With all members present, meeting a quorum was no obstacle for the Highland Park City Council’s Nov. 9 meeting, which was called to order at 7:33 p.m. by Mayor Nancy Rotering at Council Chambers in City Hall.
Council members Kim Stone, Daniel Kaufman, Paul Frank, Anthony Blumberg, Alyssa Knobel and Michelle Holleman were present in addition to staffers Ghida Neukirch, Rudy Espiritu, Joel Fontane, Ramesh Kanapareddy, Julie Logan, Dan Pease, Paul Shafer, Karen Brunetti and Rob Sabo along with the Corporation Counsel Steve Elrod and Hart Passman.
The council proceeded to pass all motions unanimously and expediently, beginning with approval of the Oct. 26 meeting minutes and the warrant list. The mayor relayed information on the city’s Veteran’s Day observance slated for Nov. 11. Upon the mayor’s invitation, Township Supervisor Anne Flanigan-Bassi provided information on the township’s health insurance open enrollment program.
No appointments, proclamations or public business were reported. Councilman Frank removed one item (#10) from omnibus vote consideration, and the motion passed with the remaining nine items. The council approved administrative and financial resolutions setting regular meetings of the City Council and Committee; adopting a professional services agreement with a corporation from Tallahassee, Fla.; and approving the estimated amount of revenue expected from 2016 property taxes.
The council authorized the purchase of a skid steer loader from a Waukegan, Ill., firm in the amount of $47,527, disposing of a similar surplus vehicle, and approved a change order for hourly tree maintenance contracts. Also approved were resolutions for design engineering services regarding a reservoir pump station, a stop sign installation, a special agreement for a driveway’s right-of-way and replacement of a produce store with a resale shop.
A memorandum of understanding with Naval Criminal Investigative Services and related agencies for a law enforcement information exchange in the Midwest was authorized after Police Chief Paul Shafer explained the proposal.
Finance topics included a roll call vote on the proposed FY 2016 Budget, which was presented after a call to order for the meeting’s public portion. City Manager Neukirch explained the budget preparation process. After information was reviewed, the budget was passed unanimously. Mayor Rotering and Councilman Kaufman thanked city staff for their work on the FY2016 budget and for maintaining high service levels.
Public Works Director Kanapareddy reported that the city has requested that the contractors use snow blowers instead of plows on sidewalks; plowing the Skokie Valley Bicycle Path was discussed. The Council passed motions to authorize plowing for six individual streets and renew residential sidewalk snow removal contracts. Discussion about combining two land parcels resulted in approving a one-lot subdivision.
Councilman Knobel reported on the city of Highland Park Business and Economic Development Commission (BEDC), and City Manager Neukirch reminded everyone that the next City Council meeting will be on Nov. 30, 2015.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:56 p.m.
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