Economic Development Commission
Regular MeetingDeKalb, IL · September 6, 2019
Minutes
MINUTES
CITY OF DEKALB
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MEETING
SEPTEMBER 6, 2019
The Economic Development Commission (EDC) of the City of DeKalb, Illinois held a
regular meeting on September 6, 2019 in the Executive Conference Room of the DeKalb
Municipal Building, 200 S. Fourth Street, DeKalb, Illinois.
The meeting was called to order at 8:30 a.m.
A. ROLL CALL
Executive Assistant Ruth Scott called the roll and the following EDC members were
present: Grant Goltz, Trixy O’Flaherty, Jeff Richardson, Mark Sawyer, Sam Walt and City
Council Liaison Pat Fagan, as well as ex-officio members Paul Borek (DCEDC) and Matt
Duffy (DeKalb Chamber of Commerce). Member Vernese Edghill-Walden arrived at 8:33
a.m. Member Mohammed Labadi arrived at 8:37 a.m.
Others present included: City Manager Bill Nicklas, Mayor Jerry Smith, Transit Manager
Marcus Cox, and Executive Assistant Ruth Scott (as recording secretary).
B. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
MOTION
Mr. Richardson moved to approve the agenda; seconded by Mr. Sawyer.
VOTE
Motion carried by a voice vote of the majority of members present.
C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Minutes of the Economic Development Commission meeting of August 2, 2019.
MOTION
Mr. Goltz moved to approve the minutes; seconded by Mr. Walt.
VOTE
Motion carried by a voice vote of the majority of members present.
Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes
September 6, 2019
Page 2 of 4
D. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Bessie Chronopoulos spoke about good things happening on S. 4th Street, such as
the continued cleanup of the former Protano’s site, as well as the 40th anniversary
of G&L Auto Repair.
E. REPORTS
1. City Manager Report.
a. ChicagoWest Business Center.
City Manager Nicklas provided information regarding two business
prospects that have been looking at the site south of the tollway oasis. Brief
discussion ensued regarding the prospective companies and their interest
in DeKalb, which includes access to the tollway and rail system.
b. O’Leary’s Building.
City Manager Nicklas spoke of a promising prospect for the former
O’Leary’s building, noting he and Mayor Smith had already met with them
twice. City Manager Nicklas stated he would keep the EDC informed of the
progress.
c. Mooney/Agora Tower.
City Manager Nicklas stated that the second reading on the development
plan for the Mooney/Agora Tower project will be before Council on
September 9, 2019 and encouraged EDC members to attend the meeting
to show their support.
2. DeKalb Chamber of Commerce Report.
Mr. Duffy noted that Transit Manager Marcus Cox will be featured in an
upcoming “In the Loop” video. “In the Loop” videos focus on on-goings in
DeKalb. He also noted the upcoming State of the City event on October 15,
2019 and the Athena Award Reception on October 22, 2019. Mr. Duffy briefly
stated that the Chamber is closing in on new office space.
3. DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation Report.
Mr. Borek expanded on City Manager Nicklas’ communication regarding
prospective businesses coming to DeKalb. He noted that the DCEDC works on
these projects in the early stages, addressing the potential companies
concerns.
Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes
September 6, 2019
Page 3 of 4
Mr. Borek also noted that the DCEDC has been working on Park 88 proposals
as well.
Chair O’Flaherty noted that the business retention survey discussed at a previous
meeting would be pushed to the October meeting.
F. OLD BUSINESS
1. Park 88 Bus Route Project.
Transit Manager Cox provided a comprehensive presentation of the new Park
88 bus route, now known as Route 19. The presentation also included
information regarding the proposed bus route to the Elburn Train Station and
the Annie Glidden North Resource Guide. (Click here for presentation)
Brief discussion ensued regarding the new route, the types of buses being
used, times the bus route would be running, the date the route would start,
which is October 28, 2019, and the importance of the resource guide. It was
also noted that the new route would be added to the bus tracker app.
2. Schedule of Meetings.
Mayor Smith stated that some City boards, commissions and committees have
discussed changing their monthly meeting to every other month. However, he
doesn’t feel that the EDC is relevant to this discussion as there are important
topics to discuss.
Chair O’Flaherty suggested that EDC members advise the commission when
they’re aware of an upcoming absence.
G. NEW BUSINESS
1. Elburn Bus Route.
Transit Manager Cox provided information regarding the proposed Elburn bus
route, a daily shuttle service to the Elburn train station that will run seven days
a week, 362 days a year (further information provided in the linked presentation
above). He also noted that a stop in Cortland on the way out and the way back
in may be added. The tentative timeline for this route is September 29, 2019.
Chair O’Flaherty noted items on the October agenda, which include more
information from Transit Manager Cox regarding the resource guide, an update from
City Manager Nicklas on potential businesses, and business retention.
Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes
September 6, 2019
Page 4 of 4
Mike Embrey asked that it be noted that the Beef Shack is now under the
management of their corporate office, with an open house scheduled for September
19, 2019.
H. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION
Mr. Goltz moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Mr. Walt.
VOTE
Motion carried by a voice vote of the majority of members present.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:57 a.m.
Respectfully submitted:
___________________________________
RUTH A. SCOTT, Executive Assistant
Approved by the Economic Development Commission: October 4, 2019.
Agenda
DeKalb Municipal Building
Executive Conference Room
Second Floor
200 South Fourth Street
DeKalb, Illinois 60115
AGENDA
Economic Development Commission Meeting
September 6, 2019
8:30 a.m.
A. Roll Call
B. Approval of the Agenda
C. Approval of Minutes
1. August 2, 2019.
D. Public Participation
E. Reports
1. City Manager Report.
a. ChicagoWest Business Center.
b. O’Leary’s Building.
c. Mooney/Agora Tower.
2. DeKalb Chamber of Commerce Report.
3. DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation Report.
F. Old Business
1. Park 88 Bus Route Project.
2. Schedule of Meetings.
G. New Business
1. Elburn Bus Route.
H. Adjournment
MINUTES
CITY OF DEKALB
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MEETING
AUGUST 2, 2019
The Economic Development Commission (EDC) of the City of DeKalb, Illinois held a
regular meeting on August 2, 2019 in the Executive Conference Room of the DeKalb
Municipal Building, 200 S. Fourth Street, DeKalb, Illinois.
The meeting was called to order at 8:32 a.m.
A. ROLL CALL
Executive Assistant Ruth Scott called the roll and the following EDC members were
present: Chair Trixy O’Flaherty, Grant Goltz, Jeff Richardson, and Sam Walt, as well as
Ex-Officio Member Matt Duffy (DeKalb Chamber of Commerce - DCC).
Others present included: City Manager Bill Nicklas, Mayor Jerry Smith, Transit Manager
Marcus Cox, and Executive Assistant Ruth Scott (as recording secretary).
The following EDC members were absent: Vernese Edghill-Walden, Mohammed Labadi,
and Mark Sawyer, as well as Ex-Officio Member Paul Borek (DeKalb County Economic
Development Corporation – DCEDC) and City Council Liaison Pat Fagan.
B. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
It was suggested that item “F. New Business, 1. Park 88 Bus Route Project” be moved
up in the agenda order.
MOTION
Chair O’Flaherty moved to move item F.1. up in the agenda order and approve the
agenda; seconded by Mr. Walt.
VOTE
Motion carried by a majority voice vote of those present.
C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Minutes of the Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes of the
July 5, 2019.
MOTION
Mr. Richardson moved to approve the agenda; seconded by Mr. Walt.
Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes
August 2, 2019
Page 2 of 4
VOTE
Motion carried by a majority voice vote of those present.
D. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
There was none.
E. NEW BUSINESS
1. Park 88 Bus Route Project.
City Manager Nicklas provided an overview of this project to date.
Transit Manager Cox noted that the project is in “the final stretch”. The Huskie Line
is completing final testing of route, running it various times of the day to ensure it’s
running as it should. A start date is tentatively projected for October 28, 2019, with
a start time of 4:00 a.m. The Huskie Line is also in the midst of confirming an hourly
rate for budgeting purposes. Mr. Cox noted that he would provide a map of the route
to EDC members in September. Mr. Cox also provided a brief report on ongoing
meetings with Park 88 businesses regarding funding.
Mayor Smith stated he’d like to meet with some of the Park 88 companies as a thank
you for listening to the proposal as presented by Mr. Cox. Mr. Walt stated that he
would attend the meeting with the Mayor. City Manager Nicklas said he’d help get
that set up.
Discussion ensued including the resource guide and what information it may include,
i.e. childcare, governmental agencies, etc.
Mr. Cox said marketing is a big piece of this project. He noted there is transit funding
to for printing the maps that are 100% transit related and he’s looking at other
funding that’s available to use that’s not under the transit umbrella.
Mr. Nicklas noted that he’s looking towards Northern Illinois University (NIU) to help
with marketing.
Discussion ensued regarding the EDC grant, marketing and the funding available,
and needed, and the timeline for moving forward. EDC members noted they’d like
to hone down how they can be of assistance regarding this project at the next
meeting, as well as setting up a time to meet with Melanie Magara regarding
assistance with marketing.
Mayor Smith mentioned a planned bus route tour with Congressman Adam
Kinzinger on August 6, 2019 of Park 88, downtown DeKalb, and the airport to show
economic momentum.
Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes
August 2, 2019
Page 3 of 4
Mayor Smith then introduced the newest member appointed to the EDC, Grant
Goltz.
F. REPORTS
1. City Manager Report.
City Manager Nicklas provided an update for the Plaza DeKalb and Egyptian
Theatre projects, as well as the Mooney property project. He also noted that
the Alulu Brewery pulled out of their proposed project in DeKalb because they
couldn’t make the numbers work.
City Manager Nicklas also noted interest in the O’Leary’s building as well as a
potential major industrial project on the south and southeast sides of DeKalb.
2. DeKalb Chamber of Commerce Report.
There was discussion regarding a list of businesses that the DCEDC and the
DCC work together with regarding business retention. Brief discussion ensued
regarding questions or comments the EDC would like to add to the list.
Further discussion ensued regarding DCC business members and the
frequency of business retention meetings.
Mr. Duffy also reported on a new series of two to three-minute informative
videos providing accurate information on current topics and changes within
DeKalb, which have been and will be uploaded onto social media. Mr. Duffy
suggested that Mr. Cox be asked to do a segment on the proposed new bus
route in Park 88.
3. DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation Report.
No report.
Suggested items for the next EDC meeting:
a) Business retention questions that the DCC could add to their list of business
retention items. Mr. Duffy noted that the EDC should consider they type of
information the want to gain from the questions, such as a focus on economics.
b) Strategic Plan discussion.
c) A full update from Mr. Cox regarding the Park 88 route project, including a map
of the route.
Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes
August 2, 2019
Page 4 of 4
G. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION
Mr. Richardson moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Mr. Grant.
VOTE
Motion carried by a voice vote of the majority of members present.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:27 a.m.
Respectfully submitted:
_____________________________________
RUTH A. SCOTT, Executive Assistant
Media Contact:
Stephanie Surz
stephaniea@krusinski.com
630-573-7700
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Construction work begins at ChicagoWest Business Center
DEKALB, IL (September 2, 2019) – Krusinski Construction Company is pleased to
announce that the firm has started the site development and mass grading at
ChicagoWest Business Center in DeKalb, Illinois.
The Chicagoland industrial markets continue to demonstrate strong fundamentals, and
interest for the DeKalb area confirms a positive time to move forward. With the
resources the City of DeKalb provides, such as a strong labor market coupled with
workforce partnership with Northern Illinois University and Kishwaukee Community
College, there’s good reason businesses are looking further west along the I-88
corridor. Other attractive benefits, include: The Enterprise Zone, 10-year Real Estate
Tax Abatement, strong infrastructure, and the support of a pro-growth atmosphere that
will attract a strong business community.
“I would like to thank the City of DeKalb, DeKalb County Economic Development
Corporation, DeKalb Township Highway Department, Kishwaukee Water Reclamation
District and other local agencies for the community-wide and pro-growth development
support,” Krusinski Construction Company CEO, Jerry Krusinski, said.
When completed, the ChicagoWest Business Center will attract hundreds of jobs
offering a variety of employment opportunities and residual benefits for the DeKalb
community.
ChicagoWest Business Center – Business Park; Krusinski Construction Company –
General Contractor. www.chicagowestbusinesscenter.com
ABOUT KRUSINSKI CONSTRUCTION COMPANY
Founded in 1973, Krusinski Construction Company is a leader in providing comprehensive
construction services by creating long-lasting partnerships. KCC delivers solutions to complex
building projects in the Chicago metropolitan area with national reach in a wide range of industries.
KCC is an active member of the U.S. Green Building Council and is a founding member of Citadel
Group, an alliance of seven “best-of-class” regional construction-related companies in 17 cities that
have affiliated to serve the needs of national clients. For more information on KCC,
visit www.krusinski.com.
###