Economic Development Minutes 2013 06-04-13
APPROVED 8/5/13
UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Tuesday, June 4, 2013, 7:00pm
Yorkville City Hall, Conference Room
800 Game Farm Road
In Attendance:
Committee Members
Chairman Ken Koch Alderman Chris Funkhouser
Alderman Carlo Colosimo Alderman Joel Frieders
Other City Officials
City Administrator Bart Olson
Community Development Director Krysti Barksdale-Noble
Code Official Peter Ratos
Other Guests:
Stan Free, Castle Bank Stuart Oseroff, Imperial Investments
Mark Shea, Attorney/AID Kathy Hazelwood, VP/AID
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Ken Koch at 7pm.
Citizen Comments
None
Previous Meeting Minutes
May 7, 2013
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Alderman Frieders noted one correction on page 2. Last line should read “...restaurant have
also been...”. Minutes were then approved as corrected.
New Business
1. EDC 2013-20 Building Permit Reports for May 2013
Mr. Ratos commented that there is activity in Autumn Creek, however, the rain has slowed things a bit.
There is also activity in Blackberry Woods and Ms. Barksdale-Noble said the ravine is being monitored
for flooding.
2. Building Inspection Report for May 2013
A form is being created for the “windshield” inspections that will begin next week. Mr. Ratos said he
tries to notify the homeowner directly of any violations rather than sending a citation and he said
people are responding well to this approach. Citations are sent for homes in foreclosure. Citizens can
send complaints to a link to Krysti's email or, to remain anonymous, they can make a phone call to city
hall. Complaints can also be taken on Twitter or Facebook. Citizens have 5 day to rectify a weed
complaint and other complaints are dependent on the discretion of the Code Official. Mr. Funkhouser
said he had received complaints about parks which have now been rectified.
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3. EDC 2013-22 Disconnection of a Portion of the Hoover Forest Preserve
Bart Olson said this item would allow a de-annexation of about 20 acres around and including the
lodge. He gave a brief synopsis of the past events and said the City and County would each have a
portion of the property. It was determined the Rivers Edge residents are the closest residents and
Alderman Colosimo expressed concern that the City should have some control in the event of problems
at Hoover. The County has complete jurisdiction over this property. It was also stated that Hoover
may not have approved of the fees the City planned to charge for weddings held there. The de-
annexation was requested by Jason Petit at the direction of his Board.
The committee members were not in favor of this request.
4. EDC 2013-23 Third Amendment to the Redevelopment Agreement for the Downtown
Yorkville Redevelopment Project Area (Imperial Investments, LLC)
Mr. Olson said there are 3 components in regards to the pumphouse and they were put into a TIF
agreement for clarification. They are: undergrounding of Com Ed lines, installing new facade on
pumphouse and teardown of 5-10 feet of eastern end of the building. Each component requires sign-off
from both the City and Imperial. He said, in general, Imperial will pay for the costs of the
undergrounding, due diligence study (requiring 8-12 weeks to finish) and teardown. For the
undergrounding, they are asking the City to split the study cost 50-50, which would be about $15,000
from the TIF fund. In general, the City would pay for 50% of undergrounding upfront. Mr. Olson said
the City has only about $250,000 in the TIF fund now, some of which will be used for the Rt. 47
project including street lights.
Alderman Frieders asked if the east side of the street would be handled in the same way. Mr. Olson
said the City would like to do this, however, the cost would be about $5 million. It would also require
a $30,000 study.
Commenting on the power lines, Alderman Colosimo said the lines are functional for the City,
however, the developer is asking the City to pay for 80% to benefit Imperial. Mr. Olson noted that the
upgrade would be a line item in the budget and that the City would be doing this project in a few years
at 100% of the cost, if not now. Mr. Oseroff added that one power line has already been buried and that
it is a benefit for all to increase the efficiencies and improve the appearance. He also noted the
problems with power deficiencies last summer. Alderman Frieders asked if there would be a problem
with underground utilities due to the close proximity of the pumphouse. Mr. Ratos said it would be
within a safe distance and the conduit is extremely thick. Alderman Funkhouser commented that the
pumphouse should be improved since it is city-owned and since the funds are available, the City should
move forward. The nearby parking lot is expected to be done by November.
Limitation of the TIF funds was discussed. The City's liability for the Rt. 47 project is already
budgeted in the 5-year budget. The property value is increasing so it is expected that the TIF fund will
grow. Chairman Koch asked if the east side of the street would be affected by the TIF if those property
owners requested money. The east side TIF agreement specifies that money will be awarded when
those properties generate revenue. Mr. Colosimo said he would be more comfortable limiting the
liability to TIF funds and not using money from the general fund. He wants more of the burden on the
developer and not the taxpayer. Olson suggested sending the amendment to Imperial with this
stipulation.
Colosimo said he was OK with using $15,000 from the TIF for the study. He said it should be written
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in the agreement, (in the event of litigation), that all expenses be paid only from the TIF--- the
amendment will be brought back next month. Citing a PR issue, Alderman Koch agreed the money
should not come from the General Fund. Mr. Olson said the amendment is currently drafted so that it
requires authorization from him or the Council.
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This item will move forward to the June 11 Council meeting with revisions and language will be
included stating the funds must be in the TIF.
5. EDC 2013-24 Second Amendment to Grande Reserve Annexation Agreement
Stan Free of Castle Bank was present on behalf of this agreement. Castle Bank currently holds the debt
certificate issued to build the Grande Reserve school. The bank would like it recorded against the
property owner Avanti/Ocean Atlantic Partnership. The amendment was never signed by the City. The
school district could not get a referendum passed when needed and the school asked for a creative way
to build the school. Mr. Free said he thinks there might be a market for the debt certificate at this time
and Avanti might possibly purchase part of it. Mr. Olson said the developer is working to improve their
reputation, even though the City has not been able to collect past judgments.
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The committee agreed to this request and the agreement will go to Public Hearing on June 25 and to
the Council in July. Alderman Frieders asked if Public Hearings were posted on Facebook and Twitter
and Administrator Olson will facilitate these postings.
6. EDC 2013-25 Amended Development Agreement for 708-710 N. Bridge Street
Ms. Barksdale-Noble said this is a development agreement which limited the driveway configuration.
The property is now owned by AID (Association of Individual Development) and will be used for
office space. This document shows their new configuration with the Rt. 47 expansion. AID Attorney
Mark Shea said there is a common driveway easement, a private drive on the north end and the
common driveway will be moved. The consent of the owners of 712-714 N. Bridge will be needed and
a letter has been sent. A new dedication of easement is being prepared with a clean up of the covenants
and restrictions. Engineering staff has reviewed the site plan and the city approves of the scope of the
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plan. This item moves to the June 25 consent agenda.
Old Business:
None
Additional Business:
1. Alderman Colosimo asked about the status of the outlots by the theatres and there has been progress
made. Committee members agreed businesses are also needed on the south side of the City.
2. Alderman Frieders said there are 3 CSA's (Community Supported Agriculture) in the area from
which customers can purchase a box of random food. However, he would like to see a farmer's market
held 9-5, Monday through Friday and comprised of local vegetable farm vendors. He said the current
farmer's market is difficult to attend due to the parking on Rt. 47 and cited Oswego's market as being
very well-organized. Alderman Koch suggested research should be done on the Oswego event and
Alderman Colosimo proposed handing out fliers to the Oswego vendors. Much marketing is needed to
insure a successful market according to Krysti. The ordinance now restricts the farmer's market to the
town square and Alderman Frieders suggested the area around River City Roasters as a possible venue
and coordinating it with a green fair each Saturday. The idea will be presented to the Park Board as
well. It was noted there are several vacant buildings in the industrial park that might be available.
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Adjournment
There was no further business and the meeting was adjourned at 8:27pm.
Minute respectfully submitted by
Marlys Young
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