Economic Development Minutes 2013 05-07-13
APPROVED W/ CORRECTIONS
6/4/13
UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Tuesday, May 7, 2013, 7:00pm
Yorkville City Hall, Conference Room
800 Game Farm Road
In Attendance:
Committee Members
Vice-Chairman Diane Teeling
Alderman Jackie Milschewski
Alderman Carlo Colosimo
Absent: Alderman Marty Munns
Other City Officials
City Administrator Bart Olson
Community Development Director Krysti Barksdale-Noble
Code Official Peter Ratos
Alderman-Elect Joel Frieders
Administrative Intern Jeff Weckbach
Other Guests:
Attorney Dan Kramer
YEDC Director Lynn Dubajic
Jim Ratos, Parkway Development
Dave Kellogg, Parkway Development
The meeting was called to order at 7pm by Vice-Chairman Diane Teeling
Citizen Comments
None
Previous Meeting Minutes
April 2, 2013
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Alderman Colosimo noted a correction on page 2, 3 paragraph: it should read....”when the title
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is transferred to the ”. The minutes were then approved as amended.
New Business
1. EDC 2013-15 Building Permit Reports for April 2013
No comments
2. EDC 2013-16 Building Inspection Reports for April 2013
No comments
3. EDC 2013-17 Property Maintenance Update
Ms. Barksdale-Noble noted the 3-part memo in the packet. The topics addressed were property
maintenance procedures, comprehensive lot by lot “windshield” survey and how to address the
compliance process. The major offenders and the progress being made were also reviewed.
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The memo also discussed the downtown beautification overlay. This will also need business
owners' input in meetings as well as staff input, all of which will be brought forward to the
Council at a later time. Alderman Colosimo asked if other towns have these types of ordinances
for their downtowns. Ms. Noble said other towns do have them in place as part of their zoning
ordinances for enforceability.
Ms. Milschewski commented that a similar action had been taken 6 years ago. This was a
downtown vision plan dealing with land use, however, this new plan would be more technical
and would involve appearance.
4. EDC 2013-18 Ordinance Renaming a Portion of Rosenwinkel Drive to Waterpark Way
Mr. Olson said Raging Waves had asked for this name change. Signs have already been
requested and other governmental agencies have been notified of the proposal. Ms. Milschewski
asked if this road would eventually connect to Rosenwinkel and if the new name would be kept
if this occurs. Mr. Olson said a decision would be made later. The committee recommended
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approval of this request and it will move forward to the May 16 Council meeting.
5. EDC 2013-19 Countryside TIF
Administrator Olson said this matter was discussed during the budget process and at City
Council. One of the changes to the agreement involves the developer payout. $1.8 million will
be paid and the remaining $1.2 million will be paid by amusement tax. Later in the discussion,
Mr. Olson noted a Development Agreement change to the payout that $2 million would be
reimbursed to the developer--$1.8 million along with the remainder of $200,000 from
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amusement taxes. The payout portion will move forward to the May 16 Council consent
agenda.
The second point is how to handle the bond refinancing. Mr. Olson said this is more of a
financial discussion and could be redirected to the Administration Committee, depending if the
amendment is approved. If the amendment agreement is approved, he recommending
refinancing that would result in additional interest on the bond, but it would free up cash in the
next few years.
Alderman Colosimo was concerned that the payout had not been mentioned as part of the budget.
He asked if the $1.8 million would be reinvested. Attorney Kramer said the initial land purchase
was out of pocket for the developer, Mr. Ratos, and that the land and $500,000 cash had been
given to the theatre group to entice them to Yorkville. With low interest rates, Mr. Ratos is able
to”carry” this venture until the building is completed when repayment could begin. Selling the
other lots will also be important. Mr. Ratos said the interior streets are being improved as well
as water mains being replaced. A November theatre opening is still anticipated. National
restaurant chains have also been spoken with about the outlots.
Mr. Ratos added that “Mike and Denise's” is coming to Heartland as a result of the theatre and
patrons from other towns will come to Yorkville as well.
Mr. Ratos recommended now is the time to refinance due to low interest rates. Mr. Colosimo
said he is unsure if refinancing should be done since $750,000 would be added to the debt load
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for a 3-year extension. It was decided to send the refinancing issue to the Administration
Committee for discussion.
Old Business
None
Additional Business
--Alderman Milschewski noted a communications problem with an event at the new fitness
center at Rt. 47 and Van Emmon. Although the facility is not yet open, they were allowed a
registration desk just inside the building for this function. She said that participants were running
through a resident's yard and participants were climbing the rock wall. She asked how the
outdoor area would be buffered from the neighborhood behind it on Heustis. Ms. Barksdale-
Noble said she had a meeting with the owners who said there was a landscape plan developed.
Mr. Olson said an explanation would be put in writing. Mr. Ratos added that the facility is
almost completely finished. The committee members noted concerns with the current climbing
structures being visible from Rt. 47 and being a possible traffic distraction. There were also
suggestions for a fence or vegetation being needed as a buffer and other concerns for safety,
liability issues for the business and parking issues. It was noted that some citizens are concerned
about this type of facility being located in the downtown and the appearance. Ms. Dubajic noted
that conversely, it could generate interest in the downtown.
--Alderman Teeling asked if staff had examined the foreclosure information from Romeoville.
Ms. Barksdale-Noble said her intern is creating an informational page for the website which
should be done by the end of the month.
--The Rowdy's sign was questioned by Alderman Colosimo. Mr. Ratos noted it is a temporary
sign. He added that the business wishes to construct a deck on the back, but property lines need
to be verified prior to that since there is a water main at the back of the building. They will
provide a plat of survey to verify those lines and Mr. Ratos cannot review the plans until the
lines are established. It was discussed that the business would possibly reverse the front
entrance orientation. The owners wish to complete all phases at once.
Adjournment
There was no further business and the meeting was adjourned at 7:35pm.
Minute respectfully submitted by
Marlys Young
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