City of Highland Park City Council met Nov. 12.
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, Blumberg, Knobel, Holleman
ABSENT: None
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, 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 October 28, 2019
Councilwoman Stone moved to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting held on October 28, 2019. Councilman Kaufman seconded the motion. Upon a voice vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed unanimously.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Kim Stone, Councilwoman
SECONDER: Daniel Kaufman, Councilman
AYES: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Stone, Kaufman, Blumberg, Knobel, Holleman
APPROVAL OF WARRANT LIST
1. Warrant List and Wire Transfers from October 18, 2019 to October 31, 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 Commemorative Book
Mayor Rotering recognized Jennifer Dotson and Rob Olian for their dedication and work on the HP150 Commemorative Book.
2. Recognition of Cultural Arts Advisory Group and HP150 Sculpture Mayor Rotering recognized the Cultural Arts Advisory Group for their dedication and work on the HP150 Sculpture.
3. Recognition of HP150 Sponsors
Mayor Rotering recognized and thanked all of the HP150 Sponsors.
4. Recognition of High School Student Winner of HP150 History Award Cathy Lambrecht and Nancy Webster recognized Highland Park High School Student Stephen Knobel as the HP150 History Award winner.
Stephen Knobel, Highland Park High School Student, thanked the Highland Park Historical Society, HP150 Committee, City Council, City Staff, and the HPTV Team that assisted him with producing and creating the HP150 video where items from the time capsule were displayed.
5. Sesquicentennial Time Capsule Presentation
The City Council presented items that will be placed in the time capsule that will be opened during the City's Bicentennial in 2069.
BUSINESS FROM THE PUBLIC (Citizens wishing to be heard regarding items not listed on this agenda)
There was none.
SCHEDULED BUSINESS
ITEMS FOR OMNIBUS VOTE CONSIDERATION
Mayor Rotering pulled items 5, 11-14 from omnibus vote consideration.
Councilman Stolberg moved to approve items 1-4 and 6-10 by omnibus vote consideration. Councilman Kaufman seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed unanimously.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Adam Stolberg, Councilman
SECONDER: Daniel Kaufman, Councilman
AYES: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Stone, Kaufman, Blumberg,Knobel, Holleman
Administration
1. Adoption of a Resolution (R135-2019) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “A Resolution Issuing a Small Business Facade Improvement Grant for Studio G”.
Finance
2. Approval of an Estimate of the Amount of Revenue to be generated from Tax Year 2019 Property Taxes for Collection in the Calendar Year 2020 in Accordance with the Truth in Taxation Statute
Public Works
3. Adoption of a Resolution (R136-2019) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “A Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Agreements to Purchase Flood Prone Properties for Hazard Mitigation Purposes”.
Community Development
4. Adoption of a Resolution (R137-2019) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “A Resolution Approving a Transferee Assumption Agreement With Fulton Developers Inc. and One Highland Park LLC (1554-1576 Oakwood Avenue)”.
6. Adoption of a Resolution (R138-2019) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “Resolution Approving an Agreement With the Lakota Group of Chicago, Illinois, for the Provision of Professional Services to Update the 1999 Central East Architectural Resource Survey and Provide Additional Research for Highland Park's Local Landmark Properties”.
7. Adoption of a Resolution (R139-2019) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “A Resolution Authorizing the Renewal of a Professional Services Agreement with B&F Construction Code Services Inc. for the Period Starting January 1, 2020 and Ending December 31, 2020”.
8. Adoption of a Resolution (R140-2019) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “A Resolution Authorizing Renewal of a Professional Services Agreement with Elevator Inspection Services Co. Inc. for the Period Starting January 1, 2020 and Ending December 31, 2020”.
9. Adoption of a Resolution (R141-2019) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “A Resolution Authorizing Renewal of a Professional Services Agreement with Fire Safety Consultants Inc. for the Period Starting January 1, 2020 and Ending December 31, 2020”.
10. Adoption of a Resolution (R142-2019) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “A Resolution Authorizing Renewal of Professional Services Agreement with HRA Engineering, LLC for the Period Starting January 1, 2020 and Ending December 31, 2020”.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM OMNIBUS VOTE CONSIDERATION
5. Adoption of a Resolution (R143-2019) titled, “Resolution Approving the Preliminary and Final Plat of the 349 Woodland Road Resubdivision at 349 Woodland Rd”.
Councilman Blumberg moved to approve a Resolution Approving the Preliminary and Final Plat of the 349 Woodland Road Resubdivision at 349 Woodland Road. Councilwoman Stone seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed unanimously.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Anthony Blumberg, Councilman
SECONDER: Kim Stone, Councilwoman
AYES: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Stone, Kaufman, Blumberg,Knobel, Holleman
11. “A Resolution Authorizing Renewal of a Professional Services Agreement with Robert Half International Inc. for the Period Starting January 1, 2020 and Ending December 31, 2020”.
Mayor Rotering, along with City Manager Neukirch, requested item 11 be moved to a future City Council meeting, date uncertain, for further review of the agreement.
12. Adoption of an Ordinance (O74-2019) titled, “An Ordinance Amending "The Highland Park Zoning Code of 1997," as Amended, Establishing the B4-BG Briergate Commercial Zoning District”.
13. Adoption of an Ordinance (O75-2019) titled, “An Ordinance Rezoning Various Properties Located Generally in the Area Bounded by Deerfield Road, Richfield Avenue, and Old Deerfield Road Within the B4-BG Briergate Commercial District”.
Michael Laxner, Highland Park resident, voiced his concerns of the approval of the new zoning district not aligning with the City's overall Master Plan.
Mayor Rotering stated that any future development in the area will be vetted through the public hearing process. She explained that any traffic that will impact the area will be reviewed.
Councilwoman Stone stated that the amendment that was made was to remove the language that stated that the area was a car oriented zoning district and added a sentence that states it is intended to serve the surrounding neighborhoods and to be accessible by pedestrians and cyclists. She explained that this change in language is in keeping with the MoveHP plan.
Councilwoman Stone moved to approve items 12 & 13, as amended, by omnibus vote consideration. Councilman Knobel seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed unanimously.
RESULT: ADOPTED AS AMENDED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Kim Stone, Councilwoman
SECONDER: Alyssa Knobel, Councilman
AYES: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Stone, Kaufman, Blumberg,Knobel, Holleman
14. Adoption of an Ordinance (O76-2019) titled, “An Ordinance Amending the "City of Highland Park Zoning Code of 1997," as Amended, Regarding Recreational Cannabis Business Organizations”.
Mayor Rotering shared a statement regarding the ordinance and amendment to the City's Zoning Code.
Councilman Holleman voiced her disappointment with the proposed amendment. She stated her desire to have had a more robust public discussion that allowed the community to weigh in on the conversation.
Councilman Blumberg stated that in addition to the public hearings that were held, the City Council and staff have the intention to revisit this topic in the future. He stated that the amount of non-anecdotal evidence based information was lacking. He explained that the City is looking to understand how the new law will play out in Illinois and in similar communities. He stated that there is no effort to shut out the public and there will be future hearings to discuss this topic.
Councilwoman Stone stated that she agreed with Councilman Holleman in the fact that there should be more public hearings and she agreed with Councilman Blumberg that things should move forward in the next year. She explained that she would like to entertain a discussion regarding the sale of recreational cannabis in Highland Park but by putting the definitions in the City's Code, this is the first step to allowing recreational sales or disallowing recreational sales; there have to be definitions in the Zoning Code with either decision. She voiced her approval of the amendment.
Councilman Kaufman added that the City Council and staff have received a tremendous amount of input from the community and voiced his appreciation for all of the input that has been received.
Councilman Knobel voiced her opposition for the amendment. She opined on how this is not a step in the right direction. She stated that she agreed with Councilman Holleman in the fact that there should have been a more robust conversation on a hot topic that is important to the community, however, the Council did not hear from the community over the course of the multiple meetings that took place. She requested that the conversation be brought back for discussion sooner rather than later; she believes this is a missed economic opportunity for the City as well as an opportunity to further control the substance, as it is already in the community.
Nick Staneford, attorney representing the contract purchaser for Elevele, stated that he respects the Council's decision and is looking forward to working with the Council in the next year to understand how this topic will play out within the State and surrounding communities.
Chris Stewart, Highland Park resident, opined on the missed economic opportunity for the City by not allowing the sale of recreational cannabis in Highland Park and commented on the cost of the HP150 activities.
Mayor Rotering clarified that there were sponsors that came forward to assist with the cost of HP150 activities.
Councilman Blumberg moved to approve an Ordinance Amending the "City of Highland Park Zoning Code of 1997," as Amended, Regarding Recreational Cannabis Business Organizations. Councilman Stolberg seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed.
RESULT: ADOPTED [5 TO 2]MOVER: Anthony Blumberg, Councilman
SECONDER: Adam Stolberg, Councilman
AYES: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Stone, Kaufman, Blumberg
NAYS: Councilmen Knobel, Holleman
OTHER BUSINESS (the City Council will consider and then either approve or disapprove the following items)
Finance
15. Public Hearing Related to the Proposed Budget for the City of Highland Park, a Home Rule Municipality, County of Lake, State of Illinois, for Calendar Year 2020
At 8:08 PM, Mayor Rotering called to order the public hearing for the Proposed FY2020 Budget and asked the Clerk to call the roll:
PRESENT: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Stone, Kaufman, Blumberg, Knobel, Holleman
ABSENT: None
The Mayor declared a quorum was present.
Finance Director Logan presented the proposed FY2020 Budget.
Mayor Rotering thanked City staff and Council members for their dedication to the budget process.
Councilman Blumberg moved to close the public hearing. Councilman Kaufman seconded the motion. Upon a voice vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed unanimously. The public hearing was closed at 8:18 PM.
BUSINESS FROM THE COUNCIL
There was none.
BUSINESS FROM CITY STAFF
A. City Manager's Report
City Manager Neukirch provided a report on Public Works’ work on clearing the snow that accumulated on Monday, November 11th. She presented information on the City's Snow and Ice Control Plan, the new Police Beat Coordinator program, the Fire Department's reaccreditation process, and the importance of signing up with Smart911.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilwoman Stone moved to adjourn. Councilman Kaufman seconded the motion. On a voice vote, Mayor Rotering declared the motion passed unanimously.
The City Council adjourned its meeting at 8:28 PM.
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