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03/18/2024COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE – Meeting Minutes March 18, 2024 The Village Board met as a Committee of the Whole in the Council Chambers of the Village Hall at 7:03 p.m. on Monday, March 18, 2024. In attendance were: Village Board Staff Dan Shapiro, Mayor Kent Street, Village Manager Bob Benton, Trustee Andrew Lichterman, Deputy Village Manager/ Larry Berg, Trustee Director of Community Development Elaine Jacoby, Trustee John Sliozis, Chief of Police Mary Oppenheim, Trustee Brian Budny, Deputy Police Chief Chris Fry, Deputy Police Chief Absent: Ben Schuster, Village Attorney Rebekah Metts-Childers, Trustee Eric Burk, Finance Director Robert Phillips, Director of PW and Eng. Justin Keenan, Assistant Village Manager Tyler Dickinson, Asst. Dir. of PW and Eng. David Fitzgerald-Sullivan, Comm. Coordinator Daniel Van Dusen, Deputy Village Clerk Jessica Sciarretta, Administrative Intern Public Comment There were no public comments on non-agenda items. Business 1. Discussion of Amusement Tax Ms. Sciarretta reported amusement taxes are locally administered municipal taxes that can be levied on attendees for their involvement in or presence during certain forms of entertainment. Staff recently conducted surveys and compiled research on neighboring communities and observed amusement tax rates ranged from 3% to 9%. Mayor Shapiro stated the reason to consider an amusement tax at this time is due to the consideration of the TIF District #4 that contains the newly created C-4 Limited Retail and Entertainment District. Mr. Schuster noted an amusement tax is typically imposed Village-wide, not to a specific Zoning District. Mayor Shapiro reported the Village needs to be careful when considering an amusement tax because of the existing uses. Trustee Benton expressed concern about imposing both a food and beverage tax and an amusement tax on certain businesses. He questioned whether uses such as Rootz Dance Studio and Kids Empire would be subject to an amusement tax. Mayor Shapiro believes a golf simulator or indoor go-carts seem to be more applicable than businesses such as Kids Empire or Rootz Dance Studio. Mayor Shapiro questioned whether implementing an amusement tax would deter future development. Mayor Committee of the Whole October 2, 2023 Page 2 of 4 Shapiro would rather have an amusement tax for businesses not currently in the Village. Mr. Street noted part of the impetus for the tax is to determine the impact entertainment uses will have on Village services. Trustee Oppenheim believes the Village could shelter businesses we do not want to affect, but spell out the rules for businesses coming into the Village. She questioned if the Village could amend the uses in the future. Mr. Schuster reported the Village could amend the tax in the future. Trustee Berg noted ticketed activities seem to be where the Village should impose the amusement tax. The Board agreed that not-for-profit or government entities, even with ticketed activities, would be exempt. Mr. Schuster reported the tax is triggered by an entertainment event rather than a ticketed event. He noted an entertainment event would need to be defined. Mr. Street asked if the Board is interested in pursuing an amusement tax. Mayor Shapiro questioned whether it would discourage businesses from coming into the Village. Trustee Oppenheim believes those type of businesses would be used to an amusement tax being applied in other municipalities. The Trustees directed staff to continue pursuing an amusement tax with the intent to define entertainment uses to those businesses that could potentially locate in the Village in the future but that are not currently in operation. 2. Adjournment Trustee Oppenheim moved to adjourn the Committee of the Whole. Trustee Benton seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously by a voice vote. The meeting was adjourned at 7:26 p.m.