Peoria Standard

City of Chillicothe Economic Development Committee met Jan. 20.

Here is the agenda provided by the committee:

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

Absent: Courtney Gehrig

Public Comment:

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. The committee asked about an update with Sweet Finds. Director Beadles gave the following update:

4th Street Location:

• On Friday, January the 10th Insurance determined the fire source was undetermined as it could have been a malfunction of the heater or the surge protector

• Demolition and site cleanup began Wednesday, January 15, 2025

• SweetFinds plans on rebuilding but the time frame is not yet established as their first priority is to get the SweetFinds business up and running in a temporary location.

Director Beadles stated that SweetFinds owners have three stores in Chillicothe, SweetFinds, Threads by SweetFinds and Soles by Threads. SweetFinds is their flagship store that support the other stores.

The interim plan:

• 1016 2nd Street will be cleaned up and prepared to move Threadz inventory into.

• Threadz will temporarily become SweetFinds to get the operations up and running while rebuilding plans get underway. Their current hurdle is accessing the equipment needed run the SweetFinds business (IE large sorting bins)

Sweet Finds Request:

Director Beadles then shared the request from Sweet Finds. They requested if it would it be possible to post- pone the HELP loan payment for 3 months until their anchor store (SweetFinds) reopens in a temporary location and the financial funds begin coming back in. Discussion ensued. Consensus of the committee was to forward request to council for approval.

2025-2026 Budget

Director Beadles presented the 2025-2026 Economic Development budget, HELP loan budget, and the Economic Development Priority budgets. Each line item was reviewed. Consensus of the committee was to approve budget items and to continue monitoring the budgets and adjust accordingly to have a final draft at the March Budget session.

2025-2026 Marketing & Tourism Budget

Director Beadles presented the 2025-2026 Marketing & Tourism budget. She discussed the effects of the two events Brad Wallin Tournament ending and Summer Camp Music Festival being held in Peoria in 2025. She also stated a letter was sent to the owner of the short-term rental on 5th street providing them with a short-term rental application. Discussion ensued. Consensus of the committee was to approve of the 2025-2026 Marketing & Tourism budget.

Façade The Mouse Nest

Director Beadles presented The Mouse Nest façade. She shared the plan to update the façade. She stated the business is planning to open in April of 2025. The business was planning to sell vintage clothing, rehabbed furniture and a hangout space that included mocktails. Discussion ensued. Consensus of the committee was to forward to façade application to council for approval.

Grant Updates

DCEO HR220075/$400,000 & SR220071/$250,000 - Director Beadles reported the BEP forms were in and ready to be signed and sent to the grant manager. Bid contract approved by city, just waiting approval from DCEO. The construction has been scheduled to happen when school gets out. This will be past February 25th so a date extension will need to be filled out and given to DCEO. The attorney's have filed the paperwork for property tax exemption.

ARPA - Director Beadles reported the ARPA projects continue to move forward. The remaining ARPA funds were allocated to the Bradley Drainage project. Next report is due in April.

EPA Lead Service Grant - Director Beadles reported TWM and Public Works Director are working together to complete the project. Director Beadles is working on paperwork submitted to get the 1st half of the grant finances paid to the City.

Updates:

Economic Development

• RFP behind City Hall - Director Beadles presented RFP for the land behind City hall and asked for direction. Discussion ensued. Consensus of the committee was to add the releasing of the land so the RFP could move as an agenda item on the next council meeting.

• TIF expenses engineer - Director Beadles reported on the engineer expenses for the Pine Street water main. Discussion ensued. Consensus of the committee was to move to council for payment approval. Charging Stations - Director Beadles reported the city received permits to add charging stations going at the two hotels (EconoLodge and Economy Inn).

• Q2 Quarter Review - Director Beadles supplied the committee with a Q2 report. There were no meetings in December this is the first opportunity to share with Committee. Q2 covers August, September and October of 2024. Q3 reporting should come out in February. She highlighted the passing of the Professional Economic Development exam which allows her PCED credentials.

• Conference - Director Beadles reported the 36th Annual Rural Community Economic Development Conference will be February 26 & 27 in Springfield. This is a budgeted item she is planning to attend.

Marketing & Tourism

Director Beadles stated the 2024 Calendar of Events for year in review had 336 events. $1,835 from Nikolausmarkt income going to the Hotel/Motel fund. The event also created a hotel stay at the Carnegie.

Comprehensive Plan

Director Beadles reported the Comprehensive Plan draft is expected at the end of February, Presented to City in March, Public viewing in April and Final in April 2025. Next Comprehensive Plan is scheduled for January 23rd at 4:30pm

Bike Path

Director Beadles reported the City is beginning to receive the grant reimbursements checks for the engineering of the bike path. She reported the IGAS were near completion and the necessary paperwork made it to IDOT to make the January bid letting.

1249 N Fourth Street Property

Director Beadles reported the bid was published in the Journal Star and is due February 26th. The attorney's have filed the paperwork for property tax exemption.

Viaduct

Director Beadles reported a Viaduct meeting on Friday, January 17th at Tri-County Regional Planning Commission. At this meeting it was determined best course of action would be to reduce the scope of the viaduct project from a 5 lane to a 3 lane, this in turn would lower the cost from 40-50M to 17-20M and would help the numbers of the Benefits Cost Analysis which, in turn, would help with grant submission. This engineering work would be estimated at $30,000 in which Tri-County Regional Planning Commission would be willing to do a 50/50 cost share with the City of Chillicothe. The Committee members asked why there was a cost to the city since this is an IDOT/Railroad issue and not a City issue. Director Beadles explained that by making a financial commitment the city is demonstrating its support of a viaduct replacement. The consensus of the committee was to add the item as a priority #1 project in the 2025-2026 budget.

SUMMARY

Chairperson Action - None

Council Agenda Items

Approve - Approval - Loan Payment Deferral Agreement-Sweet Finds

Approve - Façade - The Mouse Nest - 920 N. Second Street

Approve - Releasing City Property East Side First and Walnut for RFP

Approve - Midwest Engineering Invoice TIF Expense - Pine Street to Chestnut Street Water Main

Meeting adjourned at 5:47pm

https://cms9files.revize.com/chillicothe/01.20.2025%20edc.pdf