February 2, 2012Print

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING
Thursday, February 2,  2012 – 6:00 p.m.
 Council Chambers – Countryside  City Hall

Ald. Sean McDermott, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.  He called the Roll of those physically present:

PRESENT: Ald. Sean McDermott,  Chairman, City Admin. Gail Paul, Ald. Robert Pondelicek, Ald. James Jasinski, Treasurer Steven Jasinski.

ALSO PRESENT:    Mayor Krzeminski, Clerk Sweeney, Atty. Peck, Ald. Michalczyk, Ald. Musillami, City. Eng. Fitzgerald, Asst. Admin. Peterson, CDP Swanson, Bob Rychlicki, Elec. Insp. Sweeney, Pat Schwartz,  Bruce Schwartz.

Approval of Minutes

The first order of business was approval of the minutes of January 9, 2012.  Ald. Pondelicek moved to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Ald. Jasinski and carried unanimously.

Discussion of proposal from Shorewood Development and GMX

Ms. Paul stated that she will briefly discuss the proposal submitted by Shorewood and GMX and then go into Executive Session to discuss letters of intent and financial information.  Both entities have requested that Bob Rychlicki and the City sign off on confidentiality agreements.

Shorewood and GMX wish to purchase the remaining acres in two phases – Phase 1 is LaGrange Road, approximately 1.72 acres for $1,651,200.  They will establish a Chick Fil-A, a multi-tenant building including Caribou Coffee, Verizon and Qdoba. Phase 2 is the Joliet Road property, 1.39 acres for a purchase price of $1,007,750 for the development of Texas Roadhouse sit-down restaurant.  The proposal is included in the packet of information.  Does the City wish to move forward?  Are these end users acceptable to the City?   Staff is seeking direction after completion of tax projection discussions.  Does the City wish to proceed with both phases or move on independently? 

Ald. Pondelicek moved to adjourn to Executive Session for the purpose of discussing real estate, seconded by Ald. McDermott and carried by unanimous Roll Call vote.  Chairman McDermott declared the meeting recessed  at 6:03 p.m.

 *   *   *   *   *

The Economic Development Committee reconvened at 6:46 p.m. with the same members present, except Bob Rychlicki.

Consideration of Redesigning the City Center Landscaping to Conform with the Ad Hoc Committee’s Recommendations

City Eng. Fitzgerald distributed  copies of the landscape plan from Manhard Consulting for the north and south portions of the City Center Development.  He noted that at the beginning of the project there were no guidelines re: landscaping.  The Ad Hoc Committee is now close to having guidelines. He presented an overview of the plans.

Page 1 -- the North Plan -- the idea was to create a roadway feeling with a public walkway for pedestrian use.  He  envisioned a parkway feeling so there is grass and trees with streetlights and sidewalk through the entire road.  There are no deciduous/evergreen shrubs or perennials/groundcover at the parkway islands.

Page 2 -- the South plan -- detention pond and the remainder of the roadway out to LaGrange Road -- a manicured lawn on the east side with native plantings including prairie grass on the west sides.

The summary sheet includes the Lakota Group’s comments, pertaining to the current design.  Keep in mind that landscape architecture is subjective.  The parkway islands do not include perennials or ground cover.  The parkway islands have mostly trees and shrubs; along the roadway portion is trees and grass. Various species of shrubs are around the detention pond and fit in with the prairie grass. Maintenance and success of  grass on the landscape islands will be difficult.

Detention area comments – Lakota states – the basin’s shape/edge has no curvature to create a natural character – 40% of the pond has been excavated; that would be very difficult to redesign.

Mayor Krzeminski reiterated the fact that there is no ground cover and difficulty in maintaining the grass. Ald. McDermott suggested interweaving indigenous prairie perennials, fill it in with color changes, tweak it a little and build off it.  A natural looking environment takes a long time to develop.  Discussion re:  keeping geese/ducks off the area where the deck may be located.  Harley motorcycle noise should keep the birds away; people can walk up to the pond.  All agreed that the design will be kept substantially the same; just tweak it a bit as needed; do a change order for Schwartz.  Mr. Fitzgerald stated that the Harley landscape Islands must be completed by March 21, 2012, per contract. All agreed that task is doable.

Other Business

CDP Mr. Swanson was approached by a business owner interested in selling shaved ice on municipal property, 55^th& East Avenue, or the motel site or the former fire station property.  If there is a business on municipal property, the parcel goes back on the tax rolls.  Is the City interested in such a business.  Ald. McDermott stated that the Health Department will not permit it; there are no bathroom facilities to wash your hands.  Mr. Swanson will explain the health and sanitation standards to the business owner.  They only want to remain open three months per year.  The City is not interested.

Adjournment

There being no further business to discuss, Ald. Jasinski moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

Chairman McDermott declared the meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m.

ALD. SEAN MC DERMOTT,  CHAIRMAN