Economic Development & Neighborhood Renewal

COMMISSION FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND NEIGHBORHOOD RENEWAL MEETING MINUTES Thursday, November 19, 2015 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING Persons in Attendance: Executive Committee: Mayor Andrew Przybylo – Ex-Officio Ross Klicker - Associate Executive Director Cathy Spadoni – Secretary Steven Vinezeano – Village Manager Joe Bialko Mike Shields Jason Trunco Alan Zielinski Staff member Cammy Fortuna Persons absent: Executive Committee: Charles Ostman – Executive Director Trustee Joe LoVerde – Ex-Officio I. Call to Order Ross Klicker called the meeting of the Executive Committee to order at 5:45 p.m. in the Council Chambers Conference Room, Village of Niles Administration Building. II. Approval of Minutes Alan Zielinski made a motion, seconded by Jason Trunco, to approve the minutes of the September 24, 2105 meeting. On voice vote, all concurred. III. Façade Grant Program The Committee discussed the current policy and decided on the following: • Request funding of $50,000 in the next budget year. • Rename the program “Façade and Streetscape Improvement Program” in order to include signage. • Reward the $1,000 Architectural Assistance money only if the applicant proves that an architect has been hired.  Economic Development/Neighborhood Renewal November 19, 2015 • Remove “tuck pointing windows and window frames” from the list of eligible improvements. IV. Discussion on Expanding the Role of the Executive Committee In order to expand the role of the Executive Committee, it was decided that: • The Executive Committee will set the agenda for the stakeholder meetings. • The stakeholders will be a sounding board for the Executive Committee. • More members will be added to this Committee, perhaps leaders from each neighborhood. • The Executive Committee will meet once a month and the Stakeholders will meet quarterly. It was requested that the bi-monthly Community Development Report be distributed to the Executive Committee for their review. V. Adjournment Alan Zielinski made a motion, seconded by Jason Trunco, to adjourn the Executive Committee meeting. The meeting adjourned at 6:28 p.m. 2  Economic Development/Neighborhood Renewal November 19, 2015 REGULAR MEETING Persons in attendance: Executive Committee: Mayor Andrew Przybylo – Ex-Officio Ross Klicker – Associate Executive Director Steven C.Vinezeano – Village Manager Cathy Spadoni – Secretary Joe Bialko Mike Shields Jason Trunco Alan Zielinski Stakeholders: Stephen Costa Jacob Ehrensaft Cammy Fortuna Steve Greif Carol Harczak Fred Kudert Judy McNulty Vicki Peake Louella Preston Katie Schneider Rich Wlodarski Guests: 4 Maine East High School Students Persons absent: Executive Committee: Charles Ostman – Executive Director Trustee Joe LoVerde – Ex-Officio VI. Call to Order Ross Klicker called the regular meeting of the EDNR to order at 6:34 p.m. in the Council Chambers, Village of Niles Administration Building. He welcomed four Maine East High School students who attended a Local Government Day event at Village Hall earlier in the day and invited them to participate. VII. Presentation from Cook County Bureau of Economic Development Mr. Michael Jasso, who was schedule to present, was unable to attend. Ross Klicker provided information on the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development, reviewing their loan programs, tax tools, property tax incentives, the Illinois Enterprise Zone Program and the State of Illinois economic development programs. VIII. Presentation on Volunteer Sign-Up System on Village Website Ross Klicker demonstrated how to sign-up to be a volunteer for various Village of Niles events. 3  Economic Development/Neighborhood Renewal November 19, 2015 IX. Open Discussion Staff held their first meeting with the Lakota Group regarding signage. Expectations were established. Mayor Przybylo presented information about the tax levy. The purchase price of the Leaning Tower is $10. The Metropolitan Chicago YMCA will form a subcommittee to study the future of the Leaning Tower YMCA. The Mayor has established a Committee for Economic Enhancements that will look for ways to increase revenue and find new sources of revenue. E-Commerce has been a detriment to brick and mortar businesses. Ross Klicker urges support of the Main Street Fairness Act which will require Internet sellers to charge sales tax. If Internet sellers charge sales tax, consumers may return to local stores for their purchases, which could be a lifesaver for municipalities. X. Agenda Items for Next Meeting Signage may be on the next agenda, depending on the progress of the Lakota Group study. XI. Next Meeting Date The next meeting will be announced. XII. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Commission, Alan Zielinski made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Jason Trunco. On voice vote, all concurred. The meeting adjourned at 8:02 p.m. 4