Lake County Gazette

City of Highland Park City Council met Nov. 25

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

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, Blumberg

ABSENT: None

STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Neukirch, Director of Public Works Bannon, Community Development Director Fontane, Assistant City Manager Jason, Police Chief Jogmen, Finance Director McCaulou, Assistant City Manager Taub, 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 Rescheduled Regular City Council Meeting Held on November 18, 2024

Councilmember Lidawer moved to approve the Minutes of the Rescheduled Regular City Council Meeting Held on November 18, 2024, as amended. Councilmember Blumberg seconded the motion. Upon a voice vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed unanimously.

RESULT: ADOPTED AS AMENDED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Annette Lidawer, Councilmember

SECONDER: Anthony Blumberg, Councilmember

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

APPROVAL OF WARRANT LIST

1. Warrant List and Wire Transfers from November 08, 2024 to November 13, 2024.

Councilmember Blumberg moved to approve the Warrant List. Councilmember Tapia seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed unanimously.

RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Anthony Blumberg, Councilmember

SECONDER: Andrés Tapia, Councilmember

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

REPORT OF MAYOR

A. Hostages in Gaza

Mayor Rotering provided comments regarding the hostages in Gaza.

B. 2025 Budget

Mayor Rotering voiced her appreciation for the work that was completed on the FY2025 budget and provided comments.

BUSINESS FROM THE COUNCIL

A. Zoning Board of Appeals - Chair Jami E. Bay

Zoning Board of Appeals ("ZBA"), Chair Jami E. Bay, provided highlights of the work completed by the ZBA.

Councilmember and Chair Bay discussed the work of ZBA and how the City can support the Commission.

Councilmember Bruckman provided comments regarding the proposed budget.

BUSINESS FROM CITY STAFF

City Manager Neukirch noted City offices will be closed on Thursday and Friday this week in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. She 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 provided opening remarks for Business from the Public.

Warren Hendrickson, Highland Park resident, discussed the need for a sidewalk in front of the old Lincoln school.

Mayor Rotering and City Manager Neukirch provided feedback related to Mr. Hendrickson's comments.

Kevin Cullather, Highland Park resident, discussed the process of approving variances and the timing as to when the City Forester is brought in to the process.

SCHEDULED BUSINESS

ITEMS FOR OMNIBUS VOTE CONSIDERATION

Mayor Rotering removed item 4 from omnibus vote consideration at the request of a member of the public.

Councilmember Blumberg moved to approve items 1-3 and 5-11 by omnibus vote agenda.

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

RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Andrés Tapia, Councilmember

SECONDER: Kim Stone, Councilmember

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

Administration

1. Adoption of a Resolution (R131-2024) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “A Resolution Approving an Exterior Improvement Grant to Secret World Books”.

2. Adoption of a Resolution (R132-2024) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “A Resolution Approving an Exterior Improvement Grant to Bella Via 431 Temple Avenue”.

3. Adoption of an Ordinance (O75-2024) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “An Ordinance Waiving the Formal Bidding Requirements of the City's Purchasing Manual and Approving an Agreement With Henricksen & Company Inc., of Itasca, Illinois, for the Purchase of Senior Center Furniture”.

5. Adoption of an Ordinance (O76-2024) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “An Ordinance Amending the Compensation Plan for City Employees During the Period of January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024”.

Finance

6. Adoption of an Ordinance (O77-2024) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “An Ordinance Approving the Annual Budget of the City of Highland Park, County of Lake, State of Illinois, for the Fiscal Year Beginning January 1, 2025 and Ending December 31, 2025”.

7. Adoption of a Resolution (R133-2024) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “A Resolution Establishing Certain Annual Fees to be Charged by the City of Highland Park for the Period of January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025”.

8. Adoption of an Ordinance (O78-2024) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “An Ordinance Approving the Compensation Plan and Policy for City Employees Effective January 1, 2025”.

Public Works

9. Adoption of a Resolution (R134-2024) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “A Resolution Authorizing Engineering Design Services Agreements with Bowman of Chicago, Illinois; Robinson Engineering of Itasca, Illinois; and Thomas Engineering Group of Oak Brook, Illinois”.

10. Adoption of a Resolution (R135-2024) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “A Resolution Authorizing Structural Engineering Professional Services Agreements with Christopher B. Burke Engineering (CBBEL), Ltd, of Rosemont, Illinois; Ciorba Group, Inc., of Chicago, Illinois; and Atlas Engineering Group, Ltd. of Deerfield, Illinois”.

11. Adoption of a Resolution (R136-2024) by omnibus vote consideration titled, “A Resolution Approving an Easement Agreement Between the City and Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association (NSSRA) and Northmoor Country Club (Northmoor) in Favor of Commonwealth Edison Company (ComEd)”.

ITEMS REMOVED FROM OMNIBUS VOTE AGENDA

4. Adoption of a Resolution (R137-2024) titled, “A Resolution Approving a Third Amendment to the City Manager Employment Agreement and Approving a OneTime Bonus Payment to the City Manager”. Levi Kane, Highland Park resident, provided comments regarding item 4.

Councilmember Stone moved to approve a Resolution Approving a Third Amendment to the City Manager Employment Agreement and Approving a OneTime Bonus Payment to the City Manager. Councilmember Lidawer seconded the motion. Upon a roll call 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

Councilmember Tapia provided comments regarding Mr. Kane's public remarks and decorum.

OTHER BUSINESS (the City Council will consider and then either approve or disapprove the following items)

Finance

12. A Public Hearing Related to Providing for the Levy of Taxes for the City of Highland Park, a Home Rule Municipality, County of Lake, State of Illinois, for Tax Year 2024 and Collected in Fiscal Year 2025

At 8:01 PM, Mayor Rotering called to order the Public Hearing Related to Providing for the Levy of Taxes for the City of Highland Park, a Home Rule Municipality, County of Lake, State of Illinois and asked the Clerk to call the roll:

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

ABSENT: None

Mayor Rotering declared a quorum was present.

Finance Director McCaulou presented information as it relates to Providing for the Levy of Taxes for the City of Highland Park, a Home Rule Municipality, County of Lake, State of Illinois.

Councilmember Stone moved to close the public hearing. Councilmember Tapia seconded the motion. Upon a voice vote, Mayor Rotering declared the motion passed unanimously.

The public hearing was closed at 8:05 PM.

Mayor Rotering noted for individuals who were unable to attend this evening's public hearing, may submit written comments to the attention of the City Finance Director. She stated that the City Council will consider an Ordinance Adopting the FY2024 Tax Levy and related items at the December 16, 2024 City Council Meeting.

Community Development

13. Referral of a Variation Request to the Zoning Board of Appeals (295 Cedar Avenue)

Community Development Director Fontane presented information on the referral of a variation request to the Zoning Board of Appeals ("ZBA").

Councilmembers discussed the options to either send the referral to the ZBA for a final decision, send the referral to the ZBA and return to the Council for final determination or to choose not refer the variation request to the ZBA.

Councilmember Tapia moved to send the variation request to the ZBA for final decision.

Mayor Rotering noted that the motion fails as there was no second to the motion.

Councilmember Lidawer moved to send the referral to the ZBA with the item returning to the City Council for final determination.

Mayor Rotering noted that the motion fails as there was no second to the motion. Councilmembers and City staff discussed the process to undertake regarding the variation request.

Cal Bernstein, applicant's attorney, provided comments regarding the variation request.

Councilmembers continued their discussion regarding the process to undertake the variation request.

Councilmember Blumberg moved to not have the variation request referred to the ZBA. Councilmember Stone seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, the Mayor declared the motion failed.

RESULT: FAILED [1 TO 6]

MOVER: Anthony Blumberg, Councilmember

SECONDER: Kim Stone, Councilmember

AYES: Councilmember Blumberg

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

Councilmember Lidawer moved to refer a Variation Request to the ZBA with the item to be returned to the City Council for final determination. Councilmember Bruckman seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed.

RESULT: ADOPTED [4 TO 3]

MOVER: Annette Lidawer, Councilmember

SECONDER: Barisa Bruckman, Councilmember

AYES: Councilmembers Bruckman, Ross, Lidawer, Blumberg

NAYS: Mayor Rotering, Councilmember Tapia, Councilmember Stone Councilmembers voiced their appreciation of the work done by City Manager Neukirch and discussed decorum during all City meetings.

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 8:27 PM.

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