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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
                     MEETING MINUTES
                          January 28, 2025 – 10:30 a.m.
                           Approved August 26, 2025

1.  Call to Order
   Chairperson Beles called the meeting to order at 10:33 a.m.

2.  Roll Call
   Roll call found Chairperson Beles, and Commissioners Espinosa, Johnson, and Sabathne
    present. With four members present at the start of the meeting, a quorum was established.

   Business & Community Relations Director Kelley Chrisse was also in attendance.

3.  Public Comment
   None.

4. Approval of the October 22, 2024 Meeting Minutes
   Commissioner Espinosa made a motion to approve the October 22, 2024 Meeting Minutes,
   which was seconded by Chairman Beles. The motion passed unanimously via voice vote.

5.  2024 Annual EDC Report
   Ms. Chrisse reviewed the annual report that will be forwarded to the City Council.

6.  Discussion of Loan Program Participation
   Ms. Chrisse presented the option of partnering with local financial institutions to increase
    access to capital for business and property owners, specifically for those looking to make
   investments into their property through the Downtown Investment Program. Three existing
   programs were reviewed. Commissioners agreed that it would be both beneficial and proactive
    for the City to work with local financial institutions to compile and provide a list of resources
    to business and property owners.  Due to concerns about the City’s potential liability in
   becoming part of the lending process, the Commissioners did not want to pursue participation
    in a loan program.  Staff will work to compile both a list of participating contractors and
    financial institutions for the grant program.

7.  Staff Report – Ms. Chrisse confirmed that the grant programs were funded at the requested
    levels for 2025. Additionally, she explained that the City was reorganized to create the new
   Business & Community Relations Department and provided a description of the functions and
    operations. Ms. Chrisse highlighted the opening of Raised Bakery Café and the reimbursement
    for the Retail & Restaurant Grant Program. Algo Healthy, Light up the Floor and Cricket
   Wireless have all opened up in/near the downtown recently.  The Redwood multi-family
   development preliminarily approved by the City Council in November is now on hold pending
    the completion of the condemnation proceedings. Ms. Chrisse updated the Commissioners on
    the status of the ComEd upgrades with the anticipated completion in 2026. She also reviewed

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recent City Council approvals, which included extension of the Special Use for The Crusher,
    Special Uses for improvements at multiple D33 properties, zoning text amendments allowing
    greater densities and expanded uses, revisions to allow gas stations to sell beer and wine,
   rezoning to allow a multi-family development by Habitat for Humanity, and approval of a
    contract to develop construction drawings for the new Community Park, Phase 0.

8. Commissioner Reports – None

9. Adjournment – Chairman Beles made a motion to adjourn, which was seconded by
   Commissioner Sabathne. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote. The meeting was
   adjourned at 11:32 a.m.

Respectfully Submitted,
Kelley Chrisse, Business & Community Relations Director


Economic Development Commission
January 28, 2025 Minutes  | Approved August 26, 2025
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