Lake County Gazette

Highland Park City Council met Jan. 8.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

CALL TO ORDER

At 6:05 PM, Mayor Rotering called the meeting to order and asked for a roll call.

ROLL CALL

Members Present: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Kaufman, Blumberg, Knobel, Holleman

Members Absent: Councilwoman Stone

Mayor Rotering declared a quorum was present.

Staff Present: Ghida Neukirch, Ramesh Kanapareddy, Manny Gomez, Jim Peacher, Mike Daniels, Jon Lowman

SCHEDULED BUSINESS

Highlands Neighborhood Meeting

City Manager Neukirch presented an overview of the meeting and introduced Public Works Director Kanapareddy who provided information on the following items:

 The planning process for Capital Projects

 Highlights of the 2018 infrastructure projects

 A review of the 2018 Highlands Neighborhood construction project

 Communication improvement and project management enhancements for 2019 and the future

 Major projects planned in the Highlands Neighborhood

Director Kanapareddy stated that no major projects are scheduled in 2019 in the Highlands

Neighborhood and the following list of projects are included in the City’s current 10-year Capital Improvement Plan:

 University Avenue resurfacing project from Old Elm Road to Old Trail

 Summit Avenue resurfacing project from Krenn Avenue to Half Day Road and watermain from North to Old Trail

 Hill Street resurfacing project from Brook Avenue to Western Avenue

 New Sidewalk projects that will take place once approval has been received from the residents:

o University Avenue from Hill Street to Old Elm

o Krenn Avenue from Old Elm to Hyacinth

o Hyacinth from University Avenue to Dato

o Old Trail from Western Avenue to Greenwood

He explained that all of the projects are reviewed, prioritized and budged annually as part of the City’s capital improvement budget process.

Highland Park residents asked what construction projects were planned for 2019.

Public Works Director Kanapareddy provided information as to the following projects that were planned to take place in 2019:

 Eastwood storm sewer and paving project;

 Lincoln Place watermain, storm sewer, and paving project;

 Tanglewood Court storm sewer and paving project;

 Additional capital projects previously planned with the understanding that the aforementioned projects are underground infrastructure improvement projects.

Highland Park residents asked when work on Summit Avenue, from Half Day Road to Krenn, was scheduled.

Public Works Director Kanapareddy stated that Summit Avenue from Half Day Road to Krenn was not part of the 2019 capital improvement projects but that it is included in the current City’s 10-year capital plan. He explained that the watermain replacement is planned to be upgraded between North Avenue and Old Trail, and paving is planned from Krenn to Half Day. He stated that there was no plan to completely replace the storm sewer or sanitary sewer within the project limits and it was never relayed to the residents that it was.

The Committee, City Manager Neukirch, City staff and Highland Park residents discussed the following items:

 The need to improve the door tags during driveway curb removal because information provided is in small font and dates have been incorrect;

 The need to improve overall communication regarding construction projects;

 The consideration of including a maximum time driveway access can be limited in construction project contracts;

 The need to communicate with the residents regarding the value of liquidated damages and the legal difficulties of administering liquidated damages;

 The need to avoid any construction projects in front of schools during the school year and discussions regarding the impact construction projects have on the flow of school traffic;

 Safety concerns when construction projects are started in November and there is frost accumulating on the ground;

 The concern of no safety barricades behind the curbs on Marl Oak Drive

o Parkway restoration cannot be completed as of yet and there is difficulty knowing where the curb starts and stops, especially if there is snow.

o City staff stated that the area will be filled in soon and the parkway restoration will be completed in the spring;

 The suggestion that a contractor show proof of project management when a company submits for bidding; Residents expressed appreciation for the coordination of the Highlands Neighborhood meeting, as well as follow-up on the matters noted.

The Committee, City Manager Neukirch and City staff extended appreciation to the residents for their feedback. They apologized for the challenges and frustrations residents faced as a result of the construction in the neighborhood.

ADJOURNMENT

Councilman Stolberg moved to adjourn. Councilman Holleman seconded the motion. On a voice vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed unanimously.

The Committee of the Whole adjourned its meeting at 6:55 PM.

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