Lake County Gazette

Village of Mundelein Economic Development Commission met March 23.

Here is the minutes as provided by the Commission:

I. CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order at 7:35 a.m. on Thursday, March 23, 2017, at the

Mundelein Village Hall.

II. ATTENDANCE

Present:   Laurie MacKay; Donna Morrison; Daniel Juarez; Larry Gallas; Robert

Swanson

Also Present:   Amanda Orenchuk; Taylor Wegrzyn; Michael Flynn; Terry Skriba; Gary

Gunther; Kip Stehling        

Absent:   Gerry Brin; Robert Swanson; Mike Allred; Brandon Tole

III. ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA.  Village Report added to the agenda.

IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES.  

Motion by MacKay, seconded by Swanson to approve the minutes of February 23,

2017.

AYES: L. MacKay; D. Morrison; D. Juarez; L. Gallas; R. Swanson

NAYS:  

ABSENT: G. Brin; J. Silver; M. Allred; B. Tole

MOTION CARRIED

V. PUBLIC COMMENT.  Terry Skriba highlighted event dates for the MCC including a Spring

Luncheon at Tighthead Brewery on April 19, and a presentation by Pat Heart at Village

Hall on April 5th. She mentioned that Park on Park starts in May. There are 42 sponsors

already. She mentioned that 40 vendors are signed up for this year’s BeerFest. Gary

Gunther added that a few more volunteers could be used at the BeerFest. He continued

to describe the vendors signed up for the Farmers Market which now includes 23

vendors. He mentioned that there is a need for meat and bread vendors. Terry added

that Manpower will be a new vendor this year and will distribute information on job

openings in Mundelein.

Mike Flynn asked Kip Stehling to describe his efforts at Visit Lake County as the

Mundelein representative. Kip describe his role in that group which includes distributing

promotional materials about attractions in Mundelein. He noted that the group went to

Springfield this year to advocate to lawmakers the importance of keeping travel and

tourism dollars in a separate budget from the State’s in order to allow the funds to be

used on a more local scale. He also noted that there is a newly established committee

on Travel, Tourism, and Crafts which aims to also promote local fine crafts. M. Flynn inquired as to whether the newly remodeled Lakeside Lanes ‘Entertainment Center’

could become part of the promotional efforts. Kip noted that any ideas for new

campaigns or events can go through him and he will work to try and incorporate these

into Visit Lake County.  

VI. DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT PRESENTATION – BRIDGET LANE. A presentation about

current market trends and an update on the thought behind the Village’s Downtown

North Improvement Plan was given by Bridget Lane. A slideshow was shown.  

VII. METRA EXPANSION DISCUSSION. No discussion.

VIII. BIG PROGRAM SITE VISITS. L. Gallas mentioned an idea to send EDC members to

shopping centers in order to update the Village’s contact information and to inform

businesses of the BIG Program for soon‐to‐be non‐conforming signage. Some members

of the group volunteered to approach certain shopping centers.

IX. ANNUAL REPORT TO VILLAGE BOARD. Brandon Tole was not present to give an update.

M. Flynn noted that this should be brought before the board in April.

X. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES 2017. M. Flynn distributed the Goals and Objects and asked

the members if they had reviewed it. L. Gallas noted that members will be assigned

some of the tasks in order to accomplish these items. A vote was taken to approve the

Goals and Objectives.  

Motion by Morrison, seconded by Juarez to approve the EDC Goals and Objectives for

2017.

AYES: L. MacKay; D. Morrison; D. Juarez; L. Gallas; R. Swanson

NAYS:  

ABSENT: G. Brin; J. Silver; M. Allred; B. Tole

MOTION CARRIED

XI. BROKERS MEETING. The event will be held June 14th, 2017. Potential for a bus tour,

speaker, lunch or breakfast provided, and open to more segments of the real estate

business than previous years such as developers.

XII. NEW BUSINESS REPORT. A sheet was passed out with new businesses since the last

meeting. These were assigned EDC members to conduct a site visit.

Site Visit Assignments:

Amazon Corporate R. Swanson

Vape‐N‐Juice L. Gallas

Eyes on U Surveillance None – no contact information

T‐Mobile L. MacKay

Aerus Electrolux L. Gallas

Toncar Auto Parts Mundelein D. Juarez

XIII. VILLAGE REPORT. A. Orenchuk noted that an agreement is being drafted for a business

to move into the former Party City location. M. Flynn added that Transitional Care of

Lake County is finishing its approval for a new facility on Route 83. He added that the

Village is working on an RFP for the former Village Hall property. He also mentioned that

a new Assistant Village Administrator is expected to be hired in April. In the meantime,

EDC members should work with Community Development staff.

XIV. NEXT MEETING.  The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Commission is April 27,

2017.

XV. ADJOURNMENT.  The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 a.m.