Lisle board approves $49,300 branding contract, reestablishes Economic Development Commission

The Village of Lisle Board of Trustees on June 2 approved a $49,300 professional services agreement with Guide Studio Inc. to lead a village branding initiative and voted to amend Title II of the Lisle Village Code to reestablish an Economic Development Commission (EDC).

The branding contract, pulled for separate consideration from the consent agenda, passed after debate about total implementation costs and how a new brand would relate to Lisle's longtime use of the "Arboretum Village" identity.

Mayor Mary Jo Mullin introduced the items and Director Erpvoord described the EDC ordinance as a restoration of a previous commission dissolved in the 1990s; the new commission will have seven appointed members confirmed by the board and may include up to three nonvoting advisory members drawn from the business community.

"The EDC is gonna have the following recommending abilities to the village board: provide input on matters to facilitate sound economic growth, business development, and enhanced quality of life," Director Erpvoord said. "Examine opportunities for fostering an attractive economic climate with the village with respect to both existing and new businesses, so economic development, business retention, and expansion...and collaborate with the village's elected officials and staff to realize appropriate goals and objectives relating to sound business policies, increasing our tax base, and increasing employment opportunities here in Lisle."

Trustee Lesniak voted against the branding contract and voiced concerns about timing, costs beyond the $49,300 consultant fee and whether the work fit with recent village initiatives such as a $17,000 community survey and a reinstated $50,000 special events grant program. "My logic is that we have a lot of recent indicators that we're on the right track...I'm not comfortable enough with my understanding of where it falls in our latest strategic look at all of our most recent initiatives and our future initiatives," Lesniak said.

Village Manager Cook said total rollout costs have not been calculated and that the board may phase implementation. "You do always have the opportunity to phase those costs. You don't have to do everything all at once," Cook said, noting smaller items such as letterhead changes require less upfront expense than signage or vehicle graphics.

Other trustees supported the branding work as a platform for broader economic development. Trustee McGovern called it a "foundation" for marketing and attracting redevelopment and said the process could confirm whether the Arboretum Village identity should be retained or built upon.

Trustees also discussed EDC membership, agreeing the up-to-three nonvoting advisory seats could allow busy business owners to contribute without being required for quorum. Trustee Duffy urged recruitment of hotel owners and other commercial stakeholders to ensure the commission hears business perspectives affecting room-night generation and local sales and hotel taxes.

The board approved the Guide Studio agreement (roll call: Trustee Duffy Aye; Trustee Simon Aye; Trustee Grau No; Trustee Lesniak No; Trustee McGovern Aye; Trustee Olson Aye) and passed the ordinance reestablishing the EDC (unanimous roll call). Mayor Mullin then appointed members to the new commission: Richard Wilkie as chair and Richard Wilkie, Angelina Herrera, Joseph (Joe) Knott, Jennifer Rizzo and Mark Rogers to staggered terms ending in 2027 or 2028, each confirmed by the board.

City staff assigned Director Erpvoord as staff liaison to the EDC and Trustee Olson will serve as a board liaison; trustees agreed the commission and staff will set meeting times after appointments are formalized. Trustees asked staff to return to the Committee of the Whole with additional details on implementation costs and timing before major brand rollout steps.

The EDC ordinance and the Guide Studio contract are immediate steps the village said are intended to guide coordinated economic-development activities, marketing and business‑retention efforts going forward.

Less-critical items discussed alongside the EDC and branding included two consent-agenda contracts: a $118,310 purchase order for fleet fuel cards through WEX Incorporated under the state's joint purchasing program and a not-to-exceed $29,475 contract with Go Painters Incorporated for hydrant sandblasting and painting procured through the DuPage Municipal Partnering Initiative.