Economic Development Commission

DeKalb Municipal Building PLEASE NOTE LOCATION Council Chamber, Second Floor 200 South Fourth Street DeKalb, Illinois 60115 AGENDA Economic Development Commission June 2, 2017 8:00 a.m. A. Roll Call B. Approval of Agenda – Additions / Deletions C. Approval of Minutes – April 7, 2017 Meeting D. Public Participation E. New Business 1. Review Draft of 2025 Strategic Plan: Economic Development Commission Implementation Strategies F. Adjournment  MINUTES MEETING OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION CITY OF DEKALB APRIL 7, 2017 The Economic Development Commission (EDC) of the City of DeKalb, Illinois held a regular meeting on Friday, APRIL 7, 2017 in the Council Chambers of the DeKalb Municipal Building, 200 South Fourth Street, DeKalb, Illinois. The meeting was called to order at 8:09 a.m. ROLL CALL Trixie O’Flaherty, Mark Sawyer, Mohammad Labadi, David Barrow. Also present were City Manager, Anne Marie Gaura, Jason Michnick (City Planner), Matt Duffy (DeKalb Area Chamber of Commerce), Mim Evans (NIU Center for Governmental Studies, and Melissa Henriksen (NIU Center for Governmental Studies), Paul Borek (DCEDC). Trixie called meeting to order. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion to approve agenda by Barrow with Labadi seconding the motion. Passed on a voice vote. MOTION TO APPROVE MINUTES Motion to approval minutes from last meeting by Barrow with Labadi seconding the motion. Passed on a voice vote. BUSINESS 1. Summary of Sessions One & Two (February 3 & March 3, 2017) Mim reviewed the discussions and survey results from previous meetings completed by the commissioners regarding the prioritization of projects from the 2025 Strategic Plan. 2. Review Prioritizing Projects Previous projects were discussed with a general trend towards focus on strategies the link the City with NIU. Matt Duffy spoke about Proudly DeKalb goals and accomplishments within this conversation. This lead into item 3 on the agenda and the prioritization of various aspects of the work to date. 3. Discussion of Community/University Relations Continuing discussion focused on some of the projects that Proudly DeKalb has worked on and their impact on the goal of increasing enrollment at NIU. CGS presented research done since the last meeting regarding what other universities and towns have done to improve economic development in their respective towns. David Barrow related what happened in Denton, TX where he is from. Denton revitalized their downtown around being a “university town” and has seen population growth and increase in enrollment. The following discussion focused on what might be the best type of project to focus on for the city in regards to accomplishing goal of strengthening NIU. 4. Discussion of Project Implementation as group Discussion at this point evolved more towards what can/should we do as a group? What will the document that we create for the city entail? How much detail, or lack of detail and more general direction is desired from the group? CGS stated that they would provide a rough outline of the document for the next meeting, so the commission can have an understanding of what to expect in the first draft. The first draft will be reviewed at the June meeting. It was also recognized that the City will need to come forward and state more clearly what they want from the commission to be able to form this document. 5. Next steps The city will work towards answering the above question as they work with CGS on a draft of the report. This working document will then be discussed and worked on by the commission with a goal of having it finalized after the June meeting. Adjournment Barrow moved to adjourn, as Sawyer had to leave and this left the group without a quorum, and it was seconded by Mohammed and the meeting was adjourned. Motion passed on a voice vote. The meeting was adjourned at 10:12. Draft-Not for Distribution- 5/26/2017 CITY OF DEKALB 2025 STRATEGIC PLAN: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES 2017 0 Overview   • • • • • • • 1 Introduction Session One      o  2   o o             Session Two 3 Uniquely NIU      Additional Projects/Ideas 4     Prioritization                 5    Tier 1      Tier 2       Tier 3     Session Three 6   7    Prioritized Projects/Strategies       8 • • • • 9 10 Action Planning     11 Appendix A: City of DeKalb Economic Data (as reported during session one) 12 13 14 15 16 17 Appendix B: Example Scoring Criteria             18 Appendix C: Prioritization Preliminary Scoring 19  Draft-Not for Distribution- 5/26/2017 Appendix D: Example Action Matrix - Annual Supplements Priority 1: Improve both the physical connection and collaborative spirit between NIU and DeKalb. Primary/Lead 2ndry/Coop. Role of the Other Potential Key Key Action/duration Initiation Action Items Dept. or Person, Dept. Lead Person Participants/Outside Funding Status Status Metrics Schedule Date Person or Committee or Dept. Expertise/Research Source(s) Date #1 Date #2 NIU Downtown Connector project- Embrace the “Complete Streets” philosophy in future transportation and planning initiatives, i.e. Long- Range Transportation Plan Streetscape including lighting, signs, etc. from the eastern edge of downtown to Annie Glidden Engage students to understand what they need/want in the downtown "One-channel" for communication to students about events in DeKalb. May include social media and should be evaluated yearly for updating Monthly meetings with leaders of the University and City to discuss and implement collaborative efforts. This could include having and economic development designee for both "teams" Evaluate transportation options such as the Huskie pups, trolley transportation, bus routes including cost, accessibility, interest 20  Primary/Lead 2ndry/Coop. Role of the Other Potential Key Key Action/duration Initiation Action Items Dept. or Person, Dept. Lead Person Participants/Outside Funding Status Status Metrics Schedule Date Person or Committee or Dept. Expertise/Research Source(s) Date #1 Date #2 Work with businesses from campus to the downtown to help create a place students "want to be" Work with Proudly DeKalb to market the city and the university as a "UniverCity" (or other terminology) community Improve Annie Glidden N. corridor Develop an NIU/DeKalb technology initiative including feasibility of a jointly developed research park. Work to attract businesses that meet student needs and desires Develop connections between NIU students and DeKalb businesses that encourage graduate retention to grow the local workforce, such as an internship fair focused on DeKalb County only businesses Co-sponsor events with NIU to introduce and attract students to downtown DeKalb. Develop off-campus housing options for young professionals and graduate students who want to stay in DeKalb. Create places in the downtown and throughout the City where students are welcome to study. 21 Priority 2: Encourage growth in arts, culture and entertainment to celebrate community and promote economic development. Primary/Lead 2ndry/Coop. Role of the Other Potential Key Key Action/duration Initiation Action Items Dept. or Person, Dept. Lead Person Participants/Outside Funding Status Status Metrics Schedule Date Person or Committee or Dept. Expertise/Research Source(s) Date #1 Date #2 Implement the ACE Corridor Resolution passed Identifying signage Inventory and identify businesses and sites Marketing strategy Events calendar Renovate and expand the Egyptian Theatre Complete feasibility study Council adoption Implementation plan Develop entertainment venues of interest to students Student input Discussions with existing businesses Develop materials to attract new businesses Develop marketing plan Increase the number of restaurants 22 Encourage new businesses related to the arts Primary/Lead 2ndry/Coop. Role of the Other Potential Key Key Action/duration Initiation Action Items Dept. or Person, Dept. Lead Person Participants/Outside Funding Status Status Metrics Schedule Date Person or Committee or Dept. Expertise/Research Source(s) Date #1 Date #2 Promote events to encourage collaboration between the arts and business community Collaborate with NIU and Kishwaukee College for cultural events throughout the community. 23 Priority 3: Strengthen downtown including creating an attractive climate for current and prospective businesses. Primary/Lead 2ndry/Coop. Role of the Other Potential Key Key Action/duration Initiation Action Items Dept. or Person, Dept. Lead Person Participants/Outside Funding Status Status Metrics Schedule Date Person or Committee or Dept. Expertise/Research Source(s) Date #1 Date #2 Implement improvements to landscaping, signage, facades and lighting. Develop new attractions Support the establishment of a regional technology, art, and cultural children’s learning space (STEAM) Explore the feasibility of attracting businesses identified as desirable by community members: e.g., a bookstore, new ethnic restaurants, entertainment venues, and boutique shops for downtown DeKalb. Explore partnerships with business owners to make additional downtown enhancements. Target specific areas to address existing deficiencies in parking, lighting, streetscape, signage, 24 building facades and other urban design elements. Primary/Lead 2ndry/Coop. Role of the Other Potential Key Key Action/duration Initiation Action Items Dept. or Person, Dept. Lead Person Participants/Outside Funding Status Status Metrics Schedule Date Person or Committee or Dept. Expertise/Research Source(s) Date #1 Date #2 Ensure the downtown has state-of- the-art transportation and telecommunications infrastructure (i.e. Wi-Fi, electric car charging stations). Expand available downtown housing options to help create a nighttime population and support a thriving downtown. Support initiatives developed by business owners, i.e. restaurant week, shop local, summer shopping hours, coordinated shopping promotions. Implement smart regulations to streamline local business start-up and encourage responsible business ownership and management. Position, recognize, and utilize university, college, and vocational programs as a pipeline for a range of skilled employees, i.e., NIU and Kishwaukee College internship programs, Kishwaukee Educational Consortium, and DeKalb-Ogle Workforce Development Consortium. 25 Develop aesthetic and image- enhancing projects and programs. Primary/Lead 2ndry/Coop. Role of the Other Potential Key Key Action/duration Initiation Action Items Dept. or Person, Dept. Lead Person Participants/Outside Funding Status Status Metrics Schedule Date Person or Committee or Dept. Expertise/Research Source(s) Date #1 Date #2 Develop standards for appearance and informational signage used by the City. Implement improvements to landscaping, signage, facades and lighting. 26 Priority 3: Strengthen downtown including creating an attractive climate for current and prospective businesses. Primary/Lead 2ndry/Coop. Role of the Other Potential Key Key Action/duration Initiation Action Items Dept. or Person, Dept. Lead Person Participants/Outside Funding Status Status Metrics Schedule Date Person or Committee or Dept. Expertise/Research Source(s) Date #1 Date #2 Market City-owned vacant parcels for uses that complement the mix and growing vitality of community. Identify opportunities to actively market the DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport, referencing the current Airport Marketing Plan. Provide comprehensive and timely communication about all events of interest to people who live, go to school, or work in DeKalb. Encourage community leaders to positively promote the City and speak at public, professional and civic meetings. In partnership with stakeholder groups, organize, encourage and participate in community events. Use the City’s official channels for communication to share and disseminate balanced information 27 and updates on developments in DeKalb using traditional and social media to reach the largest audience (i.e. students may receive their information different than homeowners, etc.) 28