City of Highland Park Committee of the Whole met Feb. 24.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
CALL TO ORDER
At 4:33 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, Knobel, Holleman
Members Absent: None
Mayor Rotering declared a quorum was present.
Staff Present: Ghida Neukirch, Joel Fontane, Ashley Palbitska
Also Present: Corporation Counsel Steve Elrod, Deputy Corporation Counsel Hart
Passman
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Regular Meeting of the Committee of the Whole – January 27, 2020
Councilman Kaufman moved to approve the minutes from the regular meeting of the Committee of the Whole held on January 27, 2020. Councilwoman Stone seconded the motion.
On a voice vote:
Voting Yea: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Stone, Kaufman,
Blumberg, Knobel, Holleman
Voting Nay: None
Mayor Rotering declared the motion passed unanimously.
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
i) approval of closed session minutes (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(21));
ii) pending litigation (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11));
iii) setting price to sell/lease property (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(6)); and
iv) personnel (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1)). Councilwoman Stone seconded the motion.
On a roll call vote:
Voting Yea: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Stone, Kaufman, Blumberg, Knobel, Holleman
Voting Nay: None
Mayor Rotering declared the motion passed unanimously.
At 4:34 PM, the Committee recessed the public portion of the meeting to meet in Closed Session.
At 6:20 PM, Mayor Rotering reconvened the open session of the Committee of the Whole Meeting.
Members Present: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Stone, Kaufman, Blumberg, Knobel, Holleman
Members Absent: None
City Staff Present: Ghida Neukirch, Ramesh Kanapareddy, Julie Logan, Rob Sabo, Carolyn Hersch Ashley Palbitska
Also Present: Corporation Counsel Steve Elrod, Deputy Corporation Counsel Hart Passman
SCHEDULED BUSINESS
Business Development Strategic Plan
City Manager Neukirch explained how the Business Development Strategic Plan sets forth a proactive and ambitious set of measureable strategies to support the local economy. She explained that the Business Development Strategic Plan is carried out by City staff with guidance from the City Council and Business and Economic Development Advisory Group (“BEDAG”). She stated that the Plan is updated on an annual basis based on input from City staff, City Council, BEDAG, businesses, property owners, and other community partners. City Manager provided highlights of the initiatives set forth in the plan to support business retention and to conduct business attraction. She also highlighted the various partnerships as it pertains to business development in the community.
Councilman Knobel asked if City Manager could explain the purpose of a Special Service Area (“SSA”).
City Manager Neukirch defined an SSA and provided an overview of the SSA’s in the community.
Councilman Knobel explained that development brought into the City allows for an increase in the population that will allow for more feet on the street and will assist with business development in the surrounding areas. She asked if City Manager Neukirch could expand on why it may take a little bit of time to develop or open a business.
City Manager Neukirch provided information as to the preliminary steps that are undertaken before any developers start the process. She explained that the City has a database of available properties and an online permitting system where the community can view which permits have been issued to properties in Highland Park. She stated that sometimes there are incomplete submissions and City staff works with those developers and owners to guide them what they need to obtain their permit.
Councilman Knobel stated that there are a lot of stakeholders involved in the decision making process and it is not just City staff or the City Council. She asked if City Manager Neukirch can explain why the digital kiosks were installed.
City Manager Neukirch explained that property owners, businesses and guests recommended changing the static kiosks to digital displays. She explained that the installation of the kiosks are part of a larger infrastructure investment plan in the Downtown Business District. She provided information on infrastructure investments.
Mayor Rotering asked if there was a similar entity to the Lake County Convention and Visitors Bureau for Northern Cook County since Highland Park is right across the county line and patrons visit from the northern Cook County area.
City Manager Neukirch stated that it would be Cook County as a whole not just Northern Cook County. She explained that staff did look into working with Cook County but based on the cost to benefit ratio, the value was not there because of how large Cook County is.
Assistant City Manager Sabo explained that there is state funding allocated to convention and visitors bureaus. He said that Visit Lake County advertises throughout the collar counties of the surrounding area. He stated that information is advertised via radio, publications, video, audio, and print marketing.
Councilman Knobel stated that Highland Park is very fortunate to have Ravinia Festival and they are very cognizant in stating Highland Park in their radio advertisements and wherever else they can mention the City. She explained that Business Development Manager Hersch has been working on advertising with Sheridan Road magazine in order to reach individuals a little south and west of Highland Park.
Councilman Kaufman asked City Manager Neukirch if she can explain why the City may have a certain number of similar businesses and why staff cannot tell a business how it should operate.
City Manager Neukirch discussed SCORE, the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors who are dedicated to helping small businesses. She explained that if a business comes to Highland Park and if the type of business is an allowable use based on the City’s Zoning Code, the City cannot tell that business they cannot locate there. She stated that Business Development Manager Hersch communicates with businesses on a regular basis to provide them feedback and suggestions that may assist in bringing more people into their retail location.
Councilman Knobel stated that the City is looking to review its zoning code and allow for more types of experiential uses that will make it easier for a broader variety of businesses to locate within Highland Park.
Assistant City Manager Sabo presented steps that will be undertaken to update the City’s three year Business Development Strategic Plan and the proposed contents of the Plan. He also outlined highlights of current initiatives underway and planned and provided information on what individuals can do currently to support local businesses.
Councilman Knobel stated that staff is not always involved when it comes to businesses locating within the City.
Mayor Rotering thanked staff, Councilman Knobel and the community for working on updating the Strategic Plan. She asked if there is knowledge of how the City’s rent compares to neighboring communities and discussions that have been had with property owners regarding properties that have been vacant for a while.
Assistant City Manager Sabo explained that data has been collected so staff can review rental rates but it is hard to understand what is happening in other municipalities that drives their rent rates. He further explained that staff cannot assert specific rental rates on property owners but that market rent information available to the City is provided to property owners to assist with attracting potential businesses to their location.
Mayor Rotering and City Manager Neukirch discussed sales tax information per square footage by business districts.
Mayor Rotering asked if there was anything that can be done to create more Grade A office space.
Assistant City Manager Sabo stated that it was something that can be reviewed through zoning and staff can advertise to those types of developers when property becomes available for redevelopment.
Councilman Knobel discussed the need for Grade A office space as well as incentives and tenant improvements. She asked about imposing a vacancy tax on those property owners that have storefronts that have been vacant for long periods of time.
Corporation Counsel Elrod explained that property owners have the right to use their property as they may, including using their property as a vacant piece of property.
Councilman Kaufman touched on the different positive feedback he has received about the business districts within the City. He applauded the Plan and approach; he sees it as a holistic approach. He stated that community outreach is a great method as well. He encouraged staff to continue to think outside the box and be as creative as possible.
Katie Wiswald, BEDAG Chair, added information as to what the community can do to assist in building a great business environment within the City.
Councilman Knobel explained how the Council is available for feedback from the community as well as staff and Chair Wiswald.
Residents and City Manager Neukirch discussed addressing vacant storefront windows and how it is critical for the Council and staff to think outside the box regarding retail sales.
Mayor Rotering discussed the Pedestrian Oriented Shopping Overlay and updates to the Zoning Code that will allow for more experiential type uses in the downtown business district.
Councilman Blumberg stated that there has been a change in the zoning to allow much more density of residential within the immediate proximity of the downtown which will bring more feet on the street and not necessarily more cars. He explained that there are a number of developments that are being reviewed and completed that will allow for a more positive impact within the business district.
OTHERS MATTERS
There were none.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilman Blumberg moved to adjourn. Councilman Kaufman seconded the motion. On a voice vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed unanimously.
The Committee of the Whole adjourned its meeting at 7:30 PM.
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