Metro East Sun

City of Belleville Economic Development & Annexation Committee met Aug. 6

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

 MEMBERS:

Alderperson Kara Osthoff, Ward 8, Chairperson, Ward 8 Present

Alderperson Bryan Whitaker, Ward 1 Present

Alderperson Gigi Dowling Urban, Ward 2 Present

Alderperson Scott Ferguson, Ward 3 Present

Alderperson Raffi Ovian, Ward 4 Present

Alderperson Kathy Kaiser, Ward 5 Present

Alderperson Chris Rothweiler, Ward 6 Present

Alderperson Dennis Weygandt, Ward 7 Present

STAFF PRESENT:

Mayor Jenny Gain Meyer Present

Eric Schauster, Director of Grants & Special Projects Present

Scott Saeger, City Engineer Excused

 Scott Tyler, Director of Health, Housing, & Building Excused

GUESTS PRESENT: Doug Rasmussen, Jacob Surratt

The Economic Development and Annexation Committee meeting was called to order in person at 5:00 PM by Chairperson Kara Osthoff. Attendance of the Committee Members was taken, and a quorum was declared by Chairperson Kara Osthoff. (5:00 PM)

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES: Chairperson Osthoff reviewed emergency procedures with all in attendance. (5:03 PM)

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES:

 A motion for approval of March 5, 2025, meeting minutes were made by Alderperson Ferguson and seconded by Alderperson Whitaker. Motion carried (6-0), with all present members voting in the affirmative with no corrections noted. (5:04 PM)

NEW BUSINESS:

Discussion was held about the proposal from Steadfast City Economic & Community partners for a hotel market study. Eric Schauster explained that hotels are one of the top requests the City receives from the public and features prominently in the Economic Development Strategic Plan. He expressed that the City needs to be more aggressive in promoting Belleville to companies and this study will be a huge step toward the future goals of the City.

Doug Rasmussen and Jacob Surratt gave a brief overview of the proposal and explained how their execution of the proposal would get better results with hotel developers and their teams.

Discussion was held on what the study would provide and how it can be used to attract a hotel developer. The outcomes of the study would include a "pitch deck" that can be shown to developers as well as three potential sites for a hotel and the types of hotels for said sites.

Bryan Whitaker asked if there is a cap for the travel related costs within the scope of the project that is billed to the City.

Jacob Surratt commented that it is standard language, and it mostly refers to mileage. Steadfast City does not anticipate any major expenses in this category.

Dennis Weygandt asked how the City will connect with the hotels after the study is complete. Doug Rasmussen said that is not in the current scope, but they have hotel developers as clients and would consider bringing the connections in.

Eric Schauster added that Steadfast can make the connection between the City of Belleville and the hotel corporations, but it is also on the Economic Development department to make the connections.

Mayor Jenny Meyer added that this job will be the responsibility of the new Director.

Kara Osthoff referenced a large-scale plan adopted by the City. She asked if this study is more targeted or what the advantage of this more targeted plan is.

Eric Schauster stated the plan referenced is the Economic Development Strategic Plan, which is an overall plan for development. He clarified that the Steadfast study is a market study specifically geared toward hotels. Eric stated that getting a hotel was a goal of the strategic plan and the study is the start of the execution of the plan. He added that based on his experience, execution of the plan will not be successful without a study.

Kathy Kaiser asked about a possible incentive package for future developers.

Mayor Jenny Meyer stated that any incentive package discussions would wait until after study is complete.

Further discussion was held on the potential outcomes of the study.

A motion was made by Alderperson Dowling Urban to approve the hotel market study with Steadfast City Economic & Community Partners. and seconded by Alderperson Kaiser. Motion carried (7-0), with all present members voting in the affirmative (5:35 PM)

OLD BUSINESS- NONE

DEPARTMENT UPDATE:

Departmental Staff Update: Eric Schauster advised that department secretary Amy Ohlendorf has put in her two weeks' notice of resignation. Hannah Joseph, who worked in sewer collections, has bid on her job with no confirmed start date yet.

Mayor Jenny Meyer added that they must coordinate with the Treasurer's office as they are also short-staffed.

Mayor Jenny Meyer advised that they have received eight applications for the Director position. Out of the eight, they have decided to interview four applicants. She stated that three interviews have been completed, with one more pending. Mayor stated that they are looking at two applicants for a second round of interviews. She advised that they are stressing that they do not want a planner, they want an economic developer, and a planner can come later. She stated that she will select a few alder people sit in on the second-round interviews to ask a few questions.

Further discussion was held on the Director position.

Mayor Jenny Meyer stated that she wants the Director to make the planning position what they want. She stated that a lot of discussion has been made on what the City needs to do.

Eric Schauster stated that the last three Directors have been more on the planning side of things, and he has found that since he has stepped in  to fill the Director role, a lot of day to day is spent on zoning, which takes away time from other things. He has suggested creating a Zoning role, so the Director can focus on development.

Raffi Ovian asked if there are tier increases.

Mayor Jenny Meyer stated that not for the Director position, but for the Planning/Zoning position that could be a possibility.

Update on various development projects: Eric Schauster stated that despite some setbacks, the Cannabis dispensary on 15 should be completed in October. Trolley Circle Senior Living should be done by the end of November. Eric has also tried to be in contact with Ruler Foods, but the phone number we have is no longer in service. He has attempted to contact the corporate headquarters for updates.

Raffi Ovian questioned if mine subsidence has been resolved.

Eric Schauster and Mayor Jenny Meyer stated they do not believe so as that is what they are trying to figure out.

Eric Schauster advised Save the Girls has completed their renovations and is open. The project behind Lowe's traffic study was completed and submitted to County.

The City Market is not going to be feasible at the location mentioned. New concepts are being discussed to still use the grant as it is a tourism grant only. The parking garage project will move forward in the near future.-and the City has issued 48 Commercial Occupancy as of August 15t. Eric Schauster provided an update on Belleville Crossing.

Kara Osthoff mentioned that the members of the committees/councils should caution giving information about pending projects.

Dennis Weygandt asked about possible businesses for project behind Lowe's.

Mayor Jenny Meyer and Eric Schauster advised there is no official paperwork for anything.

Eric Schauster advised there are no updates on Metro East Sportsplex and the plasma center.

Discussion was made about Maxwell's status. Mayor Jenny Meyer advised the owner of the property is to let it go back to the bank.

Discussion was held about the Harp Pub on West Main. Mayor Jenny Meyer advised of the recent extension on their Special Use Permit signed until October.

Discussion was made about Belleville Theatre Company. Gigi Urban-Dowling advised that the company is no longer in business.

Further discussion was held regarding the status of the Harp. Discussion was made about possible sewer charges that could be holding them back and possible incentives.

MOTION TO ADJOURN:

Alderperson Rothweiler made a motion to ADJOURN, seconded by Alderperson Ferguson. With all present members voting in the affirmative, motion carried (7-0). The meeting closed at 6:05PM.

https://www.belleville.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_08062025-3547