Kankakee Times

Village of Bourbonnais Board of Trustees met Oct. 5.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

Public Hearing Meeting Certified Minutes

1. MEETING OPENING

Procedural: A. Public Hearing Before the Corporate Authorities to Discuss the North Convent Street Business District and Plan

Meeting called to order at 5:00 PM by Village President Paul Schore

2. Roll Call

Procedural: Village Clerk Brian Simeur called the roll with the following Village Board Members present: Mayor Paul Schore, Trustee Bruce Greenlee, Trustee Rick Fischer, Trustee Randy King, Trustee Jeff Keast, Trustee Jack Littrell, and Trustee Angie Serafini. Also in attendance, Village Treasurer Ron Riebe, Village Attorney Patrick Dunn and Village Administrator Mike Van Mill, Assistant Administrator Laurie Cyr, Finance Director Tara Latz, Deputy Chief Dave Anderson, Building Commissioner Paul Hafner, Village Engineer Dave Tyson, Administrative Assistant Margie Beach, Jeff Bonty, Rob Rodewald, Gene Norber, and PC Schmidt.

3. PUBLIC HEARING

Information, Procedural: A. Ordinance 20-2244 - An Ordinance for the Village of Bourbonnais, Illinois, adopting a Business District Plan Relating to an area within the Village; making findings of fact with respect to such area; designating and establishing the North Convent Business District for such area pursuant to the Business District Development and Redevelopment Law; authorizing the imposition and collection of taxes within such Business District; providing for further authority; establishing an Effective Date and other Related Matters

> Administrator Van Mill stated the purpose of today’s public hearing is to solicit comments concerning the creation of the North Convent Business District.

> First, for the record the North Convent Street Business District Plan was accepted by the Bourbonnais Village Board at its September 7, 2020, Regular meeting and put on display for public review since that time (on Board Docs). In addition, for the record, notice of this Public Hearing was published in the Daily Journal on September 9 and, then again, on September 16, 2020.

> A Business District is an economic development tool promulgated by State legislation. The creation of a Business District is authorized in 65ILCS5/11-74.3 of the Illinois Municipal Code. The law allows the Village to designate an area, following a Public Hearing, as a Business District. To designate a Business District the Village is required to:

1. Name the District: In this case the name is the North Convent Street Business District.

2. Specify the boundaries of the district: This district generally starts at Convent Street at the intersection with Emery then travels south on Convent and incorporates properties along the corridor, continuing through the intersection with Latham Drive/Armour Road; takes in Bourbonnais Elementary School District property on the west side of Convent, and leads westerly to include the 13-acre pond and Village property near Brown Boulevard. In total, the district encompasses approximately 93 parcels totaling 145 acres. A boundary map is included in the Business District Plan as Exhibit A.

3. A general description of projects: Projects identified in the Plan include but not limited to: Property assembly; Site preparation; Development of mixed use and commercial building; Rehab of existing buildings; Transportation access improvements; Public infrastructure; and, Marketing.

4. The estimated budget over the 23-year life of the Business District is $18 million.

5. The source of funds to pay the Business District cost will primarily come from including a 1% retailers occupation tax, service occupation tax, and hotel operator’s occupation tax. This tax will be imposed for 23 years from the date of adoption of the Ordinance.

> To assist the Village in determining the eligibility of the area as a Business District, we commissioned Economic Development Resources of St. Louis, Missouri, President Gene Norber to analyze the area and prepare the Plan and eligibility requirements.

> Mr. Norber from EDR gave an overview of the North Convent Business District Plan (attached on Board Docs). EDR worked with the Village and were on site to gather data for their analysis to address the intent of the law, to establish the qualifications of the area, and to create the actual Plan. This Plan identified an area that qualifies as eligible to be designated a Business District. Factors identified in this area include:

1. Defective, non-existent or inadequate street layout;

2. Unsanitary or unsafe conditions;

3. Deterioration of site improvements;

4. Improper subdivision or obsolete platting;

5. Existence of conditions which endanger life or property by fire or other causes.

> The above factors helped EDR come to the determination this area is constitutes an economic liability, a social liability, an economic underutilization of the area, and a menace to the public health, safety, morals or welfare.

> There is a section of findings that the Village could make if the Plan is adopted and a completion of obligations can be used by the Village.

> An estimated Business District Project Costs is described in the Plan. It identifies areas where we will place the Business Districts revenues so that we can give an idea as to where we see these Business District revenues being utilized.

> The levying of an additional sales tax of 1% is proposed by the Plan. This sales tax is levied on most but not all items that are sold at retail within the Business District. Two exclusions include grocery store food items, nor is the tax levied on vehicles that are titled or registered in the State of Illinois.

4. PUBLIC COMMENTS

Procedural: A. Village Clerk or designee will read complying statements into record if any. - None

Procedural: B. The Village will unmute ZOOM participants so public comment can be made directly by the public. (Participants are required to take turns and be recognized by the President/Chairman prior to making statements). - None

5. ADJOURNMENT

Action, Procedural: A. Adjournment Time

Motion by Trustee Jack Littrell, second by Trustee Jeff Keast to adjourn the meeting at 5:18 PM.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Trustee Bruce Greenlee, Trustee Rick Fischer, Trustee Randy King, Trustee Jeff Keast, Trustee Jack Littrell, and Trustee Angie Serafini

https://go.boarddocs.com/il/vobil/Board.nsf/Public