Economic Development Committee Meeting Minutes and Recordings 2020

CALL TO ORDER:

Mr. DeYoung called the St. John Economic Development Committee Meeting to order on February 26, 2020, at 5:00 p.m., with its members attending on-site and remotely, and led all in the Pledge of Allegiance.

ROLL CALL:

Members present: Joseph Barry, Robert Godoy, Erica Hill, Karl Madsen, Joey Lax-Salinas, Kelly Stoming, and John DeYoung. A quorum was attained. Also present: Bryan Blazak, Town Council Liaison, and Gerald Swets, Town Council President. Absent: Adam Robertson.

INTRODUCTIONS:

Mr. DeYoung welcomed all the new Members to the committee and asked the Members to introduce themselves and tell a little bit about themselves: Joe Barry, St. John resident for four years, is semiretired, was a mail carrier, and served on the zoning board and plan commission in Glenwood, Illinois. Karl Madsen, St. John resident for about six years, his business Option Group, provides management and supply chain advisory turnaround. Erica Hill owns Wanderlust Outfitters, an online boutique run out of her home, and she is excited to help small businesses. Robert Godoy, a St. John resident for about eleven years, currently works with Fairpoint Capital Management and previously worked for Bank of America. Kelly Stoming, a lifelong resident of St. John, works for People’s Bank in St. John and has been a Member of the EDC since the start of the Committee. Joey Lax-Salinas, a St. John resident for eight years, is an entrepreneur, photographer, and videographer. John DeYoung, Owner of DeYoung Interiors, has lived in St. John for twenty years and has been a Member of the EDC since its inception.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS:

President: Mr. Godoy nominated John DeYoung. Hearing no further nominations, Mr. DeYoung called for the vote. The nomination vote carried unanimously, and John DeYoung was elected President.

Vice-President: Mr. DeYoung nominated Kelly Stoming as Vice-President. Hearing no further nominations, Mr. DeYoung called for the vote. The nomination vote carried unanimously, and Kelly Stoming was elected Vice-President.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Mr. DeYoung advised that he has read the minutes of the August 19, 2019, meeting thoroughly and requested the members approve the same. Ms. Stoming made a motion to approve the minutes; Mr. Madsen seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS:

A. Introductory Overview of Goals and Objectives

Mr. DeYoung stated a new Town Manager is to be appointed at the Town Council meeting at 7 p.m. and that person will be at their next meeting and going forward. The Town Manager is the Committee’s link to information going forward on a daily basis.

Mr. DeYoung advised that Mr. Blazak is the Town Council Liaison for the EDC. Everything done by the Committee is under the approval of the Town Council. Mr. DeYoung informed the Members that the EDC serves in an advisory capacity for the Town Council and various boards and commissions. Mr. DeYoung discussed some of the projects that have been on the EDC’s “radar” for some time. Mr. DeYoung gave some history on the Committee.

Mr. DeYoung noted that Ms. Stoming and he have been involved with the Shops 96 project since its inception. From the information he has been provided, that project should provide 162,000 square feet of retail space.

Mr. DeYoung identified some projects that are developing in town, such as Culver’s and a future shopping mall north of The Shrine of Christ’s Passion (The Shrine).

Mr. DeYoung advised that they were working on the U.S. 231 corridor project, but things were put on hold after the elections, and the incoming Council Members would not have been in the loop on the expenditures for the same.

Mr. DeYoung gave the new Members some advice on dealing with questions from the public.

Mr. Blazak expounded on the Shops 96 project, stated that the new Town Manager would be at the meeting later, and stated that they have a lot of projects in the works but nothing to report on those yet.

Mr. Swets thanked everyone for offering to serve on this Committee and stressed how important their work is for the town.

REPORTS and CORRESPONDENCE:

Mr. Madsen noted that he has read the minutes from the past and asked when it would be appropriate to discuss items that were on the list that they can move forward on and those that are permanently scratched off the list. Mr. DeYoung asked Mr. Madsen to put the list of items together for the following meeting.

Mr. Swets noted that they may have some subcommittees to work on special projects and report at the meetings.

Mr. Godoy asked if there were any updates about the Dunkin’ Donuts that was supposed to be built on Calumet Avenue. Mr. Blazak responded that the main company wouldn’t grant a franchise there because there was not enough traffic to support it.

Members discussed updating the flyers with the updated information using labels.

Mr. DeYoung reported that he has been in discussions with a business that may come to town in that area north of The Shrine. Discussion ensued about possible businesses they could try to facilitate building in town and the redevelopment of the K-mart property.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

None was had.

ADJOURNMENT:

Mr. Barry made a motion to adjourn; Mr. Madsen seconded the motion. Mr. DeYoung adjourned the meeting at 5:37 p.m.

Respectfully submitted;

Margaret R. Abernathy, Recording Secretary
St. John Economic Development Committee

CALL TO ORDER:

Mr. DeYoung called the St. John Economic Development Committee Meeting to order on June 24, 2020, at 5:00 p.m., with its members attending on-site and remotely, and led all in the Pledge of Allegiance.

ROLL CALL:

Members present: Joseph Barry, Member; Robert Godoy, Member; Joey Lax-Salinas, Member; Karl Madsen, Member; Kelly Stoming, Vice-President; and John DeYoung, President. A quorum was attained. Also present: Gerald Swets, Town Council President, and Craig Phillips, Town Manager. Absent: Erica Hill, Member; Adam Robertson, Member; and Bryan Blazak, Town Council Liaison.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Mr. DeYoung advised that there are no minutes to approve.

NEW BUSINESS:

A. Town Project Updates

Mr. Phillips reported on the Shops 96 bad soils that were encountered and the mediation of those bad soils. He noted that road construction will commence either late this year or next year. Crew Car Wash is under construction, and Centier Bank will be building on the southeast corner. The traffic signal is also dependent on the construction of the road. Culver’s is under construction. The new gas station at U.S. 41 and U.S. 231 is completed and open. However, many things are in a “holding pattern” due to COVID-19. The INDOT widening of U.S. 41 would take a couple of years to complete.

Mr. Lax-Salinas asked about the development of the land between Alsip and 105th Place. Mr. Phillips responded that Franciscan Alliance purchased the property. Schilling Development will be developing the land across the street in the future.

B. Town Council Updates

Mr. DeYoung asked Mr. Swets if he had any updates for the EDC. Mr. Swets advised that on January 1, 2020, the Town Council rezoned a couple of parcels to R-1 that were R-2 PUD, which triggered a lawsuit. The Courts ruled in the Town’s favor.

Mr. Swets stated that they are looking forward to the development in the U.S. 41 corridor and advised that the Town Council is working with Baker Tilly on a five-year plan.

General discussion ensued regarding liquor licenses, the K-mart property, and the impact of the pandemic on developments and progress.

REPORTS and CORRESPONDENCE:

None was had.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

None was had.

ADJOURNMENT:

Mr. Barry made a motion to adjourn; Mr. Madsen seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote:

Mr. Barry Aye
Mr. Godoy Aye
Mr. Lax-Salinas Aye
Mr. Madsen Aye
Ms. Stoming Aye
Mr. DeYoung Aye

Mr. DeYoung adjourned the meeting at 5:31 p.m.

Respectfully submitted;

Margaret R. Abernathy, Recording Secretary
St. John Economic Development Committee

CALL TO ORDER:

Mr. DeYoung called the St. John Economic Development Committee Meeting to order on July 22, 2020, at 5:03 p.m., with its members attending on-site and remotely, and led all in the Pledge of Allegiance.

ROLL CALL:

Members present: Joseph Barry, Member; Robert Godoy, Member; Erica Hill, Member; Joey Lax-Salinas, Member; Adam Robertson, Member; Kelly Stoming, Vice-President; and John DeYoung, President. A quorum was attained. Also present: Paul Panczuk, Town Council Vice-President, Bryan Blazak, Town Council Liaison; and Craig Phillips, Town Manager. Absent: Karl Madsen, Member.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Mr. DeYoung advised that they have no minutes to approve.

NEW BUSINESS:

A. TIF District Overview

Mr. DeYoung advised that Mr. Phillips will briefly explain Tax-Increment Funding (TIF), TIF Districts, and Redevelopment Agreements.

Mr. Phillips stated that a TIF is a method for municipalities in Indiana to use to make improvements in certain districts. St. John has two TIF Districts, the U.S. 41 TIF District and the U.S. 231 TIF District. The Town is allowed to recapture taxes within TIF Districts above the base tax rate based on the increased valuation in those districts, which is the increment. Those funds are used to reinvest in the district where they are collected for economic development; the investment must be of benefit to the area itself. Those funds are typically used for capital improvements within the designated commercial areas. Mr. Phillips explained the use of TIF funds to help the schools as well, but ultimately the overall increased valuation would be of benefit to the schools as well. The Redevelopment Commission is in charge of the allocation of those funds.

A brief Q-A discussion ensued: TIF Districts can be expanded. It is decided upon by the Town Council. Expansions must be contiguous to a current district. New districts can be formed and are not required to be contiguous to a current district. The duration of a TIF District is 25 years. Mr. DeYoung stated that he has provided them with a study packet on TIF Districts.

B. Liquor License Update

Mr. Phillips advised that he is working on trying for a “Riverfront Liquor License” based on West Creek. He is working with the Town Attorney and the Town’s bond counsel to see if it is feasible to pursue it as there is an investment by the Redevelopment Commission within a specific proximity of West Creek. Discussion ensued.

REPORTS and CORRESPONDENCE:

Mr. Panczuk stated that traffic counts determine if larger businesses will come into a town. It is easier and more profitable for fast food restaurants with lower traffic counts. Mr. Panczuk noted that in the question of allocating TIF funds, the primary question that you want to ask is, “Would this development happen without the use of those funds?” In the case of the old Standard Lumber Yard, it would not have been profitable for a company to purchase all those lots, remove the blight, and build anew.

Mr. Panczuk asked them to consider looking into a project for façade improvement. The Committee agreed to discuss it.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

None was had.

ADJOURNMENT:

Mr. Barry made a motion to adjourn. Mr. DeYoung adjourned the meeting at 5:40 p.m.

Respectfully submitted;

Margaret R. Abernathy, Recording Secretary
St. John Economic Development Committee

CALL TO ORDER:

Mr. DeYoung called the St. John Economic Development Committee Meeting to order on August 26, 2020, at 5:05 p.m., with its members attending on-site and remotely, and led all in the Pledge of Allegiance.

ROLL CALL:

Members present: Joseph Barry, Member; Robert Godoy, Member; Erica Hill, Member; Joey Lax-Salinas, Member; Karl Madsen, Member; Adam Robertson, Member; Kelly Stoming, Vice-President; and John DeYoung, President. A quorum was attained. Also present: Craig Phillips, Town Manager. Absent: Bryan Blazak, Town Council Liaison.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Mr. DeYoung advised that they have no minutes to approve.

NEW BUSINESS:

A. Liquor License Update and Discussion

Mr. Phillips advised that Jason Dravet, IT Director, created a map showing what the proposed areas in a “Riverfront TIF District” would look like within a liquor license district based on the criteria for the boundaries to the edge of the non-buildable areas adjacent to the waterway.

Mr. Dravet presented the map on the media screen and Mr. Phillips explained the various areas of the map. He advised that that the K-Mart property and Shops 96 do not fall in the district’s area that would be eligible if the Town can establish a waterfront district.

Mr. DeYoung noted that there may be two additional liquor licenses available pending the 2020 Census results. Further discussion ensued regarding the map and potential developable properties.

Mr. Phillips reported updates for the Shops 96: The ground improvement project has been awarded to Gough, Inc., and the preconstruction meeting is taking place this week. The roadway intersection at Joliet Street and 96th Place, once it is constructed, will be a T-intersection with a stop sign. Once the traffic signal is actuated at 96th Place and U.S. 41 is actuated, there will be no more left turns onto or off of Joliet Street at U.S. 41.

B. Façade Beautification – Conceptual Discussion

The Committee discussed a façade beautification concept including possible qualifications such as it must be a current brick and mortar business in St. John with a current business license and it should be a legacy business in town.

Funding should be an incrementally-based grant of up to 50 percent with a greater award amount if they use other St. John businesses for the project work or supplies. The EDC would suggest a funding starting point and let the Town Council decide what is reasonable.

Discussion about the Chamber of Commerce’s involvement ensued. Mr. Phillips noted that the Chamber of Commerce was not directly involved with the façade programs in any of the areas where he has worked. Mr. DeYoung stated that perhaps the Chamber of Commerce would consider putting a small stipend from each membership toward the program.

Mr. DeYoung advised that this is all conceptual and asked the members to submit their ideas to him by email so that he can compile a draft to be discussed at the next meeting.

REPORTS and CORRESPONDENCE:

None was had

PUBLIC COMMENT:

None was had.

ADJOURNMENT:

Mr. Barry made a motion to adjourn; Mr. Godoy seconded the motion. Mr. DeYoung adjourned the meeting at 5:58 p.m.

Respectfully submitted;

Margaret R. Abernathy, Recording Secretary
St. John Economic Development Committee