Industrial & Commercial Development Commission

APPROVED MINUTES OF A JOINT MEETING OF THE VILLAGE OF NORTHBROOK INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Village Hall Board Room January 9, 2013 Members Present: ICDC Members: Chairman Patrick Lederer, Tensley Garris, David Gottlieb, Jill Narens, Richard Rushkewicz, Dick Leopold, Susan Elfant, Mark Freeman and Brian Lee. EDC Members: Chairman James Kahan, Karen Roloff, Edwin Feld, Hillarie Siena, Joel Taub, Judith Hughes, Michael Ziering, Harley Korman, Jay Glaubinger, Sally Larmore, Josh Prober, Tensley Garris and Richard Rushkewicz. Additional Present: Gina Speckman (Chicago’s North Shore Convention & Visitors Bureau) and Jim Karagianis. Staff Present: Tom Poupard and Colleen Brunner. Call to Order & Introductions Chairman Lederer called the meeting to order in the Board Room of Village Hall at 7:30 a.m. Review of Minutes: On a motion made and seconded, the minutes from the July 18, 2012 EDC meeting were approved as presented. On a motion made and seconded, the minutes from the November 27, 2012 ICDC meeting were approved as presented. Public Comment- Hear from the Audience None Community Planning and Economic Development Coordinator Report A written report was included with the packet. Presentations by Northbrook Chamber of Commerce and Chicago’s North Shore Convention & Visitors Bureau Gina Speckman presented a power point explaining the Chicago’s North Shore Convention & Visitor Bureau’s function. They have a staff of five with a 1.2 million budget. The organization attends conferences and social events where they promote and market the north shore suburbs. The focus is on the hospitality industry. Northbrook directly benefits from increased hospitality taxes. Joint ICDC/EDC Meeting Minutes January 9, 2013 Chamber President, Tensley Garris stated the chamber organization is strong with 725 members. They partner with The Convention Bureau and work closely with the Village. They provide marketing, networking and educational opportunities and see themselves as a conduit between the Village and the business community. They hold a structured event the 1st Friday of the month which allows members the opportunity to develop business relationships. They worked with the Village to promote the live, shop, dine campaign through print media and a commercial on Comcast. Additionally, they help facilitate business growth, meet with local, state and federal legislatures and gives back to the community by promoting community service events and scholarships. Member Kahan made a motion to continue support for both organizations. The motion was seconded and approved with one abstention (Member Garris). Update Regarding Potential Class 6b Guideline & Process Changes A written report was included in the packet explaining the Ad Hoc Committees conclusions. Member Lederer is on the Ad Hoc Committee and summarized that after many meetings the challenges of establishing an alternative tax abatement program were more expensive and took longer. That alternative was dropped. The Committee has not developed set guidelines on the 6b program. Issues exist as to the length of vacancy and condition of the building. They do recommend reducing the cost of the application and the time the review process takes. It should be a requirement that all Board members tour the properties applying for the 6b incentive. Tom Poupard explained that the Village is considering some zoning changes and regulations that would allow for new uses in existing commercial and industrial areas. Perhaps this would lessen the need for 6b incentives. Member Ziering questioned why the Village wants the other taxing bodies’ views on an application. Poupard stated it’s a courtesy and gives the individual Boards the opportunity to discuss the impacts. Member Sienna states School District #225 appreciates the inclusion, as they look at both the short and long term impacts granting a 6b would have on their budget. Presentation Regarding State of the Village and Development Activity Highlights from Board Member Jim Karagianis’s presentation were: The current budget is in good shape, with some surplus. Tax revenues are up. The Village is currently sharing services with other communities to reduce costs. There has been bond savings of 2 million and we plan on accelerating the improvement of the streets. The Board is concerned with the state paying the Village their tax revenues and proposed pension reform. Currently we have 42% of the budget in reserves so Northbrook can weather out the storm. Highlights from Tom Poupard’s presentation were: New developments are being planned on the Skokie corridor such as 1) 770 Skokie. This is at the preliminary review stage. It would be a mixed commercial and residential use; 2) 1000 Skokie. This is the ComEd site. Also at the preliminary stage a 24 hr. Wal-Mart with grocery store is proposed. Joint ICDC/EDC Meeting Minutes January 9, 2013 Concerns with the developments are increased traffic, impacts on intersections of Skokie/Sunset Ridge, Dundee/Midway and the Eden’s entrance. Live safety response time to the area is being studied; and 3) 1856 Shermer. This is at the preliminary stage also with a 3 story structure with dining and retail being proposed. Parking availability is an issue. Updates from Each Taxing District School District #27- Their budget is balanced and the district is financially stable. They are always mindful of ways to save costs. The districts primary focus is on the education of the students and the staff. The current pension issues don’t relate to teachers pensions but do have general pension concerns. School District #28- The district has a new math and world language cirrucullum at the grade school level. Started a kindergarten day care program. They are in good financial condition. District is concerned with pension issues and state government. School District #225- Just completed support staff contracts and currently in teacher contract negotiations. Installed a new turf field at GBS and will install one at GBN this summer. The Variety show is on 2-7-13 and worth attending. School District #30- Concerned with pension reform. Negotiated with teachers last year and an extension was approved. Have a new computer program and added mandarin to the world language program. The district has great community financial support for special programs. They are in good fiscal shape. Northbrook Library – Received the 5 Star Library award. They are on budget. Pepper Construction was awarded the library auditorium contract Northbrook Park District - The winter carnival is at Meadowhill this coming weekend, even with lack of snow. They hold an AAA bond rating. The community wanted a dog park, which will be constructed at Coast Guard Park. The public input process continues concerning the Anets property. They currently partner with 40 different organizations such as the new gym at Greenbriar (District #28) and stormwater issues (Village). 70% of the community is involved in park district services. Old Business - None New Business- None Next Meeting The next ICDC meeting is scheduled for January 22, 2013.The next EDC meeting scheduled for July 10, 2013. Adjourn - On motion made and seconded, the joint meeting was adjourned at 8:45 a.m. Respectfully Submitted – Colleen Brunner