Lake County Gazette

City of Highwood Committee of the Whole met July 18.

Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:

Call to Order by Mayor Pecaro at 6:01 P.M.

1. Roll Call Present: Mayor Pecaro, Aldermen: Grice, Falberg, Hospodarsky, Fiore, Peterson, Slavin Also Present: City Manager Coren, City Attorney Jablecki, City Treasurer Gonzalez, City Clerk Baruffi, Administrative Assistant Litjens

2. Public Hearing by Alderman Peterson, seconded by Alderman Fiore to open the Public Hearing to discuss Annual Appropriations Ordinance for the City of Highwood, Illinois, For the Fiscal Year Beginning May 1, 2017 and Ending April 30, 2018. All present voting aye, by voice vote, motion carried. Mayor Pecaro opened the meeting at 6:02 P.M.

City Manager Coren provided an overview of the Annual Appropriation Ordinance. There being no questions, the Aldermen moved to close the meeting. Moved by Alderman Grice, seconded by Alderman Falberg to close the Public Hearing. All present voting aye, by voice vote, motion carried. Mayor Pecaro closed the meeting at 6:04 P.M.

3. Review of Minutes to be Approved

3.1. City Council: July 05, 2017 3.2. Committee of the Whole: July 05, 2017 Both of the sets of minutes will be approved at the Regular City Council meeting this evening.

4. Appointments (Mayor Pecaro)

5. Review of Bill Warrant List

5.1. 07/20/2017 AP Warrant List The road resurfacing program was $40,000.00 less than anticipated.

6. Unfinished Business

7. New Business

7.1. A Discussion on an Update on the Development at 246 Green Bay Road (Old Bertucci’s Property). Billy Baruth has requested to discuss at the August 1, 2017 meeting. It was noted the timelines have expired, so need to be reviewed.

7.2. Consideration of an Ordinance Approving a Redevelopment Agreement with Preservation Properties Group, LLC Concerning 428 Green Bay Road in the City of Highwood. It is expected the building will house a coffee house and retail for the next 8 years. If the building is owned by the same owner for 20 years, the prohibited use expires. However the process of special use and following the procedure of going through the planning and zoning committee would still be enforced.

7.3. Approval of the 2018 Fiscal Year Budget. Discussed during the Public Hearing.

7.4. Consideration of the Annual Appropriations Ordinance of the City of Highwood, Illinois, For the Fiscal Year Beginning May 1, 2017 and Ending April 30, 2018. Reviewed during the Public Hearing.

7.5. Consideration of an Ordinance on Salary and Compensation For the City of Highwood For the FYE 2018. A salary and compensation ordinance is completed each fiscal year.

7.6. Consideration of a Motion Authorizing the Mayor to Sign an Agreement with Scott Coren to Employ Him as the City Manager. This will be passed at the Regular Council Meeting this evening.

7.7. A Discussion on a List of Possible Locations For Planting Trees Around the Community and

Other Uses For the Beautification Budget.

Discussion ensued. Tom Scopelliti of Anthony Scopelliti Landscaping has driven the City to determine tree locations on the parkways. Other sections of town that were discussed for landscaping or beautification include: landscaping the train lot, Pleasant Avenue Park, placing trees in grated areas downtown, outdoor lighting in Everts Park, and the train meters to be improved. Everts Park is also being evaluated for current improvements. Tree or bench donations were also discussed.

7.8. A Discussion on Increasing the Water Rate in Small Increments Each Fiscal Year Instead of Delaying and Implementing Larger Increases When Critical Projects Must be Funded. Note: Alderman Slavin left the room at 6:45 returning at 6:49 P.M. There is an unexpected need for repairs to the lift station in Ft. Sheridan. Although Highland Park will perform the repairs, Highwood needs to pay for the repairs as agreed upon with the annexation of the Ft. Sheridan property. It is recommended to increase the water rate 2% over a 3 year period.

A donation of $3,000.00 will be coming to the City from a group formed a number of years ago to combat overcrowding. The money is to be used for public improvement.

8. Executive Session (If Necessary) Moved by Alderman Fire, seconded by Alderman Grice to go into executive session. All present voting aye, motion carried. Vote: Yes: Aldermen: Fiore, Grice, Hospodarsky, Peterson, Falberg, Slavin Moved by Alderman Grice, seconded by Alderman Hospodarsky to end executive session. All present voting aye, by voice vote, motion carried. The executive session ended at 7:13 P.M.

9. Moved by Alderman Grice, seconded by Alderman Hospodarsky to end executive session. All present voting aye, by voice vote, motion carried. The executive session ended at 7:13 P.M. Any Action Necessary Coming Out of Executive Session until no longer sensitive. Moved by Alderman Grice, seconded by Alderman Hospodarsky to reconvene the Committee of the Whole Meeting. All present voting aye, by voice vote, motion carried.

10. Adjournment Moved by Alderman Fiore, seconded by Alderman Slavin to adjourn the meeting. All present voting aye, by voice vote, motion carried. Mayor Pecaro adjourned the meeting at 7:17 P.M.

http://www.cityofhighwood.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_07182017-527