City of Highland Park City Council met March 26.
Here is the minutes provided by the Council:
CALL TO ORDER At 7:36 PM, Mayor Rotering called the meeting to order and asked for a roll call:
ROLL CALL PRESENT: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Stone, Kaufman, Blumberg, Knobel, Holleman
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Neukirch, Community Development Director Fontane, Police Chief Jogmen, Public Works Director Kanapareddy, Finance Director Logan, Assistant City Manager Sabo, Superintendent of Water Production Jensen, Water Production Supervisor Willis, Computer Services Manager O'Connell
ALSO PRESENT: Corporation Counsel Passman
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting Held on March 12, 2018 Councilman Blumberg moved to approve the minutes of the Regular City Council meeting held on March 12, 2018. Councilman Kaufman seconded the motion. Upon a voice vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed unanimously.
RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Anthony Blumberg, Councilman SECONDER: Daniel Kaufman, Councilman AYES: Councilmen Stolberg, Stone, Kaufman, Blumberg, Knobel PRESENT: Mayor Rotering, Councilman Holleman
APPROVAL OF WARRANT LIST
1. Approval of Warrant List from March 02, 2018 to March 16, 2018
Councilman Stolberg moved to approve the Warrant List. Councilman Kaufman seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed unanimously.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Adam Stolberg, Councilman
SECONDER: Daniel Kaufman, Councilman
AYES: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Stone, Kaufman, Blumberg, Knobel, Holleman
REPORT OF MAYOR
A. Appointments
There were none.
B. Proclamations
1. 27th “Towards A Better Understanding” (TABU) Rotary Belfast Exchange
Mayor Rotering read aloud and presented a Proclamation recognizing the Belfast Rotary Club of Northern Ireland and their Toward a Better Understanding (TABU) program with the Highland Park / Highwood Rotary Club. She presented the Proclamation to Phil Lazarus, representative of the TABU program.
TABU representative Lazarus provided information on the TABU program.
C. Other business
1. Highland Park High School and Rochelle Zell Jewish High School’s 2017/2018 Model United Nations Team
Mayor Rotering and the City Council congratulated students from the Highland Park High School Model UN Team and the Rochelle Zell Jewish High School Model UN Team for their respective first place finishes at the 44th Annual National High School Model United Nations Conference in New York City.
2. Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation
Mayor Rotering provided information on the Wyland Foundation's Annual National Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation that is held throughout the month of April. She encouraged the community to visit mywaterpledge.com to make their pledge anytime between April 1 and April 30 to conserve water, energy and other natural resources.
3. ISAWWA Utility Water Saver Award
Mayor Rotering announced that the City was presented with the Illinois Section American Water Works Association 2018 Water Saver Award at the 2018 WaterCon convention in Springfield for showing leadership in water conservation.
Public Works Director Kanapareddy, Superintendent of Water Production Jensen and Water Production Supervisor Willis provided information on the City's water saving efforts.
4. Save the Date - Arbor Day Celebration on Saturday, April 28
Mayor Rotering provided information on the City's upcoming Arbor Day Celebration that will take place on Saturday, April 28 from 9AM to 1PM at Jens Jensen Park.
BUSINESS FROM THE PUBLIC (Citizens wishing to be heard regarding items not listed on this agenda) There was none.
SCHEDULED BUSINESS
ITEMS FOR OMNIBUS VOTE CONSIDERATION
Councilman Blumberg removed item 1 from omnibus vote consideration.
Councilman Knobel moved to approve items 2 - 6 by omnibus vote consideration. Councilman Kaufman seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed unanimously.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Alyssa Knobel, Councilman
SECONDER: Daniel Kaufman, Councilman
AYES: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Stone, Kaufman, Blumberg,
Knobel, Holleman
Finance
2. Adoption of an Ordinance (O37-2018) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “An Ordinance Amending the Annual Budget of the City of Highland Park, County of Lake, State of Illinois, for the Fiscal Year Beginning January 1, 2018 and Ending December 31, 2018 Related to Fiber Optic Infrastructure Network Expenditures”.
3. Adoption of an Ordinance (O38-2018) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “A Resolution Approving an Agreement for the Purchase of Fiber Construction Materials from Graybar Electric Company Inc., of St. Louis, Missouri”.
4. Adoption of an Ordinance (O39-2018) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “An Ordinance Amending the Annual Budget of the City of Highland Park, County of Lake, State of Illinois, for the Fiscal Year Beginning January 1, 2018 and ending December 31, 2018 Related to Enhanced 911 Fund Revenues and Expenditures and General Fund Revenue”.
Public Works
5. Adoption of an Ordinance (O40-2018) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “An Ordinance Waiving City’s Purchasing Policy, Due to Municipal Partnering Initiative Bidding, to Authorize Award of Water Consumption Portal Software Contract to WaterSmart Software of San Francisco, California”.
Community Development
6. A Referral to Zoning Board of Appeals of a Height Variation Related to 188 Roger Williams Avenue
ITEMS REMOVED FROM OMNIBUS VOTE CONSIDERATION
1. Adoption of an Ordinance (O41-2018) titled, “An Ordinance Ratifying the Execution of a First Amendment to a Purchase and Sale Agreement for the Sale of the Karger Recreation Center Property, 1850 Green Bay Road, Highland Park, Illinois”.
Councilman Blumberg recused himself from item 1 due to his wife serving on the Board of Directors of the Highland Park Community Nursery School and Day Care Center.
Councilman Blumberg exited the dais and left the Council Chambers at 7:58 PM.
Councilman Knobel moved to approve item 1. Councilman Kaufman seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed unanimously.
RESULT: ADOPTED MOVER: Alyssa Knobel, Councilman
SECONDER: Daniel Kaufman, Councilman AYES: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Stone, Kaufman, Knobel, Holleman
RECUSED:
Councilman Blumberg
Councilman Blumberg returned to the Council Chambers and resumed his position on the dais at 7:58 PM.
OTHER BUSINESS (the City Council will consider and then either approve or disapprove the following items)
7. Adoption of an Ordinance titled, “An Ordinance Granting a Special Use Permit Regarding a Legal Non-Conforming Use at 579 Central Avenue”.
Community Development Director Fontane provided information on the requested special use permit regarding a legal non-conforming use at 579 Central Avenue.
Mayor Rotering and Community Development Director Fontane discussed regulations related to the Pedestrian Oriented Shopping Overlay ("POSO") parking.
Councilman Knobel discussed the recent changes that have occurred with the POSO. She voiced her concerns with the intensity of the proposed use and the issues that will arise with parking availability. She stated that if the use was allowed, the Council and staff would need to review the POSO again while staff is still trying to attract retail and restaurants to the area. She voiced her appreciation for the effort put forth on this project but that she was not in favor of granting the special use permit.
Councilman Blumberg was in agreement with Councilman Knobel. He explained that in addition to the increase of the intensity of use, he believes that the project does not meet the standard that it would not impede, substantially hinder or discourage the development and use of adjacent land and buildings in accordance with the regulations of the zoning district, specifically the POSO. He explained that it is a major corner within the POSO and has been recognized as non-conforming uses when the POSO was enacted. He explained that as the leases aged out and tenants left, there would be an opportunity to have conforming uses in the space. He stated that the project would be inconsistent with the district and that it would impede on the district during a time when the City is working to support the POSO. He reiterated that the special use permit would allow for an increase intensity of use and would potentially adversely affect the surrounding development of the district and that he was not in favor of granting the special use permit.
Mayor Rotering concurred with Councilman Blumberg.
Councilman Kaufman voiced his appreciation of the effort but stated that he does not believe replacing the previous non-conforming use with the proposed non-conforming use would be of equal or less intensity and based on the strict guidelines of the ordinance, he was not in favor of granting the special use permit.
Councilmen Stone and Stolberg were in agreement with comments made by previous Council members.
Joan Loeb, Highland Park resident, commented that the location would not be papered windows and would be a state of the art facility. She stated that for the past 35 years, the property was multiple banks or financial institutions. She commented on how vacant store fronts are not good for the City.
Mayor Rotering asked if Mrs. Loeb attends the downtown Property Owner Association (POA) meetings and explained what is discussed during those meetings.
Beth Loeb explained that she and her father attend the POA meetings. She explained how the proposed use would encourage downtown foot traffic.
Mayor Rotering explained the purpose of the POSO and sales tax revenue.
Councilman Blumberg explained that there are vacancies for a variety of reasons. He explained that there are active developments which have been proposed and approved which will contribute greatly to the pedestrian corridor. He explained that to make the POSO work, the City is looking to allow uses which support the surrounding businesses. He explained that most of the properties have been filled along Central Avenue.
Lynn Kozner, Managing Broker of Baird and Warner, explained that one thing that should not be overlooked is bringing vibrancy to the corner. She explained that the office has guests from outside of Highland Park and it would increase visibility for Highland Park. She explained that there would be a lot of activity that should be considered. She explained that the use will not take up parking spaces and there will not be more than 4 agents at a time on the premises. She explained that their staff and guests will be encouraged to use public parking. She explained that the proposed use will add to Central Avenue.
Steve Adatto, Highland Park resident, presented a petition to the City. He asked that the Council not allow the use and continue to focus on finding POSO permitted uses.
Assistant Corporation Counsel Passman provided direction to the Council on the different actions that can be taken on the proposed ordinance.
Councilman Stolberg moved to direct Corporation Counsel to draft denial documents to be considered at the Council's next Regular Meeting. Councilman Knobel seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed unanimously.
RESULT: MOTION PASSED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Adam Stolberg, Councilman
SECONDER: Alyssa Knobel, Councilman
AYES: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Stone, Kaufman, Blumberg,
Knobel, Holleman
BUSINESS FROM THE COUNCIL
A. Township High School District 113 - Councilman Stolberg
Councilman Stolberg provided a report on the Township High School District 113 Board of Education and Highland Park High School activities.
B. Library - Councilman Kaufman
Councilman Kaufman provided a report on the Highland Park Public Library Board of Directors and Library activities. BUSINESS FROM CITY STAFF There was none.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilman Kaufman moved to adjourn. Councilwoman Stone seconded the motion. On a voice vote, Mayor Rotering declared the motion passed unanimously.
The City Council adjourned its meeting at 8:29 PM.
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