Committee of the Whole 01 12 2026 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Vt-As6hgqs Automatic captions; not audio-verified. [0:00] Call to order the uh committee the hold for the city council of Highland Park, Illinois, January 12th, 2026. Happy new year everybody. Will the clerk please call the role? [0:09] Council member center. [0:10] Council member Brockman here. [0:12] Council member Ross here. [0:13] Council member Tapia. Council member Little here. Council member Bloomberg here. [0:17] Mayor Ry here. We have a quorum. May I have a motion to approve the minutes of the reg of the rescheduled regular meeting of the committee of the whole which was held December 15, 2025. [0:26] So move. Second. All in favor say I. I. I those minutes are approved. Hi there. Sorry I waited but okay. [0:34] I had a quick comment on them. First of all, thank you for the clarification and because it is as amended or that was on city council as a city council. [0:42] That's not for comm. [0:43] Um but um I did want to make a comment because I believe we had some um discussion at the last meeting. Let me just pull this up. Give me one second. [0:54] I'm really sorry about that. Um it it had to do with our um discussion [1:01] of the place of remembrance and um I believe it was clear in the minutes right [1:08] that we were going to spend um two mill we had given sort of an upward direction potentially for a budget of $2 million [1:17] that we would look into construction right for construction and that the design review was separate and apart and in addition and I I just wanted to add [1:26] to that that in fact um because we don't really know line items because we don't have specific drawings that not only was [1:34] that an upward limit but at some point you know I would like to see us keep oh there will be a budget for sure but [1:41] that's that was just sort of a placeholder as we moving into 2026. So, I just wanted to make sure that it was on the record that because it does say [1:51] for construction, but the design review at this point is above and not included in that 2 million. But in many ways, I'm [2:00] hoping that everything will be in that 2 million down the line. Okay. But we until we have our actual budget, we won't know. We won't know. So, I just wanted to comment on that. [2:08] Okay. Thank you. I don't think the minutes are impacted though. I think we're not at all. [2:13] All right. Well, thank you for that. Um and then continuing on with our scheduled business, the first item is a discussion entering about entering into [2:22] a sales tax rebate agreement for WKN Automotive Incorporated doing business as McCra Kia and 250 Skooki Valley Road. [2:30] And I really appreciate what this conversation is going to provide because while this has been a program that has existed for over 20 years, I think for a [2:40] lot of people on the council, this is the first time that they've been hearing the logistics of how it works and why we do it and so forth. So, thank you. [2:49] Thank you, mayor. Good evening, council members and everybody else. Um so we do have a um report and recommendation that [2:56] is included in the packet has a detailed staff report as well as next steps. Um just as a reminder to the council. So on [3:04] December 15th the council did approve a development agreement and special use agreement for McGrath Kia as it pertains [3:11] to their proposed um improvements at their property. Uh in that staff report on December 15th, we did include a [3:19] notation that we have been working with them um for some time as it pertains to a sales tax rebate that coincides with [3:26] the proposed improvements. Um as the mayor indicated, the sales tax rebate program um is uh detailed on our [3:34] website. It was established many years ago um as an economic development tool to support really our largest sales tax [3:42] generators. um one to support their increased economic investment in their property to retain them in Highland Park [3:49] and also as a business attraction tool um to attract other high sales tax generators to the community. The [3:56] criteria which our staff will go through in a moment um generally applies to it's it's mostly car dealerships just based on the volume and sales tax that they [4:05] generate. Um it could also be like grocery stores are generally in that caliber. So, the presentation this evening is we'll go through an overview [4:14] of overall the sales tax um rebate program. Um we're not looking for any changes to that program at this time, but just want to let you know that this [4:22] proposed initiative does align with that existing policy that we have. And then there um is some policy feedback pertaining to terms and conditions in [4:31] that agreement that we would like your feedback on. In terms of next steps, um based on your feedback, we will continue [4:38] um negotiations and discussion, put together an agreement working with corporation council, and we'll have that on the next available agenda for formal [4:46] consideration. Um and then with that, I'll turn it over to assistant manager Jason and also business development manager Jamie Elder, um who will go through the balance of the presentation. [4:55] Excellent. Thanks. Great. Thank you, city manager. So, as uh the city manager Kirk noted, we are seeking um feedback [5:04] from council in relation to the maximum rebate, the revenue share, and terms of the agreement. So, these items are all [5:11] tentatively negotiated between staff and the applicant as part of the application process. City manager noted we've been working with them for quite some time. [5:19] This is an at risk application, so I want to make sure you're aware of that. [5:22] there there is a $5,000 fee to even apply for a sales tax rebate that goes towards staff time as well as the extensive legal time that goes into the [5:30] negotiations and final drafts. So I want to make sure that was um pointed out. Um so the items that we are looking for feedback on these are items that are all [5:38] as I said tentatively agreed to with McGrath based on um the following terms and understanding contingent on your [5:46] review and consideration tonight. So that's the sales tax baseline. That's an estimate that staff has come to at 500,000. That's the existing sales tax [5:54] we expect from our 1% share municipality share for next year already. So, or 2026 now. Sorry, we started this so long ago. [6:02] It feels like next year. So, [6:04] [laughter and clears throat] [6:04] that's where we think they'll be as a flat baseline. If they do nothing, don't change their model or anything else. [6:10] This is where we expect them to be. So, any dollars we're talking about sharing, cost sharing with them would be above that baseline. So, that's a set [6:17] baseline. The estimate, Jamie's going to talk about this a little bit more, but the revenue share estimate we expect out of this agreement is approximately [6:24] 300,000 um to go back to them. What we're looking at again maximum rebate, we're recommending 2 million on um what [6:32] their investment is as well as their eligible expenditures into this project. [6:37] And then uh we don't want to set the ceiling lower than what they could earn back. We would love for them to sell out of cars every weekend and tell us like, [6:45] "Hey, Erin, we're going to hit this 2 million in two years." But I just want to make sure you're aware. Our expectation is that 300,000 they're around. Um, but we still want to make [6:53] sure we keep a steady maximum that recognizes what their current investment is. Um, we're asking for a negotiated [7:00] revenue share or 50/50 split. There are times in the program when we've gone higher. Um, I'm giving the applicant a higher share. We would not recommend [7:08] this at this time with McGrath. McGrath [clears throat] agrees with us on that assessment as well. And then we're recommending a term of 12 years or 2 [7:15] million, whichever is first. Um, and I'm going to go back into that a little bit more. Our terms have run from 10 to 15 [7:22] years on past agreements. Uh, we feel 12 is an accurate amount of time for them to reach their max potential for this pro particular project. [7:31] So, as I uh was telling you, I'm going to review what our actual policy is. So the purpose of the program, right, obviously stimulate sales tax growth and [7:40] create jobs in our high sales tax producers. It's also a huge retention tool. This is not an unusual incentive [7:48] to see in communities. We know Buffalo Grove, Lincolnshshire, um Libertyville, some of our other neighboring communities. They also have these types [7:55] of programs in place because it is something that we see all the time in economic development communities fighting to steal your and we don't say [8:03] steal often. I I usually say we we work well, but people will try to steal your car dealerships. So, being able to keep your car dealers in town, being able to [8:11] have them reinvest in confidence in the community that the community wants them to stay, the longevity that this represents is very important. So, that [8:19] helps us preserve the existing level of sales tax revenue. It helps us protect the interest of the city residents. [8:25] uh they do have to meet eligibility requirements and it's only used as the city manager mentioned for projects that will significantly impact sales tax. [8:34] So we said this program acknowledges investment and commitment by our car dealers to remain in Heaven Park. Um again stressing that we don't lose any [8:41] of our existing sales tax revenue. It's sales tax rebate only applies to that city portion that 1% and we we're setting that baseline at 500,000. [8:51] Just for your information, there are no active sales tax rebates at this time. [8:55] Every sales tax rebate we've had in the past has concluded and they often conclude early here in Highland Park. [9:00] People like to buy cars in Highland Park to all of our benefit. Um terms of past agreements vary with the maximum, as I mentioned, payout determined relative to eligible expenditures and investment by [9:09] the applicant. The length of the agreements varied from 10 to 15 years. [9:12] The last two set at 10 years due in large part due to the requested cost share being low. So last two agreements we entered into it was much lower [9:21] investment by those car dealerships. Um they did have to meet the criteria which is a minimum of 250,000 if they were existing 75 I'm sorry 75 for existing [9:29] 250,000 for new and they have to generate a minimum of 1 million annual sales tax. So we feel very confident in the 12-ear um suggestion here. [9:41] And then the last agreement we entered into was with Lexus in 2015. um they hit their maximum payout in nine years receiving their last payment in 2025 for [9:49] sales in 2024. So we did I know a question always comes up have we budgeted anything for this? Yes, we anticipated this ask coming in 2026. So [9:58] there are dollars in the 20 2026 budget related to a sales tax rebate agreement. [10:04] Even though it wouldn't be paid out until 2027, it has to be in the 2026 budget. So those dollars are covered in um our budget currently. [10:14] C can I just make one addition before you get to the specifics on McGrath and and [10:20] [clears throat] [10:21] Karen, it goes a little bit to what you're saying in terms of budgeting. The way we draft the actual document um the sales tax rebate agreement, we make it [10:29] very clear that the payment of the rebate is not a city obligation. It is not a general fund obligation. It is [10:37] only an obligation if there is sales tax generated and we only pay it when we [10:43] receive the sales tax from the state. So we are not if if there's no sales tax or [10:50] if there's no sales tax somehow that doesn't come from the state for whatever reason and we've known our state to do a [10:58] lot of crazy things then we have no obligation to pay. [11:02] [clears throat] [11:03] Okay. Good evening. Uh happy new year as well. See you all again. [11:09] And so uh one of the things we want to cover is definitely the the great investment that McGrath is making into our community. So the project is located [11:16] at 250 Skooki Valley Road. And so understand in this situation that the Kia Corporation, they're mandating that [11:24] all of their dealerships are basically have to upgrade to these next generation type of showrooms and service facilities. Uh so they're following the mandate from the corporation. This is [11:32] not something they were choosing to do on their own. And so with that, that's why you'll have an additional showroom and sales office. So you'll see in the next slide as well what the new showroom [11:41] would look like. You can see at the bottom uh your bottom right the current facility which is more of an outdated facility but the new showroom will have more glass allow for more vehicles, [11:49] newer model cars. Uh they're also anticipating new sales offices which will allow for new sales staff which would also lead to more sales of um of [11:58] vehicles and also parts and materials in their new service uh bay. So their current service center is kind of the regular you drop off your car outside the facility, you have to drive in it. [12:08] Their new service center be one of these modern service centers where you drive in as a customer and you can then be, you know, protected from the inclement [12:16] weathers in the winter months, stuff of that nature. So allows them to turn around cars really fast and sell more parts and materials. Um, so you can see [12:24] at the bottom their investments in those particular. So the showroom it cost $3.2 $2 million in the renovation looking at $540,000 [12:32] uh for a total of 3 point um roughly $3.8 million uh for this particular investment. [12:39] And so here's the renderings um that they provided us. So I think they also anticipate another 67 uh 68 uh spots for [12:48] vehicles to be displayed outside as well. And you can see that it'll be a lot more glass versus what they currently have in larger sales uh [12:55] showrooms and sales offices. And then on the right you can see that service center where you can be able to pull in. [13:02] And this is interior look um showing a lot more of the new sales offices where they'll be able to service a lot more clients and staff. [13:11] as a summary to the recommendations as our um corporate council already mentioned that one of the things in trying to do the estimates it was that [13:20] basically um looking at you know some there are some years in which we anticipate there might not be sales because we don't know the macroeconomic conditions over the next 10 to 12 years. [13:29] So there are years they don't meet the sales metrics then we wouldn't pay out. [13:33] Um and so as we discussed is just a maximum rebate up to $2 million. We hope that they hit that because obviously more sales to the cities. Uh negotiated [13:41] revenue splits 50/50 which is consistent will be done in the past. Um and then 12 years or or $2 million whichever comes [13:48] first. And on average we looked up maybe 10 to 11 years in the past when our sales re when our other applicants have met that goal. [13:57] Great. Thanks. Um excellent presentation. Really appreciate the history and the background. Um, and it's [14:05] always wonderful on this main road through town to see more people investing in their businesses. Um, and [14:12] you highlighted something that was super important. This is a highly competitive market. We know that there are other communities who are offering similar [14:19] incentives. This is not a grant. This is not a loan. This is a okay, you did a great job. You reached your threshold. [14:26] Now, we'll give you a little bit back to keep you here. So, I think it's a win-win across the board. Are there any questions? Um, council member liter and [14:34] then council member Tapia and then council member center. [14:37] So my one of my questions was in reading the summary it sounded like it's um so assuming the 500,000 is they have to [14:47] make that first before there would be any rebate. But it also seemed like it would be plus CPI [14:54] correct year over year baseline increases year over year. So I just have that cushion too. Yep. Um, so [15:02] that's number one. And then just for argument sake, you've got your 500,000, you got your CPI. [15:11] Let's say they make another um 50,000 over that 500. So in theory, we are [15:19] receiving sales tax of 50,000, but then we're going that's the money that we're going to pay out, right? [15:27] As the 25. [15:29] Yes. to them the delta above the threshold. [15:32] So hypothetically in that situation we'd received 550,000 and we've given them back 25,000. [15:37] Exactly. So when you say we're going to pay them out or it's been budgeted, I mean you're saying we're taking into account a guesstimate of what their [15:45] sales tax or their sales are going to be. It's not like we're actually paying out from our money. [15:52] That's why I wanted to make sure fund. It's a rebate, not a grant. when we get the money tax then we give them [16:01] that 15% over the 500 plus the budget note is really just internal for our own accounting purposes the the [16:10] talking point to the public is this type of agreement is based on um sharing the growth of new revenue to [16:20] the city and so um we're not sharing any of the current sales tax revenue that we're receiving from an existing car [16:27] dealer ersship. It's all based on the incremental growth out above the base. Great. I just wanted to understand that. Yeah. [16:35] Thank you. [16:37] Yeah. I just want to take advantage of this conversation. I I have no issues with this particular proposal for future, not right now. It'd be [16:44] interesting to see how much over the I don't know the last 5 years or 10 years that we had the program or however long [16:51] we've had. What what has been the the benefit? you know how much you know happened right in terms of [16:58] their investment how much it went over and they got a bonus on it how much we we turned to them you know because we [17:06] got the benefit of the growth right yeah we do have and we can provide it there are um is it five examples in the [17:13] packet dating back to 2005 um so I can definitely make sure and share that with you yeah I see that I see that right but [17:21] it's more kind of the macro it's like you know because this is granular right line by line item but kind of from an [17:29] economics perspective what was the the big win I'm going to challenge that question only because I don't know how you quantify you have people working in town [17:37] you can't quantify loss of your dealership to another community and we have had a few situations where people [17:44] said oh Lake Bluff you know they have that whole car row or North Park they have that whole car row they they're offering me an incentive it's kind of [17:53] hard to prove something that didn't happen as well. So, I appreciate what you're saying. You want to make sure that this is worth doing. Um, but I think there are kind of certain elements [18:01] that are going to be difficult to quantify. Just beware. [18:04] Certain elements. I think there's some elements that can be quantified. Sure. Sure. Okay. [18:09] um Joel and then council just wanted to to mention also mayor um that in the past you know these types of [18:17] deals have helped keep the car dealerships here and they invested in their locations because significant reinvestment in our [18:25] Yeah and see that's a great metric how much incentive of reinvestment did this stimulate true that we can certainly quantify for you [18:34] absolutely absolutely council member center well a few questions Thanks for the presentation. Uh [18:42] the max exposure to us as I understand kind of going back to kind of deliverers math example 750,000 is that right? Million and a [18:50] half divided by two 2 million. 2 million. So less 500,000. So this is beyond the 500,000. That's right. Right. [18:58] So 2 millionus 500,000 divided by two. No. No. They'll hit 500,000. So 2.5 million 500,000. [19:04] Let's have that problem. But but exposure that's the and that's what I wanted to be careful about. That's a that that's the max that we would be rebating. [19:14] It's still exposure because if we don't have the program that's 100% our sales tax dollars if they say if they stay or it's 100% of zero, right? [19:23] Or it's 50% zero. [19:25] We're not sure, but that's not the question. The max rem would be two million. The max rem. [19:30] So that's 2 million over 12 years. I think where where I'm getting your math wrong. Sorry to interrupt. Um that $500,000 baseline and that increases [19:39] every year. They have to go over that base every year before pay. [19:44] The maximum rebate is 2 million above the 500,000 annually. [19:48] So annually they have to hit the 500 500 plus CPI plus 2 million over 12 million over a total of 12 years. And the hitting of the threshold is annually. [19:59] And if they hit that threshold, if they hit that 2 million, if they have like the best car sales ever because of these 68 new spots and they hit $2 million in rebates in like year three, [20:08] then we're done. We don't pay them out anymore. [20:10] So if that is you have the math exactly right, as did council, as did Annette, council member Ler, I just want to be [20:18] careful all through with the word exposure as though it's something that the city would have to dig into its [20:26] funds. Your answer is yes. Above the half million each year. [20:30] Each year above the half million. So let's say we just only generated let's say they went in lower than lower than expected every single year for 12 years. [20:42] We wouldn't give them anything and we still keep 100% of that sales tax revenue. Right. [20:47] Can they get 750,000 or a million? I'm just trying to get the math right. They can get 2 million over 12 years. [20:57] Their share is 2 million. That That's their share ision. Their share is so million for everybody. [clears throat] Half of that. [21:06] Thank you. Yeah. [laughter] We got there. Sorry. What is from a budgetary perspective? [21:14] It's early in the year. It's [laughter] all good. [21:16] What did we have for I I don't I don't think you budget at like the They do level, right? [21:25] No, no, no. we budget sales tax estimates from cars because when the whole tariff thing was going on poor Christie I was like how are you [21:33] doing this? Are we still selling cars because of all the tariffs and all of that? [21:37] So they do on that line item when if you look at the financial reports every month we get that breakout of sales tax [21:44] and one of the lines is cars and gas and whatever. self. [21:48] Okay. Just trying to guess like from a net on a net basis that our [21:57] proposal here is no worse than what we had in the budget. Correct. Okay. Correct. Yes. [22:05] Um question about the criteria. I think it said something about a million dollars of sales tax, right? Correct. [22:13] Why then is our base 500,000? That was my question. [22:18] because they are supposed to be projecting at least that much. So our bases that they generate on average, but we don't get all their sales tax. So [22:26] it's their annual sales tax is over a million dollars, but it's our 1% the baseline settlement. [22:33] Okay. And so the 500,000 is based on a projection that they're going to do 50 million in revenue. [22:40] So it's based on our Yes. It's based on our It's based on our research on what they've done, what what there are other dealerships in in Kia [22:48] that have done this growth and done this as as Jamie mentioned, right? It's like a mandated update. Having 68 more cars, [22:56] where do we think they'll be if they were just where they were? Where do we think they'll be, you know, with the addition? So, the the 500,000 comes from if they didn't change anything, where would they be? [23:05] Do they submit to you cash flow forecast? Yes. Yes. So, I did the due diligence on it. [23:10] The big [clears throat] challenge with them is that they only have 18 months of data. So it's a new and then we don't have too many comps in Illinois and especially Northshore and so we just have to [clears throat] [23:19] project out based on our 18 months and then what we project going forward. [23:23] We don't have comps from Kon right but we got other car dealers right and so does I mean is that part of your analysis? Yeah. So that's so they will [23:31] give us they gave me their projections of what we what they thought they will do and then we take their projections and then try to project 12 years out [23:40] and and their sales tax and use returns that they submit to the Illinois Department of Revenue. We also receive those as well. So the accounting is based on that. [23:47] Okay. Fantastic. Uh I think I heard you say that they're required to build this right or required to sort of upgrade [23:54] their facility per Kia corporate like what we saw with Genesis 2. Right. Right. [23:59] So, are they like they're going forward with this whether we provide the rebate or not? True or false? [24:06] That is true. They have to, but I will tell you it is something that they've been negotiating with us in good faith with a hope that they could still do it here in Highland Park [24:14] um to put that money in. Jamie and I have both been part of these type of not in Highland Park and and Kea as well, you know, part of sales tax rebate [24:23] agreements and that is a big piece of it. That's that knowing that the city is your partner in this project helps retain that business here. [24:30] Yep. Okay. And one final question. Uh and this may have come up in the past during the original uh approval or [24:37] conditional approval. Do they own that property or they lease it? [24:42] They own the property. So there's a separate LLC or inc or LLC that owns the properties for all the grants. Okay. Thanks guys. [24:50] Thanks for Thanks. Um, just anecdotally, these are conversations that go back to [24:58] when I first started on the city council. The first time I was approached by any of the dealers to discuss in advance of the city council discussion, [25:07] uh, I was approached by the late Mayor Jerase. [clears throat] Uh, just to give you an idea of how far back that was. [25:14] Um, and so this has been sort of an ongoing, I would go so far as to say a [25:21] traditional way of helping to retain car dealers in Highland Park. Car dealers tend to be, as we've heard, much more mobile than other kinds of business, [25:29] very willing to go to where the economy is the most advantageous for them. And it requires a commitment to expanding. [25:39] At that time, there was a discussion of how they were going to expand. In the interim between then and this discussion, other dealers have come in [25:47] seeking uh tax rebates on the um impetus of expanding their facilities, [25:55] increasing the amount of their sales and they've uh unfailingly lived up to that [26:01] and it has resulted in higher taxes uh sales taxes higher amounts of sales tax the city of Highland Park even with the [26:10] rebates. Anecdotally, we have lost very few dealers. I don't think we've lost any dealers over an expansion issue. Um [26:18] we we did lose um the Tesla dealership over I think some other issues. So I [26:26] think it's very important to [cough] uh show our love, if you will. But it is it is a I think a reasonable economic [26:34] commitment because it's carefully calculated. It requires that they generate the kinds of tax that they are [26:43] uh expecting to generate. It does require certain minimum uh limits both in terms of initial generation of sales [26:50] tax and initial outlay for the expansion of their facilities and a reasonable cap. So in the end I think it's it's a [27:00] reasonable economic incentive program that to me differs from my complaints about the restaurant issue. um where I I [27:09] feel that the city is making loans in a an industry that is far more volatile than the car dealership industry which has been pretty stable over the years. [27:20] Thank you. [27:20] Any comments? Just one question and this could be I don't know what this is. So after let's say they hit the 2 million [27:27] or the 12 years um if they decide to expand or not necessarily them but another dealership do they get the [27:35] opportunity to apply again for a tax rebate or like I mean I guess you look into the future and how do you keep these car dealerships um in Highland [27:44] Park and working with us? I guess that's my question. Yes, as long as they meet the criteria. [27:49] So, the existing um dealerships, it's $75,000 investment or more. And they also have to prove up to us that they're creating new sales tax. So, it's not [27:57] just like, hey, we wanted to paint everything, you know, it's what are you doing to bring more cars onto your lot, more service parts being sold, and then [28:04] if it's a new dealership, it's $250,000 investment award. [28:08] Okay. Thank you, Cer. Um I just a comment not a question but I I I looking [28:15] at the the images I I I feel like that is maybe another positive that that it [28:22] it it seems very tasteful um and uh paired down it it it just seems very tasteful. I think it will attract uh [28:31] people. So uh I think that's a positive as well as the program. [28:36] Thank you. So do you need a vote? It's I have a sense that people are [clears throat] understanding and comfortable. [28:42] So, we'll have an agreement um hopefully on the next agenda. [28:45] We've been benefiting nicely though from all the upgrades. Actually, 41. [28:49] If you look at 41 and where it was and how we've proceeded, it's really nice. Yeah. [28:55] And that helps us attract additional cards, right? Exactly. Exactly. Thanks Aaron and Jamie for a great presentation and discussion. Really appreciate it. [29:07] Um, so we're going to recess. We're going to grab dinner and then our guests from Italy are coming at 6:30 which [29:15] should be fantastic. So, uh, we'll take a recess for about an hour and we'll be back. Thanks. [29:24] I gave him I think it's important to start with boner. [29:32] Good evening everybody. I'm the mayor of Highland Park, Illinois. It's my delight to welcome all of you and I have some [29:39] comments I'd like to share first, but just want to say uh thank you to this incredible group for joining us this evening. I wish I had more Italian than [29:48] Buon. Um, but tonight we are honored to host a very special delegation of representatives from our sister city of [29:56] Modna, Italy who are visiting Highland Park to honor the impact of Donsante Bartali. A native son of Highland Park, [30:04] Donante Bartali spent the majority of his life in religious service in Italy where his remarkable contributions and [30:11] his personal commitment to serving others led to the founding of Sitha de Ragazi. How am I doing? Close. Okay. [30:20] [laughter] Modeled after Boytown that I can say. The groundbreaking home and school for atrisisk boys. Founded by Father Edward Flanigan in Omaha, Nebraska in 1917. [30:31] This organization provides vocational training, education, financial support, access to sports, and more for young [30:39] people experiencing poverty, homelessness, and other needs. Don Sante Bartali is also honored at the United [30:47] States Holocaust Museum as a righteous gentile for his underground fight against fascism and protection of Jewish [30:54] Italians during World War II. Highland Park Sister Cities Foundation is a tremendous asset to our community and [31:02] I'm pleased to tell you that we have our newest student commissioner with us this evening, Sammy Gordon. And I said to her, Sammy, you're going to have the time of your life with these people. [31:10] They are so much fun. So I'm so glad that we can celebrate with all of you. [31:15] Uh through the foundation stewardship of relationships with our sister cities of Modina, Italy, Porto Vayardo, Mexico, and Yurakam, Israel, Highland Park has [31:24] enjoyed rich intercultural exchanges from music and the arts to international robotics students competitions. Annually [31:31] on Sister Cities Day, we proudly recognize this incredible program and the volunteers for their hard work and commitment to bridging geographic [31:39] distance through goodwill, education, and shared experiences. These global bonds of friendship are more important [31:46] than ever. So, on behalf of the city of Highland Park and my council colleagues who are with me this evening, we are truly delighted to welcome our friends [31:55] from Italy. I don't know. Uh, Carol, if you want people to stand up when I call their names, that might be a helpful thing. Or it they don't have to. [32:02] Whatever you think. Okay. [32:05] I have a list. We're prepared up here in Highland Park. Don Don Stfano Viol, [32:14] [applause] [32:19] you are the director of Sita de Ragazi. [32:22] Uh, Father Simone Cornnea, director of youth ministry of the dascese of Modina. [32:27] Welcome. [applause] Dr. Masimilliano Mourini, director of the vocational school of the Sitadi. [32:37] [applause] [32:41] Dr. Elena Roi, youth ministry of the dascese of Modna. Welcome. [applause] [32:50] Enrio Bellini from the sanctuary of Fiorano in Modna. Welcome [applause] [32:58] Mariana Dal. Oh, I'm so sorry. Mariana Dal Noare from Sola. [33:04] Welcome [applause] Antonio Vardi, musical oratory of the [33:11] Sita de Ragazi. [applause] Dr. Dr. Kiara Frankini, first secretary [33:20] of the foreign and secret of and security policy area of the Italian embassy in Washington. Welcome. [33:27] [applause] [33:29] And we're equally honored that Bishop Timothy Ali is here as well. Um, welcome Bishop. Thank you to the Highland Park [33:37] Sister Cities representatives who are here this evening, especially President Carol Wolf. Please rise, Carol. [33:43] [applause] [33:47] and Vice President Lori Bernardi Wyatt. [33:51] [applause] [33:54] We're also pleased to recognize our state senator, Julie Morrison, who is joining us to recognize the delegation as well. Welcome, Senator. [applause] [34:05] So, thank you all so much for celebrating the shared history and friendship of our sister cities, Highland Park and Modna. Tonight we'll [34:13] begin with a proclamation which I will read first in English followed by a reading in Italian by Vice President Wyatt and then we would like to present [34:21] a small recognition to each of our honored guests followed by presentations by Sister Cities President Carol Wolf and Senator Morrison. Following the [34:30] presentations we would appreciate it if everybody would please pause for pictures. I will begin with our proclamation [34:39] in recognition of special guests from Modina. Whereas since its inception in 1956, [34:46] the goal of Sister Cities International has been peace through citizen diplomacy reflecting a belief in the power of [34:53] personal connections. And Lori, do you want to read line by line with me or do you wanna translate? [35:03] So, do you want me to read the whole thing first in English? Okie do. We'll make it easier on everybody. Whereas, as members of Sister Cities International [35:10] and fivetime best overall program winner, the Highland Park Sister Cities Foundation has embraced this mission through cultural, educational, and [35:19] business exchanges and programs to provide humanitarian relief. The Highland Park Sister Cities Foundation has connected people in our community [35:27] with people in our sister cities, Porttoarda, Mexico, Modna, Italy, and Yurham, Israel. The results have [35:34] transformed lives and created lifelong bonds of friendship. And whereas priest Don Stfano Violi is the director of Sita [35:41] de Ragazi boytown in Modna modeled after the boytown started by father Flanigan in the United States. Don Stfano is the [35:49] is leading a delegation from Modna to Highland Park on a pilgrimage. But why Highland Park? They are coming to thank the community that gave birth to Don [35:58] Sante Bartali, one of their inspiring priests and benefactors. And whereas Don Sante Bartali was born in Highland Park in 1917, [36:06] he and his four brothers were orphaned and sent to be raised by an aunt and sent Anna Palago in the mountains of northern Italy. Three of his brothers [36:15] returned to the United States. Don Sante Bartali remained in Modna and entered the seminary. He was ordained a priest [36:22] in 1942 and whereas his values in humanity led him to become an active member of the partisans in northern Italy called the Modina underground [36:31] movement. Don Sante Bartlay was captured by the fascists who turned him over to the Nazis and sent him to Dhao and then [36:38] to Mount concentration camp where he experienced unspeakable horrors. And [36:44] whereas liberated in May of 1945, he was sent to a convent in Europe to regain his health. There he wrote his memoir, [36:53] Dafosi a maltousen. Soon after he founded Sita de Ragazi, Boytown of Northern Italy. He returned active in [37:01] parish work, often returning to Highwood in Highland Park until his death in 1978. [37:07] And whereas Don Sante Bartlay's name is inscribed in the Holocaust Museum in Washington DC as a righteous gentile, a [37:14] non-Jewish person who risked his life to save Jews during the Holocaust, a title officially awarded by Israel's Yadvashm [37:21] to recognize extraordinary bravery and humanity. And whereas Don Stfano conducted a mass in tribute to Don Sante Bartali today, January 12th at 5:00 p.m. [37:32] at St. James Church in Highwood. Now therefore, I Nancy Rodrig, mayor of the city of Highland Park, and the city council of the city of Highland Park, [37:39] Lake County, Illinois, do hereby declare January 12, 2026 as Don Sante Bartali Day. And I encourage all residents to [37:47] welcome this esteemed delegation from Modina, Italy, as well as to celebrate the deep bonds of our sister city's relationship connected by a truly [37:55] remarkable man who exemplifies the best in humanity. Thank you. [applause] [38:13] Austral Sister [38:32] City Park Cities Foundation [38:49] Parkound. [39:19] Island Park. [39:39] Santana. [40:32] Washington DC. [40:53] Hollywood. Wood Park. [41:21] [applause] [41:28] Miligrat. [41:30] Um, at this time I'd like to invite Sister C's President Carol Wolf to share a few comments. [41:39] Hello everyone. Whoa. [41:42] This has really been an emotional, incredible day. Um, actually the planning of this event has been incredible. Um, first I want to say [41:51] thank you Mayor Roing for the proclamation honoring and um, Dansante Bartali and making today Dansante Bartoi [41:59] Day in Highland Park. Thank you members of the city council for your continued support of Sister Cities and our programming. We are so grateful for to [42:08] to all of you for your support. Thank you to members of the Highland Park Sister Cities Foundation who are here tonight for your continued efforts as [42:16] well. Um without your work and dedication and efforts to make the world a better place through citizen diplomacy, we wouldn't even be here tonight. [42:26] When Highland Park became sister cities with Mina, Italy, notice how I said Mina. [42:33] [laughter] [42:34] We had no idea of this deep and spiritual connection. [42:40] The bonds of our sister city relationship were strong. But now they are profoundly deeper because we are [42:47] connected [clears throat] by a remarkable man who exemplifies the best in humanity. [42:54] And I just learned something on at the mass before. I don't know if I'm going to get the story correct. So if I'm wrong, correct me. But evidently [43:04] two people who were relatives of Dansante Bartto were on the internet and they found out about tonight and they [43:12] came to the mass and they're here with us tonight. [43:16] [applause] [43:22] [applause] [43:29] And so with open hearts and full heart full hearts and open arms, we welcome [43:36] you to your home away from home in Italian. [43:42] aertial demo [43:51] seasa [43:55] [applause] [43:58] before I would be remiss if I didn't mention this. We're all here tonight because of a vision of Mayor Dan Pierce [44:07] who isn't here with us tonight but will always be in our hearts and Roa Pierce his wife who was our first president. [44:13] Roa and I also want to acknowledge Larry Black because Larry and Lou Lamberti were the ones who started our Modina [44:21] Sister City relationship and [clears throat and snorts] we always say we are all connected. So thank you all. [44:27] Thank you all and um we are just are so filled with gratitude and love. Thank you. [44:33] Thank you. [applause] State Senator Julie Morrison, we invite [44:44] you to the podium to share a few comments as well. So glad you could join us. [44:54] It is really my pleasure to represent the state of Illinois tonight to welcome all of our special visitors from Italy. [45:02] I will tell you I don't know of another community that does this that makes the international connections as well and as [45:10] longlasting as Highland Park. Tonight we are honoring your history and the history you share with the city of [45:18] Highland Park. But we are also building the future. The future of friendship to go long after we have all left this place. [45:29] We are sharing the work of making our world a more peaceful, a friendlier, a [45:36] more joyful, a more connected place for all of us to live. It is an honor to be here with you tonight. I want to thank [45:44] you for traveling across mountains and an ocean to get here to be with us. We are truly grateful to have you. Thank you. [45:52] [applause] [46:02] Thank you so much, Senator Morrison. Um, at this time, I'm going to invite each member of the delegation forward. And when your name is called, I'd like to [46:10] present you with a small token of our appreciation for your continued partnership. We're pleased to present each member with a certificate uh city [46:19] coin that has the seal of Highland Park on it. And I believe Senator Morrison, did you have something to contribute as [46:26] well? Yes. Okay, great. Um so, and and what Well, they'll come back afterwards. Each person gets their moment. Okay. [46:35] Thank you. Um and with that, let's see. [46:39] Am I reading names? Is somebody else? I think I am. Okay. Um [46:46] let's see that. [46:54] Great. [47:01] So come join me and Carol. [47:13] Okay, thank you. [47:18] Okay, there we go. So, if you want first name. [47:21] Okay, thank you. So, the mayor and the city council is proud to present an honorary citizen of Highland Park to all [47:30] of our guests who are here with us tonight. So, you are now part of our community. So, first name, Dr. That's [47:39] not [47:43] [applause] [47:54] always Simone. [48:05] [applause] [48:12] Thank you. Um, Masimo Morini. [48:17] [applause] [48:20] How do I pronounce this? Don't do. Thank you. [48:27] Thank you. Dotoesa, is that how I would say it? Elena Rick Roki. [48:34] [applause] [48:39] Thank you, Enrico Bellini. [48:43] [applause] [48:47] Thank you, Mariana Dal. No, [48:52] [applause] [48:57] Antonio Verardi. [49:00] [applause] [49:05] and doessa Kiara Frankini [49:08] [applause] [49:20] everybody come stand here behind you stand closer to Thank you. [49:43] This one. [50:00] [snorts] [50:07] Good. Thank you. [50:10] [applause] [50:16] [applause] [50:19] Thank you for being here. Thank you so much. [laughter] Thank you. So nice. [50:29] Thank you. [50:40] Thank you. Thank you. [50:46] [laughter] [50:47] That's wonderful. Oh my goodness. [50:58] So, so just to conclude, I just want to thank everybody that we've had the opportunity to honor this evening and [51:06] most particularly to share this incredible legacy of Dons Santo Bartali, [51:12] of honor, of service, of sacrifice for so many both in our community and in Europe. We look forward to continuing to [51:21] reassure our friendship with Modna for many years to come. Milrati Arie [laughter] [51:29] [applause] [51:37] mayor Rotary. Yes, ma'am. Stephano has something to give you. Oh my gosh. [51:41] It is it is this is really really special. So, um, do you want to explain what this is? The the diary. [51:50] Oh my gosh. [51:53] This is the diary that you could explain to them. So Don Stefan [52:00] I want give you the diary written by Don Santai in which book Don Sante tells his [52:09] story from is when he was captured in Mona and bring it to Mataus and Dao and [52:17] it's a really strong book and for us it's really important to share this book with you. H we are working to uh make a [52:25] new edition of the book with maybe we hope also a English version so we can send you and all we can be connected in [52:35] the memories of Don Santoni not only working on the past but we want to look to the future and to stay together and connected in the future. Okay. [52:45] Beautiful. [52:45] Thank you very much. [applause] Thank you. [53:00] And my understanding is you now have dinner awaiting you at the Bachi Club. [53:03] So have a wonderful evening and thank you all. [laughter] [53:11] Okay, let's do that. Uh with that, I am seeking a motion to go into close session. I would for purposes of purchase of property. [53:20] Yes. U motion to go into close session for purchase or lease of property pursuant to 5 ILCS120/2C5. [53:32] Second. We have a motion. We have a second. We'll declare to call the vote. Need a roll call. Council member center. I. Council member Breman. [53:40] Hi. Council member Ross. Hi. Council member Tapia. Hi. Council member Little. Hi. Council member Bloomberg. Hi. [53:46] Mayor Roin. I will go into close. Thank you.