===== PDF PAGE 1 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES October 28, 2025 – 10:30 a.m. Approved January 27, 2026 1. Call to Order Chairperson Beles called the meeting to order at 10:32 a.m. 2. Roll Call Roll call found Chairperson Beles and Commissioners Airhart, Espinosa, Harms, Moran and Sabathne present. A quorum was established. Business & Community Relations Director Kelley Chrisse, Interim Community Development Director John Sterrett and Chief Building Official Stu Caravello were also in attendance. 3. Public Comment None. 4. Approval of the August 26, 2025 Meeting Minutes Commissioner Espinosa made a motion to approve the August 26, 2025 Meeting Minutes, which was seconded by Commissioner Moran. The motion passed unanimously via voice vote. 5. Approval of the 2026-2028 Economic Development Work Plan Ms. Chrisse reviewed the proposed work plan highlighting the changes previously requested. Without any additional revisions requested, Commissioner Harms made a motion to recommend approval of the 2026-2028 Economic Development Work Plan, which was seconded by Commissioner Espinosa. A roll call vote was taken as follows: Aye: Harms, Espinosa, Airhart, Beles, Moran, Sabathne Nay: None The motion carries. 6. Vacant Commercial Storefront Registry Discussion Ms. Chrisse explained that current regulations apply to completely vacant structures. This proposal is intended to encourage occupancy of vacant storefronts to generate economic activity particularly in the City’s commercial areas. Commissioner Airhart suggested to include an exemption for properties that are not able to be used for commercial. There was a strong desire among the Commissioners to ensure that this is an incentive program where there is a discount for meeting all the criteria, including listing the property with the City. Perhaps only assess a fee when the property is not listed with the City. Staff was asked to evaluate other communities to see what their process is for encouraging occupancy of commercial spaces. A comment was also made to evaluate how the property tax benefit for unoccupied space may offset the fee for the registry. This may be particularly important for property owners unmotivated to occupy their space. Another suggestion was to evaluate how Wheaton 475 Main Street T 630.293.2200 Daniel Bovey MAYOR West Chicago, Illinois F 630.293.3028 Tia Messino 60185 westchicago.org INTERIM CITY ADMINISTRATOR ===== PDF PAGE 2 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] uses its Special Service Area in the downtown to encourage occupancy. The Commission noted that perhaps a commercial storefront is considered vacant if it has been unoccupied for 90 days, as opposed to the 30 proposed. 7. Expanded Food Truck Regulations Discussion Mr. Sterrett presented the proposal to expand food truck use, as recommended by the Comprehensive Plan. Some concerns noted included how the proposed regulations in the residential districts may pose challenges, which include noise control (could restrict hours of operation) and location (could prohibit within the right-of-way unless if approved by the Police Department for a block party). It was noted that noise concerns could be addressed through existing regulations; however, one Commissioner commented that noise regulations are not currently enforced. Commissioners also asked whether vacant lots without a home could be used for food truck parking. Mr. Sterrett indicated that staff could add a provision to clarify where food trucks may park, such as requiring a hard surface, unless the food truck is associated with a City-approved special event. A separate question was raised regarding whether a 10-foot separation between a food truck and a building is required for fire safety. If so, this requirement would be particularly important when evaluating viable food truck locations downtown. 8. Approval of the 2026 Meeting Schedule Commissioner Harms made a motion to approve the 2026 meeting schedule of the Economic Development Commission, which was seconded by Commissioner Espinosa. The motion passed unanimously via voice vote. 9. Staff Report – None 10. Commissioner Reports – None 11. Adjournment – Commissioner Harms made a motion to adjourn, which was seconded by Commissioner Moran. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote. The meeting was adjourned at 12:14 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Kelley Chrisse, Business & Community Relations Director Economic Development Commission October 28, 2025 Minutes Page 2 of 2