Economic Development Commission

Regular Meeting

DeKalb, IL · January 3, 2020

Minutes

MINUTES CITY OF DEKALB ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MEETING JANUARY 3, 2020 The Economic Development Commission (EDC) of the City of DeKalb, Illinois held a regular meeting on January 3, 2020 in the Executive Conference Room of the DeKalb Municipal Building, 200 S. Fourth Street, DeKalb, Illinois. The meeting was called to order at 8:33 a.m. A. ROLL CALL Executive Assistant Ruth Scott called the roll and the following EDC members were present: Chair Jeff Richardson, Members Grant Goltz, Mark Sawyer and Sam Walt, and Ex-Officio Members Matt Duffy (DeKalb Chamber of Commerce) and Paul Borek (DCEDC). The following EDC members were absent: Vernese Edghill-Walden. Others present included: City Manager Bill Nicklas, Transit Manager Marcus Cox, and Executive Assistant Ruth Scott. B. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA MOTION Mr. Goltz moved to approve the agenda; seconded by Mr. Walt. VOTE Motion carried by a voice vote of the majority of members present. C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. December 6, 2019. MOTION Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the agenda; seconded by Mr. Goltz. VOTE Motion carried by a voice vote of the majority of members present. Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes January 3, 2020 Page 2 of 4 D. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION None. E. REPORTS 1. City Manager Report. City Manager Nicklas reported on the status of Project Hammer. The intergovernmental agreement (IGA) has been approved and signed by all the taxing bodies. He noted that the other project (Project Ventus) will be reviewed and discussed by the City Council at upcoming Council meetings, which will include the annexation of property south of Gurler Road. City Manager Nicklas also reported that only three single-family home building permits were issued in 2019. However, commercial and industry revenues went up considerably. Discussion ensued regarding available commercial space. It was noted that there’s a lot of retail space available, but not so much for industry. There was a brief discussion regarding violent crime, which may be one of the factors keeping potential home buyers from moving to DeKalb. Mr. Goltz noted that similar college towns have a lot more violent crime than what DeKalb has experienced. Discussion ensued regarding the Annie Glidden North (AGN) area and failed businesses. There was mention of having the AGN group meet with the Economic Development Commission (EDC). 2. DeKalb Chamber of Commerce (DCC) Report. Mr. Duffy reported on upcoming events, including the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner on January 23, 2020. He also noted that work has begun on the 2020 Business Area Guide. 3. DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC) Report. Mr. Borek provided a report on what the DCEDC did in 2019 for business retention and attraction in DeKalb County. In 2020, the focus will be on branding in order to distinguish DeKalb County from other area counties. He noted that the biggest challenge goes beyond business expansion, but also ensuring that growing families move here. Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes January 3, 2020 Page 3 of 4 Discussion ensued. F. OLD BUSINESS 1. Business Retention Program Business List and Questions – 2020. Those present discussed the updated Business Retention Program Business List and the businesses each EDC member would visit. There was also discussion regarding the updated list of questions that would be asked of each business. A revised list will be provided at the next meeting. Brief discussion ensued regarding the process of the visits and how the information gathered will be used and shared with the City Council and community. Mr. Walt noted he will provide a draft mission statement at the next EDC meeting. G. NEW BUSINESS 1. AGN Resource Guide. Transit Manager Cox provided an update on the AGN Resource Guide, providing a rough draft layout. He will bring the guide back to the EDC for review at the next meeting in an almost finalized version. Mr. Cox further stated that the 5,000 of the guides will be printed, including some in Spanish. It will also be made available online, noting distribution is key. Mr. Cox reported that work is in progress for branding buses for consistency. He also reported that ridership remains consistent with about 20 riders a day to Elburn, and about 30 riders a day for the Park 88 area. There was brief discussion about sending postcards throughout the community informing residents of the bus routes and resource guide. H. NEXT MEETING: FEBRUARY 7, 2020. There was no discussion regarding this item. I. ADJOURNMENT MOTION Mr. Sawyer moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Mr. Goltz. VOTE Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes January 3, 2020 Page 4 of 4 Motioned carried by a voice vote of the majority of members present. The meeting was adjourned at 9:43 a.m. Respectfully submitted, ________________________________________ RUTH A. SCOTT, Executive Assistant Approved by the Economic Development Commission: February 7, 2020.

Agenda

DeKalb Municipal Building Executive Conference Room Second Floor 200 South Fourth Street DeKalb, Illinois 60115 AGENDA Economic Development Commission Meeting January 3, 2020 8:30 a.m. A. Roll Call B. Approval of the Agenda C. Approval of Minutes 1. December 6, 2019. D. Public Participation E. Reports 1. City Manager Report. 2. DeKalb Chamber of Commerce Report. 3. DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation Report. F. Old Business 1. Business Retention Program Business List and Questions – 2020. G. New Business 1. AGN Resource Guide. H. Next Meeting: February 7, 2020. I. Adjournment MINUTES CITY OF DEKALB ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MEETING DECEMBER 6, 2019 The Economic Development Commission (EDC) of the City of DeKalb, Illinois held a regular meeting on December 6, 2019 in the Executive Conference Room of the DeKalb Municipal Building, 200 S. Fourth Street, DeKalb, Illinois. The meeting was called to order at 8:30 a.m. A. ROLL CALL Executive Assistant Ruth Scott called the roll and the following EDC members were present: Chair Trixy O’Flaherty, Members Grant Goltz, Jeff Richardson, Mark Sawyer, and Sam Walt, and Ex-Officio Members Matt Duffy (DeKalb Chamber of Commerce) and Paul Borek (DCEDC). Members Vernese Edghill-Walden and Mohammed Labadi arrived at 8:32 a.m. The following EDC members were absent: None. Others present included: City Manager Bill Nicklas, Transit Manager Marcus Cox, Mayor Jerry Smith, Council Member Carolyn Morris, and Executive Assistant Ruth Scott. B. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA MOTION Mr. Goltz moved to approve the agenda; seconded by Mr. Sawyer. VOTE Motion carried by a voice vote of the majority of members present. C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. November 1, 2019. MOTION Mr. Richardson moved to approve the agenda; seconded by Mr. Sawyer. VOTE Motion carried by a voice vote of the majority of members present. Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes December 6, 2019 Page 2 of 4 D. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION There was none. E. REPORTS 1. City Manager Report. City Manager Nicklas provided an update on the Project Hammer Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA), noting it would be presented to the City Council on December 9, 2019. He further noted that taxing districts were supportive of the IGA. Brief discussion ensued, which included a timeline of construction if DeKalb is chosen. Building plans have been approved. Mayor Smith commended City Manager Nicklas and DCEDC’s Paul Borek on their efforts in leading the way to obtain this company, nothing if this comes through, it will have a regional impact. Transit Manager Cox provided an update on transportation and the AGN Resource Guide, noting a grant was secured to assist with the guide. A draft version of the guide will be provided for review at the January 3, 2020 Economic Development Commission (EDC) meeting. Transit Manager Cox also provided an update on the ridership for Route 12 (Elburn) and Route 19 (Park 88), stating ridership has exceeded expectations. Brief discussion ensued, which included the weather’s impact on ridership as the it gets colder, a ridership survey and the inclusion of the community and NIU students, the Tracker app, and the future marking of the buses for a consistent look. 2. DeKalb Chamber of Commerce (DCC) Report. Mr. Duffy reported that the DCC has moved to its new location (130 W. Lincoln Highway) and number of events coming up that will focus on the holiday season. 3. DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC) Report. Mr. Borek reported that the DCEDC, who administers the Enterprise Zone (EPZ), will be pursuing a boundary amendment to add approximately 500 acres south of Gurler Road to the EPZ so that the state EPZ benefits can be considered to prospective businesses. Mr. Borek also reported that the DCEDC’s strategic plan involves talent acquisition, targeted industry improvement, branding, and collaboration county wide. A joint Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes December 6, 2019 Page 3 of 4 meeting to discuss what companies are doing to assist was held and 3M assisted by providing a list of what they do for recruitment. Brief discussion ensued regarding a report from Crain’s about the increasing taxes in Cook County and looking at our local tax structure in the near future, DeKalb’s tax base, why it’s so high and how it can be remedied, and the future of the empty GE plant. It was noted that it’s under remediation at this time but slated to be put on the market. F. OLD BUSINESS There was none. G. NEW BUSINESS a. Business Retention Program Business List – 2020. Discussion ensued regarding the importance of the list, follow up after meeting with the businesses, branding, and data collection. Ms. Edghill-Walden stated that some questions may need to be changed in order to focus on City relationships, as well as asking for the City’s strengths and not just what the problems are. It was decided that updates and changes to questions would be sent to Executive Assistant Scott for compiling. Discussion continued regarding the list of questions and how to move forward. Council Member Morris noted this project needs a purpose and a mission to ensure business owners are satisfied being business owners in DeKalb so that they stay. Chair O’Flaherty stated her term on the EDC ends on December 31, 2019 and she has asked to not be reappointed. Mayor Smith noted that he has asked Mr. Richardson to be the EDC Chair. Mayor Smith also noted that Mr. Labadi’s term ends on December 31, 2019, and he (Mr. Labadi) has asked to not be reappointed. Mr. Sawyer will be reappointed. Mayor Smith asked the remaining EDC members for recommendations for two vacant spots left on the EDC. Mr. Labadi stated he hopes that economic growth will continue with the City’s efforts. Chair O’Flaherty stated she would like to help with the business retention program. Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes December 6, 2019 Page 4 of 4 H. NEXT MEETING: JANUARY 3, 2020. The list of businesses will be refined, as well as the list of questions, and EDC members will be assigned to start the project. It was requested that the EDC members make recommendations on which businesses they want to visit. Mr. Walt stated he would draft a mission statement, which will be consistent with the City’s mission statement. I. ADJOURNMENT MOTION Mr. Goltz moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Mr. Sawyer. VOTE Motioned carried by a voice vote of the majority of members present. The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 a.m. Respectfully submitted, ________________________________________ RUTH A. SCOTT, Executive Assistant