Economic Development & Neighborhood Renewal

COMMISSION FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND NEIGHBORHOOD RENEWAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING SUMMARY Thursday, September 8, 2016 Persons in Attendance: Executive Committee: Andrew Przybylo – Mayor Denise M. McCreery - Trustee Charles Ostman – Executive Director Ross Klicker – Associate Executive Director Mike Shields Steve Vinezeano Linda Stoops Others in Attendance: Steven Costa I. Call to Order Meeting was called to order at approximately 5:00pm. II. Approval of Minutes Minutes of the June 16, 2016 Executive Committee Meeting and July 21, 2016 Economic Development Commission Meeting were unanimously approved. III. Façade Grant Application for 7727 N. Milwaukee The application for a Facade Grant at 7640 N. Milwaukee – Better Kitchens Inc. was presented. After some brief discussion a motion was made by Denise McCreery and seconded by Steve Vinezeano to approve a $5,000 Façade Grant for 7640 N. Milwaukee. This motion was unanimously approved. IV. EDNR Agenda Items Ross Klicker suggested that on the Next EDNR Agenda should be Small Business Tools as this item was tabled due to the length and quality of discussion pertaining to the Touhy Triangle Corridor Land Use Plan. Additionally information pertaining to an Economic Development overview showing how Niles compares to other surrounding communities could be provided. Mike Shields said that rather than discuss the potential next agenda he felt a discussion should first take place regarding the structure of the Commission. Denise McCreery agreed and suggested that perhaps the Commission should be divided into two separate groups one that focuses on Economic Development and the other to focus on Neighborhood Renewal. All agreed that the meetings need to be more than presentations and feedback sessions. Time is valuable and those who attend want to feel that their time is being used properly. Therefore it was suggested that we develop a new set of goals for the Commission and with these goals develop actionable projects that could be undertaken to help accomplish these goals. This list of goals and actionable projects could then be presented to the entire commission and ask them to “sign on” to a goal and/or project that they would be willing to work on. This concept was agreed upon by all and it was therefore determined that the next meeting of the full EDNR Commission would be postponed so that the Executive Committee could work on developing a list of goals and actionable projects. The Goals that were suggested by Mayor Przybylo are as follows: 1. Housing Stock – How do we encourage improvement on our housing stock to attract new families? 2. Sell the Schools – Can we assist the School Districts in “selling” their facilities as high quality learning environments? 3. Senior Housing Turn Over – What can be done to encourage seniors to continue to enjoy the benefits of living in Niles? 4. Finding “Angel” Investors for the Touhy Corridor – The plan calls for substantial investment in Community Space (open park space and community gathering facilities). Are there individuals or groups who would be willing to invest in these efforts? 5. Selling Niles – How do we advance our messaging about Niles? After some discussion on these potential five goals a 6th goal was suggested of “Jumpstarting” the Redevelopment of Milwaukee Avenue – What can be done to encourage the implementation of the South Milwaukee Plan that was incorporated in with the new Zoning Code in anticipation of the Pace PULSE line form the Jefferson Park RTA Station to Golf Mill? It was agreed that at the next meeting all should be prepared to come to the meeting ready to discuss potential actionable projects for these proposed goals, or suggest additional goals for discussion. With that stated a tentative meeting date of October 5th was suggested. VI. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 6:34pm.