Will County Gazette

City of Joliet Economic Development Committee met Sept. 13.

Here is the agenda provided by the committee:

1. Roll Call

PRESENT: Councilman Larry Hug, Chairman, Councilman Terry Morris, Councilman Pat Mudron.

ABSENT: None.

ALSO PRESENT:  Mayor O’Dekirk, Steve Jones, Derek Conley, Mike Schwarz

2. Approval of Minutes—August 16, 2018 081618

Motion to approve the minutes of the August 16, 2018 meeting was made by Councilman Pat Mudron.

Motion seconded by Councilman Terry Morris.

Motion carried by the following vote:

AYES: Councilman Larry Hug, Chairman, Councilman Terry Morris, Councilman Pat Mudron.

NAYS: None.

3. Citizens to Be Heard on Agenda Items

Mr. Steve Matter, 1316 New Lenox Road, appeared before the Committee regarding the sales tax rebate agreement for Love's Travel Stops. Mr. Matter feels that Love's is asking for the citizens and taxpayers to pay the bill for their sewer and water. He feels if they are bound to move into this area they should pay for their own bills.

Ms. Margie Cepon, 1114 Woodiris Drive, Joliet, appeared before the Committee regarding the sales tax rebate agreement for Love's Travel Stops. Ms. Cepon spoke about incentives. She does not understand why a company that wants to come into Joliet should get incentives.

4. New/Old Business - For Final Action Or Recommendation

a. Request for a Sales Tax Rebate Agreement for Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores (SW Corner of I-80 & Briggs)

Love's Economic Development Memo-merged (3)

Mr. Derek Conley, Economic Development Specialist, gave the Committee some background information about the project.

Mr. Jones said the way this deal is structured is that the city is sharing the future revenue.

Councilman Hug asked how much will they get on retail tax and how much on property tax. Mr. Jones responded there is no rebate on property tax.

Councilman Hug asked how many Love's stations there are. Mr. Rick Shuffield, owner/developer of Love's, responded there are 471. Councilman Hug asked how many of them have closed. Mr. Shuffield responded none of them have closed because they have spent way too much money to have them close.

Councilman Mudron asked about where it states that the city will be in the position to recoup the sales tax via the recapture agreement. Mr. Conley explained.

Councilman Mudron asked if there are any other tenants going on the property besides Love's. Mr. Shuffield responded there will be none because Love's will take up the entire property.

Mr. Shuffield hopes to be up and running by the end of next year however they still have several steps to go through.

Councilman Morris asked if this rebate package is anything like the one for Speedway. Mr. Jones responded. Councilman Morris had questions about the recapture fees. Mr. Jones responded. There was discussion about the Speedway project.

Councilman Morris said he looked at the numbers and he is looking at incentives to keep a business in Joliet so that they do not go somewhere else. He has gone to meetings where they said they will pay for the infrastructure to be brought in and not that they were looking for an incentive package. Mr. Jones said they have been talking to Love's for about a year and it was after the City did the deal with Speedway. He explained in further detail.

Mr. Shuffield said they have done these types of agreements with other municipalities. Generally speakingthey consider it a win/win mainly because the infrastructure gets put in place.

Mayor O'Dekirk said that area of Joliet has been underserved and underdeveloped for 40 to 50 years. He is thrilled that something is coming to that part of Joliet and to that neighborhood in addition to the jobs it will bring.

Motion to authorize the execution of the sales tax rebate agreement with Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores was made by Councilman Pat Mudron.

Motion seconded by Councilman Larry Hug, Chairman.

Motion carried by the following vote:

AYES: Councilman Larry Hug, Chairman, Councilman Pat Mudron. NAYS: Councilman Terry Morris.

b. Discussion of Future Dates for Economic Development Committee Meetings

Councilman Hug said there are so many community events that Thursday does not work for him anymore.

It was decided to move the future Economic Development Committee meetings to Tuesday between Council meeting weeks at 5 p.m.

New or Old Business, Not For Final Action or Recommendation

a. Economic Development Incentive Policy - Draft

Memo - Economic Development Incentive Policy and Exhibits

Mr. Conley said Staff wanted to share with the Committee a new document that they came up with which is called the Economic Development Incentive Policy. Mr. Conley gave the Committee background information about the incentive policy.

Councilman Hug asked to have the statement added to expand business and retain business.

Mr. Jones said this will help to establish parameters.

Mr. Conley said he has polled about 25 different policies.

Mr. Schwarz updated the Committee on the upcoming Comprehensive Plan process.

Mr. Hansen, Attorney, made a few comments regarding the Economic Development Incentive Policy.

Councilman Morris inquired about a hotel at Briggs Street and asked if anyone had received any information about that. Mr. Jones responded they did not.

Councilman Morris asked if non city residents will have a chance to meet and give their opinion regarding the comprehensive plan. Mr. Schwarz responded yes.

b. Monthly Development Reports (July 2018)

Mr. Jones updated the Committee on the July and August monthly development reports.

6. Public Comments

None

7. Adjournment

https://joliet.granicus.com/DocumentViewer.php?file=joliet_135e59db-1091-415a-9b76-fc2a4ee5a11f.pdf&view=1