City Council Special Meeting Minutes - July 10, 2007

MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, ILLINOIS
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON TUESDAY, JULY 10, 2007

 1. After the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, Mayor Conrad called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.  City Clerk Sweeney called the Roll of those physically present as follows: PRESENT: Mayor Robert Conrad, Aldermen Wayne Straza, Karen Michalczyk, John Von Drasek, Michael Smetana, Robert Pondelicek

ABSENT: City Treasurer Jasinski

ALSO PRESENT: City Clerk Sweeney, City Attorney Erik Peck, City Admin. Bailey,  CDD Onderdonk, Fin. Director Paul, Tom Serafin, Susie Gura

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP

Mayor Conrad read a statement outlining the goals of this workshop:  to begin a constructive dialogue to provide city staff with specific direction regarding forward progress in Countryside.  A strong retail tax base is mandatory to support the quality of life essential to residents and to stave off a municipal property tax in the future. City expenses are increasing; we must be pro-active in promoting our city and aggressively working to attract new retail tax revenues.  CDD Onderdonk and Admin. Bailey are present to aid in the discussion.  This is a workshop for officials to voice concerns and express thoughts on this important issue.  The overall concept rather than individual parcels should be considered including what type of retail is needed, where and how much.  All subjects are welcome including business improvement districts, financial incentives, TIF districts, acquisition of property, etc.

Tom Serafin of Serafin & Assoc. will facilitate this discussion. Based on Council responses, work to develop goals and objectives will continue; find areas and subjects for the staff to focus on in the next 12-14 months. Staff will develop and implement plans for Council review.  The Mayor asked that each Alderman provide a two-minute presentation of their views.  Mayor Conrad wants the Council to consider long range options for the next 5-10 years.  We have areas of improvement; properties will be coming on the market in the coming year, which is what the city needs; unique business opportunities present themselves with available land; the ITEP grant; IDOT road work – all avenues must be considered.

Ald. Pondelicek  seeks better utilization of available resources. He stated that there are more vacant spaces in the plaza; he suggested a concentrated effort to fill the vacant properties in the plaza and bring new businesses into the city.

Ald. Smetana suggested moving forward in different ways re: TIF district, legal acquisition of property especially the NE corner of LaGrange & Joliet – vacancy there for a long time; other businesses not  performing adequately. The City should use its eminent domain powers to obtain the land and develop the property. A steady loss of business has occurred; Hodgkins is aggressively pursuing our car dealers.  The bottom line is the City must get more aggressive. Mayor Conrad will take bold measures to accomplish this goal.

Ald. Von Drasek echoed the sentiments expressed. Businesses interested in coming to Countryside want to own the properties, not lease them. If properties are vacant for a period of time, the City must be pro-active to force them to do something. Joliet Road is a prime area for redevelopment – possibly make that a downtown area – force people to slow down – hold an annual event like a Route 66 Parade – similar to the LaGrange Pet Parade --  to focus on the city.  Residents want to see more restaurants in the city.

Ald. Michalczyk agreed that the city needs more restaurants – one of a kind restaurants that attract more people – like Outback or Red Lobster.  Stores are moving out of the mall because they want stand-alone locations; they want to own the property not lease it.  Businesses have a footprint that they adhere to; if adequate land is not available, they will go elsewhere.  We can’t keep vacant buildings for businesses to lease. The city cannot be complacent in the future.  Banks and office buildings are not needed; retail is needed. We must diversify.

Ald. Straza stated that a unified effort has emerged in the last three months; it speaks highly of our efforts to move forward in a positive direction for our citizens. We have a changing population; we are becoming a younger community.  Zoning issues to enhance the community must be addressed.  Senior housing should be addressed as well; we should adopt a longer view – 20 years down the road.  Surrounding communities are vying for businesses; we must promote a progressive and proper image other than car dealerships– something to excite individuals wishing to relocate.  The city needs total vision for infrastructure and for citizenry – to have an informational process and follow through with leads to a sound conclusion.  It’s up to the City Council to put something together as effective and efficient as possible.

Mr. Serafin thanked Council members for their candid remarks.  He proceeded with the SWOT – analysis: S-strength; W-weaknesses; O-opportunities; T–threats.  

In the big picture - What are the City’s most significant strengths; what is  the City doing well or what has it done well in the past.

SIGNIFICANT  STRENGTHS

Council members voiced their opinions randomly -- Hiring new employees in Building Department is a huge improvement.  Unified City Council working well together - Teamwork essential. In the past maintain excellent city services for residents – no municipal tax.  Services and communication are important.  A really big strength is physical location – close to major transportation, highways, airports.  Other important arteries besides LaGrange & Joliet Road are East Ave., Plainfield and 55^th St. provide an opportunity to capitalize on those areas.   Future Improvement of 47^th & East Ave. – could benefit the city by attracting new business in the future.  Review zoning process especially north of 55^th St. The city has an excellent school district, LTHS;  best Public Works Department and Police Department.

SIGNIFICANT WEAKNESSES

No available open land – dealerships need more inventory which requires more space. If East Ave. becomes commercial – acquisition of property requiring razing existing structures to provide open space. Developers have a specific footprint they follow in developing new properties. – Mobile home court of 26.5 acres on Joliet Road – the family will eventually retire and seek to redevelop property; city must stay on top of the situation – partner with owners.  City is attempting to annex the other mobile home park as well.  Dealerships are consolidating – is that a weakness down the road? Are plans in the works to assist these dealers?  Retail will remain an important base - use of eminent domain if necessary.  The City must address potential loss of dealerships. Inability to deal with Simon & Assoc. at Countryside Plaza – lack of control with the owners over individual parcels – definite problem along main roads like LaGrange Road; if individual properties are empty but owned by different entities – it is the same situation as in the plaza.  The traffic jumble is a weakness – residents take Brainard to avoid LaGrange Road.

SIGNIFICANT OPPORTUNITIES

Relocate Turtle Wax car wash – need to be pro-active to meet needs of existing businesses – Ford dealership. We get no tax revenue from service industries. Priorities should emphasize revenue from one industry versus another industry – a car wash, a bank, office buildings do not provide that kind of revenue. Businesses in Dansher Park are being approached to relocate to other areas; the city should be on top of that; remove stigma from Countryside as a lower class enclave – the city has a bad rap with business.  The newly established “Meet and Greet” was a first effort that definitely will be continued; reach beyond local businesses, other than car dealerships  – advertise beyond our geographic area – get new blood involved. Better communication – the city’s reputation or business climate is changing – the city needs to change its image from lower class citizen or “blue collar community” – that’s the view of state level executives. Emphasize opportunities to create the entrance/ egress for Countryside Plaza. The city’s reputation is not “business friendly” and only caters to the car dealerships.

Council members agreed that moving businesses that don’t perform is essential.  Bring more restaurants to the City; restaurants bring people to the City. Bring in a movie theater or dinner theater to attract families; the central location is ideal for business climate, however, traffic flow issues must be resolved.  Two major issues are better communication, and changing the image. Suggestion made to put a casino in Countryside Mall; advertise to promote the city to larger mass audience -- all over the state. The city is receptive to the idea of recognizing the business community – award plaques, etc. at the next business /luncheon meeting.  What do we need to get the projects off ground zero.  Explore grants, develop a rapport with DECA – community affairs with the State of Illinois and DNR – for parks. There is no full-time city employee actively pursuing grants;  explore the possibility of  large corporations with deep pockets who donate to “green” efforts to beautify the city.

SIGNIFICANT  THREATS

What stands in the way of development?  Failure of the Simon Group to deliver and the other biggest threat is ourselves -  pick a project and go after it, i.e. the NE corner of Joliet & LaGrange Road  has been vacant for a long time.  The Blockbuster site on 55^th St. has issues as well.  The staff needs direction; that is the crux of this meeting.   Mr. Onderdonk met with CVS and ICSC  and promoted the Blockbuster site, which is problematic due to the potential for road widening.  He will provide Council with a map showing all vacant properties in the commercial sector. The city is landlocked and will be forced to do something with the vacant properties – to sell, move to other specific locations, move things around; there are properties coming on to the market eventually. We need to stay on top of these possibilities.  Teamwork overcomes potential threat; turn other properties into revenue generators, other than the plaza. Suggestion made to put a restaurant like “Outback” in the middle of the plaza parking lot – bring businesses into the plaza, Sonic Burger, Sweet tomatoes,  OTB with a restaurant, Red Lobster – one of a kind restaurants attract people. Another good suggestion is to pave over the easement at Horn Lincoln Mercury to give them more space  – cover the ditch and use the land for more inventory. Advertise that fact to promote the city as becoming more business friendly; provide alternative routes other than LaGrange Road.

OPPORTUNITIES

Advertise Route 66 as the historic byway – most new businesses want to locate on LaGrange Road; more advertisement is needed to promote Joliet Road. The City does not control both sides of the road; promote a theme, yesteryear development, do the proper marketing – that will improve our state-wide image. Does IDOT want to partner with some of those areas.  There is a great skyline view of Chicago; put in an observation deck on Joliet Road.  Another problem is interchange uncertainty at LaGrange Road / Joliet Road and 55^th / LaGrange Road. What is the economic loss to the City when there is no control over that; what are IDOT plans?  Once they are  known, the city can propose relocating businesses. 

GOALS -  FOCUS

The city must get more aggressive – examine tools available; acquisition of property; fill vacancies; capitalize on Joliet Road with a variety of businesses; be pro-active, work with businesses; one of a kind restaurants.  Twenty years down the road – promote positive aggressive issues; have total vision; follow through with leads.  CVS, Walgreens, mobile home property, construct development in middle of plaza, utilize land easement, Rt. 66, observation deck – pave forest preserve trails – use as recreation area – link to existing bike trails.  Concerts in the Park – use of the parks for summer programs – promote park use to surrounding communities.  Local television is   broadcasting events to the area.

Mr. Bailey stated that while no conclusive direction has been reached tonight, the staff  will review available parcels and potential parcels,  distill this information and translate it to fit into our target goals.  Suggestion was made to develop a questionnaire sent to the businesses responding to the Meet and Greet luncheon to seek their input on some of  these issues.

Based on the information obtained tonight, staff may be able to produce an outline defining immediate City priorities – pursue development of the LaGrange Road ditch – that may be a first doable step. It is possible to pursue site specific development requirements for businesses – i.e., businesses require a specific footprint including high visibility, traffic counts of 20,000 vehicles – the city should try to create available target sites to market to retailers. LaGrange Road has the ideal retail criteria for many businesses which is why most want a location there.  The city must recognize that and try to develop existing properties that provide those requirements.   Council agreed to target the NE corner of Joliet Road & LaGrange Road, contact IDOT – their plans are fairly well developed to make adequate judgment decisions on what land will be used. It was noted that IDOT does not have the money to proceed with this project any time soon.  The best way to finance the acquisition of properties for redevelopment rests with the Finance Director.  Mr. Bailey suggested taking the input provided tonight, distill the information and present it to the Council.  Implementation and support by the City Council is crucial if this undertaking is to succeed.  Mayor Conrad believes that the other focus is the ditch enclosure project. City Engineer Fitzgerald may have preliminary plans regarding that project. Council will provide feedback on future plans developed by staff as a result of tonight’s workshop.

Mr. Onderdonk advised Council of possible annexation of mixed residential / commercial properties west of Brainard on the south side of 55^th St.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to discuss, Ald. Pondelicek moved  to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried by unanimous voice vote.

Mayor Conrad declared the meeting adjourned at  8:08 p.m.                                                                              

SHARON SWEENEY, CITY CLERK

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