Village of Lombard Legistar System

Village President William J. Mueller, Chairperson,

Trustee Jack O'Brien Alternate Chariperson

Jill Payne, Edward Murphy, Steve Wilk, Sr., Marguerite Micken

Ex-Officio Members: Monica Brown-Lombard Chamber of Commerce,

Skip Strittmatter-DuPage Convention & Visitors' Bureau, Jim Romano-Yorktown

Merchants' Association, Mary Eckhoff-Embassy Suites,

Pamela Rockwell-Hampton Inn, Jennier Evanoff-Studio Plus, Steve

Cadaret-Amerisuites Renee Tanner-Fairfield Inn, Nicole Norwood-Homestead Village,

Frank Balisteri/Rashid Batti-Comfort Suites,

Dave Compitello-Marriott Residence Inn and Eileen Libb-Towne Place Suites

Doris Schertz, Board Member of Maple Street Chapel Preservation Society, presented

the request. She mentioned their application and thanked the committee for the

opportunity. After reading Lt. Governor Quinn's April News Release, which announced

the Village of Lombard as a Main Street Community, she felt convinced that this would

now attract more tourism for Lombard. Ms. Schertz mentioned the types of activities

that the Maple Street Chapel currently hosts as well as the labor intensive procedure

that must be undertaken for the set up and breakdown of these activities. The Maple

Street Chapel is requesting a $5,000 grant for onsite storage in the form of a custom

built closet which would include a fireproof safe for historic records, space for chairs,

tables, music stands and shelving for equipment and mentioned that it would be located

under the old pipe organ. She passed around a photograph of the space she was

referring to.

Ed Murphy asked if the monies would be used for just storage. Ms. Schertz referred to

their submitted application which shows the itemization of how the money would be

used. She also stated that since the Maple Street Chapel is on the National Historic

Registry they are limited to what they can do and would be grateful if they could receive

funding for $5,000 or a portion thereof.

Ed Murphy questioned if this request met the requirements for the Hotel/Motel fund.

Steve Wilk confirmed the Chapel's concert series having 4 to 5 performances and how

that brings in people from out of town. He wasn't sure about the people that attend the

other events.

Ms. Schertz stated that the Heritage Concert draws people from out of town who also

frequent Lombard business establishments while they are here. She also mentioned

that they book rooms at the Holiday Inn for overnight stays.

Jill Payne questioned if this was under the committee's purview.

Moncia Brown stated that the Maple Street Chapel is a tourist destination and an

important part of the Village of Lombard. She is in favor of their request and felt that it

qualifies under the Hotel/Motel guidelines and mentioned that the Chamber also

promotes the Chapel.

Ed Murphy questioned advertising. Skip Stritmatter indicated that they promote but

don't fund. Ms. Schurtz indicated that they have an annual mailing list.

Monica Brown indicated that the Holiday Inn is not located in the Village of Lombard and

suggested when booking overnight stays to use a Lombard hotel. Ms. Schertz agreed

and thought that the Holiday Inn was in the Village of Lombard.

It was moved by Wilk, Sr., seconded by Brown, that this matter be recommended

to the Board of Trustees for approval of items one and two.. The motion carried

by a voice vote

RRR. Grant Application from the American Association of University Women

Request from the AAUW for $2,500 from Hotel/Motel Funds for costs associated with

their annual used book sale.

Carol Schuh, Book Sale Co-Chair, presented the request. She indicated that they are

requesting $2,500 to help defray costs associated with their annual book sale. She then

introduced Kathy Brenniman.

Kathy Brenniman gave her personal background and experience with the book sale.

She mentioned that the AAUW is a non-profit organization that has been holding this

event for over 40 years and funds school scholarships from the profits of the book sale.

Last year they grossed $16,000 Their expenses were approximately $4,300-$4,500

with the remaining funds going towards scholarships. Sixty percent (60%) of those

profits go to the National Organization which are then used for going back to

school/re-entering the workforce scholarships. The remaining profits are used for local

scholarships. Glenbard East and Willowbrook have received scholarships for students

entering into non-traditional fields and 2 returning-to-learning scholarships for the

Lombard area for graduate and non degree programs.

The book sale will take place on August 9 through August 13 at either Yorktown or

Eastgate Shopping Center. The change in locations was a result of the construction at

the mall and alternate spaces they have inquired about are approximately 1/5th the

usual size. Because of using a smaller space they will not be able to house and sell as

many books, which will result in lower profits, even though their expenses will stay

somewhat the same.

They are requesting Hotel/Motel funds as they have a huge list of invitees that come

from all over the Chicago area. The first night is known as the pre-sale night and is

most important as the book sellers arrive from all over the Chicago area, make their

selections and thereafter return to their stores to resell them. This night provides for

out-of-town visitors who frequent the mall and local businesses and she has received

firsthand comments from the various local merchants on how the book sale has

dramatically increased their sales and impacted their businesses.

Steve Wilk asked if the vendors were outside of the Chicago area. Kathy Brenniman

answered no but they have visitors that bring relatives and friends from out of state as

they have a wide variety of books that cover numerous topics and categories.

Carol Schuh stated that some of the book dealers arrive prior to the opening of the event

and will eat and shop to pass the time until they are let in. Kathy Brenniman stated that

some will come back the next day. This year AAUW will broaden publicity to reach out

to others which will result in an additional expense. She indicated that they have never

asked for money from the Committee before and only now due to the situation they are

in.

Ed Murphy stated that he is familiar with the AAUW. He explained the criteria for

granting Hotel/Motel funds. They can grant money to Maple Street Chapel because it is

a destination point and Maple Street Chapel is unique to Lombard. Their organization is

not the same.

Kathy Brenniman stated that there are over 1,000 names on their mailing list from all

over the metropolitan area. Monica Brown explained where the grant money comes

from indicating that it generates money from the sales of hotel rooms. Their request

doesn't fit into the criteria.

Ed Murphy suggested there might be other Village funds they could look into but not this

one. Carol Schuh asked for suggestions. Ed Murphy indicated that he is not familiar

with any but the Committee cannot do just anything with the money. The Village of

Lombard is a non home rule community which means that they do not have the ability to

use the funds wherever they want unlike Downers Grove and Elmhurst.

Kathy Brenniman indicated that if tourism is tied to hotel nights she cannot give specifics

as to that issue but she knows the book sale attracts visitors that otherwise would not be

here to the local businesses especially when they had their book sale in the mall.

Steve Wilk agreed with Ed Murphy and indicated that by law they have to direct grant

monies to hotel stays.

Ed Murphy mentioned that this committee is only a recommendary body and that the

Board of Trustees at their next meeting has the ultimate decision. Kathy Brenniman

asked when the next Board meeting was. Staff informed the individuals present that the

next board meeting would not be until August 17. The petitioners stated that the date

was after their event was over and would not do them any good.

Monica Brown stated that the AAUW does great things for worthwhile causes but this

request does not fit under the criteria.

Carol Schuh asked if they could at least get a police officer for crowd control. Monica

Brown suggested they contact Ray Byrne. Kathy Brenniman asked if they could get a

waiver of costs for security. Ed Murphy suggested they talk to their trustee or Bill

Mueller.