City of Highland Park City Council met Oct. 15.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
CALL TO ORDER
At 7:43 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, Deputy Fire Chief Pease, Deputy City Clerk Palbitska
ALSO PRESENT: Assistant Corporation Counsel Brooke Lenneman
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting Held on September 24, 2018
Councilwoman Stone moved to approve the minutes of the Regular City Council meeting held on September 24, 2018. Councilman Kaufman seconded the motion. Upon a voice vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed unanimously.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Kim Stone, Councilwoman
SECONDER: Daniel Kaufman, Councilman
AYES: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Stone, Kaufman, Blumberg, Knobel, Holleman
APPROVAL OF WARRANT LIST
1. Warrant List and Wire Transfers from September 13, 2018 to October 04, 2018 Councilman Kaufman recused himself from item #284277 due to his wife being the Associate Director of Community Partners for Affordable Housing.
Councilwoman Stone recused herself from item #284277 due to serving on the board of Community Partners for Affordable Housing.
Councilman Blumberg moved to approve the Warrant List, except item #284277. Councilman Holleman seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed unanimously.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Anthony Blumberg, Councilman
SECONDER: Michelle Holleman, Councilman
AYES: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Stone, Kaufman, Blumberg, Knobel, Holleman
Councilmen Stone and Kaufman exited the meeting at 7:45 PM.
Councilman Stolberg moved to approve item #284277 on the Warrant List. Councilman Blumberg seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed unanimously.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Adam Stolberg, Councilman
SECONDER: Anthony Blumberg, Councilman
AYES: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Blumberg, Knobel, Holleman
RECUSED: Councilmen Stone, Kaufman
Councilmen Stone and Kaufman entered the meeting and resumed their position on the dais at 7:45 PM.
REPORT OF MAYOR
A. Appointments
There were none.
B. Proclamations
1. Recognition of Highland Park Strings' 40th Anniversary Season
Mayor Rotering recognized the 40th Anniversary of the Highland Park Strings and their contribution to the Highland Park community.
Larry Block, founder and manager of Highland Park Strings, thanked the Council and provided information on the upcoming season.
C. Other business
1. Recognition of Sister Cities for Sister Cities of the Year Award
Mayor Rotering congratulated and recognized the Highland Park Sister Cities Foundation for being named the 2018 Sister City of the Year by the State of Illinois Sister Cities Association.
Carol Wolfe, Sister Cities President, provided information about the Sister Cities program and multiple ways to get involved with the organization.
2. 2018 Mayor's Award for the Arts
Mayor Rotering provided information on the Mayor's Award for the Arts. She recognized Highland Park Poetry as the recipient of the 2018 Mayor's Award for the Arts based on the Cultural Arts Commission recommendation.
Cathy Ricciardelli, Chair of the Cultural Arts Commission, presented the 2018 Mayor's Award for the Arts to Highland Park Poetry.
Jennifer Dotson, founder and program director of Highland Park Poetry, thanked the Council and Cultural Arts Commission and accepted the award on behalf of Highland Park Poetry.
3. Capture the Heart of Highland Park Photo Contest Winners
Mayor Rotering explained that the City has held a community photo contest to illustrate the character of the community and capture the heart of Highland Park.
RESULT: MOVER: SECONDER: AYES: RECUSED:
ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
Adam Stolberg, Councilman
Anthony Blumberg, Councilman
Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Blumberg, Knobel, Holleman Councilmen Stone, Kaufman
Councilwoman Stone presented the winners of the third annual photo contest.
Community of Life:
Winner: Dana Lawrence Gillis Honorable Mention: Kristina Govorovska
People Portraits:
Winner: Bradley Rose
Honorable Mention: Merle Branner
Environmental:
Winner: David Kopka
Honorable Mention: Paul Cherner
Architectural:
Winner: Kristina Govorovska Honorable Mention: Merle Branner
Pets of Highland Park:
Winner: Michael Melinger
Honorable Mention: Michelle DeBrocke
4. Flood Mitigation Update
Mayor Rotering provided updated information on flood mitigation and information on the preliminary study that is being conducted by the Army Corps of Engineers.
5. Business Summit Recap
Councilman Knobel provided a recap of the 2018 Business Summit that took place on Wednesday, October 10, 2018.
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
Councilwoman Stone requested to remove item 2 from omnibus vote consideration.
Councilwoman Stone moved to approve items 1, 3-11 by omnibus vote consideration. Councilman Knobel seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed.
RESULT: ADOPTED
MOVER: Kim Stone, Councilwoman
SECONDER: Alyssa Knobel, Councilman
AYES: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Stone, Kaufman, Blumberg, Knobel, Holleman
Administration
1. Adoption of a Resolution (R120-2018) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “A Resolution Approving a Collective Bargaining Agreement for the Period of January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2021 Between the City of Highland Park and the International Association of Firefighters Local Union 822”.
Finance
3. Adoption of a Resolution (R121-2018) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Security Assessment Agreement with Securance Consulting to provide IT Security Assessment Services”.
4. Adoption of a Resolution (R122-2018) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “A Resolution Approving a Professional Services Agreement with Ex2 Technologies, LLC, of Omaha, Nebraska, for Marketing Services for the City’s Fiber Optic Infrastructure Project”.
5. Approval of Adjustments to the Base Water Production Rates Effective January 1, 2019
RESULT: ADOPTED [6 to 1]
MOVER: Kim Stone, Councilwoman
SECONDER: Alyssa Knobel, Councilman
AYES: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Stone, Kaufman, Blumberg, Knobel,
NAYS: Councilman Holleman
Public Works
6. Adoption of a Resolution (R123-2018) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “A Resolution Approving an Application Programming Interface License Agreement with Neptune Technology Group Inc., of Tallassee, Alabama”.
7. Adoption of a Resolution (R124-2018) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “A Resolution Authorizing Award of the 2018 Bridge Maintenance Contract for Beam Shoring for Beech Street over Ravine 3, St. Johns Avenue over Ravine 10, and Judson Avenue over Ravine 3 to Illinois Constructors Corp of Elburn, Illinois”.
8. Adoption of an Ordinance (O75-2018) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “An Ordinance Declaring Certain Property Owned by the City of Highland Park to be Surplus”.
9. Adoption of a Resolution (R125-2018) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “A Resolution Authorizing Award of the Residential Property Demolition and Utility Disconnect Contract to Lima Contractors Inc. of Ringwood, Illinois”.
Community Development
10. Adoption of an Ordinance (O76-2018) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “An Ordinance Amending Chapters 53 and 150 of “The Highland Park Code of 1968,” As Amended, Regarding Standards for Small Wireless Services Facilities”.
Public Safety
11. Adoption of a Resolution (R126-2018) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “A Resolution Approving an Amended Mutual Aid Agreement for the Northern Illinois Police Alarm System”.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM OMNIBUS VOTE CONSIDERATION
2. Approval of the Funding Level Recommendations by the Cultural Arts and the Human Relations Commissions for Purchase of Service Grant Funds for Fiscal Year 2018 in the Total Amount of $50,000
Councilwoman Stone explained that there was an error in the chart for the Human Relations Commission grant that was to be awarded to the Highland Park Nursery School and Day Care. She stated that the amount should be $5,000 but was noted as $500.
City Manager Neukirch confirmed the dollar amount and explained that the information had been updated.
Councilman Kaufman stated that the Cultural Arts Commission chart should state 2018- 2019 Grants rather than 2017-2018 Grants and requested to add that to the amended motion.
Councilwoman Stone moved to approve item 2 as amended. Councilman Stolberg seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed unanimously.
RESULT: ADOPTED AS AMENDED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Kim Stone, Councilwoman
SECONDER: Adam Stolberg, Councilman
AYES: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Stone, Kaufman, Blumberg, Knobel, Holleman
OTHER BUSINESS (the City Council will consider and then either approve or disapprove the following items)
Community Development
12. Adoption of an Ordinance (O77-2018) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “An Ordinance Granting a Special Use Permit for a Freestanding Motor Vehicle Storage Lot for The Pauly Family, LP at 2745 Skokie Valley Rd”.
Community Development Director Fontane presented information related to the Special Use Permit for a Freestanding Motor Vehicle Storage Lot for the Pauly Family, LP at 2745 Skokie Valley Road.
Councilman Blumberg and Community Development Director Fontane discussed the demolition of the Boy Scout building, noise concerns if the building is demolished, the need for a buffer from the noise being created on the highway, and if the Special Use Permit is the correct type of use for the property.
Councilman Kaufman and Ken Coulty, representative with Pauly Acura, discussed fencing and screening on the property if the Boy Scout building were to be demolished.
Councilman Blumberg and Mr. Coulty discussed if the building will or will not be demolished.
Councilman Holleman stated that there is an assumption that the building is blocking a lot of noise or fencing would block the noise if the building was demolished but the assumption is based on speculation and that different types of trees may be better than an 8 foot fence. She explained that what is before the Council is not whether the building can be demolished or not and there is not a way to be able to tie the demolition and the Special Use Permit together but there will be further discussion regarding the property in the future.
Councilwoman Stone asked if there was the ability to create a condition within the Special Use Permit that if the building were to be demolished, the applicant will work with the City to determine the appropriate buffer.
Mayor Rotering and Mr. Coulty discussed the arborvitae and fence that is behind the current Pauly Acura site as well as the relationship with the neighbors.
Councilman Blumberg clarified that he was not suggesting that the applicant did not have the right to demolish the building but that he was trying to anticipate to the best degree as to whether that is going to have an adverse effect on the people that live in the area. He stated that if the proposal had included the demolition of the building as well as all of the other original proposals for the site, the Council would be considering noise mitigation efforts.
Mr. Coulty explained that the Highland House building and gas station, right next to the Acura property, were demolished and there is currently only a fence in place acting as a buffer.
Councilman Knobel explained that there is a heightened sensitivity to what is being proposed on the property and the buffer for the neighbors. She stated that she understands that the building can be demolished at any time but that the winter is the hard for the neighbors because some of the buffer from the trees is not available due to the leaves falling off the trees.
Mayor Rotering and Todd Needlman, Highland Park resident, discussed a need for a fence that would allow for a buffer if the building was to be demolished.
Mr. Needlman stated that he didn't understand why information about when the building would be demolished was not being provided. He asked if the evaluation of impervious surface will be on three separate lots or everything as a whole.
Public Works Director Kanapareddy discussed the evaluation of the impervious surface.
Mayor Rotering, Councilwoman Stone, Public Works Director Kanapareddy and Mr. Needlman discussed water retention on the properties.
Councilman Holleman moved to approve a Special Use Permit for a Freestanding Motor Vehicle Lot for The Pauly Family, LP at 2745 Skokie Valley Road. Councilman Knobel seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed unanimously.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Michelle Holleman, Councilman
SECONDER: Alyssa Knobel, Councilman
AYES: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Stone, Kaufman, Blumberg, Knobel, Holleman
13. Adoption of an Ordinance (O78-2018) titled, “An Ordinance Granting a Special Use Permit for an Animal Hospital at 176 Skokie Valley Road”.
Councilman Knobel moved to approve a Special Use Permit for an Animal Hospital at 176 Skokie Valley Road. Councilman Holleman seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed unanimously.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Alyssa Knobel, Councilman
SECONDER: Michelle Holleman, Councilman
AYES: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Stone, Kaufman, Blumberg, Knobel, Holleman
BUSINESS FROM THE COUNCIL
There was none.
BUSINESS FROM CITY STAFF
1. Year 2018 Major Projects, Q3
City Manager Neukirch explained that the City's third quarter update of the 2018 Major Projects was provided to the Council and the updates were noted in red.
Mayor Rotering stated that the updates were available for viewing on the City's website.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilwoman Stone moved to adjourn. Councilman Kaufman seconded the motion. On a voice vote, Mayor Rotering declared the motion passed unanimously.
The City Council adjourned its meeting at 8:45 PM.
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