Lake County Gazette

City of Highland Park City Council met Sept. 9

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF

CALL TO ORDER

At 7:30 PM, Mayor Rotering called the meeting to order and asked for a roll call:

ROLL CALL

PRESENT: Mayor Rotering, Councilmembers Bruckman, Ross, Tapia, Lidawer, Stone

ABSENT: Councilmember Blumberg

STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Neukirch, Director of Public Works Bannon, Community Development Director Fontane, Finance Director Logan, Fire Chief Schrage, Deputy Police Chief Bonaguidi, Communications Manager Bennett, Assistant to the City Manager Palbitska

ALSO PRESENT: Corporation Counsel Elrod

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

1. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting Held on August 26, 2024

Councilmember Lidawer moved to approve the Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting Held on August 26, 2024, as amended. Councilmember Stone seconded the motion. Upon a voice vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed unanimously.

RESULT: ADOPTED AS AMENDED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Annette Lidawer, Councilmember

SECONDER: Kim Stone, Councilmember

AYES: Mayor Rotering, Councilmembers Bruckman, Ross, Tapia, Lidawer, Stone

ABSENT: Councilmember Blumberg

2. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting Held on August 26, 2024

Councilmember Stone moved to approve the Minutes of the Closed Session of the Regular City Council Meeting Held on August 26, 2024, as amended.

Councilmember Lidawer seconded the motion. Upon a voice vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed unanimously.

RESULT: ADOPTED AS AMENDED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Kim Stone, Councilmember

SECONDER: Annette Lidawer, Councilmember

AYES: Mayor Rotering, Councilmembers Bruckman, Ross, Tapia, Lidawer, Stone

ABSENT: Councilmember Blumberg

APPROVAL OF WARRANT LIST

1. Warrant List and Wire Transfers from August 16, 2024 to August 29, 2024.

Councilmember Tapia 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: Andrés Tapia, Councilmember

SECONDER: Annette Lidawer, Councilmember

AYES: Mayor Rotering, Councilmembers Bruckman, Ross, Tapia, Lidawer, Stone

ABSENT: Councilmember Blumberg

REPORT OF MAYOR

Mayor Rotering provided a statement in support for the hostages in Gaza.

A. Proclamations

1. September 15 - October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month

Mayor Rotering proclaimed September 15 - October 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month. She welcomed Moraine Township Trustee Pablo Alvarez to share a few words.

Trustee Alvarez provided a brief statement.

Mayor Rotering thanked Trustee Alvarez for highlighting the exceptional community engagement efforts.

2. September 22 - 28, 2024 is Banned Books Week

Mayor Rotering provided a proclamation regarding Banned Books Week. She welcomed Highland Park Public Library Executive Director Heidi Smith to share a few words.

Executive Director Smith shared a few words regarding Banned Books Week and activities at the Library.

B. Other business

1. Community Mental Health Board, Moraine Township

Moraine Township Supervisor Anne Flanigan Bassi provided information on a ballot measure proposed by the Township.

Mayor Rotering asked if there will be an annual report from the board, how board members will be held accountable, who appoints the board members, and if the mental health board will dispense grants to organizations and/or provide grants directly. She requested information as to how the board will establish guidelines and if board meetings are open to the public.

Supervisor Bassi provided a response to the Mayor's questions.

Councilmember Ross and Supervisor Bassi discussed how the mental health board will work with other existing services within the community.

Mayor Rotering noted that this item will be on the November 5th ballot and residents will be able to make a decision at that time.

2. Honor Flight 2024 - Dr. Mark Nolan Hill

Dr. Mark Nolan Hill presented information on the Honor Flight 2024 out of Chicago.

Mayor Rotering thanked Dr. Hill for his work with the Lake County Honor Flight.

BUSINESS FROM THE COUNCIL

A. Sister Cities Report - Chair Carol Wolfe

Chair Carol Wolfe presented a report on the Sister Cities Foundation.

B. Plan & Design Commission Report - Chair Karen Moore

Chair Karen Moore presented a report on the Plan & Design Commission.

C. Sustainability Advisory Group Report - Chair Jay Futterman

Chair Jay Futterman presented a report on the Sustainability Advisory Group.

BUSINESS FROM CITY STAFF

A. Highlight of Omnibus Items

City Manager Neukirch highlighted items on the omnibus agenda.

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

City Manager Neukirch introduced Business from the Public.

Carl Lambrecht, Highland Park resident, discussed the 154th birthday of the individual that started Planned Parenthood.

Clara Stupharts, Highland Park resident, voiced her concern for the proposal of sidewalks on University Avenue.

Levi Kane, Highland Park resident, discussed the imposition of a tax on Ravinia Festival and comparable larger entities.

Mark Portman, Highland Park resident, voiced his concerns for the proposal of sidewalks on University Avenue.

Marla Portman, Highland Park resident, voiced her concerns for the proposal of sidewalks on University Avenue.

Pamela Weiner, Highland Park resident, voiced her concerns for the proposal of sidewalks on University Avenue.

David Kenneth, Highland Park resident, voiced his concerns for the proposal of sidewalks on University Avenue.

Tom Hiller, Highland Park resident, voiced his concerns for the proposal of sidewalks on University Avenue.

Mike Gower, Highland Park resident, voiced his concerns for the proposal of sidewalks on University Avenue.

Mayor Rotering thanked those that spoke about the University Avenue sidewalks.

City Manager Neukirch provided a status report on the University Avenue sidewalk consideration.

SCHEDULED BUSINESS

ITEMS FOR OMNIBUS VOTE CONSIDERATION

Mayor Rotering noted item 2 will be moved to the next agenda for the Committee of the Whole on September 23, 2024.

Councilmember Lidawer requested to pull item 3 from omnibus vote consideration.

Councilmember Stone moved to approve items 1, 4, and 5 by omnibus vote consideration.

Councilmember Tapia seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed unanimously.

RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Kim Stone, Councilmember

SECONDER: Andrés Tapia, Councilmember

AYES: Mayor Rotering, Councilmembers Bruckman, Ross, Tapia, Lidawer, Stone

ABSENT: Councilmember Blumberg

Administration

1. Adoption of a Resolution (R100-2024) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “A Resolution Approving an Exterior Improvement Grant to Jim Lederer for Back Back LLC, Bluegrass Restaurant, 1636 Old Deerfield Road.”.

Finance

4. Adoption of a Resolution (R101-2024) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “A Resolution Amending the Authorized Signatories For the Disbursement of City Funds”.

Public Safety

5. Adoption of an Ordinance (O65-2024) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “An Ordinance Declaring Certain Property Owned by the City of Highland Park to be Surplus”.

ITEMS REMOVED FROM OMNIBUS VOTE CONSIDERATION

2. A Resolution Approving an Agreement with Do Tank Do LLC, of Chicago, Illinois, for Survey and Focus Group Facilitation Services.

The Council was in agreement this item would be removed from the omnibus agenda and set for the September 23, 2024 Committee of the Whole meeting for further discussion.

3. Adoption of a Resolution (R102-2024) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “A Resolution Adopting Amendments to the Food & Beverage Establishment Interior Improvement Grant Program”.

Councilmember Lidawer noted she was in favor of some of the proposed modifications discussed in the staff report but she was not in favor of the property owners not having to participate.

Councilmember Stone noted she was not in favor of the amendment to remove the requirement as to the property owner responsibility. She noted that she would not be voting in favor of this item as a whole.

Councilmember Tapia noted that he was supportive of this item.

Councilmember Bruckman noted that she was supportive of this item and would be voting in favor of the item.

Councilmember Ross noted that she would be voting in favor of the item but noted she heard and understood the concerns being expressed by her fellow Councilmembers. She requested further discussions about the reapplication period and requested it be more than 5 years but less than 10 years.

City Manager Neukirch noted that the reapplication period can be amended if the Council was interested in amending it.

Corporation Counsel Elrod noted that the 10 year reapplication period is already part of the existing program. He voiced concerns about making that amendment since that was not part of tonight's discussion and that topic was not properly noticed, but it can be done if the Council wishes.

Mayor Rotering stated that this item could be brought to the next Committee of the Whole meeting instead of voting on it during tonight's meeting if there was a need for a more robust conversation instead of trying to negotiate different items.

Councilmember Lidawer noted that the Council has continued to try and move the program along and businesses have relied on what has been proposed. She voiced concerns with putting this on another agenda to continue the discussion as there have been numerous discussions about this topic already. She noted that the Council has always stated they want to hold the property owners responsible and that should be within this program.

Councilmember Tapia stated that the Council needs to move this program forward as it has already been discussed on multiple occasions.

Councilmember Stone noted that she hears both perspectives and businesses already have a program in place they have been relying on. She confirmed that the Council has been very clear that the City wants the property owners to participate and be responsible for their property.

Mayor Rotering stated there will be an affirmative statement from property owners that they do not want to participate. She entertained a motion to approve the resolution as it was presented in the agenda packet.

Councilmember Tapia moved to approve a Resolution Adopting Amendments to the Food & Beverage Establishment Interior Improvement Grant Program.

Councilmember Bruckman seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed.

RESULT: ADOPTED [4 TO 2]

MOVER: Andrés Tapia, Councilmember

SECONDER: Barisa Bruckman, Councilmember

AYES: Mayor Rotering, Councilmembers Bruckman, Ross, Tapia

NAYS: Councilmembers Lidawer, Stone

ABSENT: Councilmember Blumberg

ADJOURNMENT

Councilmember Stone moved to adjourn. Councilmember Tapia seconded the motion. On a voice vote, Mayor Rotering declared the motion passed unanimously.

The City Council adjourned its meeting at 9:08 PM.

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