Developer John Breugelmans told the Lake Zurich village board, Monday night, during public comment, that, while he has been rejected numerous times, he is still interested in developing in downtown Lake Zurich.
In a split decision, the board decided to allow Breugelmans’ presentation at the next meeting.
Breugelmans told the board that the formal process they are currently undertaking is slow and could take until 2015 until there is any activity on Block A, across from the Promenade.
“My proposal is to revive the 2012 project. I ask the board to approve that I can be put on the agenda for the next board meeting to give the detailed proposal. Sixty days after, I a can start a project and provide proof of finance,” he said.
Trustees discussed Breugelmans’ offer at the end of the meeting. Some trustees thought it would be disruptive to the RFQ/RFP process that the board agreed to follow last October. Others thought it couldn’t hurt to entertain his proposal. His proposal had the highest rating by village consultant Teska of the four developers that were rejected last summer.
“Unfortunately we were down this road eight months ago when we tried to get something going, but the board decided to wait and go with the RFQ,” Trustee Terry Mastandrea said. He said he would not want to entertain Breugelmans’ proposal, only because village staff is so close to getting the RFQ out.
The RFQ/RFP process is one in which the village first asks potential developers for an RFQ, Request for Qualifications. In the second step of the process, the village chooses a few developers and asks them to provide RFPs, Request for Proposals.
Village Manager Jason Slowinski expressed concern that the village couldn’t allow developers to approach the board on an individual basis while going through the formal RFQ process.
“If we’re working with a developer outside of the established process, who is going to go through the established process? I think that is the reality of it. Either we continue with the process or we entertain developers on an individual basis. I don’t know that you can do both,” Slowinski said.
“We should have had an RFQ, RFP out last summer. We all understand the urgency of the TIF. I’ve been one of the biggest supporters since day one for the RFQ/RFP process, but I’m concerned about the time frame,” Trustee Jeff Halen said.
“Why are we walking away from a guy who says he has financing? He wants one presentation meeting. I don’t think it affects the process. It’s not like we have developers pounding down the door,” Trustee Tom Poynton said.
In a vote, Trustees Poynton, Rich Sustich, Halen and Jonathon Sprawka voted to allow Breugelman’s presentation. Trustees Mastandrea and Dana Rzeznik voted to continue with the RFQ/RFP process. Village President Suzanne Branding does not vote, but expressed interest in continuing with the RFQ/RFP process.
Branding said the village already spent the time and energy on the RFQ process and she feared other developers would want to approach the board individually, thereby disrupting the process.
Breugelmans will be allowed to make a presentation at the April 1 meeting.
Watch the village board meeting online.
"My #1 campaign issue is bringing development to the downtown area (TIF). From March 2009 until January 2011 a TIF development contract was granted to an exclusive developer. After multiple extensions, he was not able to obtain the financing. Since January 2011, my opponent has taken the lead on the TIF Evaluation Committee. Discussions were held and little happened until I became involved in later 2012 and had the RFQs and RFPs approved by the board." "Until I became involved in later 2012"?!? Where was she? Come on, this is not leadership. If nothing has happened, and nothing is slated to happen, it is the result of Branding's failed leadership...not her opponents', not anyone else's. Again, the buck stops with her. As a new resident, it couldn't be clearer: there is no way we vote to give this mayor another 4 years.
Which businesses has she attracted to the village? What 'important accomplishments' has she overseen? These are honest questions that I think many of us not involved in LZ politics would like direct, objective answers to.
If you wish to challenge my facts, I'll give you the facts as they were presented - let me see yours. If you want to argue about what happened in meetings (and reactions), I will be glad to since I was there [yeah, every meeting since long before Tom & Suzanne ever ran for office]. Where were you? ... and a pox on your house for turning this into an insult session. Since ESG defaulted, the trustees have attempted to move things. Teska has provided timely responses and have not been bleeding us dry (but I share the concern). The problem has been Village Hall - 70 E Main - that Black Hole of Taxpayer Dollars. Staff has not moved on any of it. If this is a staff issue, fire them. If Staff is only following orders, then fire the one giving them orders. As far as endorsements go, they are a joke - a man who has trouble finding Lake Zurich, neither knows or understands the Village somehow knows what's best for us? Come on!!!
His story in the "convert to apartments" is exactly the same thing that everyone has said for a Lake Zurich project (except ESG who has no money for anything). I don't know if he's real but at least he's a warm body with money - supposedly. Let him speak.
I still find the Daily Herald object and fair. Not subject to blame and finger pointing. They talked to all the candidates, heard their positions, and said Branding earned the endorsement for a second term. I agree.
1. There is no RFQ/RFP process at this time - not that the trustees know of. 2. Branding claims to have fixed everything - ask HER where they are. 3. Absent anything else, someone has to do something. She hasn't done it!! 4. The Budget skills will be coming shortly, I am sure. Based on HER failure, this 2-3 month process must be accomplished and approved in a month. You & Sandy ought to learn something about how government is supposed to work. Oh, & take Jim Johnson with you!
The board has been asking for "something - almost anything" from the mayor and administration. They get nothing!!
P.S. Who taught Harold the Squirrel to type? And why don't people use their real names? I guess this is why you have to be careful what you read on the internet.
She said the money to pay off the TIF debt won't come from the TIF. She said she calculated that she compared Concord to Cukeilman's proposal and we would need to build 6 buildings like his proposal and she just doesn't see it. She said that she has heard residents want more community space / public space and she agrees. Developers want only to build apartments. She repeated residents want more open space, maybe a small bar or tavern, whatever. We could go with a developer or a single property owner. I said I still preferred we make the TIF self-sustaining. She said "I don't see how it can be." I asked her what was the alternative. She said she could see the money coming from outside the TIF, from property taxes or sales tax or something, or it could come from the General Fund and the Village could cut services. She also said the Village could get grants or something outside the TIF and free up money for the TIF.
"She calculated...that we would need to build 6 buildings..." Yeah, I get a sneaking suspicion that it would be in all of our best interests to give that spreadsheet a once-over...