City of Highland Park City Council met May 24.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
CALL TO ORDER
At 5:30 PM, Mayor Rotering called the meeting to order and asked for a roll call:
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Mayor Rotering, Councilmembers Tapia, Stolberg, Stone, Blumberg, Lidawer
ABSENT: Councilmember Holleman
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, Senior Planner Later, Planner II Coleman, 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 Regular City Council Meeting Held on May 10, 2021 Councilmember Stone moved to approve the Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting held on May 10, 2021. Councilmember Lidawer seconded the motion.
Upon a roll call vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed unanimously.
| RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Kim Stone, Councilmember SECONDER: Annette Lidawer, Councilmember AYES: Mayor Rotering, Councilmembers Tapia, Stolberg, Stone, Blumberg, Lidawer ABSENT: Councilmember Holleman |
1. Warrant List and Wire Transfers from April 30, 2021 to May 13, 2021.
Councilmember Blumberg moved to approve the Warrant List. Councilmember Lidawer seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed unanimously.
| RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Anthony Blumberg, Councilmember SECONDER: Annette Lidawer, Councilmember AYES: Mayor Rotering, Councilmembers Tapia, Stolberg, Stone, Blumberg, Lidawer ABSENT: Councilmember Holleman |
A. Appointments
1. Appointment to Fill a Vacancy on the Historic Preservation Commission Mayor Rotering requested the Council's consent for the recommendation of appointing Erica Weeder to fill the vacancy of the Historic Preservation
Commission.
The Council was in consensus with the appointment.
B. Other business
1. Memorial Day Virtual Observance
Mayor Rotering noted that on Monday, May 31 at 11AM, the City will be hosting the annual Memorial Day observance, which will be held virtually this year due to the pandemic. She explained that representatives from local veterans groups will be present and the Highland Park High School band will perform. She stated that residents without access to Zoom or the internet will be able to view the ceremony at the Highland Park Public Library.
2. National Gun Violence Awareness Day - June 4
Mayor Rotering explained that Friday, June 4 is National Gun Violence Awareness Day and everyone is invited to #WearOrange to draw attention to the crisis of gun violence. She noted that the #WearOrange campaign began in 2015 as a tribute to Hadiya Pendleton, who was shot and killed on a playground in Chicago in 2013. She explained that eight years after her tragic death, #WearOrange weekend is a call to action to advocate for common sense solutions that protect children and students, first responders, and communities as a whole.
3. Pride Month
Mayor Rotering announced June as Pride Month. She noted that the rainbow flag will be flown at City Hall to show support and solidarity for our LGBTQ+ community members. She explained that the City's flag includes black and brown stripes in an effort to make LGBTQ+ people of color more visible and promote inclusivity within the movement. She noted that LGBTQ+ people continue to face numerous disparities, especially transgender and non-binary youth. She stated that 42% of the more than 32,000 LGBTQ+ youth responding to The Trevor Project's annual survey reported seriously considering to attempt suicide in the past year, including more than half of transgender and non-binary youth. However, the survey also showed that those who had access to affirming spaces and support networks reported lower rates of attempting suicide. She stated that small measures of support can have a big impact. She noted that everyone can play a part in creating a safe environment for LGBTQ+ youth and the community can show their support by placing a rainbow flag in a window, welcoming yard sign, adding pronouns to email signatures and get in the habit of using language that doesn't assume gender or sexual orientation. She explained that everyone can learn more about the challenges facing LGBTQ+ youth by visiting thetrevorproject.org and learn how to be an ally by visiting glaad.org.
BUSINESS FROM THE PUBLIC (Citizens wishing to be heard regarding items not listed on this agenda)
City Manager Neukirch noted that the City has not received any emails prior to the meeting and there were no members of the public at City Hall.
SCHEDULED BUSINESS
ITEMS FOR OMNIBUS VOTE CONSIDERATION
Councilmembers Stone and Lidawer requested to remove item 5 from omnibus vote consideration.
Councilmember Stolberg moved to approve items 1-4 and 6-7 by omnibus vote consideration. Councilmember Blumberg seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed unanimously.
| RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Adam Stolberg, Councilmember SECONDER: Anthony Blumberg, Councilmember AYES: Mayor Rotering, Councilmembers Tapia, Stolberg, Stone, Blumberg, Lidawer ABSENT: Councilmember Holleman |
1.Adoption of an Ordinance (O40-2021) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “An Ordinance Amending "The Highland Park Code of 1968," As Amended, Regarding Members of the City Council”.
Finance
2.Adoption of an Ordinance (O41-2021) 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, 2021 and ending December 31, 2021 for the Illinois Public Risk Fund Safety Grant”.
3.Adoption of an Ordinance (O42-2021) 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, 2021 and ending December 31, 2021 for a Replacement Ladder Truck”.
Public Works
4.Adoption of a Resolution (R59-2021) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “A Resolution Authorizing Renewal of the Water Consumption Portal Software Agreement with WaterSmart Software, Inc., of Houston, Texas”.
6.Adoption of an Ordinance (O43-2021) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “An Ordinance Declaring Certain Property Owned by the City of Highland Park to be Surplus”.
7.Adoption of an Ordinance (O44-2021) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “A Resolution Approving the Purchase of Two Chevrolet Bolt Vehicles and Two Ford F-250 Bio-Diesel Pickup Trucks through the Sourcewell Purchasing Cooperative”.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM OMNIBUS VOTE CONSIDERATION
6. Adoption of a Resolution (R60-2021) titled, “A Resolution Authorizing Award of the Public Services Roof Repair Contract to DCG Roofing Solutions, Inc. of Melrose Park, Illinois”.
Councilmember Stone noted that while a roof should last 20 to 30 years, it was her hope that solar panels would be installed on the roof of the building. She asked if a structural analysis could be completed before a new roof is installed on the building.
City Manager Neukirch stated that she conferred with Public Works Director Kanapareddy to engage a structural engineer to complete an analysis but it was not done at this time because currently what would be completed is a roof repair over the administrative portion of the building. She recommended moving forward at this time with the roof repair and the exploration of adding solar panels to the building can be added to the City's Major Projects work plan.
Mayor Rotering asked if it was simply a repair and not a replacement.
City Manager Neukirch confirmed it was a repair over a portion of the building.
Councilmember Stone noted that it is replacing the roof over the administrative portion of the building.
City Manager Neukirch noted that was correct and it is only the administrative portion of the building, not the entire building.
Mayor Rotering inquired as to the percentage of that portion of the building compared to the entire Public Services building.
Councilmember Lidawer noted that in conjunction with the option of solar panels, a green roof should be explored as well. She stated that even if a portion of the roof is being replaced, staff should review all of the options that are available and what the cost will be.
Councilmember Stolberg noted that he agreed with Councilmembers Stone and Lidawer. He noted that the repair is necessary and a delay may cause more damage than good. He explained that whether it is solar panels or a green roof, they are not mutually exclusive with a roof repair because the addition of a green roof or panels have to be placed on a support system on top of the roof but not penetrating the roof. He noted a structural review is not a reason to delay but does agree that all options should be reviewed.
Mayor Rotering noted that there may be a structural issue due to weight. She explained that the City is a SolSmart designated community and asked if the Sustainability Advisory Group could take a look at a much broader scale analysis of what needs to be done to add solar to City properties.
Public Works Director Kanapareddy estimated that the administrative portion of the building is about 25% of the entire building. He noted that the solar panels can be added afterwards and provided information as to how the solar panels can be affixed to the roof. He stated that it is recommended to replace the roof and then install the solar panels. He explained that a structural analysis need to be completed to understand the weight of the solar panels and staff will need to engage a solar panel firm to understand the types of solar panels and the cost benefit of the installation.
Mayor Rotering explained that the City does not pay for electricity for the Public Services building but does support the environment, would like to diminish emissions and support alternative forms of energy; it is important to note that City taxpayers are not paying for the electricity of the building.
Councilmember Stone asked if the structural analysis can be completed by reviewing the drawings of the building or would some of the roof need to be peeled back to view some of the structure.
Public Works Director Kanapareddy explained that a preliminary analysis can be completed by reviewing the drawings in order to understand what it will entail when installing commercial grade solar panels.
Mayor Rotering noted that the action on the contract can be taken today and then the Sustainability Advisory Group can provide a much broader analysis for a solar approach but in terms of efficiencies, economies of scale and getting more individuals and governments focused on this opportunity rather than one small project.
Councilmember Lidawer noted that she suggested the green roof because it is flat and if there is nothing to be gained financially, the City could support the environment with a green roof. She explained that she is not advocating just for panels but requested that the Sustainability Advisory Group review all environmentally sound options that could be placed on the roof of the Public Services building and other City wide projects. She understood how small the portion of the administrative wing of the building was and would agree with moving forward with the repair at this point but she would like all options reviewed. She asked what the time frame would be for having the Sustainability Advisory Group come before the Council to provide an analysis of the information.
City Manager Neukirch noted that preliminary work could be completed to identify what the analysis and costs would be and then the project would be added to the FY22 Major Project work plan.
Mayor Rotering asked that it be included in the work plan for the Sustainability Advisory Group as well.
Councilmember Tapia moved to approve a Resolution Authorizing Award of the Public Services Roof Repair Contract to DCG Roofing Solutions, Inc. of Melrose Park, Illinois. Councilmember Stone seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed unanimously.
| RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Andrés Tapia, Councilmember SECONDER: Kim Stone, Councilmember AYES: Mayor Rotering, Councilmembers Tapia, Stolberg, Stone, Blumberg, Lidawer ABSENT: Councilmember Holleman |
There was none.
BUSINESS FROM CITY STAFF
A. COVID-19 Pandemic Update & Vaccine Information
City Manager Neukirch informed the public that the Senior Center will reopen on June 1st at the Highland Park Country Club along with all of the City's administrative buildings. She noted that the City is encouraging face coverings but staff will be following all of the CDC guidelines for individuals that have been vaccinated. She noted that if individuals are looking for a vaccine, information on locations are available on the City's website at www.cityhpil.com. She stated that the free Connector bus will be available on Tuesdays and Fridays and that face coverings are required on all public transportation.
B. Special Events
City Manager Neukirch provided information on events including Memorial Day, the Bitter Jester Music Festival, 4th of July, Labor Day, Food Truck Thursdays, Ravinia Farmers Market, Festival of Fine Arts, Sidewalk Sale and the Port Clinton Art Festival.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilmember Stolberg moved to adjourn. Councilmember Lidawer seconded the motion. On a voice vote, Mayor Rotering declared the motion passed unanimously.
The City Council adjourned its meeting at 5:59 PM.
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