HomeMy WebLinkAboutEconomic Development Minutes 2014 07-01-14Page 1 of 3
APPROVED 8/5/14
UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Tuesday, July 1, 2014, 6:00pm
Yorkville City Hall, Conference Room
800 Game Farm Road
In Attendance:
Committee Members
Chairman Ken Koch
Alderman Diane Teeling
Alderman Carlo Colosimo
Alderman Joel Frieders
Other City Officials
City Administrator Bart Olson
Community Development Director Krysti Barksdale-Noble
City Planner Chris Heinen
Alderman Chris Funkhouser (arr. 6:23pm)
Other Guests:
Tony Scott, Kendall County Record Ms. Marty Moulton, Heartland Circle
Mike Prescott Nathaniel Moulton, Scout Troop 34
Nora Prescott
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Ken Koch at 6:00pm.
Citizen Comments
Mike and Nora Prescott, residents of unincorporated Kendall County, were present in support of the
proposed beekeeping ordinance. He said they have 3 hives on their property with a 6 foot high fence
and the bees have not caused any problem for his neighbors He said bees are dying and everyone will
be impacted in terms of food and in other ways.
Previous Meeting Minutes June 3, 2014
The minutes were approved as read.
New Business
1. EDC 2014-20 Building Permit Report for May 2014
Five single-family permits were issued in May and the trend is outpacing the same time last year. The
total permits issued in May was 103.
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2. EDC 2014- 21 Building Inspection Report for May 2014
Part-time employee Bob Creaduer is now certified to perform residential building inspections and will
be taking on foundation and framing inspections. If he has used his hours for the month, Kendall
County will conduct the inspections as part of their partnership with the City.
3. EDC 2014-22 Retail Market Study RFP-Contract Award Recommendation
Ms. Barksdale-Noble said staff had written a detailed memo of the process used to select the firm,
Retail Coach, which has done studies all over the country. She also noted that Lynn Dubajic was part
of the process. The cost of the study is $22,500 and the contract can be extended another year at a cost
of $10,000 to solicit businesses. References were contacted and favorable comments were given.
Ms. Teeling asked if a variety of businessess would be solicited. Retail Coach has worked with 2,500
different companies, many of which come from western states and those businesses want to start up in
the Midwest. With committee approval, this will move to the regular Council agenda.
4. EDC 2014-23 Comprehensive Plan RFP - Update
Mr. Heinen said an RFP was sent to five candidates and was also posted on the EPA website.
Submissions were received from all five and four were interviewed with a recommendation made.
Mr. Olson summarized the interview process and he asked the committee if they were comfortable with
the firm. Alderman Teeling suggested meeting the recommended candidate and if not satisfied, then
others could be interviewed. Alderman Frieders asked if it was better to hire a company already
familiar with the City. Taking another view, Mr. Olson said a company not familiar with the City
might take a different approach. He added that the recommended company was a clear choice. That
firm will be invited to the August 5th EDC meeting.
5. EDC 2014-24 Beekeeping Ordinance
Ms. Barksdale-Noble said this item has been brought back to committee with a revised ordinance after
it was voted down last fall. She said mostly favorable comments were received when this information
was placed on a website.
Alderman Koch said his concern is protection for surrounding neighbors and favors a community area
for the hives. He is worried that the bees could potentially fly to nearby neighbors. However,
Alderman Frieders opposed a community area since having bees is about a $500 investment that would
be on someone else's property. He suggested that someone might try to profit from the City if
something happened to the hives.
Alderman Frieders shared a wealth of information on actually managing a beehive. There was also
discussion of the hive structures and size of area needed for the hives. Keeping the flyway area high is
also important according to Mr. Prescott.
Ms. Barksdale-Noble said the revised ordinance requires hives to be 25 feet from lot lines on a
minimum 12,000 square foot lot (approximately ¼ acre) and has a flyway zone requirement. Mr.
Frieders added that the size requirements would prohibit most property owners from owning hives.
Alderman Colosimo favored 50 feet and wondered what sort of protection the City would have if 25
feet is approved. Licenses could be revoked if the keeper is irresponsible, fails inspections or the
renewal fee is not paid. The ordinance would also require the keeper to be licensed and to take a class.
Mr. Frieders said the beekeeper must also register with the State.
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Alderman Colosimo suggested this issue be taken to the full Council for a vote. After discussion, it
was decided to revise the ordinance to limit the number of licenses to 12, hives must be located 30 feet
from either lot line and no more than 1 license within 1,000 feet. In addition, the proposed ordinance
also requires that the applicant must be the property owner if the property is rented and renters must
have owner permission.
This item will move forward to the first August Council meeting.
6. EDC 2014-25 Puppy Mill Ordinance
This ordinance was requested by Alderman Frieders and it is similar to the Chicago ordinance.
Retailers are not allowed to sell animals from a breeder and the animals they adopt out can only come
from shelters or non-profit groups. It would apply to cats, dogs and rabbits. This proposed ordinance
would not affect the current pet store. The ordinance will be brought back for review at the next
meeting.
Old Business: None
Additional Business: None
There was no further business and the meeting was adjourned at 7:12pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted by
Marlys Young