Economic Development Minutes 2011 07-05-11
APPROVED 8/2/11
UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Tuesday, July 5, 2011, 6:30pm
City Conference Room
In Attendance:
Committee Members
Chairman Marty Munns
Alderman Chris Funkhouser
Alderman Jackie Milschewski
Other City Officials
City Administrator Bart Olson
Community Development Director Krysti Barksdale-Noble
Other Guests
Tony Scott, Kendall County Record
Billy McCue, McCue Builders
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Marty Munns at 6:30pm.
Minutes for Correction/Approval
June 7, 2011
The minutes were approved as read.
Items Recommended by Plan Commission for Approval:
None
New Business
1. EDC-2011-24 Building Permit Report for May 2011
No discussion.
2. EDC 2011-25 Building Inspection Report Summary for May 2011
In May, 147 inspections were done.
3. EDC 2011-26 Transportation to Water Park Ideas
Aldermen Munns and Funkhouser had discussed an idea to provide transportation for
teens to the water park. The water park will also work with Kendall County
Transportation on schedules and possible pickup points such as the High School. Ms.
Barksdale-Noble will contact the County and water park and report back to this
committee. A possible 2-6 day advance schedule was suggested. A shuttle service would
also help alleviate the parking situation at the water park. It was also noted that an
attendance record had recently been set at the park.
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Old Business
Mr. Olson and Ms. Barksdale-Noble recently met with Clear Channel who has expressed
an interest in locating digital billboards in the City. Lease agreements with other cities
are being researched and Ms. Barksdale-Noble detailed some discussion topics:
1.Most lease agreements are 15-20 years, but the time could be shortened.
2.Clear Channel ultimately chooses the location, however, staff could make
recommendations.
3.Are certain locations more desirable such as Rte. 47? Also need to discuss
undesirable locations.
4.Single or double-sided signs?
5.Promote local businesses to benefit them, signs not just for national businesses.
An estimated lease fee of $20,000 was the initial offer from one company and Alderman
Munns stated the City should only consider the billboards if the revenue was adequate. A
short-term lease was recommended as well as limiting the number of signs the first year.
It was noted the pictures change each 10 seconds with 8 possible businesses on the board.
Possible locations were discussed such as Kendall Marketplace and the creek on Rt. 34.
not
A recommendation was made to locate signs in the downtown in order to maintain
the historic flavor. A height of 30-40 feet was suggested depending on the proximity to
the roadway.
A suggestion of a city-owned billboard was also made, but the City would be responsible
for maintenance. If the YEDC bought a block of time, they would need to be one of the
advertisers and could work with local businesses to rotate their individual messages. The
City also may receive some billboard time to promote certain events. Another benefit is
that when a local business buys space, an entire region is being purchased and will be
part of a network that displays the ads beyond the City boundaries.
Chairman Munns asked staff to make it clear to the billboard companies that the money
must be lucrative for the City. This matter will be brought back next month for further
discussion.
2. EDC 2011-22 Development Fee Research - Discussion
Bart Olson said the current municipal building impact fees are $5,500 per permit and
based on several calculations. In long-range projections, Mr. Olson said the originally
planned new municipal building would not be needed for several years. He
recommended removing the City Hall and a Public Works building from the impact fee
calculations resulting in an estimated $1,769 impact fee.
Alderman Milschewski noted that Grande Reserve is locked in at the former rate for 13
years. Builder Billy McCue questioned why the City wouldn’t lower those fees also. He
said that many years ago, all the fees were the same. He said that he buys all materials in
Yorkville, hires local labor, but has not built in Yorkville for several years due to the fee
structure. He also said land prices have dropped 70-80%.
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Vacant land costs the City money according to McCue in terms of real estate taxes etc.
Ms. Barksdale-Noble noted that Plainfield has eliminated their development fees for
residential and commercial.
Alderman Funkhouser asked if there is a timeline showing when fee locks expire for
various developments. There is a spreadsheet available showing these locks.
Land cash remains at $101,000 per acre at this time and appraisals were suggested. Cuts
in impact or permit fees would be an easier solution at this time than changing inter-
governmental agreements. Funkhouser said other entities should cut fees as well.
Administrator Olson suggested bringing this back to committee after studying impact
fees and possible fee reductions. This item will later move to Council and an ordinance
will be required for any change.
Additional Business
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It was noted there will be a Public Hearing on July 12 for the building code update.
There was no further business and the meeting was adjourned at 7:30pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted by
Marlys Young
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