Lake County Gazette

City of Highland Park Committee of the Whole met Oct. 28

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

CALL TO ORDER

At 5:30 PM, Mayor Rotering called the meeting to order and asked for a roll call:

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

ABSENT: None

STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Neukirch, Community Development Director Fontane, Assistant City Manager Jason, Police Chief Jogmen, Finance Director McCaulou, Fire Chief Schrage, Assistant City Manager Taub, Deputy Director of Public Works O'Neill, Communications Manager Bennett, Assistant to the City Manager Palbitska, Business Development Manager Hersch

ALSO PRESENT: Corporation Counsel Elrod

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

1. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Committee of the Whole Held on October 15, 2024

Councilmember Stone moved to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Committee of the Whole Held on October 15, 2024. 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 Bruckman, Ross, Tapia, Lidawer, Stone, Blumberg

SCHEDULED BUSINESS

1. Potential Relocation of "Miss Nitro"

City Manager Neukirch introduced and thanked Communications Manager Bennett as she is the staff liaison for the Cultural Arts Advisory Group ("CAAG"). She introduced the Chair and noted that he has comments to provide based on the conversation had by CAAG. She noted other members of CAAG that were present and explained that it was not a posted meeting for CAAG and only one representative could provide comments, the Chair. She introduced the presentation on the potential relocation of Miss Nitro if the Highland Park Library expansion were to be approved.

Communications Manager Bennett presented information on the potential relocation of Miss Nitro and requested feedback from the Committee.

The Committee and staff discussed the review of the piece that took place in 2004. They discussed the necessity of an RFP for the restoration work based on the $40,000 cost for conserving the piece regardless of if it is relocated or not. An example of the treatment for the original piece was provided by Councilmember Stone and it was discussed how the similar piece was placed directly on the lawn, where the piece in Highland Park is placed on concrete. They discussed the reasoning as to why the piece was painted in 1991 and how children actively climb on and around the piece. There was discussion as to the need for a maintenance budget if there was not one presently set up for Miss Nitro. There were multiple requests for a site plan or renderings of the piece in the preferred locations of either Brown Park or the triangular area on Central Avenue and Deerfield Road. It was expressed that there was no interest in having the sculpture placed at The Preserve and a majority of the Committee was interested in having the patina refinished in lieu of painting. There was one recommendation to review placement in Lincoln Place Park but since a majority of the Committee was not interested, that option was removed from preferred locations. Members of the Committee were interested in Central Avenue and Deerfield Road as that was seen as a gateway into the City but it could also bring vibrancy to the Ravinia Business District if located at Brown Park.

There was a request to speak with the Park District to understand what is being planned for Brown Park.

City Manager Neukirch noted the next steps would include requested renderings, discussions with the Park District and the gathering of information for the cost of refinishing the piece.

Chair Eisenberg, on behalf of CAAG, noted the importance of the sculpture by an important sculptor.

2. Use of the Public Rights of Way for Year-round Outdoor Dining

City Manager Neukirch introduced the Use of Public Rights of Way for Year-Round Outdoor Dining or Steateries. She noted that staff is seeking feedback and what next steps will be if the Committee is interested in moving forward with Year-Round Outdoor Dining.

Business Development Manager Hersch presented information on the Use of Public Rights of Way for Year-Round Outdoor Dining.

The Committee, Corporation Counsel Elrod and staff discussed the importance of safety with implementation of streateries and any reported issues that may have come up recently. A strong emphasis was on how cars should be viewed as guests in business districts. They discussed how streateries would allow for community vibrancy and provide assistance for businesses already operating within the business districts. There was interest in allowing this on private properties such as in the Crossroads district based on how the business district was comprised. There was a request for further review as to where streateries would make sense and be feasible. Based on the discussion, there was a request for a balance of allowing the use of public rights of way and grants provided to implement streateries. A recommendation was made to emphasize the importance of parking around the perimeter of the business district and education on where parking is available. They discussed how the proposed plan for streateries would be for all seasons throughout the year and the materials that would be constructed would be easily removed if a current business leaves the space and a new one takes over but not interested in having a streatery space.

City Manager Neukirch noted that it is understood that the Committee is interested in pursuing the opportunity of allowing streateries. She noted next steps would include research on design standards, proposal of a fee that is reasonable for this type of dining and the process for permitting streateries within the business districts.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

1. Approval of the Minutes of the Closed Session Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Committee of the Whole Held on October 15, 2024

Councilmember Stone moved to approve the Minutes of the Closed Session Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Committee of the Whole Held on October 15, 2024.

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

RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Kim Stone, Councilmember

SECONDER: Anthony Blumberg, Councilmember

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

ADJOURNMENT

Councilmember Stone moved to adjourn the Committee of the Whole Meeting.

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

The Committee of the Whole adjourned its meeting at 7:04 PM.

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