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Lake County Gazette

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

City of Highland Park City Council met June 24

Hall

City of Highland Park City Council met June 24.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

CALL TO ORDER

At 7:33 PM, Mayor Rotering called the meeting to order and asked for a roll call:

CALL TO ORDER

At 7:33 PM, Mayor Rotering called the meeting to order and asked for a roll call:

ROLL CALLPRESENT: 

Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Stone, Blumberg, Knobel, Holleman

ABSENT: Councilman Kaufman

STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Neukirch, Fire Chief Amidei, Community Development Director Fontane, Police Chief Jogmen, Public Works Director Kanapareddy, Finance Director Logan, Information Technology Manager O'Connell, Deputy City Clerk Palbitska, Financial Analyst Lukasik

ALSO PRESENT: Corporation Counsel Elrod, Deputy Corporation Counsel Passman

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

1. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting Held on June 10, 2019 Councilwoman Stone moved to approve the minutes of the Regular City Council meeting held on June 10, 2019. Councilman Blumberg seconded the motion. Upon a voice vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed unanimously.

RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Kim Stone, Councilwoman

SECONDER: Adam Stolberg, CouncilmanAYES: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Stone, Blumberg, Knobel,Holleman

ABSENT: Councilman Kaufman

APPROVAL OF WARRANT LIST

1. Warrant List and Wire Transfers from May 30, 2019 to June 13, 2019

Councilman Blumberg moved to approve the Warrant List. Councilman Stolberg seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed unanimously.

RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Anthony Blumberg, Councilman

SECONDER: Adam Stolberg, Councilman

AYES: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Stone, Blumberg, Knobel,Holleman

ABSENT: Councilman Kaufman

REPORT OF MAYOR

A. Appointments

There were none.

B. Proclamations

1. 2019 LGTBQ Pride Month

Mayor Rotering proclaimed that the City of Highland Park is proud to fly the LGBTQ+ rainbow flag in June in honor of Pride Month and the flag will be displayed throughout the summer. She explained that June 28th marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots and how those riots are credited with launching the gay rights movement to raise awareness of the unique needs of the LGBTQ+ community. She stated that the City is a community vested in inclusivity and we stand as allies to the LGBTQ+ community, highlighting their voice as the rainbow flag is flown.

C. Other business

1. Fourth of July - Big Bash

Mayor Rotering stated that the City of Highland Park and the Park District of Highland Park are excited to host the upcoming Fourth of July Parade, Fourth Fest and Big Bash. She explained that the festivities will start with the annual Bike and Kids Parade at 9:30 AM, followed by an extra special Fourth of July Parade starting at 10AM that will commemorate the City's 150th Anniversary. She invited the community to join in the celebration for Highland Park's 150th birthday party where there will be free cake, pie eating contests, music, giveaways, rides, inflatables, games and food at Sunset Woods Park from 11AM - 2 PM. She explained that the evening will conclude with the Bitter Jester Music Festival at Wolters Field and the HP150 aerial fireworks show.

Nic DeGrazia, founder of Bitter Jester Foundation for the Arts, provided a brief overview of this year's upcoming Grand Finale concert.

Mayor Rotering explained that City offices will be closed on July 4th and garbage pickup with be delayed by one day.

BUSINESS FROM THE PUBLIC (Citizens wishing to be heard regarding items not listed on this agenda)

Carl Lambrecht, Highland Park resident, voiced his concerns regarding the City's 2019 LGBTQ+ Pride Month proclamation.

Paul Perkins, former Highland Park resident, voiced concerns regarding the water and flooding problem on Bloom Street and requested a meeting with City Staff and members of the Council.

Mayor Rotering requested a moment of silence to remember former City Manager Dave Knapp, who served the City of Highland Park from April 2012 through October 2014.

SCHEDULED BUSINESS

ITEMS FOR OMNIBUS VOTE CONSIDERATION

Mayor Rotering stated that Councilman Blumberg will be recusing himself from items 1 & 2. Corporation Counsel Elrod provided information on the amendment for item 9.

Councilwoman Stone stated that she did not believe the Council had received enough information regarding item 9, An Ordinance Amending Chapter 132 of "The Highland Park Code of 1968," As Amended, Regarding False Statements and would be voting present on that item.

Councilman Holleman agreed with Councilwoman Stone and opined on how this will be used during investigations. She stated that she would be voting no for this item.

Mayor Rotering stated that she received assurance from the Police Chief's presentation during Committee of the Whole that this would be used to very high standard.

Councilman Blumberg moved to approve items 3-10 by omnibus vote consideration. Councilman Knobel seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed.

RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Anthony Blumberg, Councilman

SECONDER: Alyssa Knobel, Councilman

AYES: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Stone, Blumberg, Knobel,Holleman

ABSENT: Councilman Kaufman

Finance

3.Adoption of a Resolution (R83-2019) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “A Resolution Authorizing Award of the Enterprise Resource Planning Software and Implementation Contract to Tyler Technologies Inc., of Plano, Texas”.

4.Adoption of a Resolution (R84-2019) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “A Resolution Approving Customer Service Agreements for the Purchase of Telephone Services from Call One Inc. of Chicago, Illinois”.

Public Works

5.Adoption of a Resolution (R85-2019) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “A Resolution Authorizing Award of the 2019 Bridge Maintenance Program Contract to Illinois Constructors Corp of Elburn, Illinois”.

Community Development

6.Adoption of a Resolution (R86-2019) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “A Resolution Authorizing an Agreement with the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency for Administration of the Highland Park Architectural Survey Update”.

7.Adoption of a Resolution (R87-2019) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “A Resolution Authorizing the Reconciliation of Uncollectible Accounts Receivable”.

Public Safety

8.Adoption of an Ordinance (O47-2019) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “An Ordinance Amending Section 72.020 Of “The Highland Park Code Of 1968,” As Amended, Regarding Public Parking Lot and Permit Regulations”.

9.Adoption of an Ordinance (O48-2019) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “An Ordinance Amending Chapter 132 of "The Highland Park Code of 1968," as amended, regarding False Statements”.

RESULT: ADOPTED AS AMENDED [5 TO 1]

MOVER: Anthony Blumberg, Councilman

SECONDER: Alyssa Knobel, Councilman

AYES: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Blumberg, Knobel

NAYS: Councilman Holleman

ABSENT: Councilman Kaufman

PRESENT: Councilwoman Stone

10.Adoption of a Resolution (R88-2019) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “A Resolution Amending the Annual Fee Resolution Regarding "L" Permits and False Statements”.

ITEMS REMOVED FROM OMNIBUS VOTE CONSIDERATION

1. Adoption of an Ordinance (O49-2019) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “An Ordinance Approving the Execution of a Third Amendment to the Purchase and Sale Agreement for the Sale of the Karger Recreation Center Property”.

2. Adoption of an Ordinance (O50-2019) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “An Ordinance Approving a Second Amendment to the Lease Agreement with Highland Park Community Nursery School & Day Care Center for the Karger Recreation Center”.

Councilman Blumberg recused himself due to his wife being the President of the Board of Directors for the Highland Park Community Nursery School & Day Care Center.

Councilman Blumberg exited the meeting at 7:55 PM.

Corporation Counsel Elrod explained that the amendment to item 1 changes the due diligence government approval date further out as the closing date of the sale is being pushed further out.

Councilwoman Stone moved to approve items 1 & 2 by omnibus vote consideration, with item 1 as amended. Councilman Stolberg seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed unanimously.

RESULT: ADOPTED AS AMENDED [5 TO 0]

MOVER: Kim Stone, Councilwoman

SECONDER: Adam Stolberg, Councilman

AYES: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Stone, Knobel, Holleman

ABSENT: Councilman Kaufman

RECUSED: Councilman Blumberg

Councilman Blumberg entered the meeting at 7:57 PM.

OTHER BUSINESS (the City Council will consider and then either approve or disapprove the following items)

Community Development

11. Consideration of a Request for Driveway Relief for 175 Ravine Drive per Section 93.270

12. A Referral of a Height Variation to the Zoning Board of Appeals for Final Disposition Related to 175 Ravine Drive

Councilman Blumberg moved to approve items 11 & 12 by omnibus vote consideration. Councilman Knobel seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed unanimously.

RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Anthony Blumberg, Councilman

SECONDER: Alyssa Knobel, Councilman

AYES: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Stone, Blumberg, Knobel, Holleman

ABSENT: Councilman Kaufman

13. Consideration of a Recommendation for Approval for a Permit for Regulated Activities in the Lake Michigan Protection Zone at 53 Sycamore Place

Councilman Blumberg moved to approve the Recommendation for Approval for a Permit for Regulated Activities in the Lake Michigan Protection Zone at 53 Sycamore Place. Councilman Knobel seconded the motion. Upon a voice vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed unanimously.

RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Anthony Blumberg, Councilman

SECONDER: Alyssa Knobel, Councilman

AYES: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Stone, Blumberg, Knobel, Holleman

ABSENT: Councilman Kaufman

14. Adoption of an Ordinance (O51-2019) titled, “An Ordinance Granting a Permit For Regulated Activities In The Lake Michigan Protection Zone at 49 Lakeview Terrace”. Mayor Rotering recused herself due to being a homeowner on the same street and due to the riparian rights. She explained that in her absence, Councilman Knobel will be acting as the Presiding Officer during the discussion.

Mayor Rotering exited the meeting at 8:03 PM.

Community Development Director Fontane presented information as it related to the Granting of a Permit for Regulated Activities in the Lake Michigan Protection Zone at 49 Lakeview Terrace.

Carl Kupfer, consultant with Tamcor and representative for 49 Lakeview Terrace, explained that his company created the plans for the building of the revetment. He provided information on the urgent need for the revetment and the permit process that has been undertaken to start the development.

Councilman Blumberg asked who the permitting agencies were.

Mr. Kupfer explained that he had the permits from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. He stated that they were still waiting for the permit from the Army Corps of Engineers and would be expecting approval within a week or so.

Joel Cahn, Highland Park resident, voiced his concerns regarding the allowance of the permit and the regulated activity in Lake Michigan Protection Zone. He voiced his concerns about the public process.

Corporation Counsel Elrod explained that Mr. Cahn's comments have been duly noted but that his comments are incorrect. He stated that a due process analysis requires the determination of what process is due for those with protected property interests in certain circumstances. In this instance, the issuance of the permit is a process that the City of Highland Park created and the City of Highland Park determined a permit is required for this type of work; the City could have determined that no permit was required. The City of Highland Park has determined that the permit could be issued by the City Council in its legislative capacity; it could have been determined that the permit could have been issued by the Building Department, just as many other permits are issued and in that case, there would be no public process. The fact that the City determined itself, that this process is a process by which its City Council, in its legislative capacity, should consider the issuance of permits does not make this an adjudicative process. No additional processes along the lines of what Mr. Cahn has indicated are necessary for this particular matter. He stated that it was in his opinion that Mr. Cahn has been afforded all of the processes that are due in this particular circumstance. He stated that it is his opinion that the City has gone beyond that which it normally provides for other property owners, even those that do not have protected property interest as is the case here.

Councilman Blumberg moved to approve an Ordinance Granting a Permit for Regulated Activities in the Lake Michigan Protection Zone at 49 Lakeview Terrace. Councilman Stolberg seconded the motion. On a roll call vote, Presiding Officer Knobel declared the motion passed unanimously.

RESULT: ADOPTED [5 TO 0]

MOVER: Anthony Blumberg, Councilman

SECONDER: Adam Stolberg, Councilman

AYES: Presiding Officer Knobel, Councilmen Stolberg, Stone, Blumberg, Holleman

ABSENT: Councilman Kaufman

RECUSED: Mayor Rotering

Mayor Rotering entered the meeting at 8:14 PM.

BUSINESS FROM THE COUNCIL

Councilman Stolberg and Community Development Director Fontane discussed the timeline for the removal of the fountain at Port Clinton Square.

BUSINESS FROM CITY STAFF A. Smart 911

City Manager Neukirch provided information about Smart911 and the importance of creating a personal profile.

ADJOURNMENT

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

The City Council adjourned its meeting at 8:19 PM.

http://highlandparkil.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=12&ID=2197&Inline=True

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