Economic Development Commission
Regular MeetingDeKalb, IL · March 4, 2022
Minutes
MINUTES
CITY OF DEKALB
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
MARCH 4, 2022
The Economic Development Commission (EDC) of the City of DeKalb, Illinois, held a Regular
meeting on March 4, 2022, at the DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC)
office, 2179 Sycamore Road, Unit 102, DeKalb, Illinois 60115.
Chair Richardson called the meeting to order at 8:31 a.m.
A. ROLL CALL
Executive Assistant Ruth Scott called the roll and the following EDC members were present: Chair
Jeff Richardson, Mark Sawyer, Brian Scholle, and Sam Walt. Vernese Edghill-Walden arrived just
after roll call at 8:33 a.m. Also in attendance were Ex-Officio Member Matt Duffy, City Manager
Bill Nicklas, Mayor Cohen Barnes, and Council Liaison Carolyn Morris. Ex-Officio Member Paul
Borek was absent.
B. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
MOTION: Mr. Walt 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 THE MINUTES
1. November 5, 2021
MOTION: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the minutes; seconded by Mr. Walt.
VOTE: Motion carried by a voice vote of the majority of members present.
D. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
There was none.
Council Liaison Morris announced that she has been appointed to serve on the Military Economic
Development Committee (MEDC), led by Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton. She stated it’s a
great opportunity to connect with the Lieutenant Governor and share our community’s concerns.
Brief discussion ensued.
E. OLD BUSINESS
There was none.
F. NEW BUSINESS
1. Alternative Focus for the Economic Development Commission
Economic Development Commission
March 4, 2022
Page 2 of 3
It was noted that Grant Goltz resigned from the EDC.
City Manager Nicklas spoke to the EDC members about refocusing the commission’s mission.
Mr. Scholle stated he’d like to see the EDC concentrating their efforts on the Annie Glidden North
and S. Fourth Street corridor areas.
City Manager Nicklas stated that would fit in with the Comprehensive Plan, which is under revision
at this time.
Discussion ensued about how the EDC can be more helpful to the City Council and the
community.
Mayor Barnes stated his original intent for the EDC was to be a sounding board for those with
issues with the City’s building permit process.
Ms. Edghill-Walden stated she isn’t sure the EDC is the body where concerns should be heard.
Discussion ensued, with members reflecting on how business unfriendly the City was prior to
2019, and how that changed when City Manager Nicklas was hired.
Discussion continued about how the EDC can be of assistance to the community and what its
role should be moving forward.
Mr. Scholle stated the EDC could look at developing a questionnaire that could be provided with
every permit issued asking for input on the permitting process – what’s good, what’s bad, and
how can the process be improved. There was consensus among the group favoring the idea.
Mayor Barnes stated the results could be forwarded to the City Council for review.
Brief discussion ensued about a draft questionnaire.
The question was raised about how often the EDC should meet. There was no definitive answer.
Mr. Duffy suggested that the EDC look at what other communities do and do well instead of
starting from scratch. He added that he’s been a part of the EDC for 10 years and it seems the
same discussions are being had.
Discussion ensued.
City Manager Nicklas indicated that the City’s building code will be updated from the 2015 version
within the next couple of months.
There was also discussion regarding the Comprehensive Plan and allowing the EDC to review it
in draft form prior to the next meeting.
Ms. Edghill-Walden left the meeting at 9:42 a.m.
G. REPORTS
1. City Manager Report
Economic Development Commission
March 4, 2022
Page 3 of 3
City Manager Nicklas stated he had nothing else to report.
2. DeKalb Chamber of Commerce Report
Mr. Duffy reported that City Manager Nicklas was inducted into the DeKalb Chamber of
Commerce Business Hall of Fame in February. He further reported on the upcoming Local
Showcase and Job Fair scheduled for May 20, 2022, and changes to the Chamber’s new business
directory.
There was brief discussion regarding the City’s building codes.
Mayor Barnes left the meeting at 9:51 a.m.
3. DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation Report
Mr. Borek was absent.
H. NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the EDC will be May 6, 2022
I. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Mr. Sawyer moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Mr. Scholle.
VOTE: Motion carried by a voice vote of the majority of members present and the meeting
adjourned at 9:53 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_____________________________
Ruth A. Scott, Executive Assistant
Minutes approved by the Economic Development Commission on July 1, 2022.
Agenda
AGENDA
Economic Development Commission Meeting
March 4, 2022
8:30 a.m.
LOCATION
DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC)
2179 Sycamore Road, Unit #102
DeKalb, Illinois 60115
A. Roll Call
B. Approval of the Agenda
C. Approval of Minutes
1. November 5, 2021
D. Public Participation
E. Old Business – None
F. New Business
1. Alternative Focus for the Economic Development Commission?
G. Reports
1. City Manager Report
2. DeKalb Chamber of Commerce Report
3. DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation Report
H. Next Meeting: May 6, 2022
I. Adjournment
MINUTES
CITY OF DEKALB
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
NOVEMBER 5, 2021
The Economic Development Commission (EDC) of the City of DeKalb, Illinois, held a Regular
meeting on November 5, 2021, at the DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation
(DCEDC) office, 2179 Sycamore Road, Unit 102, DeKalb, Illinois 60115.
Chair Jeff Richardson called the meeting to order at 8:32 a.m.
A. ROLL CALL
Executive Assistant Ruth Scott called the roll and the following EDC members were present:
Vernese Edghill-Walden, Grant Goltz, Jeff Richardson, Mark Sawyer, Brian Scholle, and Sam
Walt. Also in attendance were Ex-Officio member Paul Borek, City Manager Bill Nicklas, and
Mayor Cohen Barnes. Ex-Officio member Matt Duffy and Council Liaison Carolyn Morris were
absent.
B. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
MOTION: Mr. Walt 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. September 3, 2021
MOTION: Mr. Sawyer moved to approve the minutes; seconded by Mr. Walt.
VOTE: Motion carried by a voice vote of the majority of members present.
D. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
There was none.
E. REPORTS
1. City Manager Report
City Manager Nicklas reported that the City purchased the Hunter Hillcrest shopping center parcel
on October 18, 2021. The City is now working with commercial and residential tenants for
relocation. So far two commercial tenants have been relocated – a hair salon and American
Dream Tax.
Continuing, City Manager Nicklas reported that a fire in the second story portion of the building
on November 5, 2021, caused considerable smoke damage and shut the building down for 24
hours. Power has since been restored to the first level and commercial businesses are reopening.
The tenant spaces are all uninhabitable and plans to get them relocated have been accelerated.
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November 5, 2021
Page 2 of 4
City Manager Nicklas stated that moving expenses – first and last month rent and security deposit
– will be reimbursed to tenants providing proof of relocation (a signed lease, receipts, etc.).
City Manager Nicklas added that Northern Fresh Market will be the biggest relocation obstacle
due to the large pieces of equipment in the unit. Further, the business was the most compromised
because of the fire and water leakage issues.
Ms. Edghill-Walden asked about transportation for the clients who frequented the hair salon,
which moved to 10th Street. City Manager Nicklas replied that the new location is on a bus route,
noting that many of the owner’s clients lived in the area she moved to.
There was lengthy discussion regarding the relocation of Northern Fresh Market, initiated by Ms.
Edghill-Walden and her concern that there will be no market left in the area for residents to obtain
healthy fresh foods. She noted that she isn’t questioning the City’s commitment and effort, but
she’s concerned for the residents in the area.
City Manager Nicklas stated that the use of a mobile truck from DeKalb Community Gardens is a
possibility in the short-term.
Mayor Barnes stated that while we can’t force a grocery store to locate within the area, incentives
could be provided to assist if there was an interested party.
Discussion further ensued regarding transportation availability and Hunter’s lack of responsibility
regarding the condition of the building. The City is trying to be a responsible landlord and
attempting to make temporary repairs as needed, specifically on the roof.
Mayor Barnes stated he recently attended a breakfast that included many pastors from DeKalb
where there was discussion regarding the fresh food options situation. They are all working
together to figure out a resolution.
City Manager Nicklas continued his report, which included that Project Barb still hasn’t been
named, the ongoing search for a new Fire Chief, and that he and Mr. Borek are working on
interests and leads together, which includes the open area from the west of First Street and
Lincoln Highway down to Pearl Street.
There was brief discussion regarding truck route issues.
Mayor Barnes brought up the Lincoln Highway reconfiguration, which should get started in the
Spring of 2022. City Manager Nicklas added that the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)
has had some issues with the plan, which caused the project to stall but the project will happen.
Mayor Barnes stated there’s a developer interested in purchasing some of the Hunter properties.
Discussion ensued regarding the developer and Hunter’s standing fines, which would not be
transferred to the new owner.
There was also discussion regarding the demolition of the Hunter Hillcrest building. There will be
decisions to be made regarding what should be located on the property and the community will
be invited to provide input.
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November 5, 2021
Page 3 of 4
Mayor Barnes stated the City is starting to get a reputation for being business friendly and offered
his thanks to City Manager Nicklas for helping turn that around.
Ms. Edghill-Walden asked if it would be possible to do a Belonging presentation at an upcoming
EDC meeting. Those in attendance thought it was an excellent idea. Executive Assistant Scott
will send a link to the video to all EDC members.
2. DeKalb Chamber of Commerce Report
Mr. Duffy was absent from this meeting.
3. DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation Report
Mr. Borek reported that the demand on real estate and interest in DeKalb County and the city of
DeKalb is unprecedented, noting it is in response to the Facebook and Ferrara projects. He then
mentioned the DeKalb County Enterprise Zone and what it includes, stating a lot of great activity
has taken place within the enterprise zone.
Brief discussion ensued regarding the idea of a truck repair center within DeKalb.
Mr. Borek continued and spoke of the shortage of workers throughout the country. A DCEDC
sponsored webinar was held recently to discuss current trends, retention, recruiting, and on-the-
job training programs.
Mayor Barnes mentioned one of his employees was recruited from a program that helps
rehabilitate those attempting to reenter the workforce, and noted he’d like to see DCEDC come
on board with something like that.
Discussion ensued.
Mr. Borek also reported that he’s been approached by church groups regarding an Afghan
resettlement program in the area.
Mr. Borek further reported on the Opportunity Unbound program that promotes DeKalb County
as a place to work and live, noting that early next year a county wide campaign will be introduced
for ideas on what’s needed to keep moving forward.
Brief discussion ensued regarding a presentation on the Opportunity Unbound program at an
upcoming EDC meeting.
F. OLD BUSINESS
1. Business Retention Program – Start or Stop
This topic will be discussed at the January 7, 2022, meeting.
Ms. Edghill-Walden left the meeting at 9:42 a.m.
Economic Development Commission
November 5, 2021
Page 4 of 4
G. NEW BUSINESS
1. Alternative Focus for the Economic Development Commission
There was brief discussion regarding refocus of the EDC. Mayor Barnes stated he’d like to see
this group gather feedback from developers after a project is complete to find out what processes
caused the most frustration.
Mr. Borek left the meeting at 9:45 a.m.
The viability of the EDC was questioned and those members still in attendance agreed that each
would come to the next meeting with ideas about moving the EDC forward.
H. NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the EDC will be on January 7, 2022.
I. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Mr. Sawyer moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Mr. Scholle.
VOTE: Motion carried by a voice vote of the majority of members present and the meeting
adjourned at 9:49 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_____________________________
Ruth A. Scott, Executive Assistant