Economic Development Committee

Approved MINUTES OF THE NORTHBROOK ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Village Hall Terrace Room April 13, 2016 Members Present: Chairman James Kahan, Carol Currie, Tensley Garris, R. J. Gravel, Sandra Frum, Edwin Feld, Jay Glaubinger, Kate Hall, Larry Hewitt, Judy Hughes, Harley Korman, Tracy Katz Muhl, Mike Riggle, Karen Roloff, Richard Rushkewicz, Hillarie Siena, Ken Slepicka, Ken Spero, and Brian Wegley. Staff Present: David Schoon Recorder: S. Anetsberger Call to Order & Introductions: ECD Chairman Kahan called the meeting to order in the Board Room of Village Hall at 7:35 a.m. Everyone introduced themselves. Review of Minutes: On a motion made and seconded with one member abstaining, the minutes from the January 13, 2016 meeting were approved as submitted by voice vote. Public Comment-Hear from the Audience - None Community Planning & Economic Development Coordinator Report David Schoon, Village Staff Liaison provided updates regarding the following Developments: Northeast Northbrook (1) NorthShore 770 - work is being completed on the residential building, all businesses are open except PNC Bank and a small space designated for a medical use; (2) Marathon at Dundee & Skokie property owners continue to work on land swap negotiations; (3) 1000 Skokie Mixed Use - Life Time Fitness project was approved by the Village Board for concept plan approval but need to come back for final plan approval, residential units were reduced to 304; (4) Lock Up Self Storage on Skokie Boulevard and Sunset Ridge - existing building is being demolished. Project is moving forward; (5) JCC Expansion on Revere Drive continues to move forward; (6) Kemper Sports at 500 Skokie and UBS at 5 Revere Drive seek special permit approval for outdoor signage; (7) Northbrook Inn Memory Care at 99 Point Drive is under construction; (8) Timber's Edge by KZF is making site improvements; (9) Dunkin Donuts at Dundee and Pfingsten is under construction after resolving IDOT issues; (10) Rogan Corporation sought a special permit for wall signs; (11) Noggin Builders at 3000 Dundee goes to Plan Commission next Tuesday seeking approval to relocate and expand not far from current site; (12) US HealthVest Psychiatric Hospital at 4201 Lake Cook - preliminary presentation to the Village Board revealed majority of the Board was not interested in rezoning and amending restrictive covenant; (13) Class 6B requests for Atlas Fibre and Wiss Janney Elstner were approved, Board choose not to take action on Panek Precision; (14) Village Green Center expansion construction continues to move forward but has had some delays due to unforeseen circumstances; (15) Jacob's Townhomes on Shermer is going to Planning and Zoning tonight, concerns include density, open space, placement of townhomes; South Central Northbrook (16) Metro Self Storage on Shermer and Janke has been completed; (17) Patriot Care Assisted Living Facility - village EDC Meeting Minutes – April 13, 2016 staff is waiting for them to resubmit revised plans; (18) Royal Truck Repair at Shermer and Old Willow Road - preliminary review revealed the Board was open to the use of the location; South East Northbrook (18) Toyota of Northbrook went through preliminary review for plan changes to the site; waiting for applicant to submit formal application; (19) Anets Woods, Edward James – By a 5-2 vote, the Board voted to approve a 32-unit development with a controlled gate access to Lee Road for residents and emergency vehicles; (20) The Lodge expansion was recommended for approval and will go before the Board; (21) ICDC business visits continue. Feedback from business visits reveal employers having trouble attracting new employees. ICDC is exploring how to assist employers with this issue. Upcoming speakers include the Fire Department and Development and Planning Services Department to discuss the permitting and inspection process. President Frum stated that the Village is looking at improvements on Shermer Road and is planning to narrow the road to three lanes, the center lane being designated for turns. The desired effect is to make Shermer Road a more walkable and friendly area. Member Garris inquired about upcoming road construction projects. President Frum stated that the railroad crossing on Dundee near Meadow would be closed for a few days for construction. Also there is a planned road construction project on Shermer Road between Waukegan and Dundee. Updates from Each Taxing District Village of Northbrook - President Frum highlighted two stormwater projects: the detention project at Western and Farnsworth is underway and should be finished by summer's end and a project at Northbrook East. The Village went out for bonds that were issued at 2 1/2 percent, which is down from 3 percent last fall. President Frum reported being in Springfield recently and the budget crisis still looms overhead. There is no plan to handle the budget crisis. Library - The Library received a letter from the State of Illinois regarding partial per capita grant funding that the Library is due to receive. The Library is in the final stages of hiring a new assistant library director. The Library is working on a new strategic plan. Park District - The executive director of the park district has tendered his resignation. A human resources search firm has been retained to find a replacement. Contracts have been approved for the West Park pool replacement. Construction is scheduled to begin at the close of the 2016 pool season. The new pool is scheduled to open in 2017. The Park District is moving towards prioritizing and implementation of their new ten-year strategic plan. District #27 - The District is monitoring issues in Springfield. Enrollment is up. New families are moving into the area. They continue to have concerns regarding the school funding formula and changes in pension obligations. Reserves are at an acceptable level and there are no planned major projects. District #28 - Full day kindergarten has been approved. There are two administrative vacancy positions open, and summer school preparations are being put in place. The District continues to monitor the State of Illinois crisis. EDC Meeting Minutes – April 13, 2016 District #30 - The district acknowledges the retirement of Chris Young. It has a planned budget deficit for facility work. Westcott's roof work should be finished by summer. A RFQ for architects was sent out due to significant work at Maple School. Kindergarten numbers are growing and new families are moving to the district. District #225 - Enrollment at GBS is growing. Enrollment at GBN is stabilizing. Staff expenses have increased due to 20% more students and classrooms are having to be reconfigured within the buildings. The State of Illinois crisis is being carefully watched, and the District is monitoring rising health care costs. The Park District, Library and District #31 now participate in the fiber ring for internet services offered by the District. Hillarie Siena introduced R. J. Gravel as the new Assistant Superintendant for Business for the District and thanked the EDC for allowing her to serve on the Commission for the last fifteen years. A thank you round of applause was brought forward for Hillarie Siena as her retirement nears. Community Discussion on the Benefit of 6B's Chairman Kahan opened discussion on the topic of recent 6B requests. Chairman Kahan referred to an editorial letter printed from the Northbrook Tower whereby an individual questioned the Class 6B classification granted to Wiss Janney and Elstner. Chairman Kahan stated that there is a need to further educate the community when a 6B request is recommended and why it is beneficial to the community. He referred to the recent Northbrook Chamber of Commerce & Industry article, "ICDC Chair Explains Cook County 6B Incentive" and the Northbrook Business Briefs "Class 6B Incentive Program" as positive examples. Member Hughes stated that the article from the Northbrook Tower newspaper demonstrated that the person did not understand stating a "lack of debate" and that there is a lot of previous discussion that takes place before a 6B is presented to the Village Board. Member Roloff spoke of the need to include comments within in a variety of media on "why" 6B is important to the Village. She stated both the Chamber and Business Brief articles did a good job explaining the "what" behind the 6B and that it was a good contextualization of the program. Member Feld had questions about the process and application form. He stated a previous applicant had violations in the past but still received the 6B Classification. He questioned who is entitled to the 6B, "Is it a good citizen or is it a monetary issue?" Village Staff Liaison Schoon provided background information regarding the issue Member Feld raised. Member Muhl shared that disclosures should be added to the application. President Frum stated that she could bring the suggestion of disclosure to the Board for review. Member Hall added that it is important to send out information with regular frequency that offers an educational component. Member Siena stated that information should include how the Village comes to its decision and complimented Northbrook on its 6B policy. Old Business None EDC Meeting Minutes – April 13, 2016 New Business Village President Sandy Frum, Chair of the Northwest Municipal Conference, was recently tapped to serve on the 17 member “Connecting Cook County” advisory committee, created by Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle. Chief BMO Private Bank economic advisor Jack Ablin will be the keynote speaker at the Chamber's annual Economic Outlook breakfast to be held on April 28. Member Rushkewitz questioned if there was information on the space loss vacated by two local Northbrook Grocery stores. Village Staff Liaison Schoon stated that Jewel holds the Caputo lease, and it may be difficult to find a user for the 50,000+ sq. ft. space. Member Hughes shared that "the arts" bring in great economic vitality to a community and that on June 3, 2016 "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" will be shown in the Village Green Park in honor of John Hughes and to commemorate the 30th anniversary release. A bench dedication in Northbrook in honor of John Hughes will take place on May 22, 2016 Chairman Kahan asked the Commission to look at industrial areas as assets to the community and questioned, "What is the future for these industrial areas 20 years out and should we be asking how to preserve the asset value to the community?" He asked membership to consider where to put economic development dollars and "Is functional obsolescence an issue and how do we address it?" Adjourn On motion made and seconded, the meeting was adjourned at 9:05 a.m. Respectfully Submitted - Sue Anetsberger