City of Highland Park City Council met April 7.
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, Communication Manager Civitello, Computer Services Manager O'Connell, Financial Analyst Lukasik, Exec Assistant to the Mayor and City Manager Dotson, Deputy City Clerk Palbitska
ALSO PRESENT: Corporation Counsel Elrod
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
DISCUSSION OF RECENT EVENTS
Corporation Counsel Elrod explained that a Circuit Court Judge in Clay County entered a temporary restraining order concerning the executive order that Governor Pritzker entered. He noted that the possible interpretation is that the temporary restraining order could be interpreted broadly to impact the meetings that are taking place in the City of Highland Park. He opined on how recent events do not effect this meeting and it does not prevent this meeting from taking place as a virtual meeting under the prior order that Governor Pritzker had entered and under the otherwise modified provisions of the Illinois Open Meetings Act. He stated that it does not mean that a new order or new complaint may be filed pursuant to this order that could ultimately expand to cover the City's meeting but he is confident that it will not and does not prevent this meeting from proceeding. He noted that he has spoken to each member of the Council separately and stated that he does not see any reason as to why the meeting could not proceed as planned.
Councilman Knobel thanked Corporation Counsel Elrod for addressing this topic. She asked, going forward, if the order does end up staying in place, if it impacts the entire State.
Corporation Counsel Elrod explained that right now, the order on its face value, applies only to the plaintiff that brought the case. He noted that the Judge specifically said that Governor Pritzker is enjoined from enforcing and only applies to the Stay-At-Home order that the Governor entered on March 20, 2020 against the particular plaintiff. He explained that the complaint was based on a very broad theory that the Governor did not have the ability to have his emergency declaration extend beyond 30 days; the Judge did not indicate whether that was the basis on which he entered the temporary restraining order. He stated that it is unknown whether a lawsuit would be brought or the Judge will expand his ruling beyond the immediate plaintiff and whether it will go beyond the Stay-At-Home order. He explained that right now the most important thing is that the City is able to participate in a meeting of this nature because of an order Governor Pritzker that modified the Open Meetings Act.
Councilman Kaufman asked how long the temporary restraining order is in place and if there have been any other hearing dates set.
Corporation Counsel Elrod explained that the temporary restraining order provides that it is in effect until a mutual date to be determined by both parties but for a date not to exceed 30 days.
Councilwoman Stone asked if the temporary restraining order will impact the City's next City Council meeting.
Corporation Counsel Elrod stated that if the order is not modified any further, it will not impact the City's next City Council meeting.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting Held on April 6, 2020
Councilman Blumberg moved to approve the Regular City Council meeting minutes of April 6, 2020. Councilman Kaufman seconded the motion. Upon a voice vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed unanimously.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Anthony Blumberg, Councilman
SECONDER: Daniel Kaufman, Councilman
AYES: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Stone, Kaufman, Blumberg, Knobel, Councilman Holleman
APPROVAL OF WARRANT LIST
1. Warrant List and Wire Transfers from March 28, 2020 to April 16, 2020.
Councilwoman Stone pulled warrant item# 292784 from the Warrant List and noted that she would need to recuse herself from the vote because it was an approval for a guarantee deposit for her parents.
Councilman Stolberg moved to approve the Warrant List, except item# 292784. 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
Councilwoman Stone left the virtual meeting at 6:07 PM.
Councilman Stolberg moved to approve Warrant List item# 292784. 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, Kaufman, Blumberg, Knobel, Holleman
RECUSED: Councilwoman Stone
Councilwoman returned to the virtual meeting at 6:08 PM.
REPORT OF MAYOR
A. Appointments
There were none.
B. Proclamations
There were none.
C. Other business
1. Statement Regarding Governor's Change in Executive Order
Mayor Rotering noted that the City is coordinating daily with Governor JB Pritzker’s Office, Lake County and partner organizations as work is being done to attain diminished COVID case numbers via the State's Stay at Home Order. She stated that last week, based on data from scientists and health experts, the Governor extended the Stay-At-Home Order another month, through the end of May in order to continue along the parallel path of working to best meet the needs of Highland Park Residents.
She explained that is has been seven weeks since the first state of emergency in Highland Park was declared and she is asking the City Council to approve a motion to extend the City's state of emergency to run in tandem with the Governor's order. She stated that the ordinance pertains to emergency management and disaster authority in response to COVID-19 and will enable the City to continue to immediately respond to the current emergency as allowed by Illinois law.
She provided information on the requirement enacted that all residents and visitors wear face coverings when entering or working in an essential business, or when people are unable to maintain social distancing while out in public. She noted that now is not the time to get complacent and that all of the hard work that has taken place is helping to reduce the load on the health care system and hopefully slow the spread of the infection.
She thanked the health care workers, first responders and other essential workers who are putting their lives on the line to help the community. She thanked her City Council colleagues, City Manager Neukirch and her team, and the City's community partners for their time, effort and leadership as everyone works toward a common goal - protecting the public's health and safety. She thanked the community for their compassion, patience and perseverance.
2. Consideration of a Motion to Extend the Emergency Declaration for the City of Highland Park, originally entered on March 14, 2020. Councilman Blumberg moved to approve to Extend the Emergency Declaration for the City of Highland Park, originally entered on March 14, 2020 through May 31, 2020. Councilman Kaufman seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed unanimously.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Anthony Blumberg, Councilman
SECONDER: Daniel Kaufman, Councilman
AYES: Mayor Rotering, Councilmen Stolberg, Stone, Kaufman, Blumberg, Knobel, Holleman
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 read the following report that was communicated for the City Council meeting.
Nancy Webster, Highland Park Historical Society Archivist, communicated that the Highland Park Historical Society is collecting stories and images of the pandemic. The Historical Society is assisting online for those individuals who wish to create StoryCorps conversations. Additionally, the Historical Society is offering Francis Stupey Cabin virtual field trips to local schools and any other interested parties. She provided contact information for the Historical Society.
SCHEDULED BUSINESS
ITEMS FOR OMNIBUS VOTE CONSIDERATION
Councilwoman Stone asked if items 7 and 8 were just to change the procedure on how the City will be handling bicycle violations, not changing what the violations are.
Corporation Counsel Elrod confirmed with Councilwoman Stone that the amendments were changing procedures, not types of violations.
Councilwoman Stone moved to approve items 1-8 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, Blumberg, Knobel, Holleman
Finance
1. Adoption of a Resolution (R63-2020) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “A Resolution Designating the City’s Agent and Executing the Applications for the Public Assistance (PA) Program Application”.
2. Adoption of an Ordinance (O42-2020) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “An Ordinance Repealing Chapter 74 of “The Highland Park Code of 1968” as Amended, Regarding Motor Vehicle Licenses”.
3. Adoption of a Resolution (R64-2020) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “A Resolution Amending the Annual Fee Resolution Regarding Motor Vehicle License Fees and Penalties”.
Public Works
4. Adoption of a Resolution (R65-2020) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “A Resolution Approving an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission for City Flooding and Drainage Projects”.
5. Adoption of a Resolution (R66-2020) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “A Resolution Authorizing Award of the Ravinia Streetscape Improvements Project Contract to Landmark Contractors Inc. of Huntley, Illinois”.
Public Safety
6. Adoption of a Resolution (R67-2020) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “A Resolution Approving an Amended Mutual Aid Agreement for the Lake County Major Crash Assistance Team”.
7. Adoption of a Resolution (R68-2020) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “A Resolution Amending the Annual Fee Resolution Regarding Violations of the City's Bicycle Regulations”.
8. Adoption of an Ordinance (O43-2020) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “An Ordinance Amending Chapter 75 of "The Highland Park Code of 1968," as Amended, Regarding Bicycle Regulations”.
BUSINESS FROM THE COUNCIL
There was none.
BUSINESS FROM CITY STAFF
1. 2020 Major Project, Q1
City Manager Neukirch provided an update on the City's Quarter One Major projects and the City's continued efforts to keep the community, businesses and staff safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
ADJOURNMENT
City Manager Neukirch noted that no other public comments have been received.
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 6:24 PM.
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