City of Joliet Economic Development Committee met Aug. 24.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
Pursuant to Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois Plan, the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity's Guidelines recommend best practices that limit an in-person meeting to 50 people or less (Council Chambers allows for 18 members of the public) while adhering to social distancing guidelines. During meetings, any member of the public physically present in the Council Chambers in excess of the limit will be asked to wait in another room with live feed to the meeting until the Citizens To Be Heard on Agenda Items section or Public Comments section of the meeting.
Pursuant to the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity's Guidelines, it is recommended that any individual appearing in-person wear a face-covering to cover their nose and mouth.
Citizens who are unable to attend the meeting can email comments in advance of the meeting to publiccomment@joliet.gov.
1. Roll Call
PRESENT: Councilman Larry Hug, Chairman, Councilman Don Dickinson, Councilman Terry Morris.
ABSENT: None.
ALSO PRESENT: Derek Conley, Economic Development Specialist. 2. Approval of Minutes—July 29, 2020
Motion to Approve minutes from the July 29, 2020 meeting was made by Councilman Don Dickinson.
Motion seconded by Councilman Terry Morris.
Motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Councilman Larry Hug, Chairman, Councilman Don Dickinson, Councilman Terry Morris.
NAYS: None.
3. Citizens to Be Heard on Agenda Items NOTE: There is a new temporary procedure for public speaking. Details can be found on the Joliet.gov “Public Comments” web page.
None.
4. New/Old Business - For Final Action Or Recommendation
a. Approval of Contract with Mcguire Igleski & Associates Inc. to Conduct a Downtown Joliet Architectural and Historical Survey and Secure a Preliminary Determination of Eligibility
Mr. Derek Conley, Economic Development Specialist, gave the Committee background information about the contract with McGuire Igleski & Associates Inc.
The contract amount would be $19,595.00 and this was the lowest bidder.
Councilman Morris asked where the money would come from. Mr. Conley responded it comes from the Special Service Area which currently has $1.6 and $1.2 has not been committed yet.
Chairman Hug asked if a downtown historic district was designated on a state and federal level would it change anything for business owners if they did not want to take advantage of it. Mr. Conley responded.
Councilman Morris asked if they wanted to receive the tax funds then would they have to stay within the guidelines. Mr. Conley responded they would.
Motion to recommend for approval to the full City Council the Approval of Contract with Mcguire Igleski & Associates Inc. to Conduct a Downtown Joliet Architectural and Historical Survey and Secure a Preliminary Determination of Eligibility was made by Councilman Terry Morris.
Motion seconded by Councilman Don Dickinson.
Motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Councilman Larry Hug, Chairman, Councilman Don Dickinson, Councilman Terry Morris.
NAYS: None.
b. A Resolution Authorizing Execution of a Third Amendment to Joliet Union Station Lease Agreement with MyGrain Brewing Company, LLC
Mr. Conley gave the Committee background information about the third amendment to the Joliet Union Station lease agreement with MyGrain Brewing Company, LLC.
Motion to recommend for approval to the full City Council the Resolution Authorizing Execution of a Third Amendment to Joliet Union Station Lease Agreement with MyGrain Brewing Company, LLC was made by Councilman Don Dickinson.
Motion seconded by Councilman Terry Morris.
Motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Councilman Larry Hug, Chairman, Councilman Don Dickinson, Councilman Terry Morris.
NAYS: None.
5. New or Old Business, Not For Final Action or Recommendation a. Discussion of Downtown Parking and Parking Decks
Mr. Conley said this topic came up at the last City Council meeting and the Mayor wanted to charge the Economic Development Committee to relook at free downtown parking and potentially selling off the Scott Street parking deck. This is for preliminary discussion.
Councilman Morris inquired about the parking lots that the city leases space to some of the property owners. Mr. Conley responded.
Chairman Hug does not want people to think that selling the parking deck is going to turn into free parking.
Mr. Conley talked about free downtown parking and how it would benefit the businesses. However, free parking in whatever capacity, there will still be costs to the city.
There was discussion between the Committee members and Mr. Conley about the parking.
Chairman Hug inquired about the downtown TIF's. Mr. Conley responded there are 2 TIF's. One expires in 2023 and the other one expires in 2040. Chairman Hug stated he would not like any money taken out of the general fund.
Chairman Hug suggested moving forward to find out how much of free parking the TIF and SSA can support.
b. Discussion of Ordinances Establishing Payment-in-Lieu-of-Taxes Programs for Truck Parking and Truck Terminals Continued.
Mr. Conley gave the Committee additional information about the proposed ordinances.
Councilman Dickinson feels this will bring more truck traffic in.
Councilman Morris feels it should only be allowed near the intermodal.
Chairman Hug recommended trying to discourage or prohibit local storage and off the road. If it were considered it should be only in the footprint of CenterPoint that would feed on the CenterPoint bridge.
Mr. Conley said maybe an area could be created where this type of use would be acceptable.
Councilman Morris asked where local storage parks their trucks who are area residents. Mr. Conley said many of them can store at their facility or another truck parking lot. Councilman Dickinson said some park under the high tension wires because there is space.
Mr. Conley asked if it would be beneficial for Staff to look into a geographic area where these would only be considered. Chairman Hug responded.
Councilman Morris asked if there has been a discussion about what the fee would be. Mr. Conley said the fee would have to be tied to something therefore he needs to speak with Public Works about it.
Chairman Hug suggested if it is not directly servicing one warehouse or company then they should be charged a premium.
c. Economic Development Updates
Mr. Conley gave the Committee the square footage and construction value updates from the last meeting to this meeting.
Chairman Hug asked if there is a charge for pool permits. Mr. Conley responded he does not think so.
Mr. Conley gave updates on the Stadium Club building.
Councilman Dickinson inquired about the downtown hotel, Buona Beef and Chick-fil-A. Mr. Conley responded.
6. Public Comments NOTE: There is a new temporary procedure for public speaking. Details can be found on the Joliet.gov “Public Comments” web page.
This section is for anyone wanting to speak regarding non-agenda items and are allowed a maximum of 4 minutes. It is not a question and answer period and staff, and the Economic Development Committee do not generally respond to public comments. Please note, speakers who engage in conduct injurious to the harmony of the Economic Development Committee shall be called to order by the Presiding Officer and may forfeit the opportunity to speak.
7. Adjournment
Motion to Adjourn was made by Councilman Don Dickinson.
Motion seconded by Councilman Terry Morris.
Motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Councilman Larry Hug, Chairman, Councilman Don Dickinson, Councilman Terry Morris.
NAYS: None.
https://joliet.granicus.com/DocumentViewer.php?file=joliet_e325a425-8242-49b4-839d-96bb5584bdb2.pdf&view=1
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