Peoria Standard

City of Chillicothe Economic Development Committee met Oct. 15.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Present: Chairperson Trish Connor, Jeff Jenkins, Gary Sharp, Mayor Hughes and Economic Development Director Amanda Beadles

Absent: Courtney Gehrig

Public Comment:

There was no public comment.

PURPOSE:

Budget Review

Director Beadles reported the balances on the TIF Central, HELP, Façade, interest on TIF and HELP loan accounts and Consultant Budget. She discussed the final payment for the delinquent HELP loan not being paid.

Business Development District - Review Proposals

Director Beadles presented the two proposals for the development of a Business Development District. Discussion ensued. The consensus of the committee was to present the Business Development District to Council and add to next joint Finance/EDC meeting agenda for further discussion.

EPA Lead Service Line Inventory Grant Proposals

Director Beadles presented the two proposals for the EPA Lead Service Line. Discussion ensued. The consensus of the committee was to forward TWM proposal to Council for approval.

Holiday Event-Nikolausmarkt

Carriage Ride Proposal - Director Beadles presented the proposal for the Carriage Ride $900. Discussion ensued. The consensus of the committee was forward to Council for approval.

Christmas Marketing/Tree Lighting - Director Beadles presented the estimate from Sunshine Tree Service to decorate the trees in City park for the Nikolausmarkt event and holidays in the amount not to exceed $1,500. She stated this was a priority one project. Discussion ensued. The consensus of the committee was forward to Council for approval.

Christmas Decorations - Director Beadles withdrew this agenda item.

Holiday Mugs - Director Beadles presented the estimate for the holiday mugs at $878.17 Discussion ensued. The consensus of the committee was forward to Council for approval.

Grant Updates

DCEO HR220075 - $400,000 & DCEO SR220071 - $250,000

Director Beadles reported the bids will go out October 18th, due November 5th and awarded November 11th council meeting. Work on the pit area will start November 2024. Start date will be spring 2025 after school is dismissed.

ARPA

Director Beadles reported receiving a Midwest engineer invoice that the City planned to pay out of ARPA dollars. She stated in the ARPA planning there is a line item of $40,000 of ARPA dollars planned to pay for Non-state funds for the $400,000 Bradley Street Drainage project. The consensus of the committee was to forward to Council for approval.

Updates:

Economic Development

• Tri-County is excited to share that IDOT has elected to provide 100% funding for a Multi-Modal Corridor Plan running along IL-29 and connecting Downtown Peoria, Mossville, South Rome, Rome, and Chillicothe in Peoria County

• SoleZ by ThreadZ opened October 11, 2024. This is the third "Sweet Finds" store

• Director Beadles stated she is researching a potential app for the City. She had a meeting with GoGov. This is an agency that develops apps for municipalities. More information to come at a later time.

RFP

This was discussed under the 1249 N Fourth Street Property line item.

Marketing & Tourism

Director Beadles reported receiving revisions to the Illinois Historic River Towns itinerary. She stated Don White reported working with Mike Tobin on the vision of turning the Town Theatre into a performance Theatre. This includes the purchase of the adjoining building owned by Joe Harper.

Comprehensive Plan

Comprehensive plan next meeting is October 29th at 4:30pm

Bike Path

Serena Page of TWM (the bike path engineer) facilitated a scope change for the Bike Path that moved $100,000 from property purchase to construction. This request was approved by IDOT Friday, October 11, 2024.

1249 N Fourth Street Property

RFP - Director Beadles reporting waiting on attorney Kevin Day to see if a base fee should be placed in the advertisement. Alderperson Connor read attorney Streeter's response. Discussion ensued. The consensus of the committee was to publish the RFP as is.

Property Taxes - Director Beadles reported receiving property taxes for this property. Due date is October 28th. She sent information to attorneys as paperwork had been filed to make this property tax exempt. Discussion ensued. The consensus of the committee was to forward to Council for approval.

SUMMARY

Chairperson Action

Council Agenda Items

• Announce Business Development District Research

• Approve Lead Service Line Contract-TWM

• Approve Priority One Christmas Marketing/Tree Lighting

o Sunshine Tree Service

o Approve - Carriage Ride-Jonathan Rose

o Approve - Nikolausmarkt Mugs

• Approve - ARPA project City commitment for 400k grant for $40,000

• Approve - 1249 N Fourth Street Property-Property Tax payment

Meeting adjourned at 5:37pm

https://cms9files.revize.com/chillicothe/10.15.2034%20edc.pdf