HomeMy Public PortalAbout2011-04-25 COW minutesMinutes of the Committee of the Whole Workshop of the President and the Board of Trustees Held on April 25, 2011 In the Boardroom Mayor Collins called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Board present: Mayor Collins, Trustee Racich, Trustee Bonuchi, Trustee Fay, Trustee Kachel, Trustee Lamb, and Trustee Peck. Others present: Brian Murphy, Administrator; Michelle Gibas, Villa ge Clerk; Jon Proulx, Planner; Allen Persons, Public Works Director; Michael Garrigan, Pla nning Supervisor; Traci Pleckham, Management Services Director; and John Konopek, Chief of Police. There were approximately 6 persons in the audience. Trustee Fay moved to approve the Minutes of the Special Meeting and Committee of the Whole Workshop held on March 28, 2011. Seconded by Trustee Lamb. Voice Vote. All in favor, 0 opposed. Motion carried. PRESIDENTIAL COMMENTS Mayor Collins hoped everyone had a Happy Easter. TRUSTEES COMMENTS No comments. PUBLIC COMMENTS No comments. WORKSHOP MEETING #1 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TA SK FORCE RETENTION PLAN Mr. Tim Stetenfeld, Chairman of the Advisory Task Force for Economic Development, and Mr. Jon Proulx, Planner, reviewed the current draft of the Business Retention and Expansion Plan. Mr. Proulx introduced the plan incl uding the Vision Statement. Mr . Proulx pointed out that the Business Retention and Expansion Pl an establishes the infrastructure and the programs by which all stakeholders can participate in th e effort to advance individual and collective business success. The various initiatives have been grouped into Busi ness Retention Outreach, Business Support Services, and Doing Business in Plainfield. The plan conc ludes with a chapter on implementation by outlining the ongoing programs and activities that will promot e achieving the plan’s vision. Mr. Proulx then reviewed the various initiatives under each of the three groups. Mr. Michael Garrigan pointed out th at once the Business Retention a nd Expansion Plan is finalized, staff and the Advisory Task Force on Economic Development will be focusing on recruitment and attraction. Mr. Murphy pointed ou t that he recently had a meeting with a Site Selection Group that researched the Village though our development website.
Meeting Minutes Committee of the Whole Workshop – April 25, 2011 Page 2 of 3 Trustee Bonuchi thanked staff and the Advisory Task Force on Economic Development for the tremendous work. Trustee Bonuchi suggested allowi ng businesses to use the development website to advertise open positions. Trustee Kachel stated that previously the Village was difficult to deal with regarding businesses, and he was pleased to see how much the process has changed to make it easy to do business with the Village. Trustee Lamb stated that he likes that there is a focus on retenti on. Business retention can aid in attracting other businesses as well. He suggest ed expanding the model to include citizens and business owners. It is important to have a sense of community. He thought the plan was outstanding and a great start. Trustee Peck stated that in some other communities th e Park Districts have put health facilities out of business by competing with the loca l businesses and the Village of Pl ainfield is doing the opposite. He liked the Shop Local Program and thanked st aff and the Advisory Task Force on Economic Development. Trustee Fay commended staff and Advisory Task Force on Economic Development and encouraged consistency with the other plans the Village has in place, for example, the Teng Plan, and Comprehensive Plan. Trustee Racich thanked everyone involved and pointed out that in his opinion the Advisory Task Force on Economic Development is a dream team. He also likes the fact that there are no Trustees on the Task Force. Mayor Collins thanked staff, Advisory Task Force on Economic Development, and the Board of Trustees for thinking outside the box with the creation of the task fo rce as well as the Buxton Report. #2 FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM Mr. Jon Proulx, Planner, reviewed changes made to the Façade Program based on discussions and direction from a previous Committee of the Whole Workshop Meeting. Mr. Proulx reviewed changes made to the funding guidelines, applicat ion review process, grant reimbursements, and eligible and non-eligible improvements. Trustee Fay suggested defini ng terms and using examples. Trustee Kachel questioned landscaping being a non-eligible improvement, especially pertaining to courtyards. Mr. Proulx stat ed that the Board can approve it on a case by case basis, if the Village Board chooses to deviate from the guidelines if it feels including the lands caping in the grant has merit. Trustee Bonuchi stated that she thought the document was excellent.
Meeting Minutes Committee of the Whole Workshop – April 25, 2011 Page 3 of 3 Trustee Lamb stated that he agreed with putting in definitions and examples. He suggested removing the term “any work” in the non-eligible column to a llow for some leniency. He felt that a time limit should be placed on alterations or repairs in th e non-eligible improvements column. Suggested changing the reimbursement for repair, replacement, or other alteration to work completed façade improvements to five (5) years, and did not like structuring the grant as an interest free loan forgiven in equal increments over three (3) years. Trustee Peck stated that he likes landscaping be ing a non-eligible improvement, would like to see a system in place to prevent bid rotation, was not in fa vor of the forgivable no interest loan, and wanted the staff to get input from the building owners in the TIF District prior to making any changes. Trustee Racich stated that he would be in favor of a forgivable loan. Administrator Murphy stated that still will address the changes mentioned by the Board and bring it back for a formal vote. He suggested having the forgivable loan option as a separate vote because there was some concerns addressed by several of the Board Members. Mayor Collins thanked the staff and read the reminders. Trustee Fay moved to adjourn. Seconded by Trust ee Peck. Voice Vote. All in favor, 0 opposed. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m. Michelle Gibas, Village Clerk