Arlington Economic Alliance

Regular Meeting

Arlington Heights, IL · November 19, 2025

Minutes

DRAFT MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE ARLINGTON ECONOMIC ALLIANCE HELD ON NOVEMBER 19, 2025 AT 7:30 A.M. AT THE VILLAGE HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT: Andrew Stengren – Chairman Kerri Oots Marc Poulos John Toliopoulos Tony Guido Tonia Etoh Terry Iverson Heather Larson Michael Mulder Brian Roginski Andi Ruhl STAFF PRESENT: Emily Rodman – Director of Planning & Community Development Kim Biederman – Economic Development Manager Darko Bojin, Assistant Planner ALSO PRESENT: None I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Andrew Stengren called the meeting to order at 7:30 AM. II. ROLL CALL III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – SEPTEMBER 24, 2025 The meeting minutes of September 24, 2025 Arlington Economic Alliance meeting were reviewed. MR. MULDER MOVED AND MR. ROGINISKI SECONDED A MOTION TO APPROVE THE DRAFT SEPTEMBER 24, 2025 ARLINGTON ECONOMIC ALLIANCE MEETING MINUTES. ALL ALLIANCE MEMBERS VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION. IV. REPORTS A. Development Update Ms. Rodman updated on the following: 1. International Plaza/Golf Crossing Development a. Plan Commission application has been received. b. Staff will be meeting with the commercial developer, Shorewood Development, later today. Urban Street will be developing the multi-family affordable housing. c. The RDA is still under negotiation. 2. Pep Boys (375 - 425 E. Rand Road) Plan Commission application is currently under review for redevelopment into two stand-alone commercial and restaurant uses and one multi-tenant commercial building. 3. Tasty Breads (600 W. University Ave) a. Currently an 81,000 SF vacant building. b. Received approval for Land Use Variation and Class 6b incentive. Page 1 DRAFT c. Village Board will consider request for 13,000 SF building in December. 4. Zero Interest Loans The loan committee recently approved a $25K standard loan for EMH Motors (955 W. Dundee Road) for interior upgrades, primarily electrical in nature, along with new parking lot and light poles. 5. Class 6b Request for renewal from DevLinks (3933 Ventura) in January, 2026. B. Arlington Alfresco Ms. Rodman shared that two debriefing meeting have been held. One was with residents and the other with downtown businesses. The residents meeting was well received and stated that it keeps getting better each year was the overall sentiment. The business meeting received good feedback as well. Highlights were police related, Harmony Fest was not beneficial to the restaurants and that perhaps Alfresco could remain open during Harmony Fest. The Vail Promenade is still being discussed at the Board level. Plans are being taken to business to get their individual feedback on the design, and at a future date to the Chamber for review. A public meeting will be held in January as part of the grant requirement, currently waiting to hear from IDOT. C. Economic Alliance Budget Ms. Rodman shared that the budget for 2026 will be $16,900, up $200 from last year. In 2025, $5,500 of the allocated budget was spent. This year we left the budget roughly the same with the Alliance looking to hold a second event. Next year we will be kicking off the Downtown Master Plan and the Alliance may use these funds to host an event around the plan. $100k has been budgeted to complete the plan beginning early 2026. Commissioner Iverson expressed an idea of residents attending the International Manufacturing Trade Show, perhaps we could provide bus for the day in support of manufacturing in the Village. This is the 2nd or 3rd largest trade show in the world. Discussion amongst commissioners were in support of engaging students and parents in this type of support of this type of event in the community. Suggested leading the group through the trade show, educating, and providing transportation. More discussion to be held at the January meeting. Commissioner Stengren introduced Kim Biederman, and Ms. Biederman shared a short overview of her background. V. OLD BUSINESS - NONE VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Meet Chicago Northwest – Restaurant Week Commissioner Larson distributed packets of information regarding Chicago Northwest’s 12th Annual Restaurant Week, with 25 Arlington Heights restaurants taking advantage of the free promotion. There is a budget of $40K amongst eight communities, that begins in January. This year will be more selective to traditional menus, with a toolkit and template Page 2 DRAFT being provided to help the restaurants create menus. A new visit guide will be printed and the ad campaign begins January 15, 2026. B. Proposed Date for “State of the Village 2026” Ms. Rodman shared that Mayor Tinaglia has agreed to do participate again this year and we are looking to pick a few dates to check calendars. Tentatively looking at March 10th or 12th, with preference of Thursday, at the Metropolis Ballroom. Ms. Biederman shared the idea of table sponsorship and decorate the tables around the room. It was brought to attention that there may not be enough room. Follow up at the January meeting. VII. OTHER BUSINESS None VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT None Commissioner Ruhl brought the idea to connect the Alliance with the community’s Public Arts to keep the Arts developing with the community. This initiative could potentially align with the Downtown Master Plan and our Arts Commission could help with your insight. Adjournment HEATHER LARSON MOVED AND ANDI RUHL SECONDED A MOTION TO ADJOURN. ALL ALLIANCE MEMBERS VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION. The meeting adjourned at 8:46 AM. Andrew Stengren, Chair Arlington Economic Alliance Prepared by Department of Planning & Community Development Page 3

Agenda

Packet

AGENDA ARLINGTON ECONOMIC ALLIANCE Community Room, 3rd Floor Arlington Heights Village Hall, 33 S. Arlington Heights Rd. Arlington Heights IL 60005 November 19, 2025 7:30 AM I. CALL TO ORDER II. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. September 24, 2025 IV. REPORTS A. Devlopment Update B. Arlington Alfresco Update C. Economic Alliance Budget V. OLD BUSINESS VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Meet Chicago Northwest - Resturant Week (Heather Larson) B. Proposed Date for "State of the Village 2026" VII. OTHER BUSINESS A. 2026 Arlington Economic Alliance Meeting Dates VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT Anyone wishing to speak on a subject not on the Agenda may speak at this time. Please limit your comments to three minutes. IX. ADJOURNMENT Persons with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services, such as an American Sign Language interpreter or written materials in accessible formats, should contact the Health & Human Services Department, at 33 S. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60005, healthmail@vah.com or 847/368-5760. Page 1 of 7 DRAFT MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE ARLINGTON ECONOMIC ALLIANCE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2025 AT 7:30 A.M. AT THE VILLAGE HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT: Andrew Stengren – Chairman Kerri Oots Marc Poulos Terry Iverson Tony Guido Andi Ruhl Tonia Etoh John Toliopoulos Heather Larson Michael Mulder Brian Roginski STAFF PRESENT: Emily Rodman – Director of Planning & Community Development Michael Lysicatos – Assistant Dir. Of Planning & Community Development ALSO PRESENT: Keith Moens, Resident Mary Ellen Graf, High School District 214 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Andrew Stengren called the meeting to order at 7:30 AM. Chairman Stengren inquired about the status of the Business Development Manager hire. Ms. Rodman informed the committee that an offer had been accepted and that background checks are being completed at this time. Once all is clear, an announcement will be made on the new hire. II. ROLL CALL III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – July 16, 2025 The meeting minutes of July 16, 2025 Arlington Economic Alliance meeting were reviewed. MS. LARSON MOVED AND MR. MULDER SECONDED A MOTION TO APPROVE THE DRAFT JULY 16, 2025 ARLINGTON ECONOMIC ALLIANCE MEETING MINUTES. ALL ALLIANCE MEMBERS VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION. IV. STAFF REPORTS Ms. Rodman updated the commissioners on the following: A. Development Update 1. New business in the Metra Station called Sip & Bite. 2. International Plaza a. Approved by Design Commission for the residential portion only on June 24, 2025. b. On September 9, 2025, the Housing Commission considered the affordable housing component – no recommendation at this time. c. Arlington Alfresco is open until September 29, 2025. A post-Alfresco debrief meetings will be held in October. Page 1 Page 2 of 7 DRAFT B. Incentive Program Update Zero Interest Loans 1. An approval from the Village Board of $100,000 mega loan to Miller Berger, LLC for 116 S. Arlington Heights Road. 2. The Loan Committee is considering standard loans ($25,000): a. EMH Motors (955 W. Dundee Road0 for interior upgrades, primarily electrical in nature, along with new parking lot light pole ($300,000 in improvements). b. Raceway Car (211 W. Rand Road) Wash for assistance with construction of new car wash ($500,000 in improvements). Class 6B Requests to be Reviewed by Village Board 1. Tasty Breads at 600 W. University Ave a. Currently an 81,000 SF vacant building on 4.5 acres b. Investing $11.7M to build out the facility and complete 20,000 SF expansion c. Employing 80 people initially with growth to 150 2. Renewal for 3933 Ventura Drive – DevLinks a specialized automation integrator serving manufacturing sector. Opened in Arlington Heights in 2016 with 18 employees and now have 34. C. Village Board Initiatives 1. The Village Board has adopted a local grocery tax (1%) on August 18, 2025, effective January 1, 2026 to replace the state grocery tax. 2. The Village Board has also adopted a steaming tax (5%) on August 18, 2025, effective immediately, on all streaming services. 3. The Village Board has also formed a Video Gaming Taskforce, this group is volunteers that will take and review the idea of video gaming and what that would look like (pros and cons) in Arlington Heights. An update is expected by the end of November, 2025. The taskforce is not expected to make a recommendation, just to evaluate the topic. V. OLD BUSINESS A. Village Board Strategic Priorities Ms. Rodman updated the commission on the Village Board priorities, specifically to Strategic Priority #3 as it relates to the Economic Alliance. “Promote economic development initiatives to encourage timely progress on approved projects, support commercial districts by filling available storefronts, and attract unique business development to vacant properties to set Arlington Heights apart from neighboring communities.” This is an action item to be worked on over the next two years. These priorities guide the development of the 2026-2027 Business Plan and staff is currently working on drafting action items for the Plan. She asked that if any Alliance members have any suggestions on proposed action items, please feel free to share. Chairman Stengren had the idea with Priority #6 to be a leader in sustainability with EV vehicles. Commissioner Guido explained how the high cost of electric has slowed this initiative and as infrastructure grows more will be available and functioning. Chairman Stengren brought information to share regarding a ComEd program the Village might consider. Page 2 Page 3 of 7 DRAFT Ms. Larson asked about the old Yanni’s Restaurant and asked if the park district or Village could buy the land and turn it to green space. Mr. Lysicatos replied that there is a contract on the land for development, and that the Village is looking into additional signage to welcome people through the gateway. Mr. Mulder is hoping that the addition of the Chicago Bears coming to AH, that our priority should be to make our AH business are benefiting from this large shift in focus. From the Village Board down, we need to better understand how that will affect/protect DTA. Ms. Rodman confirmed that even though Priority #3 does not specifically mention DTA, the Board and staff are aware that it does play into this with the development at Arlington Park. The Village is considering updating the Downtown Master Plan, originally done in 2007, with a few updates last year. This is a perfect time to re-establish the vision for the future. The Economic Alliance will be invited to provide input in this process. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Vail Avenue Promenade Concept Design Ms. Rodman presented the concept design that was presented to Village Board on August 18, 2025. Overall concept is a curbless street with a landscaped boulevard, traffic calming features, improved pedestrian crosswalks and connectively, and enhanced features in Harmony Park, including reorientation of the stage for concerts, new landscaping, shaded areas, seating areas, and lighting. Looking toward 2027 for the project. Discussion was positive and inquisitive. It was mentioned it would be wonderful to expand the improvements another block north on Vail and east and west one block in each direction on Campbell and have Alfresco all year round. Very positive feedback. B. Downtown Entryway Study Mr. Lysicatos presented the Downtown Entryway Study that has been completed, sharing the priorities. Feedback was asked for from the Alliance. Ms. Larson shared that parking in the downtown is difficult and confusing, clarity would be helpful. Chairman Stengren brought up the mixed use in the area with the need for redevelopment. VII. OTHER BUSINESS None VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT Mr. Moens spoke on the inclusionary housing ordinance, and how AH only requires 10% where other communities require between 20-30% of inclusionary housing. AH is low, need to be increased. Adjournment HEATHER LARSON MOVED AND BRIAN ROGINSKI SECONDED A MOTION TO ADJOURN. ALL ALLIANCE MEMBERS VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION. The meeting adjourned at 8:36 AM. Andrew Stengren, Chair Arlington Economic Alliance Prepared by Department of Planning & Community Development Page 3 Page 4 of 7 11/19/2025 Item: Meet Chicago Northwest - Resturant Week (Heather Larson) Department: Planning & Community Development Item Description: ATTACHMENTS: None Page 5 of 7 11/19/2025 Item: Proposed Date for "State of the Village 2026" Department: Planning & Community Development Item Description: ATTACHMENTS: None Page 6 of 7 11/19/2025 Item: 2026 Arlington Economic Alliance Meeting Dates Department: Planning & Community Development Item Description: Third Wednesday of Every Other Month • January 21, 2026 • March 18, 2026 • May 20, 2026 • July 15, 2026 • September 16, 2026 • November 18, 2026 Meeting dates are subject to change, and additional meetings may be added as needed. ATTACHMENTS: None Page 7 of 7