Village of Berkeley Finance and Economic Development Committee met July 24.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
1 Trustee Washington called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
2 Pledge of Allegiance
3 Roll Call
Present: Trustees Hammar, Washington, Salemi, and President Lee
Also Present: Village Administrator Rudy Espiritu
4 Economic Development Discussion
Trustee Washington wanted to get into an area that is part of the Strategic Plan, but it’s an area that we really have not been aggressive to pursue. He would like everyone’s thoughts on prioritization and ideas for moving forward to set the foundation of what this process is going to look like going forward. Trustee Washington shared with President Lee and Administrator Espiritu his ideas to guide them through the meeting tonight. The example he shared with the group is an image or the idea of photography, they look in the viewfinder, take a picture, examine it, edit it, and you have a final picture. They can look at Economic Development in the same way.
Looking at Berkeley.
As we have discussed before, “What do we want to see in Berkeley?” BDI has done great work in terms of Brand and Identity. But, what do we want Berkeley to be, to look like, and to function in order for the community to thrive? Let’s discuss “What could the Village of Berkeley look like? The discussion will be framed on the backdrop of thinking of the community economically and a viable, financially and sustainable community.
Village Administrator Rudy Espiritu started the discussion with BDI’s findings and recommendation. Code Enforcement was their biggest suggestion. They said that the Village had to be cleaned up, otherwise you can’t grow Economic Development in the shape the town is. They said, we should encourage landscaping in the private sector commercial corridor, which does need to be improved. Incentives for Sales generating industrial park use, Financial Investments to invest in community, improve Berkeley Park, enhance residential and multi-family homes alongside St. Charles Road, and engage high quality developers, redeveloping commercial properties, missing middle housing (this will be trending). Further develop community events to attract individuals into the community. The outcome of the interviews with BDI was “Where is Berkeley?” There is a need to put Berkeley on the map. We now have “Berkeley Connects”, we need to do more.
Things to discuss.
The Role of EDC - What do we want them to do?
How do we want to allocate TIF funding?
If we offer Incentive Programs, what kind of programs do we want to offer?
- Strictly for commercial?
- Is it also for residential? If they fix up their residential and pricing goes up, which will attract higher quality tenants here. - TIF can be used for public facilities
- Pond enhancements
More things to discuss.
-Business Retention Visits – Trustees & Dept. Heads
Trustee Washington said they can leverage EDC because it’s one of their peers in the community visiting and encouraging them. Retention is important, the Village doesn’t just want them just to stay here the village wants them to thrive. In doing so the community thrives too. All present agreed.
-Zoning Code Update – The village should think about rezoning.
-St. Charles Road Corridor Plan Update
-Planning Assistance Grant for Berkeley Park and Taft/Electric
-New electronic message boards
BDI suggested maybe hiring a PT Economic Developer. That position can be paid through TIF.
Trustee Washington said the Village still has to have a definition or idea of what the community is going to look like. When you look at St. Charles Road that is the selling point.
That is Berkeley for anybody passing through. What do we want it to look like? Until the Village knows what they want, no one can come in and spell out the village’s plan, the Board needs to give direction.
Trustee Washington wants the EDC members to be active.
Trustee Salemi suggest that the Chair of EDC should come to the Board with their ideas to discuss. The Village would benefit from a PT Economic Developer, but the board needs to give him/her guidance.
President Lee agrees that it is up to the Board to set up the guidance and share the Board’s vision for EDC and the PT Economic Developer. If the Board does this they will become active, engaged and take ownership. Once St Charles Road’s corridor is taken care of, that is where the revenue will be coming in.
Trustee Hammar is excited about doing something great at the St Charles corridor. But, he does not see any developers interested, unless someone starts buying properties. The Village has not been aggressive to market the properties. Trustee Hammar said maybe one of the incentives should be to practically give the property away.
President Lee said that we need to help business owners to sell properties if they choose to sell.
All agree that they do need a PT Economic Developer. Administrator Espiritu we wait until the St. Charles Road Corridor Plan is update, so we could give guidance to the PT Economic Developer as to what we find acceptable.
President Lee said that St. Charles Rd could be a diverse corridor. That should be the main focus.
Work on mission statement
Senior Housing is a suggestion.
Need to embrace Torres.
Engage planners for St. Charles Rd and zoning code.
Planning and Zoning Commission needs to be active and engaged with recommendations for the St. Charles Rd.
Message Board need to be updated.
Trustee Washington said this meeting is a great start and the village is moving forward. Although it will be a long process but having a plan is key. He thanked everyone for their time.
5 Trustee Washington adjourned the meeting at 8:10 pm.
https://www.berkeley.il.us/vertical/Sites/%7BB4877CC9-5533-47FA-94DE-B3C09F1665AB%7D/uploads/Finance__Economic_Development_Committee_Meeting_Minutes_July_24_2019.pdf
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