. The Village is proposing a parking lot as a potential use. The Village does not currently have a public parking lot in this area. Mr. Nakahara noted the Fine Arts Commission is working on a mural for the east side of the AT&T building and artwork in the vacant storefront windows in the Village Center. He indicated that the dead trees in the Village Center streetscape will be removed and replanted in the spring. Naf Naf Mediterranean Grill will be coming into the 636 Deerfield Road building (former Overstock Furniture in Shoppers Court). Trax has closed and a new restaurant will be replacing Trax. McAlister’s Deli will be coming into the Teddy Fabz location in front of Home Depot. Koko Fit will be opening between Panera and Nothing Bundt Cakes at 190 Waukegan Road. The Commissions discussed the 2017 meeting schedule. There is no meeting scheduled in July or December. The meeting schedule is based on the scope of work, and is subject to change. Ch. Zobus requested the Commissioners respond early to meetings, to ensure there is a quorum. Mr. Nakahara will send information out earlier. Ms. Street noted the Commission does not have anything on the agenda for March. Ch. Zobus indicated they have brought in speakers to enlighten the Commissioners and 3 suggested that the Commission continue to have speakers occasionally. Ms. Reed prefers to work with the downtown businesses and plans for redevelopment. Ms. Street would prefer the Commission have more of a purpose. Mr. Nakahara noted the Commission is an idea-generating group for the Village Center. He commented that he will let the Commission know about proposed development in the Village Center as it comes so the Commission can comment on, and the minutes can reflect the commissioner’s opinions. The Commission can also work on promotions to draw people into businesses in the Village Center. Mr. Nakahara will get information to the Commissioners in a timely manner and will ensure the meetings have a purpose. He asked the Commissioners to send Ch. Zobus or himself topics and/or ideas that could work on or would like to address in future meetings. Ch. Zobus suggested asking Mr. Street and Mayor Rosenthal to speak with the Commission. Ms. Reed suggested the Commissioners attend a Plan Commission meeting to discuss developments; discuss businesses going into the downtown and discuss potential new development. Ms. Street believes the Commission could facilitate an opinion on topics like the food and beverage tax when it was being discussed. Mr. Stolman thought the Commission would be forward thinking and would discuss says to market the downtown. Mr. Nakahara read the Commission’s Mission Statement. Ms. Reed suggested Mr. Nakahara let the Commissioners know when the Plan Commission has an agenda item that impacts the downtown. Mr. Nakahara will begin sending out the Plan Commission agenda to the Commission to let the Commissioners know what is happening and if there is somethings that the Commission should weigh in on. The Commissioners suggested meeting every other month rather than every month, unless there is a reason to meet. The Commission will meet in April, June, August, and October in 2017. Ms. Street suggested discussing goals and the final brochure at the April meeting. Ch. Zobus asked the commissioners to recruit new merchant member. 4. Items from the Commission Ms. Reed commended the Village for removing the holiday decorations in a timely manner. She noted some of the lights around the streetscape poles and greenery were sloppy and unattractive. Ms. Reed believes the blue LED lights emit a very cool, unattractive look. She also questioned why the informational signs are attached to the streetscape poles rather than the light posts. Mr. Nakahara noted Deerfield Road will be turned over to the County. Ms. Street commented that there was a sign on Waukegan and Deerfield Road that stated, “Handicap access”. She noted the accessible community is very offended by the use of the word “handicap”. Adjournment: There being no further business or discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 9:30 pm. 4 Respectfully submitted, Jeri Cotton Secretary 5