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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2017-04-12 Advisory Task Force Minutes Advisory Task Force on Economic Development Meeting Minutes April 12, 2017 Village Hall, 24401 W. Lockport Street Attendees: Steve Preze, Greg Schaefer, Troy Strange, Annette Kenney, 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 7:32AM by Chairman Greg Schaefer. Michael Konrad was absent. Public Comments: None. Business Meeting Approval of the January meeting minutes will be approved at the next task force meeting in July. Mr. Schaefer asked staff to present the incentive policy discussion. Jake Melrose presented the incentive policy again that was previously discussed at the task force meeting in January. One suggestion Mr. Melrose presented was to remove the market target areas of the policy as it is contradictory to the purpose or intent of the policy, which is to allow the village to review projects on a case-by-case basis and not be overly restrictive in its criteria of type of project. Ms. Kennedy agreed that the policy should be broad in nature to allow for the village to be open to various types of developments that may be beneficial to Plainfield. Mr. Oliver also agreed that an incentive policy that is open to multiple possibilities is encouraging to a developer and agreed that the targeted areas should be removed so not to restrict ourselves to one particularly area. Mr. O’Rourke asked if this is something other communities are doing. Mr. Melrose confirmed that this policy is reflective of other community’s guidelines and many communities are going beyond broader guidelines and providing grant programs for business development. Mr. Preze asked if this policy is something that will be advertised to developers and businesses or is a more in house policy. Mr. Melrose stated that there would be a little of both. While we won’t advertise the policy itself, a set policy does provide developers and businesses with the sense that a community is ready to work with someone if the project warrants it. Mr. Proulx added that the other side of it is staff has a set policy and “marching orders” that when we are discussing possible incentives with a business or developer we can structure our conversations in line with the policy the village has created. Mr. Schaefer asked for a consensus of the task force with the removal of the target areas that the incentive policy was good to move forward. The task force agreed. Mr. Schaefer identified the next agenda item, Business Retention Update and asked if we have had any further contacts with other businesses. Mr. Melrose stated that the village had one business retention interview since January with Allways Precision who is also at max capacity in his facility and business is doing quite well. Mr. Preze added that besides the addition of the warehouse the business still seems be doing the same as previous when interviewed last. They did identify a desire to have the 143rd Street extension and a couple past issues with the village that were resolved quickly. Mr. Schaefer asked if the task force would be moving on to larger retailers. Mr. Melrose stated that he had been already out for quick interviews with many of the larger retailers as an effort to touch base with them but also make them aware of our code enforcement program and eventual inspection letters they may receive. The village is trying its best to be as business friendly as possible so staff wanted to make it a point to get out in front of those letters ASAP. Mr. Proulx stated that this effort appears to be working and provides staff with an opportunity to explain why code enforcement is important to our businesses. Mr. Oliver agreed that is important because a business/property owner never likes to receive those letters but if they are aware of it prior to coming and there is a soft touch approach to it there will be a better or quicker resolution to the problem. Mr. Melrose did state that some small business surveys were sent with not much return success. So staff will begin to push this initiative again to try and garner some more returns. Mr. Schaefer presented the next agenda item, RECon – Business & Development Recruitment. Mr. Melrose stated that the village will be sending him to RECon, which is the largest retailer convention in the U.S., and has been prepping for the convention establishing interviews with identified retailers and developers. Mr. Proulx stated that Mr. Melrose has done a gap analysis of the retailers that are not located in the village while finding their nearest location to determine which retailers are more likely to come to the village. Mr. Melrose has also created a new village marketing brochure as our previous one was through Retail Strategies, who is no longer under contract with the village. Mr. O’Rourke stated this event is where ever retailer in America that is actively growing, or even inactive, is there to find new possible locations and it is good to have the village there to be in front of them. Mr. Melrose stated it is also imperative to meet many of the retailers face to face in order to build that relationship. Many brokers represent multiple tenants that the village would like to see come to this community so building that relationship is crucial to keeping the village in a retailer’s vision. Mr. Schaefer stated the next agenda item is events. Mr. Melrose stated that staff is currently working with local businesses to start expanding new business events such as restaurant week, a progressive dinner, a burger cook-off and other ideas like expanding our efforts for Small Business Saturday. All of these events are all inaugural runs so it will take some time to get them off the ground, but we are looking to start drawing more attention to our businesses throughout the year. Mr. Melrose then provided an economic development update of the development progress. The Boulevard is possibly moving forward with a new potential anchor. Staff has been working with them since last summer and is hopeful that within the next month we will know if it is a go or not. The Route 30 TIF district analysis will be reopened this summer and hopeful to move this forward by the end of the year. The village has attracted a large retailer to the 119th & Route 59 site although land negotiations are not moving forward. Staff is also working on a hotel feasibility contacting our larger industries and their needs. Many of our industrial users require a “better stay” with their visitors traveling farther to stay at a better hotel than provided in the area. Ms. Vaughn agreed that our users would need a higher-end stay and will help staff connect with possible developers. Mr. Melrose concluded that the next meeting is in July. Mr. Oliver made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Mr. Strange. All in favor. Meeting adjourned at 8:45a.m.