===== PDF PAGE 2 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] WHERE HISTORY & PROGRESS MEET DRAFT MEETING MINUTES Downtown Revitalization Commission Tuesday, December 9, 2025 1. Call to Order Chair Greg Salzman called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. and welcomed everyone to the first meeting of the Downtown Revitalization Commission. 2. Roll Call Members present included Chair Greg Salzman, Dan Beebe, Daniela Ballines, Omar Espinosa, Denise Kalode, Matthew Myers, Sara Phalen, Fernando Rodriguez. Members absent included David Sabathne. Other individuals present included Mayor Dan Bovey, Business and Community Relations Director Kelley Chrisse, and Interim Community Development Director John Sterrett. 3. Introductions of Commissioners and Staff Chair Salzman asked each member of the Commission, as well as the Mayor and staff, to introduce themselves and provide background on themselves and why they have an interest in serving on the Commission. 4. Commission Expectations a. Role of the Commission Chair Salzman discussed the role of the Commission, including the initiatives called out in the ordinance establishing the Commission. Chair Salzman indicated a process of learning, planning, and proposing. Expectations of the commissioners, including working in small groups on land usage, best practices, and business facilitation, was discussed. b. Key Stakeholders The Commission began identifying key stakeholders that should be considered in the Commission’s work, including existing downtown businesses, West Chicago residents, the West Chicago Park District, existing downtown non-profits, the West Chicago Library, other West Chicago commissions, start-up businesses looking to locate in a brick-and-mortar location, and other local taxing bodies such as school districts, the County, townships, and the Fire District c. Anticipated Deliverables Director Chrisse discussed items that staff has been working on such as permitting food trucks and a vacant tenant space registry. These items will eventually come to the Downtown Revitalization Commission for a review and recommendation prior to the official City Council approval process. Chair Salzman went over the anticipated deliverables including West Washington Street site concept plan, existing relevant City 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 3 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] plans, zoning and land use regulations within the downtown, improvements to City processes to attract businesses, City-sponsored events to promote businesses, other specific actions the City may take to promote revitalization. Director Chrisse gave a brief overview of the Economic Development work plan. Chair Salzman stated that the Commission is temporary and is not meant to go on forever and not meant to replace any other commission. 5. Procedural Considerations a. Open Meetings Act Director Chrisse went over the purpose of the Open Meetings Act including the rules and regulations for conducting a public meeting. b. Freedom of Information Act Director Chrisse went over the purpose of FOIA and the rules and regulations pertaining to public records and the public’s access to them and how FOIA relates to the work of the Commission. c. Boards & Commissions Handbook Director Chrisse went over the City’s Boards and Commission Handbook as well as Robert’s Rules of Order and how the meeting procedures will occur, the order of business, and communication preferences. 6. History of West Chicago Downtown Zoning Director Sterrett went over the history of the downtown zoning districts and regulations and how they have changed over time. 7. Overview of Existing Plans a. Strategic Plan Director Chrisse went over the Strategic Plan which was created in 2016 and established a shared vision for the City. b. Central-Main Street Redevelopment Plan Director Chrisse went over the Central-Main Street Redevelopment Plan, which was an update of a 2007 Plan, adopted in 2018. c. Comprehensive Plan Director Chrisse went over the Comprehensive Plan from 2022. d. Economic Development Work Plan Director Chrisse went over the most recent Economic Development Workplan. 8. Commissioner Homework Chair Salzman asked each Commissioner to identify a topic of implementation strategies from the Comprehensive Plan that are related to the downtown to determine if the initiative is still relevant, feasible, and should it be a priority for 2026. The initiatives should then be ranked from least impact to most impact. These will be reported back at the next meeting. The commissioners chose the following topics: Commissioner Espinosa – Business Retention and Expansion Commissioner Phalen – Placemaking Commissioner Beebe – Land Use & Zoning Chair Salzman - Entrepreneurship and Microbusiness 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 4 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] Commissioner Rodriguez – Trail Oriented Development Commissioner Kalode – Maintaining Home time Pride Commissioner Ballines – Community Health Commissioner Myers – Capital Improvements 9. Approval of 2026 Meeting Schedule Commissioner Espinosa made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Ballines, to approve the meeting schedule noting that the November and December meetings will be combined and occur on the fifth Monday of November. 10. Public Comment Barbara Laimins commented that the new commission is very exciting for the community. A member from the public spoke about their home-based, ecommerce business and the importance of taking home based businesses to brick and mortar establishments. 11. Adjournment Commissioner Espinosa made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Rodriguez, to adjourn the meeting. With a voice vote of all ayes, the motion carried and the Downtown Revitalization Commission, at 7:41 p.m., adjourned. 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