Lake County Gazette

City of Highland Park City Council met Jan. 16.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

CALL TO ORDER

At 7:36 PM, Presiding Officer Stone called the meeting to order and asked for a roll call:

ROLL CALL

PRESENT: Presiding Officer Stone, Councilmembers Ross, Hoobler, Tapia, Lidawer

ABSENT: Mayor Rotering, Councilmember Blumberg

STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Neukirch, Director of Public Works Bannon, Community Development Director Fontane, Assistant City Manager Jason, Police Chief Jogmen, Fire Chief Schrage, Assistant City Manager Taub, Assistant to the City Manager Palbitska

ALSO PRESENT: Assistant Corporation Counsel Martinez

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

1. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting Held on December 11, 2023

Councilmember Lidawer moved to approve the Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting Held on December 11, 2023. Councilmember Ross seconded the motion. Upon a voice vote, Presiding Officer Stone declared the motion passed unanimously.

RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Annette Lidawer, Councilmember

SECONDER: Yumi Ross, Councilmember

AYES: Presiding Officer Stone Councilmembers Ross, Hoobler, Tapia, Lidawer

ABSENT: Mayor Rotering, Councilmember Blumberg

APPROVAL OF WARRANT LIST

1. Warrant List and Wire Transfers from December 01, 2023 to January 04, 2024.

Councilmember Tapia moved to approve the Warrant List. Councilmember Hoobler seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, Presiding Officer Stone declared the motion passed unanimously.

RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Andrés Tapia, Councilmember

SECONDER: Jeffrey Hoobler, Councilmember

AYES: Presiding Officer Stone, Councilmembers Ross, Hoobler, Tapia, Lidawer

ABSENT: Mayor Rotering, Councilmember Blumberg

REPORT OF MAYOR

A. Appointments

1. 2024 Reappointment to the Human Relations Advisory Group

The Council was in consensus to approve the reappointment of Nancy Krent to the Human Relations Advisory Group.

2. Appointment to Fill a Vacancy on the Zoning Board of Appeals

The Council was in consensus for the appointment to fill a vacancy on the Zoning Board of Appeals.

3. Class of 2025 Student Commissioner Appointments

Presiding Officer Stone presented the appointments for the Student Commissioners Class of 2025.

B. Proclamations

1. Recognizing Eagle Scout Finn Davis

Presiding Officer Stone read the proclamation recognizing Eagle Scout Finn Davis.

Finn Davis thanked the community and his family for assisting him in achieving this goal.

2. Recognizing Eagle Scout Nick Newman

Presiding Officer Stone read the proclamation recognizing Eagle Scout Nick Newman.

Nick Newman's father, on behalf of Nick Newman, thanked the community for their support.

BUSINESS FROM THE PUBLIC (Citizens wishing to be heard regarding items not listed on this agenda)

Presiding Officer Stone provided a statement regarding the opportunity for the public to address the Council on an item that was not on tonight's agenda.

Carl Lambrecht, Highland Park resident, discussed infanticide. He presented a book that he requested the City Council read that is available at the Library.

BUSINESS FROM THE COUNCIL

A. Cultural Arts Advisory Group - Councilmember Tapia

Councilmember Tapia provided highlights of the Cultural Arts Advisory Group. B. Park District of Highland Park - Councilmember Ross

Councilmember Ross provided highlights of the Park District of Highland Park. C. Library Board of Trustees - Councilmember Stone

Presiding Officer Stone provided highlights of the Library Board of Trustees.

BUSINESS FROM CITY STAFF

A. Omnibus Agenda Highlights and Lakeshore Recycling Updates City Manager Neukirch provided highlights on items on the omnibus agenda. She provided information on the Lakeshore Recycling Service Schedule.

Presiding Officer Stone noted that if homeowners are having issues, they should contact Lakeshore Recycling first and then the City if they continue to need assistance.

SCHEDULED BUSINESS

ITEMS FOR OMNIBUS VOTE CONSIDERATION

Councilmember Tapia requested to remove item 1 from omnibus vote consideration. Councilmember Ross requested to remove item 4 from omnibus vote consideration.

Councilmember Lidawer moved to approve item 2 as amended, 3 and 5-10 by omnibus vote consideration. Councilmember Tapia seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, Presiding Officer Stone declared the motion passed unanimously.

RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Annette Lidawer, Councilmember

SECONDER: Andrés Tapia, Councilmember

AYES: Presiding Officer Stone, Councilmembers Ross, Hoobler, Tapia, Lidawer

ABSENT: Mayor Rotering, Councilmember Blumberg

Administration

2. Adoption of an Ordinance (O01-2024) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “An Ordinance Waiving the Formal Bidding Requirements of the City's Purchasing Manual and Approving an Agreement with HireUAVPro.com LLC, of Denver, Colorado, for a Community Drone Show”.

RESULT: ADOPTED AS AMENDED

MOVER: Annette Lidawer, Councilmember

SECONDER: Andrés Tapia, Councilmember

AYES: Presiding Officer Stone, Councilmembers Ross, Hoobler, Tapia, Lidawer

ABSENT: Mayor Rotering, Councilmember Blumberg

3.Adoption of a Resolution (R1-2024) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “A Resolution Approving Agreements With Total Parking Solutions, Inc., of Downers Grove, Illinois, for a Monitoring System for Multi-Space Parking Terminals”.

5.Adoption of a Resolution (R2-2024) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “A Resolution Approving Rules Concerning Public Meetings and Public Comment”.

6.Adoption of an Ordinance (O02-2024) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “An Ordinance Amending the Compensation Plan for City Employees During the Period of January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024”.

Community Development

7.Adoption of an Ordinance (O03-2024) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “An Ordinance Amending Section 150.415 of the "City of Highland Park Zoning Ordinance of 1997," as Amended, Regarding Solar Energy Systems Regulations”.

8.Adoption of an Ordinance (O04-2024) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “An Ordinance Designating 1175 Green Bay Road as a Local Landmark”.

9.Adoption of an Ordinance (O05-2024) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “An Ordinance Waiving the Formal Bidding Requirements of the City’s Purchasing Manual and Approving a Renewal of an Agreement for the Provision of Drainage and Grading Plan Review and Related Engineering Services”.

Public Safety

10.Adoption of an Ordinance (O06-2024) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “An Ordinance Waiving the Formal Bidding Requirements of the City's Purchasing Manual and Approving an Agreement with Flock Group, Inc., of Atlanta, Georgia for Installation and Maintenance of a License Plate Reader System”.

ITEMS REMOVED FROM OMNIBUS VOTE CONSIDERATION

1. Adoption of an Ordinance (O07-2024) titled, “An Ordinance Amending Chapters 71 and 95 of "The Highland Park Code of 1968," as amended, to Regulate Unscheduled Bus Stops”.

Councilmember Tapia provided comments in both Spanish and English regarding this item.

Lee Goodman, Northbrook resident, commented on his experience at the border. He voiced concerns that the ordinance is being approved to not allow individuals within the City.

The Council, Assistant Corporation Counsel Martinez, and City Manager Neukirch provided information based on Mr. Goodman’s comments.

Nancy Goodman, Northbrook resident, commented on her experience at the border. She voiced concerns that the ordinance is being approved to not allow individuals within the City. She requested that the City do more for these individuals.

Councilmember Tapia asked for City Manager to provide information as to what the City is planning to do and steps the City took when two buses dropped off individuals in Highland Park in December.

City Manager Neukirch provided information as it relates to the City planning and actions the City took during the previous two incidents in December 2023.

Councilmember Lidawer moved to approve an Ordinance Amending Chapters 71 and 95 of "The Highland Park Code of 1968", as Amended, to Regulate

Unscheduled Bus Stops. Councilmember Tapia seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, Presiding Officer Stone declared the motion passed unanimously.

RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Annette Lidawer, Councilmember

SECONDER: Andrés Tapia, Councilmember

AYES: Presiding Officer Stone, Councilmembers Ross, Hoobler, Tapia, Lidawer

ABSENT: Mayor Rotering, Councilmember Blumberg

4. Adoption of a Resolution (R3-2024) titled, “A Resolution Approving Change Order No. 1 to the Professional Services Agreement With Holabird & Root, LLC”.

Councilmember Ross noted that she provided questions to the City Manager and asked what the procedure was to address those questions regarding accessibility.

City Manager Neukirch noted that Assistant City Manager Jason has taking the lead on the project. She provided information on the accessibility that will be provided for the seniors based on the questions provided by Councilmember Ross.

Councilmember Ross requested that the site plans be provided when items are being presented to the City Council, including the parking plans.

Councilmember Tapia moved to approve a Resolution Approving Change Order No. 1 to the Professional Services Agreement with Holabird & Root, LLC.

Councilmember Hoobler seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, Presiding Officer Stone declared the motion passed unanimously.

RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Andrés Tapia, Councilmember

SECONDER: Jeffrey Hoobler, Councilmember

AYES: Councilmember Ross, Councilmember Hoobler, Councilmember Tapia, Councilmember Lidawer, Councilmember Stone

ABSENT: Mayor Rotering, Councilmember Blumberg

BUSINESS FROM CITY STAFF

A. Public Works - Highlights of Department Initiatives, Programs and Services

Public Works Director Bannon provided highlights on the Public Works Department initiatives, programs, and services.

The Council voiced their appreciation for the work that is being conducted by the Public Works Department.

Howard Kaplan, Highland Park resident, requested information as to how the homeowner is notified regarding the lead line replacement that was discussed in Director Bannon's presentation.

Director Bannon provided the requested information.

CLOSED SESSION

Councilmember Lidawer moved the Council 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) setting price to sell/lease property (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(6)). Councilmember Tapia seconded the motion. On a roll call vote, Presiding Officer Stone declared the motion passed unanimously.

At 8:52 PM, the Council recessed the public portion of the meeting to meet in Closed Session.

At 9:21 PM, Presiding Officer Stone reconvened the open session of the City Council Meeting.

Members Present: Presiding Officer Stone, Councilmembers Ross, Hoobler, Tapia, Lidawer

Members Absent: Mayor Rotering, Councilmember Blumberg

City Staff Present: City Manager Neukirch, Community Development Director Fontane, Fire Chief Schrage, Assistant to the City Manager Palbitska

Also Present: Assistant Corporation Counsel Martinez

ADJOURNMENT

Councilmember Lidawer moved to adjourn. Councilmember Tapia seconded the motion. On a voice vote, Presiding Officer Stone declared the motion passed unanimously.

The City Council adjourned its meeting at 9:21 PM.

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