City of Highland Park Committee of the Whole met Dec. 10.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
CALL TO ORDER
At 5:37 PM, Mayor Rotering called the meeting to order and asked for a roll call.
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stone, Kaufman, Blumberg, Knobel, Holleman
Members Absent: Councilman Stolberg
Mayor Rotering declared a quorum was present.
Staff Present: Ghida Neukirch, Ashley Palbitska
Also Present: Corporation Counsel Steve Elrod
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Regular Meeting of the Committee of the Whole – November 26, 2018
Councilwoman Stone moved to approve the minutes from the regular meeting of the Committee of the Whole held on November 26, 2018. Councilman Blumberg seconded the motion.
On a voice vote:
Voting Yea: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stone, Kaufman, Blumberg, Knobel
Voting Nay: None
Absent: Councilman Stolberg
Mayor Rotering declared the motion passed unanimously.
CLOSED SESSION
Councilman Blumberg moved the Committee close its meeting to the public, pursuant to the following cited sections of the Illinois Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 120/2(c)), for the purposes of i) approval of closed session minutes (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(21)); and ii) potential litigation (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11)). Councilwoman Stone seconded the motion.
On a roll call vote:
Voting Yea: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stone, Kaufman, Blumberg, Knobel, Holleman
Voting Nay: None
Absent: Councilman Stolberg
Mayor Rotering declared the motion passed unanimously.
At 5:38 PM, the Committee recessed the public portion of the meeting to meet in Closed Session.
At 5:45 PM, Mayor Rotering reconvened the open session of the Committee of the Whole Meeting.
Members Present: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg (arrived at 7:28 PM), Stone, Kaufman, Blumberg, Knobel, Holleman
Members Absent: None
City Staff Present: Ghida Neukirch, Lou Jogmen, Ramesh Kanapareddy, Julie Logan, Rob Sabo, Bill Bonaguidi, Manny Gomez, Ashley Palbitska
Also Present: Corporation Counsel Steve Elrod
SCHEDULED BUSINESS
Capital Improvement Projects Mayor Rotering introduced the topic that the City would be presenting information about various construction projects and specifically will be addressing the delays that were caused in specific project areas.
City Manager Neukirch apologized to the Council and neighbors regarding the length of time construction projects disrupted and impact to the neighborhoods. She provided information on the agenda items to be discussed during the meeting and she explained that staff will be implementing initiatives for 2019 regarding enhanced communication, management of projects, and terms and conditions to be added to contracts in order to better manage the construction projects throughout the City.
Public Works Director Kanapareddy reviewed the City’s 2018 Capital Improvement Plan with emphasis on two projects: 1) Kimball Road area, and 2) North Avenue, Summit Avenue and Marl Oak construction. He provided information as to the process City staff undertakes when choosing the lowest responsible bidder for City projects.
The Committee, City Manager Neukirch and Public Works Director Kanapareddy discussed the process of the construction projects, communication with the neighbors, issues that were raised by the neighbors, and how projects can and will be handled in the future.
Ken Copenhaver, owner of Copenhaver Construction, apologized for the disruption the construction project caused to the neighborhood and provided information as to why the project moved forward the way it did.
Social Worker Report and Recommendation Police Chief Jogmen and Commander Bonaguidi explained that Dr. Cynthia Plazas, who has been the City’s social worker through Omni Youth Services, has decided to start her own practice in the new calendar year. They stated that the City has had an agreement with Omni Youth Services since 2012 and would be interested in entering into an agreement with Dr. Plazas outside of Omni Youth Services. They explained that she has been working 20 hours per week and with the approval of the FY2019 budget, the position will increase in hours to 37.5. They stated that she is an outstanding professional, has a diverse educational background and is also bi-lingual. They explained that if the City continues an agreement through Omni, it is unlikely they will have another social worker with the educational and professional experience as Dr. Plazas. They explained that Dr. Plazas has handled and managed a significant case load within the City and would recommend entering into an agreement with Dr. Plazas to continue the current services she has provided.
The Committee, City Manager Neukirch, Chief Jogmen and Commander Bonaguidi discussed the benefits of entering into an agreement with Dr. Plazas.
The Committee was in consensus to move forward with the agreement.
OTHERS MATTERS
Omnibus Item #2 – “A Resolution Establishing the Business and Economic Development Advisory Group, Cultural Arts Advisory Group, Human Relations Advisory Group, Sustainability Advisory Group, and Transportation Advisory Group” City Manager Neukirch discussed the proposed modification for the Transportation Advisory Group.
Councilman Knobel recused herself due to her involvement with the Highland Park Community Foundation and exited the room.
Omnibus Item #3 – “A Resolution Approving a Grant Agreement between the City of Highland Park and the Highland Park Community Foundation” The Committee and City Manager Neukirch discussed the striking of Section 4 of the agreement.
The Committee discussed notification to YEA! Highland Park and Highland Park Community Foundation requesting them to work together.
Corporation Counsel Elrod explained that the Council may pass the resolution as drafted but the motion should take into consideration the amendment of the agreement.
Omnibus Item #17 – “A Resolution Authorizing the Reconciliation of Uncollectible Accounts Receivable” Councilman Knobel reentered the room.
City Manager Neukirch provided insight to staff’s recommendation pertaining to the reconciliation of uncollectible accounts receivable.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilwoman Stone moved to adjourn. Councilman Kaufman seconded the motion.
On a voice vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed unanimously.
The Committee of the Whole adjourned its meeting at 7:31 PM.
Alerts Sign-up