Kankakee Times

Village of Bourbonnais Board of Community and Economic Development Committee met Aug. 9.

Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:

ROLL CALL:

Present for roll call was Mayor Paul Schore, Trustee Keast, Trustee King, Trustee Serafini, Trustee Fischer, Village Treasurer Riebe, Village Administrator Van Mill, Assistant Administrator Wimberly, Building Commissioner Senesac, Planning Commission Chairman Mark Argyelan, and Village Attorney Dunn. Also present were presenters from Curwick Construction Company, Accounting Supervisor Tara Latz, and Village Engineer Dave Tyson. Absent were Trustees Littrell and Greenlee.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

A motion was made by Trustee King and seconded by Trustee Fischer to approve the minutes from July 12, 2017 (Community 8. Economic Development). Motion passed on a voice vote of 4-0.

OTHER BUSINESS:

a. Curwick's Lifestyle Development Proposal

(See attached presentation.)

At the conclusion of the presentation, Mayor Schore queried the general opinions of the board members. Trustee Keast and Planning Commission Chairman Argyelan voiced their strong support for both Mr. Curwick's ability as a developer, and the need in the Village for inexpensive living alternatives to home ownership, to facilitate economic growth.

b. Board of Examiners Amendment

Building Commissioner Senesac proposed an amendment to the Village Building Code which would create a Board of Examiners to review requests from local builders to use alternative building materials. Commissioner Senesac pointed out the lack of expertise among the current individuals assigned to this task, and cited the need for qualified individuals to fill this board. Commissioner Senesac alluded to multiple occasions on which the current board was asked to review requests, and ended up making a decision that some of the members were not completely comfortable with, due to their lack of expertise; the amendment would put the Village on par with area communities.

Administrator Van Mill voiced his support for the ordinance, and described the makeup of such boards, in terms of the kinds of people that typically comprise them.

Mayor Schore pointed out the great importance of finding individuals who were abundantly qualified, and also those who would be willing to participate in such a board Voluntarily.

Trustee Keast said that the ordinance would be read at the next Community and Economic Development Meeting, giving the board an opportunity to review it.

C. Exterior Building Materials

Administrator Van Mill explained that a local developer had requested relief of the Exterior Building Materials list for a project, and that the board was struggling to make a decision.

Building Commissioner Senesac put together a presentation presenting some examples of compliant and non-compliant structures in the Village, so that the board would be more aware of the regulations and be able to make more informed decisions in the future.

Administrator Van Mill said that the exterior building materials list would be a topic of continued conversation, and that Creating a list that gives developers flexibility, while also maintaining a high aesthetic standard, and is agreed upon and understood by all board members, is crucial.

Mayor Schore underscored the importance of profitability to developers and builders, and cautioned the board against designing a list with too high of a standard, which would make building in Bourbonnais more expensive and less profitable. The Mayor also noted the propensity of developers to build up to the standard set by a given municipality, and no higher, and the need for the board to set a minimum standard that would be high enough to ensure the Village has only attractive developments.

The Mayor explained that it was important to amend this list in a timely manner, and look especially closely at M-1 and M-2 districts, since much of the land surrounding the new Interchange project fall under these zoning classifications.

Engineer Tyson offered the services of Robinson Engineering to draft an ordinance amending the exterior building materials list, saying that the company had done so for several other communities.

d. Pedestrian Overpass Update

Assistant Administrator Wimberly told the board that she and the Mayor had met with State Representative Lindsay Parkhurst and Olivet Nazarene University regarding funding for the planned Pedestrian Overpass near Olivet, and that ITEP funding, offered by IDOT for alternative transportation sources, has emerged as an option for the Village.

Assistant Administrator Wimberly said that the Village would improve its chances of securing an ITEP grant by beginning the engineering/drafting process. The Village has issued an RFP and received multiple offers to complete the project, and Assistant Administrator Wimberly explained that she would like to begin interviewing the firms that submitted proposals.

Mayor Schore noted the dire need for the bridge to alleviate traffic flow in the area near Olivet and Dairy Queen, and the need for new cost estimates from the firms that submitted proposals, since the proposals were received some time ago.

The board gave Assistant Administrator Wimberly its permission to proceed with interviews.

e. Bourbonnais Dig Event

Assistant Administrator Wimberly recalled the DIG Bourbonnais on Wednesday, August 2" at Chicago Bears Training Camp and Brickstone Brewery, which brought over 50 local and regional developers together, to create interest in the area ahead of the completion of the new Interchange.

Assistant Administrator Wimberly noted that the new DIG Bourbonnais logo will Continue to be used in future promotion of the Village.

4. OLD BUSINESS:

a. Code Enforcement PositionBuilding Commissioner Senesac noted that the deadline to apply for the Code Enforcement Position is August 23rd, and that Building Inspector Altenberger had issued his official retirement letter proactive to December 22".

b. Business District

Administrator Van Mill told the board that a conference call has been Scheduled for Monday, August 14th with the firm assisting the Village in establishing the new business district. Administrator VanMill anticipated the completion of the project will come within the next 60-90 days.

c. David Bruce

Attorney Dunn introduced the first draft of the David Bruce Economic Incentive Agreement.

5. NEW BUSINESS: None.

6. PUBLIC COMMENTS:

Engineer Tyson said that his firm was also the Village Engineering firm for Romeoville, and that he would talk to their city officials about a new development that was recently constructed there, as it would relate to the potential construction of Curwick Construction's Bourbonnais development discussed earlier in the meeting.

7. ADJOURNMENT AND TIME

A motion was made by Trustee King and seconded by Trustee Fischer to adjourn the committee meeting. Motion passed on a voice vote of 4-0 and the meeting adjourned at 5:26 p.m.

http://www.villageofbourbonnais.com/administrator/components/com_minutes_and_agendas_by_committee/uploads/e013f3f217809080fe561b37559adff9-2017-08-09---Minutes.pdf