City of Highland Park Committee of the Whole met Nov. 25.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
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 Stolberg, Stone, Kaufman, Blumberg, Holleman
Members Absent: Councilman Knobel
Mayor Rotering declared a quorum was present.
Staff Present: Ghida Neukirch, Ashley Palbitska
Also Present: Corporation Counsel Steve Elrod
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Regular Meeting of the Committee of the Whole – November 12, 2019
Councilman Kaufman moved to approve the minutes from the regular meeting of the Committee of the Whole held on November 12, 2019. Councilwoman Stone seconded the motion.
On a voice vote:
Voting Yea: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Stone, Kaufman, Blumberg, Holleman
Voting Nay: None
Absent: Councilman Knobel
Mayor Rotering declared the motion passed.
CLOSED SESSION
Councilman Blumberg 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 approval of closed session minutes (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(21)); ii) appointment of personnel (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1)); iii) setting price to sell or lease property (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(6)); iv) pending and probable litigation (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11)); and v) investigation (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(14)). Councilwoman Stone seconded the motion.
On a roll call vote:
Voting Yea: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Stone, Kaufman, Blumberg, Holleman
Voting Nay: None
Absent: Councilman Knobel
Mayor Rotering declared the motion passed unanimously
At 5:01 PM, the Committee recessed the public portion of the meeting to meet in Closed Session.
At 5:24 PM, Mayor Rotering reconvened the open session of the Committee of the Whole Meeting.
Members Present: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Stone, Kaufman, Blumberg, Holleman
Members Absent: Councilman Knobel
City Staff Present: Ghida Neukirch, Joel Fontane, Ramesh Kanapareddy, Julie Logan, Rob Sabo, Ashley Palbitska
Also Present: Corporation Counsel Elrod
SCHEDULED BUSINESS
Excusal of Cultural Arts Advisory Group Member Absence
The Committee discussed the request of two excused absences for Cultural Arts Advisory Group member Steve Green; he respectfully requests excusal for the two missed meetings so as not to jeopardize his standing on the Commission.
The Committee was in consensus to excuse Mr. Green’s two absences.
Sustainability Plan Update 2020 - 2022
Assistant City Manager Sabo presented accomplishments from the 2017-2019 Sustainability Plan and provided information on the proposed 2020-2022 Sustainability Plan. He requested feedback from the Committee, specifically pertaining to the objectives outlined in the proposed 3-year plan.
Councilwoman Stone discussed the Sustainable HP Map that is available for the community to view on the City’s website.
Councilman Kaufman requested the free home energy audits and incentives be promoted more.
Mayor Rotering requested the audits be promoted at the Senior Center as well.
Councilwoman Stone discussed how energy rebates are available.
Councilman Holleman asked if there have been results regarding the work that was conducted last year as it pertains to the composting program with local businesses.
Assistant City Manager Sabo stated the initial number of businesses the City was targeting to sign up for composting was six, there were three businesses that did follow through and participate in the program. He explained that Sunset Foods has put the idea on hold due to the renovations and development that is going on at that location. He stated that Lakeshore Recycling Systems (“LRS”) has reported that the three businesses, Bluegrass, Little Szechwan and La Casa de Isaac, have done well, their streams are clean and the business owners have commented on how well the program has been working for their business. He explained that the training for the businesses was covered by the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County (“SWALCO”) and the City did not have to contribute any funds to the program.
Mayor Rotering stated that the referendum that passed in order for the City to participate in the electric aggregation consortium was focused on rates being below ComEd rates.
Councilman Stolberg asked if the City is communicating and working with the school districts on the idling of their buses and limiting the idling of those buses.
Assistant City Manager Sabo stated that the City has communicated with the school districts about the importance of limiting the idling of the buses. He explained that there are State laws that limit and require anti-idling on school grounds and that is a conversation that continues to exist at the governmental partner meetings.
Councilman Kaufman noted how a few years ago there use to be a lot of education regarding anti-idling at the school but it may not have made the impact that is needed. He also noted that there is no educational information at the train station or signs and that may be helpful for those in that area.
Assistant City Manager Sabo stated that City staff can look in to ways to communicate and educate commuters on the importance of anti-idling.
Councilman Holleman asked when Ravinia stopped idling buses.
Public Works Director Kanapareddy clarified that some of the buses that are provided for Ravinia Festival are old buses that sit outside, the City repairs them and cannot be turned off because of their age. He stated that the City is attempting to manage the buses used based on the number of patrons Ravinia Festival has estimated will be visiting the festival grounds on a particular day.
Councilman Holleman requested the verbiage regarding idling be adjusted to clarify that there is limited idling for certain instances.
City Manager Neukirch stated that a majority of what is being referred to in the sustainability plan regarding idling are residential vehicles, like parents waiting in the line to pick up their students from school or patrons at the grocery store waiting for their groceries.
Councilwoman Stone commented on how the bus idling has gotten better. She stated that some of the idling issues could be addressed with enforcement. She explained that there are laws on the books for school buses and for individual cars as well.
Councilman Holleman stated that she would rather the City educate the community on the importance of anti-idling instead of giving out citations.
Assistant City Manager Sabo stated that City staff can review creative ways of providing communication to the community about anti-idling.
Mayor Rotering asked if there was an opportunity to place solar panels on the roof of the schools or locations like Deer Creek.
Assistant City Manager Sabo explained that part of the power purchase through Lake County was identifying certain parcels within the City and how many kilowatts would be produced by solar panels after a master agreement has been approved by City Council. He explained the process the City would need to undergo in order to obtain SolSmart Silver recognition.
Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Holleman and Stone discussed revenue that the City would receive from selling solar power if a “solar power farm” were to be installed.
Councilwoman Stone stated that most solar providers will not install the ground mounted panels unless there is not a higher and better use for the land. She explained that ground mounted solar panels did come up when she was liaison to the Zoning Board of Appeals (“ZBA”). She stated how there was an individual who wanted to install ground mounted solar panels on their property and the ZBA had a difficult time approving the request because it was not seen as a hardship to not have solar panels on the property. In the end, the ZBA did approve the variance but it would be pertinent to review that particular section of the City Code and bring it up to date.
Councilman Kaufman inquired into the feasibility of roof gardens.
Assistant City Manager Sabo stated that green roofs were not incorporated into the plan but if there was a desire for the Sustainability Advisory Group to review it, they could.
Councilwoman Stone explained that she spoke with Keith O’Herrin, the City’s Forester, in the past week regarding a plan for the ongoing work in the Briergate area to remove the phragmites grass that has replaced the buckthorn and is blocking the view of the Briergate Business District from the highway.
Councilman Holleman, Public Works Director Kanapareddy and Assistant City Manager Sabo discussed sewer improvement projects on residential properties.
Councilwoman Stone discussed the green roof that was installed on her property.
Mayor Rotering and Councilman Holleman commented on the job well done with the presentation and plan.
Assistant City Manager Sabo recognized Grace Rink for her assistance on putting the plan together. He introduced Daniel Gonzalez, the City’s newest Greenest Region Corp representative. He also recognized Councilwoman Stone for her work as the Council liaison to the Sustainability Advisory Group.
Councilman Holleman and Public Works Director Kanapareddy discussed the requirement of low or zero emission equipment on some maintenance and construction contracts.
Councilman Kaufman discussed how Community Development is attempting to streamline the permitting process by allowing permits to be applied for online. He asked if this was an item that could be included in the sustainability plan.
Assistant City Manager Sabo stated that the permitting process was identified and SolSmart does require an online permitting process for solar panels.
Councilwoman Stone thanked Assistant City Manager Sabo for his hard work and dedication to the creating and building of the sustainability plan and his work on the Sustainability Advisory Group.
Mayor Rotering noted that she is the Lake County representative to the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning and the agency did an entire inventory of sidewalks in Chicago and the seven surrounding counties. She stated that Lake County is behind and communicated the importance of connectivity and opportunities for the City to explore.
At 6:04 PM, Mayor Rotering recessed the Committee of the Whole Meeting.
At 6:48 PM, Mayor Rotering reconvened the Committee of the Whole Meeting.
Members Present: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Stone, Kaufman, Blumberg, Holleman
Members Absent: Councilman Knobel
City Staff Present: Ghida Neukirch, Larry Amidei, Lou Jogmen, Ramesh Kanapareddy, Julie Logan, Rob
Sabo, Ashley Palbitska
Also Present: Catering by Michaels Representatives: David Sandler, Jeff Ware, Lisa Ware
Highland Park Country Club Catering & Banquet Services
Assistant City Manager Sabo presented staff’s recommendations pertaining to entering into an agreement with Catering by Michaels to provide full banquet and facility operation services at the Highland Park Country Club. He explained that Catering by Michaels is the preferred vendor following a competitive Request for Proposal (“RFP”) and comprehensive review process. He stated that, if approved by Council, the agreement would be effective January 1, 2020.
Councilwoman Stone asked if the future reservations at the Highland Park Country Club were made knowing that the catering vendor and services would be changing.
Assistant City Manager Sabo stated that the City has been transparent regarding the change in the catering services.
Councilwoman Stone and Assistant City Manager Sabo discussed the availability of chairs at the facility now and in the future. They discussed Senior Center events that may require food service.
Mayor Rotering asked about the comfort level of the integration of the Senior Center, Senior scheduling, the use of space and booked events.
There was a consensus that everyone was comfortable.
Councilman Holleman stated her appreciation for the presentation and Catering by Michaels ability to fulfill so many roles.
Councilman Kaufman asked if there were any perceived challenges given the space and situation.
Jeff Ware, Catering by Michaels representative, stated that they are looking to enter into this agreement as a long term partnership. He explained that the first few years before the renovation will be a challenge because the facility needs to be brought up to current design trends. He explained that facility improvements overall, will significantly improve the quality of the events that can be held at the location. He stated that he knows there will be a few challenges in the first few years but they are looking at this as a long term opportunity.
Councilwoman Stone inquired as to the term of the agreement. Assistant City Manager Sabo outlined the term of the current agreement.
City Manager Neukirch stated that the term of the contract was designed to align with the relocation of the Senior Center over to the Highland Park Country Club.
Councilman Stolberg thanked Mr. Ware for his honesty about the challenges that he foresees about the space.
City Manager Neukirch explained that Councilman Knobel, while not able to attend the meeting, fully approves moving forward with staff’s recommendation.
The Committee was in consensus with staff moving forward with negotiating with Catering by Michaels for catering services at the Highland Park Country Club.
OTHERS MATTERS
Omnibus Item 8: A Resolution Approving an Agreement with Pacific Tier Solutions Inc. for the Provision of Book King Membership and Registration Management Software Services for the Highland Park Senior Center
City Manager Neukirch explained she had been in communication with Councilman Kaufman, who suggested that the termination provision be consistent and should be 60 days for both parties. She stated that Laura Frey, Senior Services Manager, followed up with Pacific Tier Solutions and they were in support of the amendment. She recommended the resolution be approved as amended.
Omnibus Item 32: An Ordinance Amending Title XI of “The Highland Park Code of 1968,” as Amended, Regarding Assisted Living Facility Licenses
City Manager Neukirch explained she had been in communication with Councilman Kaufman, who suggested that the regulation effective date be amended to start March 1st, that will allow staff time to communicate with all assisted living facilities, advise them of the annual license and impact fee, and provide some education and information about the City’s Emergency Response Operation. She recommended the ordinance be approved as amended with an effective date of March 1st.
Mayor Rotering stated that she will be pulling omnibus item 30 to highlight that the City will be entering into an intergovernmental agreement regarding the cameras on school bus stop arms.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilman Kaufman moved to adjourn. Councilwoman Stone seconded the motion. On a voice vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed unanimously.
The Committee of the Whole adjourned its meeting at 7:08 PM.
http://highlandparkil.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=12&ID=2297&Inline=True
Alerts Sign-up