Lake County Gazette

Highland Park City Council met Jan. 14.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

CALL TO ORDER

At 5:31 PM, Mayor Rotering called the meeting to order and asked for a roll call.

ROLL CALL

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

Members Absent: None

Mayor Rotering declared a quorum was present.

Staff Present: Ghida Neukirch, Joel Fontane, Ashley Palbitska

Also Present: Corporation Counsel Steve Elrod

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A. Regular Meeting of the Committee of the Whole – December 10, 2018

Councilwoman Stone moved to approve the minutes from the regular meeting of the Committee of the Whole held on December 10, 2018. Councilman Blumberg seconded the motion.

On a voice vote:

Voting Yea: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stone, Kaufman, Blumberg, Knobel

Voting Nay: None

Present: 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)); ii) potential litigation (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11)); iii) pending litigation (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11)); and iv) setting price to lease property(5 ILCS 120/2(c)(6)). Councilwoman Stone seconded the motion.

On a roll call vote:

Voting Yea: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Stone, Kaufman, Blumberg, Knobel, Holleman

Voting Nay: None

Mayor Rotering declared the motion passed unanimously.

At 5:32 PM, the Committee recessed the public portion of the meeting to meet in Closed Session.

At 6:07 PM, Mayor Rotering reconvened the open session of the Committee of the Whole Meeting.

Members Present: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Stone, Kaufman, Blumberg,

Knobel, Holleman

Members Absent: None

City Staff Present: Ghida Neukirch, Larry Amidei, Joel Fontane, Lou Jogmen, Ramesh Kanapareddy, Rob Sabo, Ashley Palbitska

Also Present: Corporation Counsel Steve Elrod, Deputy Corporation Counsel Hart Passman

SCHEDULED BUSINESS

Experiential Uses

City Manager Neukirch and Community Development Director Fontane provided information on three preliminary proposals that include the introduction of general uses in select categories of uses that would provide additional flexibility in cases where a particular use is not explicitly identified in the Code; the introduction of new experiential uses and revisions to existing use definitions related to restaurants; and recommendations related to the purpose and intent of the Pedestrian Oriented Shopping Overlay (“POSO”) as described in the establishment section of the Zoning Code. He requested feedback regarding the B2RW that require additional research, development and stakeholder outreach.

The Committee, City Manager Neukirch and Community Development Director Fontane discussed text amendments versus conditional use permits, the difference between the City and other municipalities regarding the allowance of experiential uses, the necessity of the list being broad and not all encompassing, the continued requirement of food service with the sale of liquor, and the need to have conversations with the stakeholders who may be affected by these changes.

OTHERS MATTERS

Omnibus Item 9 – A Resolution Ratifying a Minor Amendment to the 417-447 Central Avenue Planned Development

Councilman Blumberg requested to have the equipment removed from the parking lot during the winter months to clear obstructed parking areas for the residents and visitors.

City Manager Neukirch stated there will be follow-up with the developer.

Omnibus Item 5 – An Ordinance Amending A First Amendment to the Lease Agreement with the Highland Park Community Nursery School & Day Care Center for the Karger Recreation Center

Councilman Blumberg requested feedback as to recusing himself from voting on this item.

Corporation Counsel Elrod provided direction.

Omnibus Item 4 – 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, 2019 and Ending December 31, 2019 for Highland Park Community Foundation Grant Funding

Councilman Knobel explained that she has continuously abstained from voting on any item related to the Highland Park Community Foundation and sought feedback if she should continue to abstain for this item.

Corporation Counsel Elrod stated that she can continue to abstain.

2018 Major Project Review and Proposed 2019 Major Projects

City Manager Neukirch provided information on the City’s 2018 Major Projects and planned 2019 Major Projects.

ADJOURNMENT

Councilwoman Stone moved to adjourn. Councilman Knobel seconded the motion. On a voice vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed unanimously.

The Committee of the Whole adjourned its meeting at 6:47 PM.

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