HomeMy Public PortalAbout07-13-2016 Task Force Meeting Minutes
Advisory Task Force on Economic Development
Meeting Minutes
July 13, 2016
Village Hall, 24401 W. Lockport Street
Attendees: Steve Preze, Greg Schaefer, Troy Strange, Brian Davis, Harold Oliver, Cassie
Vaughn, Trustee O’Rourke, and one member of the public.
Staff: Jon Proulx and Jake Melrose.
The meeting was called to order at 7:32a.m. by Chairman Greg Schaefer.
Michael Konrad was absent.
Public Comments: None.
Business Meeting
Motion was made by Steve Preze, second by Troy Strange, to approve the minutes of the
January 13, 2016 Meeting. Motion passed 6-0.
Jake Melrose introduced himself as the new Economic Development Specialist for the village of
Plainfield and will be acting as the main liaison to the Economic Development Task Force. Staff
opened the discussion regarding the Village Business Plan as staff is currently working on
research of the regional residential market and how the village is positioned competitively both
in growth and in impact fees.
Staff opened discussion regarding business retention interviews and surveying inquiring as to
how the ED Task Force would like to schedule.
Greg Schaefer indicated that previous interviews were first scheduled with the businesses and
then simply just check with the task force to see who would be willing to volunteer for the
interview.
Staff expects to be setting up interviews with larger industrial users first through the fall. At the
same time, staff will be preparing a small business survey in order to effectively reach as many
small businesses as we can in a timely and efficient manner. Staff will have a draft ready for the
next task force meeting.
Staff has been planning a Plainfield Development Showcase to take place on September 21st
and currently thought to be held at the Trolley Barn. The intent of the showcase is to provide an
opportunity for local/regional brokers, developers, stakeholders and Village representatives to
connect and network, as well as highlight some larger development opportunities in the Village.
Staff presented the current incentive policy for the Village. Staff is updating the business plan
and as part of this will be making a recommendation to extend, or even broaden, the incentive
policies. Staff has seen communities expand their incentives more than retract and it is a highly
competitive market to do so. Staff briefly discussed a couple communities’ economic
programming and business assistance grants.
Jon Proulx provided a development update:
• Staff is still working with S.B. Friedman on the Route 30 TIF and is hopeful to have some
movement by Fall.
• Meijer outlots are all accounted for and development proposed or completed but one on
135th Street.
• Target outlots developed by Vequity with a national sandwich shop moving in and a
cellular store. The other building has interest in a national tenant and is awaiting another
tenant to go ground up.
• Lenny’s Car Wash or Gas N Wash incentive and site was approved and expected to
start construction this summer.
Meeting adjourned at 8:51a.m.