===== PDF PAGE 2 ===== WHERE HISTORY & PROGRESS MEET Economic Development Commission Special Meeting Draft Meeting Minutes August 20, 2026 - 10:30 a.m. 1. Call to Order Chairperson Beles called the meeting to order at 10:32am 2. Roll Call Roll call found Commissioners Steve Beles (Chair), Court Airhart, Mark Moran, Omar Espinosa. A quorum was established. Commissioner Sarah Harms joined at 10:41am. Mayor Daniel Bovey, City Administrator Vivana Ramirez, Business & Development Relations Director Kelley Chrisse, and Business Support Specialist Sarahy Castro were also in attendance. 3. Public Comment None. 4. Approval of July 28, 2026, Meeting Minutes Commissioner Espinosa made the motion to approve July 28, 2026, meeting minutes and Commissioner Moran seconded. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote, with Commissioner Harms absent at the time of the vote. 5. Recommendation of the 2026–2028 Economic Development Work Plan Mid-Year Realignment Ms. Chrisse provided an update on the Quarter 2 Economic Development work plan and reviewed several initiatives that have been delayed or shifted due to funding, code and regulatory changes, downtown construction, and project timing. The downtown construction project is moving toward bidding, with construction anticipated to begin in April and completion expected in November 2027. The water tower project was shifted to the following year after the loan application was not approved, and a new application will be submitted. The website project and several partnership and development initiatives were also shifted to 2027 due to contract negotiations, approval requirements, and the amount of work involved. The Commission discussed housing and land use opportunities, including accessory dwelling units (ADUs), senior housing, and potential alternative uses for industrially zoned property near the airport. The Mayor expressed interest in exploring commercial and residential development opportunities and requested that these considerations be incorporated into the housing study. Commissioners discussed the potential challenges associated with airport, Forest Preserve, and Fermilab restrictions and agreed that discussions with property owners, 475 Main Street T 630.293.2200 Daniel Bovey MAYOR West Chicago, Illinois F 630.293.3028 60185 westchicago.org Viviana Ramirez CITY ADMINISTRATOR ===== PDF PAGE 3 ===== residents, and developers should occur and may be better than hiring a consultant. The Commission also discussed the potential for ADUs and agreed that additional legal review, public discussion, and consideration of zoning impacts would be necessary. The Mayor also raised concerns about whether all current work plan items fall within the core responsibilities of the Economic Development Commission and suggested that some initiatives may be better suited for other commissions or committees. Ms. Chrisse indicated that the work plan could be adjusted as appropriate. The Mayor requested additional time to review the work plan and provide feedback before it is forwarded to City Council. The Commission agreed to continue moving the work plan forward with the Mayor’s feedback during the discussion incorporated. A suggestion was made to have the Mayor discuss the Council’s priorities with the Commissioners at the beginning of the year. Commissioner Airhart made a motion to recommend the mid-year realignment of the 2026- 2028 Economic Development work plan for approval with the addition of ADUs under item 5.D.2. and Commissioner Espinosa seconded the motion. The motion passed via roll call vote as follows: Aye: Airhart, Beles, Espinosa, Harms, Moran Nay: None The motion carries. 6. Recommendation of the 2027–2029 Economic Development Work Plan Ms. Chrisse reviewed the Economic Development work plan and noted several new initiatives, as well as the realignment of previously identified work. The updates included a community survey, rebranding efforts, additional economic development initiatives, and strategies to support local businesses during downtown construction. The Commission also discussed evaluating the potential transition of the industrial area along Grandlake Blvd. to residential in order to eliminate truck traffic through downtown. Ms. Chrisse also highlighted the addition of a marketplace initiative. Funding has been applied for via Congresswoman Ramirez’s office. The development of downtown futsal fields was also identified as a new initiative. Commissioner Espinosa made a motion to recommend approval of the 2027-2029 Economic Development Work Plan, which was seconded by Commissioner Moran. The motion passed via roll call vote as follows: Aye: Airhart, Beles, Espinosa, Harms, Moran Nay: None The motion carries. 7. Adjournment Commissioner Harms made a motion to adjourn, and Commissioner Espinosa seconded. Motion passed unanimously via voice vote and the meeting was adjourned at 11:48am. Submitted by: Sarahy Castro, Business Support Specialist