Lake County Gazette

City of Highland Park Committee of the Whole met Feb. 10

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

MEETING DATE: Monday, February 10, 2025

MEETING LOCATION: City Hall - Pre-Session Conference Room 1707 St. Johns Avenue, Highland Park, IL 60035

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, Director of Public Works Bannon, Community Development Director Fontane, Assistant City Manager Jason, Finance Director McCaulou, Fire Chief Schrage, Assistant City Manager Taub, Deputy Police Chief Olson, Commander Curran, Administrative Program Specialist Cherry

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 January 27, 2025

Councilmember Lidawer moved to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Committee of the Whole held on January 27, 2025. Councilmember Blumberg seconded the motion. Upon a voice vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed unanimously.

RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Annette Lidawer, Councilmember

SECONDER: Anthony Blumberg, Councilmember

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

Stone, Blumberg

SCHEDULED BUSINESS

1. Building Code & Stretch Code Update

Community Development Director Fontane presented information on the Illinois Stretch Energy Code. The purpose of the presentation was to present preliminary information and to invite feedback from the Committee. The adoption of the Illinois Energy Stretch Code would be formally considered later in 2025 as part of the Building Code update project. He noted that the State's mandatory Code is on a glide path to net zero by 2050, in case that particular detail affects the Committee's decision.

The Committee, Director Fontane and Corporation Counsel Elrod discussed benefits and concerns on adopting the Illinois Stretch Energy Code, including differences between the Stretch Code and other codes, potential savings and assistance/incentives to homeowners, the impact of multi-family housing and commercial developments, and the timeline and any potential costs to homeowners associated with adopting the Stretch Code.

Director Fontane discussed next steps, including more research on how the Code will affect commercial developments and how other municipalities are approaching this topic.

CLOSED SESSION

Councilmember Blumberg moved the Committee to close its meeting to the public, pursuant to the following cited section of the Illinois Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 120/2(c)), for the purposes of i) pending litigation (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11)). Councilmember Stone seconded the motion. On a roll call vote, Mayor Rotering declared the motion passed unanimously.

At 6:16 PM, the Committee recessed the public portion of the meeting to meet in Closed Session.

At 6:36 PM, Mayor Rotering reconvened the open session of the Committee of the Whole Meeting.

Members Present: Mayor Rotering, Councilmembers Bruckman, Ross, Tapia, Lidawer, Stone, Blumberg

Members Absent: None

City Staff Present: City Manager Neukirch, Administrative Program Specialist Cherry

Also Present: Corporation Counsel Elrod

ADJOURNMENT

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

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

The Committee adjourned its meeting at 6:37 PM.

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