DeKalb Times

City of Dekalb Economic Development Commission met Jan. 3.

Here is the minutes provided by the commission:

The Economic Development Commission (EDC) of the City of DeKalb, Illinois held a regular meeting in the Executive Conference Room of the DeKalb Municipal Building, 200 S. Fourth Street, DeKalb, Illinois.

The meeting was called to order at 8:33 a.m.

A. ROLL CALL

Executive Assistant Ruth Scott called the roll and the following EDC members were present: Chair Jeff Richardson, Members Grant Goltz, Mark Sawyer and Sam Walt, and Ex-Officio Members Matt Duffy (DeKalb Chamber of Commerce) and Paul Borek (DCEDC).

The following EDC members were absent: Vernese Edghill-Walden.

Others present included: City Manager Bill Nicklas, Transit Manager Marcus Cox, and Executive Assistant Ruth Scott.

B. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

MOTION

Mr. Goltz moved to approve the agenda; seconded by Mr. Walt.

VOTE

Motion carried by a voice vote of the majority of members present.

C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

1. December 6, 2019.

MOTION

Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the agenda; seconded by Mr. Goltz.

VOTE

Motion carried by a voice vote of the majority of members present.

Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes

D. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

None.

E. REPORTS

1. City Manager Report.

City Manager Nicklas reported on the status of Project Hammer. The intergovernmental agreement (IGA) has been approved and signed by all the taxing bodies. He noted that the other project (Project Ventus) will be reviewed and discussed by the City Council at upcoming Council meetings, which will include the annexation of property south of Gurler Road.

City Manager Nicklas also reported that only three single-family home building permits were issued in 2019. However, commercial and industry revenues went up considerably.

Discussion ensued regarding available commercial space. It was noted that there’s a lot of retail space available, but not so much for industry.

There was a brief discussion regarding violent crime, which may be one of the factors keeping potential home buyers from moving to DeKalb. Mr. Goltz noted that similar college towns have a lot more violent crime than what DeKalb has experienced.

Discussion ensued regarding the Annie Glidden North (AGN) area and failed businesses.

There was mention of having the AGN group meet with the Economic Development Commission (EDC).

2. DeKalb Chamber of Commerce (DCC) Report.

Mr. Duffy reported on upcoming events, including the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner on January 23, 2020. He also noted that work has begun on the 2020 Business Area Guide.

3. DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC) Report.

Mr. Borek provided a report on what the DCEDC did in 2019 for business retention and attraction in DeKalb County. In 2020, the focus will be on branding in order to distinguish DeKalb County from other area counties. He noted that the biggest challenge goes beyond business expansion, but also ensuring that growing families move here.

F. OLD BUSINESS

1. Business Retention Program Business List and Questions – 2020.

Those present discussed the updated Business Retention Program Business List and the businesses each EDC member would visit.

There was also discussion regarding the updated list of questions that would be asked of each business. A revised list will be provided at the next meeting.

Brief discussion ensued regarding the process of the visits and how the information gathered will be used and shared with the City Council and community.

Mr. Walt noted he will provide a draft mission statement at the next EDC meeting.

G. NEW BUSINESS

1. AGN Resource Guide.

Transit Manager Cox provided an update on the AGN Resource Guide, providing a rough draft layout. He will bring the guide back to the EDC for review at the next meeting in an almost finalized version. Mr. Cox further stated that the 5,000 of the guides will be printed, including some in Spanish. It will also be made available online, noting distribution is key.

Mr. Cox reported that work is in progress for branding buses for consistency. He also reported that ridership remains consistent with about 20 riders a day to Elburn, and about 30 riders a day for the Park 88 area. There was brief discussion about sending postcards throughout the community informing residents of the bus routes and resource guide.

H. NEXT MEETING: FEBRUARY 7, 2020.

There was no discussion regarding this item.

I. ADJOURNMENT