ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Council Chambers – Countryside City Hall

Ald. Sean McDermott, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 6:30 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, Ald. Michalczyk, Ald. Musillami, Ald. Von Drasek, City Atty. Peck, Atty. Yehl, Asst. Admin. Peterson.

Approval of Minutes of August 28, 2013 – Ald. Jasinski moved to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried by unanimous voice vote.

Consideration of a Request from Countryside Development Partners

To add Kay Jewelers and Giordano’s Pizza as Approved Tenants

Mr. Andy Goodman of CDP distributed the updated presentation re: City Center Lot 3B Proposal. The revised site plan includes four tenants: Potbelly, Stella’s, Giordano’s Pizza and Kay Jewelers. The beer market concept originally planned has suffered low sales in locations around town; they must improve existing sales. Also, Orange Leaf Yogurt has experienced sales issues in this region and has put expansion plans on hold.

Potbelly Sandwich Works – the lease is signed by the tenant and is awaiting signature of CDP pending approval of plans for this development.

Stella’s Café was also an approved use under the RDA; the lease is out for signature and CDP will sign when it is returned. The video gaming concept has taken off since 2012.

Giordano’s Pizza is not an approved use and is up for consideration. It is a home town business since 1974 — noted for its famous Chicago-style stuffed pizza. Derek Rose, a home town investor, is seen advertising the product. They plan is to expand from 43 to 60 sit-down and carry-out units. The plan for Countryside is a delivery unit expected to produce sales of $1 million.

Kay Jewelers was established in 1916 in Akron, Ohio; they are part of a much larger conglomerate of 1,000 stores – Sterling Jewelers, including Kay and Jared. They are pending approval of their own real estate board. Their average unit sales are $2 million. Adding up the four users for Lot 3B gives the City over $5 million in projected sales. They believe this is a good alternative plan; financial information is available re: Sterling Jewelers. New units are going into open air centers rather than malls.

Ald. Jasinski asked why the delay by CDP in signing the lease. Mr. Goodman stated that Potbelly wants to be open by next year; they must lock in other anchors for the entire parcel. There may be a few tables at Giordanos with a full menu, but it will mainly be carry-out. Treas. Jasinski asked whether CDP is avoiding calls from local area pizzerias. Mr. Goodman is not aware of any unanswered calls. Ald. Pondelicek asked why all the uncertainty re: tenants. Mr. Goodman stated that timing and the uncertain economy are the major factors. They would like to take control of the engineering and site work portions of Lot 3B. Assuming approval of Kay, they would hire Novotny for drawings, bid the project, get permit approval and begin construction over winter – items such as mass grading and utility work — and get the project underway. Ald. Pondelicek stated they have changed direction several times. They recognize that fact.

Mayor Krzeminski stated that the original concept was one building of 6,000 s.f. Now we are approaching four different businesses; he is not in favor of four and not in favor of a pizza business; there are several within the immediate area; it would adversely affect other long-term businesses in the City. He believes the project has been delayed too long. The building should be completed by 12-31-13, not next spring; Giordano’s is out.

Treas. Jasinski asked what happened to Total Hockey. Mr. Goodman stated that their sales suffered; they are regrouping. City Admin. Ms. Paul stated that this is the same size building with four tenants plus a drive-thru. They only have 22 parking spaces and no handicapped spaces – the parking requirement is for 35 spaces. She asked for the parking requirements for these businesses. Mr. Goodman will provide that information. Ald. McDermott thanked Mr. Goodman for his presentation; he left the meeting room.

Update from Oak Lane Development for 5631 LaGrange Road

Marketing Efforts

Mr. Kaspar again discussed the traffic signal at 58^th Street relative to this property. They are vetting out users who specifically require a traffic signaled intersection. The traffic signal impacts the value of the land; City Council is well aware of that fact. Ald. Pondelicek stated that there is virtually no possibility of moving that light due to the school and the park in that area, plus the school buses picking up children. Children come from west of LaGrange Road and funnel through to 58^th St. to cross at that intersection. Mr. Kaspar stated that there has been renewed interest in users. Ald. Pondelicek stated that we must work with what is there. Mayor Krzeminski stated that moving the light is not the City’s decision to make; the State – IDOT will not approve it. It may help if the City encourages the move. The City will send a letter to IDOT in support of moving the light.

Ald. McDermott adjourned to Executive Session under Section 21c of the Open Meetings Act for the purpose of reviewing executive session minutes of 6-27-12, 8-6-12 and 8-28-13; and under Section 2Ac for the purpose of discussing acquisition/sale of real estate.

Chairman McDermott declared the meeting recessed at 7:05 p.m.

* * *

The Regular EDC meeting returned to Open Session with the same members present at 7:30 p.m.

Ald. Pondelicek moved to approve the EDC Executive Session minutes of 6-27-12, 8-6-12 and 8-28-13 as presented, seconded by Ald. Jasinski and carried unanimously.

Adjournment

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

Chairman McDermott declared the meeting adjourned at 7:31 p.m.

ALD. SEAN MC DERMOTT, CHAIRMAN