City of Highland Park City Council met July 8.
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:
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Stone, Kaufman, Blumberg, Knobel, Holleman
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Neukirch, Fire Chief Amidei, Community Development Director Fontane, Police Chief Jogmen, Public Works Director Kanapareddy, Assistant City Manager Sabo, Human Resources Manager
Taub, Deputy City Clerk Palbitska
ALSO PRESENT: Deputy Corporation Counsel Passman
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting Held on June 24, 2019
Councilman Blumberg moved to approve the minutes of the Regular City Council meeting held on June 24, 2019. Councilwoman Stone seconded the motion. Upon a voice vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed unanimously.
RESULT: ADOPTED [6 TO 0]
MOVER: Anthony Blumberg, Councilman
SECONDER: Kim Stone, Councilwoman
AYES: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Stone, Blumberg, Knobel, Holleman
PRESENT: Councilman Kaufman
APPROVAL OF WARRANT LIST
1. Warrant List and Wire Transfers from June 13, 2019 to June 27, 2019
Councilman Kaufman 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: Daniel Kaufman, Councilman
SECONDER: Adam Stolberg, Councilman
AYES: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Stone, Kaufman, Blumberg, Knobel, Holleman
REPORT OF MAYOR
A. Appointments
There were none.
B. Proclamations
There were none.
C. Other business
1. Recognition of HP150 Big Bash Planning Committee
Mayor Rotering recognized the volunteers of the HP150 Big Bash Committee for their efforts in planning and coordinating this year's Big Bash celebration on July Fourth.
2. Recognition of HP150 History Competition Winners
Mayor Rotering recognized the student winners of the HP150 History Competition.
3. Recognition of HP150 Historic Architecture Bike Tour
Mayor Rotering recognized members of the Bike Walk Advisory Group and Jean Sogin for their HP150 Historic Bike Tour that was held on Saturday, June 29, 2019.
Stewart Senescu, Highland Park resident, provided information on the HP150 Historic Bike Tour.
City Manager Neukirch thanked City Planner Jaemi Jackson for her work with preparing the map for the tour.
Councilwoman Stone provided information regarding a bike tour that will be taking place later in September 2019.
BUSINESS FROM THE PUBLIC (Citizens wishing to be heard regarding items not listed on this agenda)
Dr. Mark Nolan Hill, Highland Park resident, provided a report on the recent annual meeting of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Waterways Initiative.
Susan Greenwald, Highland Park resident, provided information for a vigil that will be taking place this weekend.
SCHEDULED BUSINESS
ITEMS FOR OMNIBUS VOTE CONSIDERATION
Mayor Rotering removed item 1 from omnibus vote consideration.
Councilwoman Stone commented on item 6 and noted that there was extra work done to make sure there is a plan in place to keep traffic moving on Clavey Road. She thanked Public Works Director Kanapareddy for including that in the project.
Councilman Kaufman moved to approve items 2-12 by omnibus vote consideration. Councilman Blumberg seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Daniel Kaufman, Councilman
SECONDER: Anthony Blumberg, Councilman
AYES: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Stone, Kaufman, Blumberg, Knobel, Holleman
Granting Variations From Section 93.235 Of The City Code For The Installation Of A Driveway (175 Ravine Drive)”.
Public Safety
12.Adoption of an Ordinance (O55-2019) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “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 General Fund Revenue and Expenditures”.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM OMNIBUS VOTE CONSIDERATION
1. Adoption of a Resolution (R96-2019) titled, “A Resolution Regarding the Zoning, Regulation, and Licensing of Recreational Cannabis Businesses”.
Mayor Rotering explained that the resolution on tonight's agenda is a starting point under the State's recently passed cannabis law in order for the City to have a more comprehensive discussion regarding the subject matter. She stated that the City will be looking forward to input from the public, which will come at a later date. She ensured the community that this was not a one and done conversation regarding licensing.
Deputy Corporation Counsel Passman addressed the proposed amendment that was discussed during Committee of the Whole. He stated that the language recommended to be added to Section Two of the Resolution would be stated as follows, "The Plan and Design Commission is hereby directed to hold a public hearing, following receipt of further direction and input from the City Council, on the following questions:".
Councilman Blumberg moved to approve a Resolution Regarding the Zoning, Regulation, and Licensing of Recreational Cannabis Businesses, as amended. Councilman Knobel seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed unanimously.
RESULT: ADOPTED AS AMENDED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Anthony Blumberg, Councilman
SECONDER: Alyssa Knobel, Councilman
AYES: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Stone, Kaufman, Blumberg, Knobel, Holleman
OTHER BUSINESS (the City Council will consider and then either approve or disapprove the following items)
Community Development
13.Adoption of an Ordinance (O56-2019) titled, “An Ordinance Granting A Permit For Regulated Activities In The Lake Michigan Protection Zone (49 Lakeview Terrace)”.
Mayor Rotering recused herself due to being a homeowner on Lakeview Terrace and because of her 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 7:57 PM.
Community Development Director Fontane presented information regarding a permit for regulated activities in the Lake Michigan Protection at 49 Lakeview Terrace.
Bill Weaver, consultant with AECOM, explained that the homeowner is trying to preserve the groin, which has been in place for almost one hundred years. He stated that the east end of the groin has become beat up. He stated that the scope of the project has been reduced as requested by the Natural Resource Commission ("NRC") even though what is currently in place is very old. He stated that it is better to do all of the construction at once because of the expense to mobilize the lake based contractors and the decision was to do all of the work even though part of the structure could have held up for another 10 years. He stated that the structural engineers did review the site and saw a viable area where the stone work could be reduced.
Councilwoman Stone asked Mr. Weaver about the armor stone continuing to be located along the length of the groin.
Mr. Weaver stated that the very west end of the groin is where the stone structure is being built at the request of the City and the Army Corps of Engineers.
Joel Cahn, Highland Park resident, voiced his concerns regarding the project, the changes that have been made, notification regarding the changes, and the process that has been undertaken for this project.
Deputy Corporation Counsel Passman explained, to his understanding, that the two changes include one that was contemplated by the NRC in October 2018 when there was a request to add a revision to include a path.
Councilman Holleman clarified that it was not only contemplated but requested.
Deputy Corporation Counsel Passman confirmed that it was requested. He explained that the approval was based on the condition of a path; the path that is now part of revised plans, is the path that was directed. He stated that the second change, to his understanding, was that the applicant has reduced the quantity of stone but otherwise is not changing the scope with the nature of the project. He explained that it is a refinement that is often seen in zoning applications, where an applicant moves from a subsidiary commission to the Council, where they are able to review the comments that are made and make revisions and refinements to the project. He explained that the Army Corp of Engineers has approved the plan that is before the Council at tonight's meeting.
Councilman Holleman and Deputy Corporation Counsel Passman discussed how the vote on the item will take form.
Councilwoman Stone stated that one of the items that Mr. Cahn mentioned in his presentation was that the Ordinance refers to the NRC review of the application and the application has since changed after that review. She asked if the application is substantially the same with the minor modifications that have been made.
Deputy Corporation Counsel Passman stated that with the review that has been conducted by staff and the input from the technical experts, the application is substantially the same even with the minor modifications.
Councilman Holleman moved to approve An Ordinance Granting a Permit for Regulated Activities in the Lake Michigan Protection Zone at 49 Lakeview Terrace. Councilman Blumberg seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, Presiding Officer Knobel declared the motion passed.
RESULT: ADOPTED [6 TO 0]
MOVER: Michelle Holleman, Councilman
SECONDER: Anthony Blumberg, Councilman
AYES: Presiding Officer Knobel, Councilmen Stolberg, Stone, Kaufman, Blumberg, Holleman
RECUSED: Mayor Rotering
Mayor Rotering entered the meeting at 8:10 PM.
BUSINESS FROM THE COUNCIL
There was none.
BUSINESS FROM CITY STAFF
1. 2019 Major Projects - Q2 Update
City Manager Neukirch provided a Quarter Two update on the City's 2019 Major Projects.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilman Kaufman moved to adjourn. Councilwoman Stone seconded the motion. On a voice vote, Mayor Rotering declared the motion passed unanimously.
The City Council adjourned its meeting at 8:23 PM.
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