Lake County Gazette

City of Highland Park Committee of the Whole met Jan. 16.

Here is the agenda provided by the committee:

CALL TO ORDER 

At 5:34 PM, Mayor Rotering called the meeting to order and asked for a roll call: 

PRESENT: Mayor Rotering, Councilmembers Ross, Hoobler, Tapia, Lidawer, Stone, Blumberg 

ABSENT: None 

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, Community Development Deputy Director Later, Assistant to the City Manager Palbitska 

ALSO PRESENT: Corporation Counsel Elrod, Assistant Corporation Counsel Martinez 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES 

1. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Committee of the Whole  Held on December 11, 2023 

Councilmember Stone moved to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Committee of the Whole Held on December 11, 2023. Councilmember Lidawer seconded the motion. Upon a voice vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed  unanimously. 

RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS] 

MOVER: Kim Stone, Councilmember 

SECONDER: Annette Lidawer, Councilmember 

AYES: Mayor Rotering, Councilmembers Ross, Hoobler, Tapia, Lidawer, Stone, Blumberg

SCHEDULED BUSINESS 

1. Supporting Migrants 

Mayor Rotering provided opening statements regarding Migrants coming to the area. 

City Manager Neukirch presented information regarding Migrant Busing Transportation. 

Corporation Counsel Elrod provided an explanation as to what the substance of the ordinance is about. 

The Committee, Corporation Counsel Elrod and City Manager Neukirch discussed: 

∙ How the ordinance does not pertain to private bus companies dropping off on private properties

∙ How the ordinance is not specific to Migrant Busing; it pertains all one way trips of ten or more people being dropped in Highland Park 

∙ The penalties are for the bus companies, not the individuals on the bus 

∙ Notifications that are being provided to the bus companies 

∙ Notifications sent to the communities where there is a larger amount of migrants being bussed from 

∙ Important resources being provided to those in the community that need them

2. Consideration of a New Classification of Liquor License 

Assistant City Manager Jason presented information on a consideration of a new classification of liquor license. A request was previously brought before the Liquor Control Commission on September 26, 2023 at the request of business owner Yana Khernburg and her attorney Cal Bernstein. 

Ms. Khernburg provided information on updates to her business plan and floor plan that was previously presented at the Liquor Control Commission. 

The Committee, Corporation Counsel Elrod, Ms. Khernbug, and staff discussed: 

∙ B1 Zoning district location 

∙ Hours of operations currently set by the City Code for all liquor license  holders 

∙ Hours proposed by the business owner as to when the proposed speakeasy will be open in comparison to her barbershop hours 

∙ Updated business proposal that was being proposed by the owner during tonight’s discussion 

∙ Τhe updated proposal is no longer an ancillary business model 

∙ Speakeasy portion of the proposed business would be open Tuesday  through Sunday 

∙ Food described by the business owner would meet the limited food  description as provided by staff 

∙ Relationships would be established with Sunset Foods or other local  businesses to provide food during events 

∙ Cultural events will include cultural food 

∙ Concerns with a bar being operated late that abuts a residential neighborhood 

∙ Recommendation would be creating a category that will allow a license holder to operate a bar when there are no standalone bars currently operating in Highland Park right now 

∙ There is not a maximum number of licenses for any category in the City Code for Highland Park 

∙ Recommendation to have the Council review liquor licenses when a  business leaves Highland Park or comes into Highland Park 

∙ Nano-breweries were approved as an allowable use in 2021 through the Zoning Code

∙ Category for ancillary business models should be included in liquor  classification overview 

∙ Recommendation of a possible cap on the number of licenses that can be available based on a review by the Council for bar licenses 

∙ Classification of license that was approved for Starbucks  

∙ BYOB (“bring your own beverage”) operations 

∙ Recommendation of a full review of the liquor code to allow for some  updates 

∙ BYOB should be regulated, it should be an ancillary use, and it should not be an expensive license 

∙ Hours listed in the City Code for Sunday operation should be updated ∙ How this type of liquor license as an ancillary use will add to the night time economy  

∙ Concerns that the proposed plans continue to change during discussions with the business owner 

City Manager Neukirch noted that based on Council feedback, the majority support moving forward with a liquor license if the liquor sales are ancillary to the barbershop. She stated an ordinance can be drafted for the February meeting for formal Council consideration. She explained that a comprehensive review of the liquor code will take place at a future meeting. She requested that the applicant put  the updated business proposal in writing with a floor plan for the business that will include the bar space as being ancillary to barbershop services; they cannot be separated. 

Corporation Counsel Elrod noted that the ordinance can be drafted for the February City Council meeting.  

Mayor Rotering and Councilmember Blumberg exited the meeting at 6:45 PM. At  this time, Presiding Officer Stone began running the Committee of the Whole meeting. 

3. Second Street Lighting Selection 

Community Development Director Fontane provided information on the Second Street lighting selection. 

The Committee and staff discussed: 

∙ Concerns with needing to make a decision when not enough visual context has been provided 

∙ Request to have renderings of 2 or 3 options available for viewing to see how the light poles may look in the area and understand how many light poles will be needed 

∙ Recommendation that the most expensive light poles do not make sense in Downtown 

∙ Recommendation that the poles that do not have banner arms do not make sense in Downtown

∙ Recommendation to allow for flexibility with the poles if the City does not want to install banners and/or baskets every season 

∙ The final decision should weigh the notion that the installation of the light poles will be in place for decades 

∙ The light poles that would be the best fit in the Central Business District 

∙ Recommendation to move forward with renderings of the Alcott and  

Providence light pole models 

∙ Bollard types that would be the best fit in the Central Business District 

∙ Majority interest in having bollards that are removable 

∙ Staff noted that the potential threat of theft would not be high with bollards that are installed with quick release 

∙ Majority interested in the quick release bollards  

∙ Interested in having a rending of the bollard that will match the Alcott light  pole for continuity  

∙ Request to have the consultant look for bollards that are similar to the Hawthorne model that may be removable  

∙ Request to have follow-up information provided as to the number of bollards that may be needed based on the model chosen  

ADJOURNMENT 

Councilmember Tapia moved to adjourn the Committee of the Whole Meeting. Councilmember Hoobler seconded the motion. Upon a voice vote, Presiding Officer Stone declared the motion passed unanimously. 

The Committee of the Whole adjourned its meeting at 7:30 PM. 

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