Lake County Gazette

City of Highland Park Business and Economic Development Advisory Group met Oct. 26.

Here are the minutes provided by the group:

I. CALL TO ORDER

Chair Di Martino called the meeting to order at 6:02 PM.

II. ROLL CALL

PRESENT: Chair Di Martino, Vice Chair Nanus, Advisors Bernstein, Bloom, Lipin, Miller, Rosenberg, Schwartz, Smith and Wiswald

ABSENT: Advisors Cox, Latimer, and Oberman

Business Development Manager Hersch declared that a quorum was present.

STAFF PRESENT: Business Development Manager Hersch, Business Development Assistant Rosen

COUNCIL PRESENT: Councilman Stolberg

ALSO PRESENT: Student Advisor Goldin, Highland Park Chamber of Commerce President Ginny Glasner, Councilman Tapia joined the meeting at 7:00 PM

III. APPROVAL OF THE JULY 27, 2021 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

Chair Di Martino asked for a motion to approve the meeting minutes of the Business and Economic Development Advisory Group’s Regular Meeting held on Tuesday, July 27, 2020.

Advisor Rosenberg moved to approve the July 27, 2021 minutes.

Advisor Bernstein seconded the motion.

On the voice vote, Chair De Martino declared that the motion passed unanimously.

IV. PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION, AND CONSIDERATION OF THE MAYOR’S BEAUTIFICATION AWARDS

Manager Hersch presented an overview of the Beautification Awards in order to seek the Advisory's feedback on the program's merits and whether the City should continue it.

Background

The City established the Beautification Task Force (BTF) in 2003 to enhance the beauty of the City of Highland Park through its business districts, neighborhoods, and gateways. The Task Force's principal activities were Beautification Walking Tours and Beautification Awards. In 2009, the City concluded the BTF, and the BEDC assumed the responsibility for the Beautification Awards.

The BEDAG/Mayor's Beautification Awards recognize businesses whose overall visual appeal is consistent with the environment and the Community. They serve as an example to all businesses and property owners within Highland Park to remain committed to beautifying our Community. The awards (framed BEDAG/Mayoral certificate) are given annually at a City Council meeting and announced in The Highlander. Listed below are the business categories eligible for this award and the criteria by which businesses are judged:

Business Categories

• Retail

• Restaurants

• Automotive Dealers

• Office/Service

• Mixed-Use

Award Criteria

• Façade/Building Appearance

• Cleanliness

• Window Clarity

• Adherence to Code

• Landscaping

Concern: The City has rarely received nominations from the public, and it has been challenging to find new nominees.

Action Requested: Provide feedback on the value of the program and opine on whether the City should continue it.

Advisor Wiswald asked if there are other expenses outside of the framed certificate.

Manager Hersch confirmed that the frames are the only cost to the City. (Approximately $15 each). She went on to explain that the City has received few nominations from the public over the years.

Advisor Wiswald expressed support for continuing the awards as they provide some level of publicity for the award winners and it is an opportunity for the City to do something positive. It also may motivate other businesses to make an investment in their businesses for a very low cost to the City.

Advisor Miller also expressed support for continuing the awards as there is no downside.

Vice-Chair Nanus asked how many man-hours the facilitation of the awards requires. Manager Hersch explained that the awards require approximately seven staff hours.

Chair Di Martino also expressed support for continuing the awards as it creates goodwill and good press for the City and the Businesses.

Advisor Bernstein suggested altering the program to have a theme (holiday decorations in store windows etc.) so that the businesses compete with one another in order to get more engagement from the businesses.

Manager Hersch explained that the program needs to be open to all businesses, not just the Downtown.

Advisor Schwartz asked who would be responsible for judging the windows.

Manager Hersch explained that a work-group could be created that would make recommendations to the BEDAG and the BEDAG could make a recommendation to Council.

Advisor Bernstein suggested placing QR codes in the store windows so that the public could vote.

Advisor Smith suggested finding a way to make the award more meaningful in order to entice more businesses to seek it. He suggested businesses be allowed to nominate themselves.

Manager Hersch explained that businesses can already nominate themselves in the current program.

Advisor Lipin suggested creating groups of businesses to work together to decorate their windows and work as teams.

Advisor Wiswald expressed support for a competition where the community can vote. She added that her recommendation would be to keep the Beautification Awards as is and that the store window completion be a separate award.

Manager Hersch explained that historically the award has not stimulated business and property owners to make an investment in the appearance of their properties.

Vice-Chair Nanus suggested that if the goal of the Beautification award is to get property owners to make an investment in the appearance of their properties, a store window contest is not going to achieve that goal.

Manager Hersch explained that the Alliance has been discussing a contest for the best windows in the CBD. She suggested passing on the BEDAG’S ideas about QR codes and involving the public to the Alliance and that this might be an appropriate project for them for the CBD.

Advisor Wiswald agreed that the store window contest would be a good fit for the Alliance. She added that the Ravinia SSA could do a similar contest in the RBD. The City could then continue the Beautification Award as is.

Manager Hersch asked the BEDAG for suggestions if the City does not receive nominees for the Beatification Award.

Chair Di Martino suggested that the BEDAG can proactively look for candidates.

Advisor Wiswald added that if there aren’t any appropriate nominees one year, we could skip the award that year.

Chair Di Martino suggested putting the winners on the Kiosks.

Advisor Wiswald suggested a decal or sign that could be in the store window of the award winners.

V. DISCUSSION OF A BE KIND CAMPAIGN

Manager Hersch explained that the City received an email from a local restaurant about the public’s treatment of their staff, which prompted the City to consider a Be Kind campaign designed to educate the public about the nationwide shortage of employees and encourage patience. The City will share the Advisory’s input with the City Council. The City will also seek participation from the Downtown Highland Park Alliance, Downtown Property Owners Association, Ravinia District SSA 17 Advisory, BBAD, Chamber, et al.

As part of the campaign, the City would start messaging the importance of being patient with businesses, emphasizing the national employee shortage that affects businesses. We could include recommendations in advance to the public, such as calling ahead to inquire about wait times if individuals have limited time, considering pre-ordering for faster service, etc.

Manager Hersch asked the BEDAG for their feedback on a Be Kind Campaign.

Advisor Bloom stated that in his opinion a campaign is not going to change the behavior of individuals who are not being respectful.

Vice-Chair Nanus expressed sympathy for the businesses owners in Highland Park and suggested a campaign urging people to be friendlier using someone such as Billy Corgan to be the spokesperson.

Advisor Rosenberg stated that this behavior is a problem everywhere not just Highland Park and that the BEDAG should not get involved.

Advisor Bernstein suggested that businesses put up a sign that says “Please be patient. We are short-staffed.”

Highland Park Chamber of Commerce President Ginny Glasner explained that the Chamber created those types of signs and sent them to business. She suggested that they send those signs out again.

Councilman Stolberg stated that unfortunately, you can’t change some people’s bad behavior and that it is outside of the City’s prevue to try and do so.

Advisor Smith suggested that the only way to deal with these issues is to state that this type of behavior is not acceptable.

Advisor Wiswald expressed that the City does not have control over the customers but we should give the businesses tools to deal with difficult customers.

Chair Di Martino suggested that the Mayor’s remarks in the Highlander could discuss the difficulties that businesses are facing with being short-staffed and remind people to be patient.

Councilman Stolberg agreed that the Mayor could and does reinforce the message of being tolerant.

Manager Hersch summarized that the BEDAG’s suggestions are to provide the businesses tools such as signage and communicate our support of the businesses.

Advisor Bernstein suggested that a community officer could visit the business that sent the email and suggest positive constructive ways to deal with difficult customers in the future.

VI. OTHER BUSINESS

Advisor Bernstein announced that Highland Park was voted one of the 100 Best Small Cities in America (#50) BY CBS Chicago.

Manager Hersch thanked Vice Chair Nanus for the presentation and proposal he submitted for a community entertainment area in the parking lot to the East of

Michael’s. She explained that the City is moving forward with the concept but utilizing the North St. Johns lot instead as it is an under-utilized lot.

Chair Di Martino expressed support for the concept as laid out in Manager Hersch’s update.

Manager Hersch explained that staff will be meeting to determine which items are more effective to buy verses rent in order to keep costs down. She added the splash pad is not planned for the first year and that her recommendation is that it be funded by community donations. She also explained that Port Clinton cannot be utilized for this project because a splash pad would not be feasible there. In addition it is a smaller space and could be disruptive to the offices located there.

Advisor Bernstein added that bringing foot traffic to the businesses east of the tracks is another benefit to the North St. Johns Lot.

Manager Hersch added that visibility from the train is also a benefit. Advisor Bernstein suggested adding additional tables at Renaissance Place.

Manager Hersch reported that the City Manager discussed adding outdoor dining tables in the walkway between Green Bay Road and Second Street with Renaissance Place management. They will likely add tables next spring.

Chair Di Martino reminded the BEDAG that its purpose is to be an advisory body and asked that the members always keep the discussion respectful.

Manager Hersch reminded the BEDAG that the Business Development Strategic Plan Focus Groups begin this week.

Vice Chair Nanus asked if BEDAG members can observe the focus groups.

Manager Hersch explained that she would discuss that with staff and get back to the BEDAG via email.

Advisor Rosenberg asked to see the questions that are being asked at the focus groups.

Manager Hersch stated that she would email the questions to the BEDAG.

Highland Park Chamber of Commerce President Glasner provided an update: The Chamber is offering state required sexual harassment training. The Chamber is continuing the Highland Park Gift Card Program. The Chamber is holding a webinar on October 28 on charitable giving. The Annual Holiday Celebration is being held on December 9 at Summer Inn.

Manager Hersch announced that the Holiday Lighting event is occurring on November 6 and that the City is also holding four events on Saturdays from 2-4 PM beginning November 27 with live music in Port Clinton. Additionally, the Port Clinton Halloween

Candy Stroll is on October 28 and the Ravinia District Halloween Candy Stroll is on October 29 with a rain date of October 30.

VII. BUSINESS FROM THE PUBLIC

None

VIII. ADJOURNMENT

Chair Di Martino asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting.

Advisor Bernstein moved to adjourn the meeting.

Advisor Rosenberg seconded the motion.

Chair Di Martino adjourned the meeting at 7:15 PM.

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