Economic Development Commission

AGENDA Economic Development Commission Meeting July 1, 2022 8:30 a.m. LOCATION DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC) 2179 Sycamore Road, Unit #102 DeKalb, Illinois 60115 A. Roll Call B. Approval of the Agenda C. Approval of Minutes 1. March 4, 2022 D. Public Participation E. Old Business – None F. New Business 1. Alternative Focus for the Economic Development Commission G. Reports 1. City Manager Report 2. DeKalb Chamber of Commerce Report 3. DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation Report H. Meeting Schedule I. Adjournment  MINUTES CITY OF DEKALB ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MARCH 4, 2022 The Economic Development Commission (EDC) of the City of DeKalb, Illinois, held a Regular meeting on March 4, 2022, at the DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC) office, 2179 Sycamore Road, Unit 102, DeKalb, Illinois 60115. Chair Richardson called the meeting to order at 8:31 a.m. A. ROLL CALL Executive Assistant Ruth Scott called the roll and the following EDC members were present: Chair Jeff Richardson, Mark Sawyer, Brian Scholle, and Sam Walt. Vernese Edghill-Walden arrived just after roll call at 8:33 a.m. Also in attendance were Ex-Officio Member Matt Duffy, City Manager Bill Nicklas, Mayor Cohen Barnes, and Council Liaison Carolyn Morris. Ex-Officio Member Paul Borek was absent. B. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA MOTION: Mr. Walt 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 THE MINUTES 1. November 5, 2021 MOTION: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the minutes; seconded by Mr. Walt. VOTE: Motion carried by a voice vote of the majority of members present. D. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION There was none. Council Liaison Morris announced that she has been appointed to serve on the Military Economic Development Committee (MEDC), led by Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton. She stated it’s a great opportunity to connect with the Lieutenant Governor and share our community’s concerns. Brief discussion ensued. E. OLD BUSINESS There was none. F. NEW BUSINESS 1. Alternative Focus for the Economic Development Commission Economic Development Commission March 4, 2022 Page 2 of 3 It was noted that Grant Goltz resigned from the EDC. City Manager Nicklas spoke to the EDC members about refocusing the commission’s mission. Mr. Scholle stated he’d like to see the EDC concentrating their efforts on the Annie Glidden North and S. Fourth Street corridor areas. City Manager Nicklas stated that would fit in with the Comprehensive Plan, which is under revision at this time. Discussion ensued about how the EDC can be more helpful to the City Council and the community. Mayor Barnes stated his original intent for the EDC was to be a sounding board for those with issues with the City’s building permit process. Ms. Edghill-Walden stated she isn’t sure the EDC is the body where concerns should be heard. Discussion ensued, with members reflecting on how business unfriendly the City was prior to 2019, and how that changed when City Manager Nicklas was hired. Discussion continued about how the EDC can be of assistance to the community and what its role should be moving forward. Mr. Scholle stated the EDC could look at developing a questionnaire that could be provided with every permit issued asking for input on the permitting process – what’s good, what’s bad, and how can the process be improved. There was consensus among the group favoring the idea. Mayor Barnes stated the results could be forwarded to the City Council for review. Brief discussion ensued about a draft questionnaire. The question was raised about how often the EDC should meet. There was no definitive answer. Mr. Duffy suggested that the EDC look at what other communities do and do well instead of starting from scratch. He added that he’s been a part of the EDC for 10 years and it seems the same discussions are being had. Discussion ensued. City Manager Nicklas indicated that the City’s building code will be updated from the 2015 version within the next couple of months. There was also discussion regarding the Comprehensive Plan and allowing the EDC to review it in draft form prior to the next meeting. Ms. Edghill-Walden left the meeting at 9:42 a.m. G. REPORTS 1. City Manager Report  Economic Development Commission March 4, 2022 Page 3 of 3 City Manager Nicklas stated he had nothing else to report. 2. DeKalb Chamber of Commerce Report Mr. Duffy reported that City Manager Nicklas was inducted into the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce Business Hall of Fame in February. He further reported on the upcoming Local Showcase and Job Fair scheduled for May 20, 2022, and changes to the Chamber’s new business directory. There was brief discussion regarding the City’s building codes. Mayor Barnes left the meeting at 9:51 a.m. 3. DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation Report Mr. Borek was absent. H. NEXT MEETING The next meeting of the EDC will be May 6, 2022 I. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Mr. Sawyer moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Mr. Scholle. VOTE: Motion carried by a voice vote of the majority of members present and the meeting adjourned at 9:53 a.m. Respectfully submitted, _____________________________ Ruth A. Scott, Executive Assistant