Lake County Gazette

City of Highland Park Housing Commission met Oct. 9

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

MEETING DATE: Wednesday, October 9, 2024

MEETING LOCATION: Council Chambers, City Hall, 1707 St. Johns Avenue, Highland Park, IL

CALL TO ORDER

At 6:30 p.m., Chairperson Fernandez Sykes called an on-site meeting of the Highland Park Housing Commission, Peers Housing Association, Ravinia Housing Association, and the Sunset Woods Association to order. Each of the Commissioners also serves as Directors of each of the Housing Associations. Public comments may be emailed to city@hpil.com or phoned into at 847.432.0867. The City web site is www.cityhpil.com. Staff was asked to call the roll.

ROLL CALL

Commissioners Present: Chairperson Fernandez Sykes; Commissioners Beasley, Bernstein, Farris, Gonzalez, Rosen, & Shapiro Kopin

Councilmember Absent: Blumberg

Student Council Present: Byrnes

Staff declared that a quorum was present.

Staff Present: Akash

Guests Present: Irina Leykin/ERES

Others Present: Gale Cerabona/Recorder

BUSINESS FROM THE PUBLIC

There was no Business from the Public.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Regular Meeting of the Housing Commission – September 4, 2024

Commissioner Farris moved to approve the September 4, 2024, regular meeting minutes. Commissioner Gonzalez seconded the motion.

Commissioner Shapiro Kopin amended that, on Page 4 under Mr. Anthony’s comments, the word donated be replaced with raised. Commissioners Farris and Gonzalez accepted the amendment.

On a roll call vote:

Voting Yea: Chairperson Fernandez Sykes; Commissioners Beasley, Bernstein, Farris, Gonzalez, Rosen, & Shapiro Kopin

Voting Nay: None

Chairperson Fernandez Sykes declared that the motion passed unanimously.

SCHEDULED BUSINESS

1. Items for Omnibus Vote Consideration

• Payment of Invoices

• Ratification of Payments

Senior Planner Akash advised there is nothing outstanding.

2. Peers, Ravinia, Sunset Woods Associations, & Housing Trust Fund

• Consideration of ERES Management Report and Financials

Peers & Ravinia

Ms. Leykin stated finalized budgets for both properties were submitted. Senior Planner Akash thanked

Ms. Leykin, and advised the HC this will go to City Council.

Commissioner Beasley arrived at 6:34 p.m.

Peers

Ms. Leykin reminded a Maintenance staff person is in place.

She advised the rear parking lot was seal coated. They are ensuring that parking is safe.

Ms. Leykin reported a newsletter will be distributed annually to all residents informing them what to do/offer reminders about windows, heat, air conditioning, etc.

Ravinia

Ms. Leykin shared a long-term solution is being sought for all of the leaks. She noted there was a leak in a single house which was repaired and will report the outcome to the HC.

Replacements of fire panels may occur.

Ms. Leykin said 1-2 more weeks are needed for repair on the unit where tenants were evicted.

She advised that 3 units had sewage and back-up as a pump stopped working. A remediation company is reviewing same.

Some HC comments are:

• Commissioner Shapiro Kopin asked if there is enough money in the reserve. Mr. Leykin replied there isn’t; however, she is requesting reimbursement for the past year as IDHA allows going back.

• Chairperson Fernandez Sykes asked where the people are who live there. Ms. Leykin said the tenants sleep on the 2d floor. A cleaning company cleaned, sanitized, ripped off flooring, etc. on the 1st floor, so tenants were able to remain in the unit. She noted the Property Manager is working with all residents.

• Commissioner Gonzalez asked if there is an available unit. Ms. Leykin said there is – the unit where tenants were evicted. She advised a candidate is slated to move in at the end of October.

• Commissioner Shapiro Kopin identified the debt-service coverage for August is negative. Ms. Leykin said the -0.88 won’t be a problem as what’s looked at is the year-to-date number. She explained same, and reminded clean-up of the evicted unit was $13,000.

• Sunset Woods Financials

Senior Planner Akash advised there is nothing outstanding, and there were no other comments.

• Housing Trust Fund (HTF) Financials

•

Senior Planner Akash advised there is nothing outstanding, and there were no other comments.

• Other Association Business

Senior Planner Akash advised there is nothing outstanding, and there were no other comments.

OLD BUSINESS

1. Consideration and Approval of CPAH 2024 Operating Grant Drawdown Request Q2 Senior Planner Akash reminded language was changed. She highlighted and explained same.

Commissioner Shapiro Kopin moved to approve CPAH’s 2024 Operating Grant Drawdown Request Q2 and amended language. Commissioner Bernstein seconded the motion.

On a roll call vote

Voting Yea: Chairperson Fernandez Sykes; Commissioners Beasley, Bernstein, Farris, Gonzalez, Rosen, & Shapiro Kopin

Voting Nay: None

Chairperson Fernandez Sykes declared that the motion passed unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Insurance Approval for Wind Deductible Buy Down for Y204-2025

Senior Planner Akash reminded the HC that the insurance broker previously explained the wind deductible for Peers and Ravinia. Commissioner Rosen recalled the quote being a percentage of the value of the building and expounded on same. He noted, at the time, there wasn’t a quote for the buy down.

Some HC comments are:

• Commissioner Shapiro Kopin asked if there is money in the budget. Senior Planner Akash advised there is. Commissioner Shapiro Kopin stated this policy would be underwritten by Lloyd’s, so it is the best you can have.

• Commissioner Bernstein asked if the City carries a wind deductible. Senior Planner Akash said she believes so. Commissioner Rosen concurred, and explained this is a new item being added to policies.

Commissioner Rosen moved to approve the Wind Deductible Buy Down for Y204-2025. Commissioner Farris seconded the motion.

On a roll call vote

Voting Yea: Chairperson Fernandez Sykes; Commissioners Beasley, Bernstein, Farris, Gonzalez, Rosen, & Shapiro Kopin

Voting Nay: None

Chairperson Fernandez Sykes declared that the motion passed unanimously.

2. A Resolution Approving the 2025 Housing Commission Meeting Schedule

Senior Planner Akash said if there are any concerns, she would be happy to alter dates. Commissioner Shapiro Kopin thanked Senior Planner Akash for her considerations.

Commissioner Shapiro Kopin moved to approve the 2025 Housing Commission Meeting Schedule.

Commissioner Gonzalez seconded the motion.

On a roll call vote

Voting Yea: Chairperson Fernandez Sykes; Commissioners Beasley, Bernstein, Farris, Gonzalez, Rosen, & Shapiro Kopin

Voting Nay: None

Chairperson Fernandez Sykes declared that the motion passed unanimously.

The agenda items were altered slightly.

UPDATES

1. Sunset Woods Condo Update

Commissioner Shapiro Kopin attended the meeting and met with a member of the Board and renters. She noted the renters had no issues, and advised conversation is taking place regarding the HC’s role.

Commissioner Bernstein added she is happy this is now an agenda item for HC meetings.

Back to…..

NEW BUSINESS

3. Housing Commission FY2025 Workplan

Senior Planner Akash said this is an informational document. She noted Staff oversees Evergreen and HODC regarding Peers and Ravinia. All repairs, construction, etc. is done by the management companies.

Multi-family projects will continue. The Affordable Housing Plan update comes up every 5 years and segues into the Strategic Plan. Staff is looking at monies in the Housing Trust Fund and how to leverage those funds.

Some HC comments are…..

• Commissioner Gonzalez asked:

○ if there are companies interested in new developments. Senior Planner Akash noted there are some in the pipeline. Applications are forthcoming.

○ for a list of potential developments. Senior Planner Akash will share same when applications are received.

• Chairperson Fernandez Sykes asked how developers are attracted to Highland Park regarding affordable housing. Senior Planner Akash said inclusionary units are provided as part of developments, through the scattered site progam, and providing grants such as CPAH 8- townhome development. She provided an update, and noted there are CPAH grants, etc.

• Commissioner Gonzalez would like to review the code as it relates to payments-in-lieu as it may need to be amended, updated, etc. (percentage of units that must be affordable, etc.). He asked that this be a future HC agenda item. Senior Planner Akash said they align with IDHA on the percentage as per the AHPAA, and noted this would be presented to the HC.

• Commissioner Rosen concurred that this would be very useful. He prefers affordable units rather than payments-in-lieu. Commissioner Rosen said City Council could decide to do more than what IDHA recommends.

Back to…..

UPDATES

2. Novogradac Contract Renewal Update

Senior Planner Akash said there was a 15% increase, and advised this would return at the next HC meeting. Some HC comments are…..

• Commissioner Beasley:

○ asked what information is provided when people move into Highland Park regarding utilities, contact information, etc. Senior Planner Akash said she knows there is a welcome package and will notify City Manager’s Office who handles this.

○ is concerned that new residents know about the dual-language program at schools. Senior Planner Akash asked that Commissioner Beasley forward this via email, and she will submit to the City Manager.

Chairperson Fernandez Sykes reminded the school districts, City, realtors, etc. often work autonomously. Commissioner Rosen stated realtors cannot do things that appear to be discriminatory.

3. Peers and Ravinia 2025 Budget Update

This topic was discussed earlier in the meeting.

ADJOURNMENT

Commissioner Shapiro Kopin moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:22 p.m. Commissioner Gonzalez seconded the motion.

On a voice vote

Voting Yea: Chairperson Fernandez Sykes; Commissioners Beasley, Bernstein, Farris, Gonzalez, Rosen, & Shapiro Kopin

Voting Nay: None

Chairperson Fernandez Sykes declared that the motion passed unanimously. 

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