===== PDF PAGE 2 ===== WHERE HISTORY & PROGRESS MEET 475 Main Street West Chicago, Illinois 60185 T 630.293.2200 F 630.293.3028 westchicago.org Daniel Bovey MAYOR Viviana Ramirez CITY ADMINISTRATOR DRAFT MEETING MINUTES Downtown Revitalization Commission Monday, June 22, 2026 - 6:00 p.m. 1. Call to Order Chairperson Salzman called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 2. Roll Call Members present included Chair Salzman, and Commissioners Ballines, Beebe, Espinosa (arrived at 6:09 p.m.), Kolode, Myers, Phalen, and Rodriguez. Commissioners Czuba and Sabathne were absent. Other individuals present included Business and Community Relations Director Kelley Chrisse and Director of Community Development John Sterrett. 3. Approval of Minutes Commissioner Phalen made a motion to approve the draft meeting minutes from May 27, 2026 and seconded by Commissioner Myers. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote. 4. Recommendation for a Downtown Revitalization Vision & Guiding Framework Chair Salzman went through the draft Vision Statement, which is that “Downtown West Chicago is a vibrant, authentic destination where people gather, businesses thrive, investment grows, and community pride is visible every day.” The members of the Commission were comfortable with this statement. Chair Salzman went through the draft Guiding Principles, which include Place and Gathering, Business Vitality, Investment and Redevelopment, Infrastructure & Access, and Identify & Inclusion. The Commissioners discussed making sure ‘Safety’ as a guiding priority is equitable for all. The concept of trail connections was also recommended to be included in the guiding priorities for infrastructure and access. Commissioner Espinosa made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Kolode, to recommend approval of the draft Downtown Revitalization Vision & Guiding Framework with the recommended changes. With a voice vote of all ayes, the motion carried. 5. Discussion of Downtown Revitalization Priorities, Barriers, and Implementation Strategies Ms. Chrisse went through barriers and opportunities for a sense of place and gathering in the downtown. Commissioner Myers suggested that outdoor recreation be added to an opportunity for place and gathering. Commissioner Phalen stated that accessibility, such as parking, could pose a barrier. Ms. Chrisse went through barriers and opportunities for Business Vitality in the downtown. Commissioner Myers stated that lack of foot traffic in the downtown is a barrier for business vitality in the downtown. Chair Salzman stated that ===== PDF PAGE 3 ===== it could be challenging for a business to open. It was suggested that streamlining and reviewing existing processes and codes could be an opportunity. Ms. Chrisse clarified the City's role in helping start-ups and entrepreneurs identify existing outside resources to grow their business. Ms. Chrisse went through the barriers and opportunities for Investment & Redevelopment in the downtown as well as for Infrastructure & Access. Finally, Ms. Chrisse went through the barriers and opportunities for Identity & Inclusion. Commissioner Phalen emphasized the barriers that come from a multi-cultural, bi-cultural, and multi-lingual community. It was suggested that marketing should emphasize both internal audiences within the community and external audiences outside of it. The City and other local government resources, such as the park district, library, school, etc. should work with one another on events. Ms. Chrisse went over the various financial and regulatory tools for downtown revitalization as well as information & coordination tools, and public investment tools. Ms. Chrisse went through the funding sources within the downtown. 6. Recommendation for use of Form-Based Code Mr. Sterrett provided a recap of Form-Based Code and how it can be applied to the City- owned properties along Main Street. The Commission discussed potentially recommending incorporating Form-Based Code into the budget for 2027. Mr. Sterrett stated he would gather cost estimates and determine the minimal number of things that are non-negotiable from a regulation standpoint to bring back for review 7. Status Update: Downtown Modernization and Beautification Project Ms. Chrisse provided an update on the Downtown Modernization and Beautification project in the downtown. Commissioners discussed certain aspects of the plan. Some commissioners were not in full support of a water feature in the downtown and preferred festoon lighting all along Main Street and in the trees. It was also suggested that the side of the building at the corner of Main and Galena (131 Main Street) could be used for projecting movies or art. The Commission also discussed the number of trees that are proposed on Turner Court and if the ultimate height of those trees could impact visibility of the buildings. 8. Introduction to Food Truck Regulations Mr. Sterrett introduced the topic of amending the Code to allow Food Trucks in the downtown area and how expanding the use of Food Trucks is an initiative in the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Sterrett reviewed the draft regulations for food trucks for private property, on city-owned property and public right-of-way, and for festivals and events. The Commission recommended that staff begin discussions with brick-and-mortar restaurants as well as other food truck owners. The Commissioners discussed potential requirements such as location and separation restrictions, designated zones (possibly West Washington Street), and time restrictions. Potential food truck locations discussed included Republic Bank, the Library, Turner Court and its parking lot, the area behind 157 W. Washington Street, and Community Park. 9. Public Comment None. 10. Adjournment Commissioner Espinosa made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Kolode, to adjourn. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 8:26 p.m.