City of Joliet Economic Development Committee Met July 29.
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 Terry Morris,
Councilman Don "Duck" Dickinson.
ABSENT: None.
ALSO PRESENT: Mr. Kendall Jackson, Director of Community Development, Mr. Derek Conley, Economic Development Specialist, Ken Kohrs, Chicagoland Speedway, Don Schoenheider, Hillwood.
2. Approval of Minutes—March 10, 2020
Motion to approve the minutes from the March 10, 2020 meeting was made by Councilman Don "Duck" Dickinson.
Motion seconded by Councilman Terry Morris.
Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: Councilman Larry Hug, Chairman, Councilman Terry Morris, Councilman Don "Duck" Dickinson. 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
5. New or Old Business, Not For Final Action or Recommendation
a. Discussion Future South Side Industrial Development
Mr. Derek Conley, Economic Development Specialist, gave a brief presentation regarding the south side industrial development.
Mr. Don Schoenheider, Hillwood Investment Properties, gave some background information about the business and their relationship with Nascar. Mr. Schoenheider gave a brief PowerPoint presentation to the Committee.
Mr. Scott Paddock, President of Chicagoland Speedway, spoke to the Committee about the speedway and their history.
Councilman Dickinson inquired about the location of the buildings. Mr. Paddock responded.
Councilman Morris expressed concerns about the truck traffic and keeping the traffic off of Laraway. Mr. Paddock and Mr. Schoenheider responded.
Councilman Hug spoke about truck traffic concerns. Mr. Schoenheider responded to Councilman Hug's concerns.
Councilman Morris spoke about truck traffic concerns and said the infrastructure is the main issue. Mr. Schoenheider said they are eager to work with the Staff, the Council and the County to find long term solutions.
Mr. Conley concluded with more of his presentation.
Councilman Dickinson asked if residents know about the Hillwood project. Mr. Conley responded they do.
Mr. Conley said the study that is being led by the State would be done sometime this fall.
b. Discussion of Ordinances Establishing Payment-In-Lieu-of-Taxes Programs for Truck Parking and Truck Terminals
Councilman Hug said he is not in favor of program.
Councilman Dickinson said there are trucks being parked throughout the City all of the time.
Councilman Morris asked if the location would matter and if there would be a fee. Mr. Conley gave background information about the proposal.
There was further discussion between the Committee members.
Mr. Conley said the city does not receive a tax revenue for this which is why they came up with a PILOT program.
Mr. Conley explained in further detail the two proposed ordinances to the Committee.
Mr. Conley said if they could move forward with the ordinance they will eventually end up with an applicant.
Councilman Hug requested more information and then have the topic come back before the Committee.
Mr. Jackson said Mr. Conley presented three scenarios with the warehouse additional parking, the truck terminal and the stand alone parking. They each have their own audience of truck parkers. It lends itself to researching further information.
c. Discussion of Amending the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Joliet Code of Ordinances to Include Business Licensing for Warehouses
Mr. Conley gave background information about the proposed ordinance revision.
Councilman Hug asked how the other communities compare. Mr. Conley responded Joliet's is actually higher and with the high impact of a warehouse it should be proportionate and higher. Mr. Conley said they would like to start tracking the businesses and buildings and they want the data. Councilman Morris and Councilman Dickinson agreed that it was a good fee structure.
Mr. Conley said the fee structure is annually as well as for existing warehouses.
Mr. Jackson said it may need to go before the Land Use & Legislative Committee and the Plan Commission before it goes before the full City Council.
d. Economic Development Updates
Mr. Conley gave the Committee the Economic Development updates.
Councilman Morris inquired about the new multi-family units. Mr. Jackson believed that is from the Timber Oaks build out at Frontage Road and I-55.
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.
Councilman Dickinson asked for updates on Chick-fil-A, Buona Beef and the vacant K-Mart property. Mr. Conley responded.
Councilman Morris commented that there are several vacant restaurants on Jefferson Street.
7. Adjournment
Motion to Adjourn was made by Councilman Don "Duck" Dickinson.
Motion seconded by Councilman Terry Morris. Motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Councilman Larry Hug, Chairman, Councilman Terry Morris, Councilman Don "Duck" Dickinson.
NAYS: None.
https://joliet.granicus.com/DocumentViewer.php?file=joliet_57708de2-f34e-4d9d-acdc-13e11e0f72b9.pdf&view=1
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