City of Highland Park Committee of the Whole met February 11.
Here is the minutes as provided by the committee:
MEETING DATE: Monday, February 11, 2019
MEETING LOCATION: Pre-Session Conference Room, City Hall
1707 St. Johns Avenue, Highland Park, IL
CALL TO ORDER
At 5:00 PM, Mayor Rotering called the meeting to order and asked for a roll call.
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stone (via telephone), Kaufman, Knobel, Holleman
Members Absent: Councilman Stolberg, Blumberg
Mayor Rotering declared a quorum was present.
Staff Present: Ghida Neukirch, Ashley Palbitska
Also Present: Corporation Counsel Steve Elrod, Deputy Corporation Counsel Hart Passman
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Regular Meeting of the Committee of the Whole – January 28, 2019
Councilman Kaufman moved to approve the minutes from the regular meeting of the Committee of the Whole held on January 28, 2019. Councilman Knobel seconded the motion.
On a voice vote:
Voting Yea: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stone, Kaufman, Knobel, Holleman
Voting Nay: None
Absent: Councilmen Stolberg, Blumberg
Mayor Rotering declared the motion passed unanimously.
CLOSED SESSION
Councilman Kaufman 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) probable litigation (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11)); and iii) purchase or lease of property (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5)). Councilwoman Stone seconded the motion.
On a roll call vote:
Voting Yea: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stone, Kaufman, Knobel, Holleman
Voting Nay: None
Absent: Councilmen Stolberg, Blumberg
Mayor Rotering declared the motion passed unanimously.
At 5:02 PM, the Committee recessed the public portion of the meeting to meet in Closed Session.
At 5:26 PM, Mayor Rotering reconvened the open session of the Committee of the Whole Meeting.
Members Present: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stone (via telephone), Kaufman, Knobel, Holleman
Members Absent: Councilmen Stolberg, Blumberg
City Staff Present: Ghida Neukirch, Larry Amidei, Lou Jogmen, Ramesh Kanapareddy, Rob Sabo, Ashley Palbitska
Also Present: Corporation Counsel Steve Elrod
SCHEDULED BUSINESS
Communications Strategic Plan Update
Assistant to the City Manager Garard presented the 2019/2020 Communications Plan for the City. She provided highlights that included strategies and initiatives for different communications including community collaboration, digital communication, customer service, community identity and branding, and proactive messaging.
Mayor Rotering, Councilman Knobel, City Manager Neukirch and Assistant to the City Manager Garard discussed the staffing for the Communication teams and how they receive and respond to information internally and externally.
Councilman Knobel stated that items which have been posted on Facebook by the community are then provided to the City Manager and necessary information is disseminated properly to the community.
Councilman Kaufman and City Manager Neukirch discussed if communication related questions were discussed during the staff State of the City meetings.
Councilmen Kaufman, Knobel and City Manager Neukirch discussed the topics that continuously are being asked by the community and how information is being communicated.
The Committee and City Manager Neukirch discussed communication regarding garbage and mail, and items communicated on the City’s website and Facebook page. They discussed communicating special projects with the community and dispatch services.
At 5:50 PM, Mayor Rotering recessed the Committee of the Whole meeting.
At 6:37 PM, Mayor Rotering reconvened the Committee of the Whole Meeting.
Members Present: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Stone (via telephone), Kaufman, Knobel, Holleman
Members Absent: Councilman Blumberg
City Staff Present: Ghida Neukirch, Larry Amidei, Joel Fontane, Lou Jogmen, Ramesh Kanapareddy, Julie Logan, Rob Sabo, Emily Taub, Ashley Palbitska
Also Present: Corporation Counsel Steve Elrod, Holland & Knight attorney Stewart Weiss, State Senator Julie Morrison, State Representative Bob Morgan
Potential Cannabis State Legislation Update
Mayor Rotering introduced State Senator Julie Morrison and State Representative Bob Morgan.
Corporation Counsel Elrod introduced Stewart Weiss, attorney with Holland & Knight.
Mayor Rotering provided information regarding the presentation that was provided at the Northwest Municipal Conference and the meeting that was attended by mayors and managers with Senator Morrison and Representative Bob Morgan.
Holland & Knight Attorney Stewart Weiss presented information on the anticipated cannabis legislation and considerations for local municipalities.
The Committee, Corporation Counsel Elrod, and Mr. Weiss discussed outright prohibition of facilities.
Councilwoman Stone stated that there are very strict requirements for the medical dispensaries and asked if the requirements for recreational dispensaries will have the same type of strict requirements.
Mr. Weiss stated that he expects there to be as strict if not stricter requirements than for the medical dispensaries.
Councilwoman Stone asked if the City had received any sales tax revenue from the dispensary located within the City.
City Manager Neukirch stated that she was unsure how much revenue the City received from the local dispensary.
Councilman Kaufman asked if there has been any recent information related to the possible tax revenue the state could receive from recreational sales.
Representative Morgan stated $350 Million to $750 Million was the most recent estimate but a lower amount was usually seen during the first year as the sales would ramp up, but not much more than that.
Mayor Rotering asked if the sales tax revenue had leveled off in Colorado.
State Representative Morgan stated that it was still increasing but not by much.
Councilman Knobel asked about enforcement of those individuals who choose to grow their own plants.
Mr. Weiss stated that it may be based on individual complaints.
Representative Morgan explained that the bill sponsors have discussed the requirement of a registry of home growers managed by the State.
City Manager Neukirch stated that it is recommended municipalities not only have zoning control but for municipalities to be able to regulate operations and public safety enforcement similar to the local liquor laws.
Mayor Rotering noted that during a discussion, it was mentioned that if a municipality opts out of allowing recreational cultivation centers or dispensaries, there is still a public safety factor the municipality will have to monitor and enforce. She stated that another concern that was raised was employees who may use while not on the job but it remains in their system for 30 days and how to deal with that. She noted another concern of cash handling because credit cards would not be allowed to be used for purchases.
Mr. Weiss opined on the nature of the business and how financing institutions could very well be preparing solutions for these types of transactions.
Police Chief Jogmen provided his insight on the proposed legislation and provided a summary of the State Chief’s Associations recommendations.
Councilman Stolberg stated that home grow regulations seem to speak to single family residences but asked how will regulations apply to multi-family dwellings or condo associations.
Councilman Kaufman asked if there is any data regarding regulation issues in those states that have legalized it.
Chief Jogmen stated that it depends on who you ask but from the law enforcement perspective, there has been an increase in fatalities and crashes. Officers do not have the resources to ensure people make the right choices and therefore there are legitimate concerns surrounding recreational legalization.
Senator Morrison thanked Mr. Weiss for the presentation and the City for inviting her to the presenation.
Representative Morgan thanked the City for the invitation and provided information on his perspective of the discussion.
Councilman Holleman, Senator Morrison and Representative Morgan discussed if any of the revenue from cannabis sales will be earmarked for youth education, counseling, or addiction treatment.
Councilman Kaufman asked about the momentum of the legalization and a timeline as to when it may be passed.
Representative Morgan provided information as to the momentum and timeline of the state legislation.
Councilman Knobel requested that school administrators and clergy be included in communication regarding recreational cannabis legalization in the form of town hall meetings. She stressed the importance of holding a town hall meeting on the topic within the southeast portion of Lake County.
Senator Morrison stated that a town hall meeting will be held within the 58th District as well as in Mount Prospect.
OTHERS MATTERS
There was none.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilman Knobel 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 7:32 PM.
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