Economic Development Minutes 2018 02-06-18Page 1 of 3
APPROVED 3/6/18
UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Tuesday, February 6, 2018, 6:00pm
City Conference Room
In Attendance:
Committee Members
Chairman Ken Koch Alderman Alex Hernandez
Alderman Joel Frieders Alderman Carlo Colosimo
Other City Officials
City Administrator Bart Olson
Interim Assistant City Administrator Erin Willrett
Community Development Director Krysti Barksdale-Noble
Code Official Pete Ratos Senior Planner Jason Engberg
Alderman Chris Funkhouser City Consultant Lynn Dubajic
City Engineer Brad Sanderson/EEI
Other Guests
Dan LaTurno, President, Aurora Specialty Textiles
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Ken Koch at 6:00pm.
Citizen Comments: None
Minutes for Correction/Approval: January 2, 2018
The minutes were approved on a unanimous voice vote.
New Business
1. EDC 2018-09 Building Permit Reports for December 2017
Mr. Ratos reported 9 single family permits, 1 B.U.I.L.D. and 12 single family attached.
He also reported the number of permits for the year. No further comments.
2. EDC 2018-10 Building Inspection Report for December 2017
Inspections done in December totaled 218, most of which were for Ryan Homes in
Grande Reserve. Mr. Ratos said some permits have already been issued for spring where
roads do not yet exist in Grande Reserve. No further discussion.
3. EDC 2018-11 Property Maintenance Report for December 2017
Four cases were heard in December. Mr. Ratos said other violations that were ticketed
were rectified in the 10-day period. No discussion.
Page 2 of 3
4. EDC 2018-12 Economic Development Update
1. Ms. Dubajic said a Yorkville resident with a scrapbooking business will host
retreat weekends for scrapbookers twice a month. This will generate 1,200 hotel
stays per year. She will have permanent space in the city and hopes to be open in
late spring.
2. Working with prospective tenants for downtown buildings
3. Received permit application for banquet hall in Stagecoach Crossing
4. Working on prospective tenants for Kendall Marketplace, 28 lots nearby have
been sold
5. Environmental Services bought empty bank building at Rt. 47 & Cannonball
6. Two national chain restaurants looking at Yorkville
7. A-frame building by Rt. 34 & 47 will become Salerno's Red Hots
No further comments.
5. EDC 2018-13 Annual Foreclosure Update
Ms. Noble said there were 61 single family foreclosures in 2017, most in Ward 3. She
compared the numbers to previous years and said overall there was a downward trend.
Kendall County now ranks number 4 in foreclosures in the State. It was decided the
yearly total minus detail was adequate for the committee in the future.
6. EDC 2018-14 Manufacturing and Industrial City Council Goal Action Plans
Mr. Olson expanded on three Council action plan items from the Goal Setting Meeting
which had also been discussed the previous year.
1. BNSF Site Certification process for Eldamain and Wrigley corridors
2. Marketing Eldamain area
3. Meet with developers to discuss enterprise zones
The committee also discussed compiling packets for developers which would include
zoning and other data. Alderman Frieders proposed the business directory discussed 2
years ago and said the city could provide a free link on the city website along with a
featured business. Ms. Willrett said there is now a draft business directory and a
questionnaire to use for joining the directory. Alderman Koch said that YEDC had a
website a few years ago, however, it was a membership-based website.
Mr. Olson continued with new goals:
4. YBSD plant capacity: Mr. Dan LaTurno, President of Aurora Specialty Textiles
in Yorkville, was present. His business uses 25,000 gallons of water a day and YBSD
has informed them their water usage will be cut by 60% in July. This would mean the
loss of 85 jobs if accommodations cannot be made. He will be meeting with the head of
YBSD. Mr. Sanderson said he is also trying to secure a meeting with YBSD and said
they recently expanded capacity. Alderman Koch noted that any Eldamain development
would be connected to YBSD and the committee agreed this is an important issue to be
addressed.
5. Metra Site: Location needs to be determined.
6. Utility Expansion Plans: The city did a cost estimate for extending water and
sewer to Eldamain to help secure businesses.
7. Nicor and ComEd Status: Meet with these utilities to discuss capacity and
possible expansion.
Page 3 of 3
8. Boundary Agreement with Plano: Most of Eldamain is in Plano School District
and Yorkville schools might not benefit. Will discuss alignment of boundaries.
Alderman Colosimo noted most of Schaefer Woods has Plano address, but attend
Yorkville schools.
9. Food Hub: promote historical background in agriculture, protect land for
agricultural uses.
10. Marijuana Legalization: Significant discussion in upcoming governor's election,
prepare for less regulated industry.
11. Industrial Development Feasibility Study: Engage consultant to make
recommendations to attract businesses. Will also research grant applications.
Alderman Frieders asked Mr. Olson to prioritize the above items and the committee
agreed that YBSD capacity is the most critical. Mr. Colosimo said the city needs to have
a portfolio of all lots and utility stats available for prospective businesses. Mr. Engberg
said he has already started compiling this information.
In conclusion, Mr. Olson said the action plan items will be forwarded to the regular
Council agenda for adoption on February 13th.
7. EDC 2018-15 Developer Deposit Report/Ordinance
Ms. Noble discussed a memo that addressed deposit/engineering review fees established
in 2002. She said the fees are now falling short especially since outside consultants are
being used. Staff researched what other communities are charging and it is being
recommended to increase developer fees. Mr. Olson added that the city is still spending
less on outsourcing engineering work.
Comments included to raise the fees and return unused funds, fees need to be more well-
defined depending on the project details such as a pole building vs. an assisted living both
on the same acreage, developers would balk at paying huge fees upfront, concentrate on
better estimates of engineering fees, charge percentage-based fees determined by cost of
project, escrow, etc., consider whether project is commercial or residential.
While the staff recommendation was a flat amount increase, the committee was leaning
towards percentage-based fees. It was decided the deposit would be collected when the
developer initially comes in. Ms. Noble will bring past projects as examples and this will
be brought back to committee for further consideration.
8. EDC 2018-16 Renewal of Intergovernmental Agreement with Kendall County For
Building Inspection Services
The committee was OK with this agreement.
Old Business None
Additional Business: None
There was no further business and the meeting adjourned at 7:38pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Marlys Young, Minute Taker