City of Highland Park City Council met Sept. 23.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
CALL TO ORDER
At 7:30 PM, Mayor Rotering called the meeting to order and asked for a roll call:
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Stone, Kaufman, Knobel, Holleman
ABSENT: Councilman Blumberg
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Neukirch, Fire Chief Amidei, Community Development Director Fontane, Police Chief Jogmen, Public Works Director Kanapareddy, Finance Director Logan, Assistant City Manager Sabo, Business Development Manager Hersch, Deputy City Clerk Palbitska
ALSO PRESENT: Corporation Counsel Elrod
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting Held on September 9, 2019
Councilwoman Stone moved to approve the minutes of the Regular City Council meeting held September 9, 2019, as amended. Councilman Kaufman seconded the motion. Upon a voice vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed unanimously.
RESULT: ADOPTED AS AMENDED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Kim Stone, Councilwoman
SECONDER: Daniel Kaufman, Councilman
AYES: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Stone, Kaufman, Knobel, Holleman
ABSENT: Councilman Blumberg
APPROVAL OF WARRANT LIST
1. Warrant List and Wire Transfers from August 30, 2019 to September 13, 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, Knobel, Holleman
ABSENT: Councilman Blumberg
REPORT OF MAYOR
A. Appointments
There were none.
B. Proclamations
1. Wear Purple: October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Mayor Rotering proclaimed October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Chief Development Officer Damaris Lorta from a Safe Place, Rebecca Weininger from the North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic and SHALVA Board Members Sara Block and Naomi Senser spoke on domestic violence awareness and services offered to those in need.
C. Other business
1. HP150 Quilt Unveiling
Mayor Rotering explained that the HP150 Quilt was one of several initiatives that was undertaken to commemorate the City's 150th Anniversary. She recognized quilters Abby Block, Janet Rohde Fisher, Judith Stern Friedman, Nancy Hepner Goodman, Cynthia Davis Karabush, Amy Spungen and Nell Thorpe. She noted that quilt designer Cheryl Steiger and finish quilter Sue DiVarco were also instrumental in the project.
Abby Block provided information as to the process of the designing of the quilt.
2. Len Cobey Award Presentation by Property Owners Association
Mayor Rotering explained that the Downtown Highland Park Property Owners Association formed the Len Cobey Award in 2009, in honor of property owner Len Cobey, to be given annually or as deserved to individuals or organizations who prominently stand out in improving the downtown.
Property Owners Al Klairmont, Dino Dimitriou and Jeff Silverman presented the 2019 Len Cobey awards.
3. State and Federal Request for Flood Mitigation Meeting
Mayor Rotering stated that she has called upon our State and Federal elected officials to convene a public meeting to discuss efforts, plans and strategies for a regional flood mitigation plan. She explained that this past July, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers concluded their study and found that economic benefits of constructing storm water storage basins at the Highland Park County Club and the Half Day Road Prairie are extremely unlikely to outweigh the flood mitigation costs. She stated that our region continues to experience increased storm intensity and frequency which without flood mitigation results in ongoing risks to the health, safety, and welfare of Highland Park residents and no resident should have to worry every time it rains. She opined on the importance of an expansion of the study conducted by the Army Corps. She explained that the City of Highland Park has allocated funds to improve infrastructure, the City has a robust storm sewer maintenance program and there is a cost-sharing program available to assist homeowners with flood prevention efforts. She encouraged residents to contact State and Federal offices to urge them to hold a public meeting to discuss what is being done to address this large scale problem and urge them to commit funding and efforts to flood mitigation efforts that will bring peace of mind and security to residents who have been impacted by flooding.
BUSINESS FROM THE PUBLIC (Citizens wishing to be heard regarding items not listed on this agenda)
Pamela Swanson, Highland Park resident and Chaplain, thanked the City for their assistance.
SCHEDULED BUSINESS
ITEMS FOR OMNIBUS VOTE CONSIDERATION
Councilwoman Stone moved to approve items 1-4 by omnibus vote consideration. Councilman Stolberg seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed unanimously.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Kim Stone, Councilwoman
SECONDER: Adam Stolberg, Councilman
AYES: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Stone, Kaufman, Knobel, Holleman
ABSENT: Councilman Blumberg
Administration
1.Adoption of an Ordinance (O64-2019) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “An Ordinance Approving a Third Amendment to the Lease Agreement with the Highland Park Community Nursery School & Day Care Center for the Karger Recreation Center”.
2.Adoption of an Ordinance (O65-2019) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “An Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of the Karger Recreation Center Property and Adjacent Properties (1850, 1864 and 1870 Green Bay Road)”.
3.Adoption of a Resolution (R117-2019) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “A Resolution Approving the Relocation of an Easement, 1850, 1864, and 1870 Green Bay Road”.
Public Works
4.Adoption of a Resolution (R118-2019) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “A Resolution Approving The Full Depth Asphalt Patching on Park Avenue West, East of US Route 41 Contract to J.A. Johnson Paving Company of Arlington Heights, Illinois”.
OTHER BUSINESS (the City Council will consider and then either approve or disapprove the following items)
Administration
5. Public Hearing – Extension of the Ravinia Business District Special Service Area Number 17
At 8:12 PM, Mayor Rotering called to order the Public Hearing on the Proposed Extension of Special Service Area Number 17 and asked the Clerk to call the roll:
PRESENT: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Stone, Kaufman, Knobel, Holleman
ABSENT: Councilman Blumberg
Business Development Manager Hersch presented information regarding the Special Service Area Number 17.
Councilman Holleman opined on the vibrancy of the Ravinia Business District based on the Special Service Area Number 17 being active.
Councilman Stolberg moved to close the public hearing. Councilman Holleman seconded the motion. Upon a voice vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed unanimously. The public hearing was closed at 8:23 PM.
Community Development
6. Recommendation to Deny a Zoning Map Amendment to Change the Delineation of the Pedestrian Oriented Overlay Zone (POSO) at 600-620 Central Avenue (Port Clinton)
Community Development Director Fontane presented information on a recommendation to deny a Zoning Map Amendment to change the delineation of the Pedestrian Oriented Shopping Overlay ("POSO") Zone at 600-620 Central Avenue (Port Clinton).
Councilman Stolberg stated that the Plan and Design Commission ("PDC") had requested more information from the applicant to document why the particular retail space has been vacant for a period of time and what efforts have been made to get the spaced leased. He explained that there is a potential lease being worked on for the space, which in his opinion, would be a good addition to the downtown business district. He provided information as to the vote and direction from PDC to the Council.
Councilman Knobel noted that she was not in support of the recommendation from the PDC. She explained that when the POSO was reviewed and amended, she was in favor of removing these particular retail spaces from the POSO and would be in favor of allowing the potential tenant to lease the space.
Councilwoman Stone asked, based on the information Councilman Stolberg provided, if the applicant did provide any further information that was requested by the PDC.
Community Development Director Fontane stated that information requested was not provided but the applicant was available at tonight’s meeting to provide information.
Councilman Holleman noted that the POSO was developed to keep retail business visible to the public and pedestrians. She explained that these are buried spaces and set back from the street level within Port Clinton and by allowing the amendment, the City can assist with bringing vibrancy into the area. She stated how she was in favor of removing the requested retail space from the POSO.
Councilman Kaufman noted his favor in increased flexibility and requested more information from the applicant to round out the information that has been provided by Councilman Stolberg.
Rick Strusiner, Applicant, provided in depth information as to the importance and benefit of removing the requested retail space from the POSO and amending the Zoning Map.
Councilman Kaufman recused himself from the discussion because his brother is a Pediatrician with the same practice that would potentially be leasing the retail space in question.
Councilman Kaufman exited the meeting at 8:47 PM.
Councilman Holleman moved to direct Corporation Counsel to draft approval documents for a Zoning Map amendment to change the delineation of the POSO at 600-620 Central Avenue (Port Clinton). Councilman Knobel seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed unanimously.
RESULT: DIRECTED TO DRAFT APPROVAL DOCUMENTS
MOVER: Michelle Holleman, Councilman
SECONDER: Alyssa Knobel, Councilman
AYES: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Stone, Knobel, Holleman
ABSENT: Councilman Blumberg
RECUSED: Councilman Kaufman
Councilman Kaufman entered the meeting at 8:49 PM.
BUSINESS FROM THE COUNCIL
There was none.
BUSINESS FROM CITY STAFF
A. Tornado Warning Information
Police Chief Jogmen presented information as to Tornado Safety and Warnings.
B. City's Flood Mitigation Efforts
Public Works Director Kanapareddy provided information as to the City's Flood Mitigation Efforts.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilman Kaufman moved to adjourn. Councilman Stolberg seconded the motion. On a voice vote, Mayor Rotering declared the motion passed unanimously.
The City Council adjourned its meeting at 8:59 PM.
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