City of Highland Park City Council met May 11.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
CALL TO ORDER
At 6:00 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: Corporation Counsel Elrod, Deputy Corporation Counsel Passman
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Approval of the Minutes of the Special City Council Meeting Held on April 27, 2020
Councilwoman Stone moved to approve the Special City Council meeting minutes of April 27, 2020. 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 April 17, 2020 to April 30, 2020. Councilman Blumberg requested warrant item# 292857 be pulled from the Warrant List and noted that he would need to recuse himself from the vote because it was approval for a payment to the Highland Park Community Nursery School and Day Care Center where his wife serves as the Board President.
Councilman Kaufman moved to approve the Warrant List, except item# 292857. Councilman Knobel seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed unanimously.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Daniel Kaufman, Councilman
SECONDER: Alyssa Knobel, Councilman
AYES: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Stone, Kaufman, Blumberg, Knobel, Holleman
Councilman Blumberg left the virtual meeting at 6:02 PM.
Councilman Kaufman moved to approve Warrant List item# 292857. Councilwoman Stone seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed unanimously.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Daniel Kaufman, Councilman
SECONDER: Kim Stone, Councilwoman
AYES: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Stone, Kaufman, Knobel, Holleman
RECUSED: Councilman Blumberg
Councilman Blumberg returned to the virtual meeting at 6:03 PM.
REPORT OF MAYOR
A. Moment of Silence in Honor of Former Mayor Geraci
Mayor Rotering requested a moment of silence to remember former Highland Park Mayor Raymond Geraci, who recently passed away at the age of 91. She noted that he was a lifelong resident as well as an admired and respected citizen. Mayor Geraci volunteered as a Park Board Commissioner, a City Councilman for two terms and was elected Mayor of Highland Park twice, first in 1970 and then in 1995. He was also very involved with the Highland Park Historical Society and many other organizations in the community.
B. COVID-19
Mayor Rotering noted that COVID-19 is still with us and continues to impact the lives and livelihoods of everyone in the community, while posing tremendous health and safety challenges for all. She explained that Public Health Officials are vital to helping everyone through this pandemic. She noted that safety resources, data, reopening plans and more continue to be emailed and posted by the City. She reminded the community that the City receives data and guidance from the Lake County Health Department and the Illinois Department of Public Health and due to the proximity of Highland Park to Cook County, that information is reviewed as well. She explained that the City is following Governor Pritzker's Restore Illinois: A Public Health Approach to Safely Reopen Our State.
C. Lake County Health Department Update
Mark Pfister, Lake County Health Department Executive Director, presented Highlights of work that the Lake County Health Department is undertaking in the County and shared specific information pertaining to the community.
Mayor Rotering noted that walking paths have been opened in Highland Park with the hope that people will not congregate in large numbers. She asked how individuals should maintain distance and flow when using these paths.
Executive Director Pfister noted that the majority of risk is when individuals are within that six feet of space between each other because the coronavirus a respiratory illness. He stated that individuals should not be out and about if they are coughing and sneezing. He recommended walkers wear masks but understands the difficulty for runners and noted that runners should be cognizant of their space when on those paths with other individuals. He discussed the importance of maintaining the six foot distance.
Mayor Rotering stated that the City is looking to open tennis courts and the community wants to be able to participate in some recreational activities in the park; she asked if those would be high risk situations.
Executive Director Pfister discussed the importance of hand washing in relation to recreational activities like tennis or throwing a ball in the park. He noted that there should only be two players on the tennis court, not four.
Mayor Rotering discussed capacity to treat. She asked, in terms of what is available, if the region is starting to slow down with cases and are there lower numbers of uses of health care equipment or are things increasing.
Executive Director Pfister discussed the positivity rate in Highland Park as well as Lake County.
Mayor Rotering noted that the community needs to continue to practice social distancing, wear face covering and stay at home as much as possible.
Executive Director Pfister agreed with what Mayor Rotering has stated. He noted that while the number of cases has plateaued, there have been spikes within that plateau. He discussed the positivity rate of multiple areas within Lake County.
Mayor Rotering discussed other municipalities that have their own health department and that the data that has been provided is very close to the demographics of the area.
Councilman Knobel discussed the young children that have been affected by this illness and asked what should be done if an individual suspects their child might have symptoms. She asked for clarification on the topic of those individuals that may have the antibody and how they should be conducting themselves. She asked about contact tracing, what the plan is and how does it work in Lake County, as well as a need for hiring those individuals that may be able to assist with contact tracing calls.
Executive Director Pfister discussed how there are some diseases that are presenting themselves that may be impacting individuals that may be related to COVID-19 in children and the recommendation is to start with the family doctor; have those discussions with the family doctor first about the symptoms and then a determination can be decided as to the next steps for the care of the child. He stated that there is a lot that still needs to be worked out in regards to the connection between the virus and children. He stated that the FDA opened up a waiver so that there are a lot of antibody tests available but a majority of them have not gone through any rigorous testing and there are a lot of tests out there that do not have a lot of value. He noted that a majority of these tests have very high false-positives and high false-negatives and their accuracy has not been determined well. He stated that it is not known if individuals really have immunity or if they do, how long they are immune for. He discussed the process for contact tracing and in regards to hiring; the State is still working on a contact tracing model but due to the private nature of the information collected on individuals that need to be contacted, the hiring is very limited.
Councilwoman Stone voiced her concern about the number of cases having plateaued. She asked if there was anything the community could be doing differently to start seeing the number of cases decrease. She asked how contact tracing is completed if there is a patient that is seriously ill and cannot respond.
Executive Director Pfister discussed the discrepancy of information on a daily basis because each laboratory is reporting the number of cases at different times. He stated that the higher number of cases that are being reported is based on the contact of essential workers and those that are sick. He stated that the Lake County Health Department is working with municipalities and other businesses to ensure they are practicing social distancing properly and other procedures to ensure the least amount of exposure to the virus. He explained that if there are individuals that need to be contacted, staff and callers will work with family members.
Councilman Holleman asked if more information can be provided about congregate living facilities.
Executive Director Pfister discussed the role the Lake County Health Department is playing when it comes to these types of facilities.
Councilman Knobel asked for direction about the topic of individuals expanding their "personal bubble" in social situations.
Executive Director Pfister discussed the issue of expanding one's "personal bubble", especially when it comes to kids and those susceptible to the illness.
Councilman Kaufman asked what the projection may be in flattening or declining the curve.
Executive Director Pfister stated that the community is moving in the right direction.
Mayor Rotering noted that the Governor stated that he does not see any flattening of the curve until around mid-June.
Executive Director Pfister stated that as more people are tested the numbers will change.
Councilman Blumberg and Executive Director Pfister discussed reducing points of contact. They discussed the importance of wearing face coverings in public settings.
D. City Manager's COVID-19 Report
City Manager Neukirch provided a brief COVID report with specific emphasis on the City's services, response and coordination with community partners.
Mayor Rotering noted that the City has posted information about different ways the community can celebrate Memorial Day during the pandemic.
Councilman Knobel noted that the City will be hold a Virtual Town Hall for Businesses. She asked where people can send their ideas.
City Manager Neukirch provided information about the Virtual Town Hall for Businesses taking place on Friday, May 22, 2020 at 8 AM. She provided information as to how the community can get in contact with the City.
The Council, Corporation Counsel Elrod and City Manager Neukirch discussed face coverings, when they should be worn and the mandate for face coverings. They discussed how violation of the mandate should be handled.
BUSINESS FROM THE PUBLIC (Citizens wishing to be heard regarding items not listed on this agenda)
City Manager Neukirch stated that the City gives the opportunity for individuals to email or call the City if they have any comments, feedback or recommendations for the City Council meeting. She noted there was one e-mail from David Meek in regards to the Coopers Consolidation Plat. She talked to Mr. Meek prior to the meeting and addressed his question.
Mayor Rotering noted that the Cooper’s Consolidation Plat was an item on the omnibus agenda that could be pulled.
SCHEDULED BUSINESS
ITEMS FOR OMNIBUS VOTE CONSIDERATION
Mayor Rotering removed item 4 from omnibus vote consideration.
Councilwoman Stone moved to approve items 1-3 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: Kim Stone, Councilwoman
SECONDER: Daniel Kaufman, Councilman
AYES: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Stone, Kaufman, Blumberg, Knobel, Holleman
Finance
1. Adoption of an Ordinance (O44-2020) 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, 2020 and ending December 31, 2020 for the Illinois Public Risk Fund Safety Grant”.
Public Works
2. Adoption of a Resolution (R69-2020) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “A Resolution Authorizing Award of the Rock Salt Purchase Contract to Morton Salt Inc. of Chicago, Illinois”.
3. Adoption of a Resolution (R70-2020) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “A Resolution Approving an HVAC System Contract with Trane U.S. Inc. of Willowbrook, Illinois through OMNIA Partners Cooperative Purchasing Organization”.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM OMNIBUS VOTE CONSIDERATION Community Development
4. Adoption of a Resolution (R71-2020) titled, “Resolution Approving the Preliminary and Final Plat of the Cooper's Consolidation at 827-833 Pleasant Avenue”.
Mayor Rotering noted that her understanding is that the letter that has been provided by the applicant's attorney is in regards a topic that is not under consideration at tonight's meeting.
Corporation Counsel Elrod explained that the letter from the applicant's attorney is in regards to a Bonus Floor Area Ration ("FAR") issue that is not a matter of the agenda tonight.
City Manager Neukirch noted that there were two callers on the virtual meeting, David Meek and the applicant. She explained that Mr. Meek wanted to make a comment as it pertains to the agenda item. She stated that she was in communication with Mr. Meek earlier regarding a Bonus FAR on behalf of his client.
Corporation Counsel Elrod noted his surprise that Mr. Meek wanted to make a comment about the agenda item after there had been conversations regarding the issue not before the Council tonight.
Mr. Meek clarified that he notified the City that he was calling in to tonight's meeting in case there were any questions about the Coopers Consolidation Plat itself, not that he wanted to discuss the Bonus FAR issue.
Councilman Blumberg moved to approve a Resolution Approving the Preliminary and Final Plat of the Cooper's Consolidation at 827-833 Pleasant Avenue. Councilman Holleman seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed unanimously.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Anthony Blumberg, Councilman
SECONDER: Michelle Holleman, Councilman
AYES: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Stone, Kaufman, Blumberg, Knobel, Holleman
BUSINESS FROM THE COUNCIL
There was none.
BUSINESS FROM CITY STAFF
There was none.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilman Kaufman moved to adjourn. Councilman Blumberg seconded the motion. On a voice vote, Mayor Rotering declared the motion passed unanimously.
The City Council adjourned its meeting at 7:45 PM.
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