Committee of the Whole Meeting 08/17/2026 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQ-whIZzEns Automatic captions; not audio-verified. [4:50] Mayor Rotary, I am pleased to call to order the Highland Park Committee of the Hall on Monday, August 17th, 2026. Will the clerk please call the role? [4:58] Council member Center, present. Council member Brockman here. [5:01] Council member Ross here. [5:02] Council member Lower here. [5:04] Council member L here. [5:06] Presiding officer present. All right, we have a quorum. Good news. [5:12] Uh, uh, our first order of business is approval of the minutes. And we will have, uh, we're going to do them in one motion because there are four minutes to approve here. So, I'll list the four. [5:24] First is a consolidated meeting of the Highland Park Committee of the Hole held on July 13, 2026. Next is the minutes of the close session of the consolidated [5:32] meeting of the committee of the whole held on July 13, 2026. Next is the minutes of the special meeting of the committee of the whole held on July 20, [5:40] 2026. And finally, in fourth, the minutes of the close session of the special meeting of the committee of the whole held on July 20, 2026. [5:49] So moved. Second. All right. Uh in favor say I. I. Any opposed? [5:56] Present as to July 13th closed in regular session. [6:01] Thank you, Councilman. All right. Uh minutes are therefore approved. [6:06] All right. So, we have three uh scheduled items uh business items and we will start with the first one. The first one is the 2027 proposed budget for [6:15] library operating and capital. And uh with that, city manager Muker will now introduce the agenda item. [6:24] Great. Thank you, presiding officer Tapia. Uh good evening everybody. Um so as indicated the first item is a budget [6:32] workshop pertaining to the library proposed budget for fiscal year 27. Um I would like to introduce and welcome our [6:39] colleagues from the library. So we have treasurer Rob Beerman is with us this evening. Uh library director [clears throat] Heidi Smith and [6:46] assistant director Kyrie Chapel that's here um with us this evening that are going to present in short order. Um first just want to provide for public [6:54] information just for the city council just an overview of our budget schedule. [6:58] Um certainly as the council knows we have a number of different public workshops where we provide um various updates on the budget development [7:06] process and then behind the scenes we are working diligently um as a staff also with our component units of [7:13] government such as the library and the housing commission as we prepare for the proposed budget for fiscal year 27 which [7:20] starts in January [snorts] 1st. Um so you can see right where we are um kind of the top section of um the process on [7:28] the 17th with library operating and capital. Um everything thus far has been informed based on council feedback. Um [7:37] starting with a review of our mission and priorities doing um goal setting and objectives. And then as we continue um [7:44] we're going to be reviewing next steps uh revenue, capital and debt planning next month. And then it will continue um throughout the year um concluding to the [7:53] last quarter with the approval of the budget as well as a tax levy and other items related to the proposed budget. Um so with that I'll introduce the library [8:02] colleagues to walk us through the proposed budget. [8:12] Thank you very much. Is this okay just the way it is? Yes. Thank you. [8:18] appreciate the warm welcome. I'm going to get us started and then I will turn it over to Treasurer Beerman to talk about the proposed budget and tenure capital improvement plan. [8:32] Here's our agenda for this evening um for the libraries component. [8:37] We're going to talk through each one of these. So, I'll just pause a moment and then get started. [8:46] And talking about the library strategic initiatives, this is um we're halfway through our current strategic plan, finishing up in 2027. [8:58] One of the main uh projects that we're focusing on with the strategic plan is the construction of our 8,000 square [9:06] foot edition, which you can see just uh next door here. We're very excited. It's really coming together. We'll talk more [9:14] about that a little bit later. Um we also wanted to focus on not just building the space, but ensuring that [9:21] our community had the best possible service in the face of inconveniences from construction. [9:28] So that was our second area of focus. [9:31] We've also been working to improve accessibility not just physically in our facility, but also in our website and digital technology accessibility. [9:42] And lastly, but certainly not least, um we undertook a fundraising campaign to fund raise a million dollars for the [9:50] project and we were successful. Very excited to report more on that later as well. [9:58] This is the library's organizational chart. [10:02] Shows how our departments are structured. [10:05] In addition to the work of these departments, the library outsources services such as payroll, [10:13] translation and transcription services, janitorial services, plant maintenance, select human resources, and [10:20] administrative support services, accounting and financial reporting, supplemental security, crisis [10:27] communications, and archival preservation services as needed. [10:36] highlighting some of the 2026 major accomplishments um for construction. I guess I'm getting ahead of the game. Um it's not quite completed. We're looking [10:44] at the end of the year for completion with the final phase being completed in early January for our collection. This I'm very [10:53] excited about as a good librarian would be um that even throughout construction [11:00] we've been able to maintain um what is looking to be our half a million annual circ um lending books and materials. So [11:08] the conclusion we draw from that is even though construction has been um an inconvenience, it has not had a large [11:17] negative uh impact on our community's reading. [11:22] For programming, um this is also something we're very proud of. Through July, the library hosted over 12,000 [11:30] program attendees even during construction, averaging 1,700 each month. This is just an 8% reduction from [11:39] last year at the same time despite construction. [11:42] We had estimated a 30 to 50% reduction in attendance um based on what we saw happen at other libraries with similar [11:50] projects. A big part of our success uh of our success in this area is due to the support of our partners welcoming us [11:57] to host programs at their locations outside the library and we thank them for that. for grant funding. To date, uh [12:05] the library has received $43,650 um for special projects and services, [12:12] and we feel very privileged um in our intergovernmental relationships and partnerships. And we have a few um featured here on the slide. [12:25] Moving on to looking forward, our 2027 objectives. Um, we're going to close out [12:31] the strategic plan um that year. This will include assessing our services plan and budget changes that have resulted [12:39] from the expansion to make sure we're on the right track. We're going to continue to pursue grants and gifts for library services. We will coordinate future [12:49] fundraising campaigns and annual giving opportunities based on the success of the reimagine campaign. We're going to [12:56] identify sources of cost-effective goods and services, continuing to seek intergovernmental efficiencies. And of [13:03] course, the library will continue enriching the community with information, literacy, technology, cultural services, and programs. [13:14] Okay. And I'd like to hand it over to Trusty Beerman. [13:19] Actually, Heidi, Heidi, can you stay just so we can keep it in two parts? [13:24] Sure. I want to see if we had any questions for you just on this before we got to the money part. My pleasure. And I'll be back too. [13:32] Just one quick question. You mentioned that you hope to be done pretty soon. [13:37] When do you hope to actually have be open to the public in in your fully new form? Fully new form open to the public? [13:46] January with the ribbon cutting in February. This is later than we had anticipated, but um we're really excited. uh to welcome everybody in. [13:56] We're gonna get it right. [13:57] Is that on time or it's it's not on time. It is It is past our original date. We'd hope to be open and complete this fall. [14:06] Okay. Thank you. Thank you. [14:08] If I tell my kids January, it's going to happen in January. [14:11] Well, here's the here's the inside scoop you could share with your kids. Access to youth services will actually probably [14:18] be in December. Okay. in the finished spaces, but everything everything done that's more like January, [14:26] possibly into February. So, they'll underpromise and overd deliver. [14:30] They can come for looking very excited. Sneak peek. Thank you. Any other questions? Yeah. [14:36] Um and then to that um another question to have to do with um so the art and bloom and I read will that plan on being [14:44] back in 27 at the library or because I read is in January. It's going to be hosted by 112, which we're really [14:51] appreciative of their support. Um, for Art in Bloom, we're planning on it being at the library in April. [14:58] Okay. I know that drew a big crowd. So, both of those events. So, very much. Yeah. It was hard to let go of um I read, that's one of our [15:07] signature events. Uh 2,000 people come to the library uh for the kickoff. Oh my god. [15:13] Yeah. Well, 1,800, but 2,000 sounds good, too. Um Yeah. like 1,800 is our is our average and we're sorry to let let [15:21] that uh you know miss that for 27 but in the best interest of all the participants to have the full amenities of services 112 will provide. [15:31] Okay, great. Thank you. Thanks. [15:34] Yeah, thank you. Um I was just wondering how um maker space um how does it [15:42] compare to other libraries? Um if if you could speak to that a little bit. [15:50] Sure. Um, in terms of services offered, I I I mentioned this because I was just [15:57] at an event where I heard somebody say, I think it was either Deerfield Library, some other library where they said, "Oh my god, we have all these, you know, [16:04] amenities, all these machines and whatnot, but you you have quite a bit." So, um I think the best way for me to [16:12] express this is um the staff, the leadership of that department, um they visited [16:20] five to 10, I don't have the exact number. I think five for the K's going to help me out here. Five for the policy [16:27] development and five for some of the operational practices. So, 10 libraries um to learn from their best practices and get a sneak peek at the equipment [16:35] that they have. And um it is our goal to be better than expected um with [16:42] equipment when we open. In terms of square footage, there are some libraries that have larger spaces. Um but we think [16:49] in terms of the quality experience that you're going to have using our maker space and our um expert staff, you're going to find none better. [16:58] Thank you. All right. Um Heidi, I have a question. Um you talk about um cultural services. Can you elaborate on what that means? [17:06] Oh, certainly. Back to that slide. [17:10] Okay. So, in terms of what the library provides, information and resources that support imagination, we do focus on [17:19] literacy, technology, and we strive to have services that are culturally relevant to all members of our [17:26] community. whether that is uh the type of art we display or music we have performed in the library to the books we [17:34] have on the shelf that's not just what language they're in but also um you know the identity of the stories that are [17:43] being shared is that helpful yeah and without having to be exhaustive but you know where which are the the groups that you have thought that are [17:51] part of a community that you are very explicitly trying to make sure we provide services for Oh, in terms of um cultural groups [18:00] within the community, um we do strive to celebrate Highland Park's Jewish Heritage um annually. Uh just recently [18:09] we had um of course the name is Ye a Yeo partner event focusing on um Jewish [18:17] American heritage. Um, in addition to that, we strive to have services relative to Spanish speakers who are [18:26] living in our community, who work, live, um, attend school and are Highland Park. [18:32] So, we want to be a library where people see themselves. So one of our major initiatives has been hiring more people [18:41] who speak other languages including Spanish and that we can provide culturally relevant reference service in [18:50] addition to resources. This includes you know navigating the digital world and all of the government services that are [18:58] online. So, um, we're really striving to also serve seniors, [19:04] and we can't, um, profess to be experts, but we've been working to learn as much as possible about how to improve our [19:13] accessibility, not only in the building itself, but online, like our website. Um, so we want to make sure that if you live in [19:21] Highland Park, you can see yourself at the library. [19:25] Yeah. And one followup, how about the Russian and Eastern European immigrant community? [19:30] Absolutely. So, the library does have Russian and Polish book collections. We do have um a staff member who speaks [19:39] Russian. Unfortunately, not Polish at this time, but it's something that we hope to be able to invest in in the future. Thanks. [19:47] Thank you. Yes, Yi. [19:49] Follow to your question in terms of inclusion. Um how do you include [19:55] uh other disabled say uh the sight impaired or Yeah. Um [20:04] there must be 21st century ways to to be more inclusive for disabilities. [20:10] Oh absolutely. Um I'm this is an opportunity to talk about a service that is not used all that often but that the [20:17] library is a part of. um the Secretary of State's office in Illinois State Library. We partner with them to provide [20:24] resource access to braille materials. Um they're shipped directly to the library within days. So we really we try to have [20:34] um make the resources available and and for people with low vision, we have an extensive large print collection in [20:42] addition to a very um rapidly growing audiobook collection. Um many of our um [20:49] community members who are site uh challenged have shared with us that listening to audiobooks has been um gift a gift. Thank you. Thank you. [21:00] Anybody else? All right. Okay. [21:02] Now we'll listen to the money conversation. All right. Smile. [21:08] So to advance, which one is it? Oh, that one. Okay. [21:13] Good evening. Uh thank you for your support. I think it's shown by the imminent completion of the building expansion. I also want to thank for [21:22] input and coordination in this budget and levy process. So I I will want to um [21:28] highlight and uh explain certain of the uh budget items. Um the uh revenue uh [21:38] 95% of our revenue comes from property taxes. uh this year for 2027 we're [21:45] requesting an 8.8% increase um which is $564,000. [21:51] Now the requested increase is attributable in part to the building expansion and certain increase costs that were incur will incur as a result [22:00] of that. So let me go to the operating costs that um for in our budget for 2027. [22:08] Uh we're um budgeted a 9.3 uh% increase which is um um uh $548,000. [22:19] Now the largest component of this are personnel costs. It's about 80% of the operating costs and for personnel costs [22:28] um we have budgeted an increase of 7.9% $347,000. [22:34] And the largest portion of personnel costs are salaries, about 80%. [22:40] And um the uh it's about 60% of that $347,000 increase is attributable to salaries. [22:48] And there are two components of that. [22:50] The first is uh as we indicated last year, we were hiring uh in 2026 in [22:57] midyear two new positions. Uh it was a a maker space associate for the new space [23:04] as a result of the expansion and a teen librarian associate. Those are going to be now um for the entire year. So of [23:12] course there's attendant expense uh salary full year for those individuals as well as we are hiring a a part-time [23:21] uh IT person associate as well. The second component of this is a uh 5% [23:29] increase cost of living and uh merit and this aligns with what the city is contemplating for its non-UN employees. [23:40] Um so we're we're we're consistent with that. The second largest component in the um personnel costs are is health [23:50] insurance. It's about 17% but it comprises here the increase about 40%. [23:57] [clears throat] [23:57] Um and there are two reasons for that. [24:01] One is again we have the two new employees for the full year eligible for full year health benefits. The more the [24:10] uh most significant factor though is as you are aware we're part of the city plan. Uh the city has informed us that [24:17] the premiums for next year have gone up 19.8%. 8%. [24:22] So, um that is that contributes to about over $100,000 of the increase for [24:30] personnel costs. Now, the second largest um part of our operating costs are the [24:37] is the collection. It's the books, AV and um and um electronic media. and that [24:45] uh we have budgeted to increase uh by 8% $53,000. [24:52] Now we are actually behind our peers other libraries and what we spend per capita on our collection and the 8% is [25:01] at the low end with the Illinois library standards uh sets as the metric for that [25:07] spending. It it's between 8 and 12% of the operating expenses. But for 20 uh 27 [25:15] we budgeted 8%. The next largest item is the maintenance which includes building [25:22] equipment software. Uh and let me break that down that that we have an increase there of 22.3% $78,000. [25:31] The um uh building increase uh for that [25:37] is uh comprises $37,000 about 20%. This is directly attributable to the [25:44] expansion of the space. Uh we're having it's 7,800 square ft. The estimate is it's about $10 a square foot for maintenance of that additional space. [25:54] $78,000. [25:56] Now last year we um budgeted um one half of that amount u and this year is the [26:03] other half the 37,000 to for the maintenance of the expanded space. The other largest component of [26:11] the maintenance is um equipment and software which we've increased it it by $39,000 27.7%. [26:21] Uh notably the a large part of this increase is we're doing a new website for the library which will among other [26:30] things increase ADA ADA access um to that site. [26:36] And the other thing I want to now I want to just mention uh the largest percentage increase but not dollar [26:43] increase as you can see on the summary are programs marketing and postage uh which is 76.1% [26:50] 60 uh $67,000 and let me explain break that down into into two uh parts. The uh largest [27:00] component is a $38,000 increase, but that has no effect on the levy because that's going to be funded exclusively by [27:08] gifts. Um and and uh so that has no effect on our levy request. The other [27:15] part of it, uh largest part, $27,000 is for programs and that is directly [27:22] attributable to the uh building expansion. That's going to be primarily the increase to the maker space, the new [27:30] space which we haven't had before and programs, exciting programs we're going to have um in that space. Um so, uh just [27:40] in summary, I've highlighted certain of the items. Uh the 9.3 in% increase of [27:48] $548,000 for our um operating expenses. Now going below the line the uh capital expenses [27:58] uh we have budgeted about approximately $270,000. [28:02] Uh obviously even though we have the big expansion we have ongoing maintenance and capital expenses which are necessary [28:08] to maintain the main facility. And there are two print there are two principal components of that $270,000. [28:17] Uh one is the exterior and the uh is $110,000. [28:22] The largest expense there is $100,000 to replace the front stairs. You all may have noticed during the uh winter that [28:30] there were cones at times on the on the stairs because there was they were coming dislodged and um uh it's been [28:39] determined that they need to be replaced and that's going to be a $100,000 expense. The other uh similarly um [28:49] another large expense uh for or expense for next year is the front door. It's our understanding that front door has [28:57] been in place since 1933 since when the library opened. It's been repeatedly repaired and it needs to be replaced and [29:05] that's going to be uh rebudgeted a $50,000 uh expenditure for that. And then there are the meeting rooms which [29:13] study rooms which are um frequently used. Um and we there is a $40,000 [29:21] expense to improve the soundproofing of that. The next item um on there is the [29:28] transfer to special reserve of uh we budgeted $163,000. [29:34] Obviously, as a result of the the expansion, our our special reserve has been substantially depleted since we've drawn on it as as part of the expansion. [29:43] This is partly to replenish um the special reserve, which as go on to the next when we talk about the next slide [29:51] for the uh on 10-year capital plan, we need to build up the special reserve for future capital improvements. And finally [30:00] um on the budget is the debt service of $440,000 as you uh this comprises we are [30:07] servicing two bonds uh one bond that was issued in uh 2016 and of course the most recent bond for the library expansion which was um uh in uh 2025. [30:21] So as a result of this um for for based upon this budget we are requesting the [30:27] 8.8% 8% levy increase to support this budget for 2027. [30:34] Now, do you have any questions on the budget before I go on to the capital? Yes. [30:40] Couple questions. Thanks for the thorough detailed explanation. Couple detailed questions and then sort of a higher level one. uh in the revenue [30:48] section on investment income presumably we have a decrease there because did we have some surplus cash that we were sitting on before the [30:56] project that was getting yield and now it's been spent. [31:01] Well, yeah, as a result of gifts and and uh um it again if if we for that surplus [31:10] um we would put it into um the special reserve if this isn't needed. I I would just note that our for [31:18] the building uh our budget was increased in for the building expansion in February 2026 substantially as a result [31:27] of certain unforeseeable costs that we have to incur with the construction. [31:31] Sure. Yeah. No, I'm I'm just looking at the like investment income and I actually am comparing 25 to 27 because [31:37] of the noise of 26, right? So $255,000 of investment income generated in 2025 [31:45] to the projected investment income in 2027 of 90,000. So a significant decrease and and I'm assuming it's just because we have surplus cash in preparation for the project. [31:54] That is correct. The reason the investment income's going down and we're drawing down of course on our principal and the special reserve and and yes that's exactly the reason. [32:03] Okay great. um the maintenance building line where you yes describe sort of the expected impact of the additional space at $10 a foot. [32:13] You indicated that half of that is budgeted in 26, half of that in 27. Now we're obviously not incurring those costs yet. So are you expecting then a [32:22] benefit in that line item for 26 to effectively be utilized in 27? [32:28] It would you like? Yeah, go ahead. Yeah, go ahead. [32:31] My pleasure. Is that is that pick me up everyone? Okay. Um, yes, we do anticipate that we won't have to realize [32:40] all of the maintenance. Everything's still under warranty while construction is going on. The warranty won't start until January. So, yes, some of the um [32:49] maintenance that we had budgeted for 26 will be savings to the library. So, then for 27, we do anticipate a full year of those expenses, the 78,000. [32:59] Yeah. And so I guess what I'm getting at a little bit is just making sure we're not underestimating those costs by only having effectively 6 months of cost increase the way you guys did the math. [33:09] So we put 6 months in 26. Yeah. [33:11] So then we needed the additional 6 months to be increased for 27. So with the full year in 27. [33:18] Yeah. Okay. Cool. Um and then my last question which is a little I guess higher level. If I look at the trend of [33:26] opex to property taxes, as you pointed out, property taxes are the main source of revenue. If you just kind of look at the margin of that, 2025 was 87 cents, [33:36] sorry, 87%. 26 91 27 92, right? So like 87 cents of every dollar generated in [33:43] 2025 was utilized for OPEX up to 91 cents up to 92 cents. like why are we [33:50] having that degradation of margin of not being able to [33:58] utilize each dollar of revenue more efficiently? [34:02] So if I'm May I thank you. If I'm understanding your question correctly, um [34:10] the percentage of the total income being the tax levy is increasing more so the the to the operating [34:18] expenses, the cost that we're incurring relative to the property tax revenue that we're generating. [34:24] We're we're spending more as a percentage of each dollar we're bringing in for property tax revenue as the years go on on operations. Correct. [34:34] Yes. Yes. Um so we anticipated that with the work on the expansion. One thing we [34:42] did not anticipate was the large increase to healthcare. I think um we're going to be seeing some right sizing in [34:49] the years to come. I'm hoping that that 78,000 is a little higher than we actually need and that we'll be able to see some [34:58] things um right size over the years following the expansion. As you mentioned, the noise of 26 made it [35:06] really challenging in some ways to try to um make sure we had enough but not too too much that it was a burden um [35:13] that wasn't increasing value to our community. So, um, we think we hit on, um, a, uh, a good approach for 27, but [35:22] there are still some uncertainties that we think we're going to see right size in the years following. Noted. Okay. [35:29] I mean, is any of this negotiable? Uh, not relative to library, but some of those costs that we're seeing larger increases. [35:35] Oh, absolutely. Yeah. And I was just going to say in terms of just kind of a highle overview. So, we'll dive into details on the insurance costs and provide overall the city budget. Um, so [35:44] we have made some plan modifications. So even the increases that you're seeing now are based on reductions that we have made. But, um, and I'm looking at our [35:53] assistant manager, Emily Tub. We've also talked about, um, further plan modifications. We have an insurance team [36:00] made up of representatives of all the departments, various levels of the organization that's also looking at different options, getting everyone's input, and then moving forward accordingly. Okay. [36:10] Thank you both. Appreciate it. Any other questions? Okay. [36:20] Um, let me uh briefly uh talk about the uh 2027 capital plan. I already um [36:28] discussed the 2027 um um budgeted um [36:34] spending on for capital. The rest say in general just a couple things. Obviously [36:40] the um we are in uh 2027 there's uh going to have a new um we periodically [36:49] this is done outside consultant do a facility assessment and a report on our [36:56] um on our plant. Um and so it's it's possible as a result of this um some [37:04] items may be modified um depending on the outcome of that um assessment of our facility. But currently what we're [37:12] looking at uh the over this 10-year period the $5,340,000. [37:19] I would just note that the 10-year period um uh from 2015 [37:26] to 2024, this is before obviously the building expansion when we had a extraordinary increase in capital [37:33] expenses. It compares pretty close, it was over approximately 5.1 million. [37:39] compares pretty close to what we have budgeted or what we're planning in the 10-year period beginning in 2027 to $5.3 million. [37:51] And um we expect and we hope that the uh future capital improvements will be [37:58] funded by partially by the levy and partially by replenishment of the special reserve. [38:05] So, if you have any questions on um our 10-year capital improvement plan, be happy to answer them. [38:15] Yeah, I'm curious about the interior renovation in 2033. I mean, clearly you have a a plan here looking ahead. Um [38:24] what what would that entail given all the renovation that's been happening already? [38:28] That is an excellent question. Um the easiest way, the way we've been talking about it internally, it's the other half [38:35] of the library. Um basically, uh the adult services area, uh where we have the beautiful windows overlooking the [38:43] ravine, all of our adult collections, uh those book stacks, the carpeting, the furnishings. Um that would be the [38:51] primary area that would be updated. Then the uh lobby, the Brener room, and our [38:59] new team space. that's opposite the Brener room. Those are all areas that we anticipate by 33 would also need [39:06] updated. And we're going to try to we're going to work for having like a 10-year [39:12] approach and do half this 10 year, half this 10 year, and try to have um a [39:20] special reserve contribution that pays for that. If at all possible, we'd like to avoid needing to bond for the maintenance and update of the building. [39:31] Um, obviously a lot more work and communication with the city would be involved in doing that. Um, but that is [39:39] uh that's a vision that we hope to be able to work toward. Thank you. Anybody else? [39:47] All right. Thank you. [39:49] All right. We'll move on to the next agenda item. It is the place of remembrance status and project timing. [39:56] And again, city manager newer, please introduce the agenda item. Great. Um, thank you very much. [40:04] Um, I'm going to turn it over to assistant manager Emily Tab in a moment. [40:08] Um, our team has been working with the project consultant as well as the construction manager on the place of remembrance. Um, specifically as it [40:16] pertains to the rose garden. Um, we are seeking your consideration this evening is to give us some flexibility to extend [40:25] the substantial completion deadline from July 4th, 2027. Ideally, just give us till the end of the year, although we seem optimistic. We're going to continue [40:33] to work diligently and try to get everything done by the fall. Um but we had a meeting last week um with the [40:40] project team and we reviewed the very preliminary budget that um our construction manager submitted based on [40:47] the proposed design. Uh and that budget is significant. Um we had a number of follow-up questions and asked them to do [40:56] some due diligence and some evaluation of certain things. So we don't have a complete report to present to you this [41:03] evening. Um, what we'd like to do is right now just get your consideration to again extend that deadline. That gives [41:10] us time to do some value engineering and come back to you at the next available meeting with more thorough options and evaluations. [41:18] Um, we do have a couple of slides that we can run through today if you're interested, but that's really the policy question and the recommendation. the [41:26] challenge with um and we have been working hard but if if the council is adamant that we want to be substantially [41:34] complete by July 4th of next year um we don't have much options to look at [41:41] um you know different design options different cost considerations um and right now we just have a budget that we're not very comfortable with and [41:50] we'd like to come back and present to you some options and really again do that value engineering work. So, if I can hold here or we can go through the PowerPoint, whatever you like. [41:59] Council member. [42:01] Um, I was gonna wait until the PowerPoint because the I want to see it, but I do have one statement. I did one. [42:08] You wait. Okay. Yes. Thank you. [42:11] I'll be brief. Um, just wanted to touch on things that we go over and then just a reminder of the [42:20] place of remembrance objectives. These are the three objectives that were established by the working group and supported by the council [42:29] and the values that were established for the place of remembrance just as we this helps frame how we approach this project as a whole. [42:38] Just wanted to refresh the council on design options. you've seen all of these renderings before, but just wanted to [42:46] pull them back out um so that we can really focus on some options and some different um areas and renderings for [42:53] the place of remembrance. So, this is just a refresher on the renderings with both water features. There's two separate water features and without [43:02] water features. Um just because we do believe we wanted to show you and again remind you that we believe this design [43:09] has integrity in all forms. It's really about gathering moments, seasonality, and nature, and really bringing the [43:16] community together in whatever format the design ends up finalized in. [43:23] So, briefly, um, to discuss that preliminary budget update. So, that initial budget, again, as city manager Newkerk said, we're not very comfortable [43:30] with this number, but this is the entire number that we would be looking at for based on these preliminary estimates. As a reminder, these are just initial [43:39] figures that we have not had an opportunity at time to do the full value engineering to look at different options. Finishes have not been dialed [43:47] in. Specific plant materials have not been dialed in at this point. So, we're just not far off long enough into this process. And these budget numbers will [43:56] continue to evolve as the design evolves. [44:00] So again, our recommendation is to give us the time to really dial into these look at these numbers and we'll explore options to take a look at extending that timeline for substantive completion. [44:12] Okay, now thank you. So I I did have a question and then I have comment. That's okay. Um [44:19] my question has to do with I have no problem whatsoever with extending this and I'm you know obviously everybody will weigh in on it. Um, but what I do [44:29] want to know is when you come back to us, I want to make sure that the numbers we see include numbers also for Port [44:38] Clinton. And the reason I want to say that is I want this to be a comprehensive judgment when we make it. So, I'd much [44:47] rather take the time and do it right, but I want to do it in its entirety right. And I I know there've been some [44:54] changes along the way, but I just would request that we include that. [45:00] We can include um I just do want to note that as we work through Port Clinton, some of that will still be preliminary estimates because as we talked about with the sculpture until we know what [45:09] that is going to look like, things like the setting for the sculpture will be difficult to estimate. Um so we can do our best, but they will still be preliminary numbers for that. [45:18] That's just a request I'd like to put in. And that brings me to my actual comment. Um, could you go back one slide? Absolutely. Okay. So, um, I don't [45:27] know if any other council members brought this in, and I certainly don't feel like we should go into numbers tonight because you're not prepared, and [45:34] I want you to be really prepared so we can really look at this well. But the one thing that really stood out was the [45:41] fact this bottom line number. And, uh, the only other thing that really really was a large number was the water [45:50] feature. And so, um, I requested that breakout knowing that we're not going to talk about numbers tonight, but, um, we [45:59] have all along talked about a budget. We started out with like 1 and a.5 million and we were very comfortable with that [46:07] and we really talked about at one point definitely keeping it below 2 million and then all of a sudden everything was [46:14] talking about 2 million. And um I'm sorry because I know that this is something that it's hard to quantify in [46:21] terms of numbers and so I'm sorry to bring it up like that, but um we are at 3.6 and that's not even with knowing [46:30] what is going to transpire in Port Clinton. And this is something of a magnitude that has grown and I know it's [46:38] grown out of care and love and and really wanting to do the best possible job for Highland Park. But at some point [46:45] right now, and we've said we weren't going to go to fundraising, I'm not asking us to consider that tonight, but one of the reasons I wanted to have it [46:53] broken out with regard to water was because of where we live and what a large piece. I think everybody at the [47:01] last meeting when you all reported back was shocked by how much water would cost, how much maintenance would cost, and how big a part of this it really is. [47:12] And in many ways, I just felt like I want staff and the consultants to be able to look at this holistically, [47:20] meaning both sites. But if we know that there's one part that we don't want you to spend a lot of time on because it is [47:28] such an expensive feature, I I'd rather um we give you some direction on that. [47:34] And I personally uh I'm not sure how we do it. I know there was a very creative solution by council member Ross at the [47:41] last meeting which was a very bright stone a marble that almost had a watery feel which I've seen firsthand and I I [47:49] definitely get that from it. But I just want everyone to consider that before we request staff to really do a deep dive [47:56] into numbers because of the amount involved. Okay. Any other thoughts on that? [48:05] Um I I share the concern about the size of the numbers and they certainly are far from where we began. [48:12] Um I can't say that I'm uncomfortable with them. Um and I think part of the reason they've grown. [48:20] Uh I'm not too surprised is just for the nature of the cost of materials that have been affected over the intervening [48:27] years since the event happened. Um, even since we began considering what we were going to do in terms of a place of remembrance, we've we faced tariffs. [48:39] We've faced uh international uh issues that affect the cost of products and it's a big it's a it's a [48:47] large-scale undertaking which I think it it needs to be. Um, and [48:54] I while I I if I say I share your concern, that's that's an understatement. Um, it's a [49:02] reasonable concern. It's a it's a serious issue. By the same token, I'm prepared to undertake that. I know there [49:11] are solutions uh alternative to water, and I I can live with either solution, but there are elements of water that are not strictly [49:20] visual. There's a sound element and a feel element to water that tend to play a large role in similar types of [49:29] remembrances. Uh the most prominent in my mind is is the 911 uh memorial in New York City which is is [49:39] the water element is such a significant part of that and yet the place where it happened and the event itself had nothing to do with water. Um, water has [49:48] a timelessness to it in a way and a uh a way of sort of easing our senses [49:56] um in a way that this kind of memorial is is intended to to provide. So, I don't want to completely rule it out, [50:04] but I think and obviously we need to keep an eye on it, but I'm I'm just pro providing that as as additional input, not as a contrary uh position. [50:15] You Thank you. Um I [clears throat] I share the concern about the cost. I I really [50:22] did double take when when I heard it. Um and uh it it it feels like a little bit like [50:31] it's ballooning. And um I guess another piece. So I want to just really emphasize that that I and I express that [50:38] to you very concerned about that. Um, funnily or interesting and coincidentally uh when I had uh my chat [50:46] with uh our city manager, I mentioned the 9/11 memorial too. uh but uh this is [50:53] a very different extraordinarily different context uh and uh site and [50:59] context and I I actually don't find and I that's a just a personal uh [51:07] perspective don't find it that compelling in the reing I don't feel a reason for it um other than that we like [51:17] the soothing nature of water and uh but where it's placed and how it's placed. I it it it's not suggesting a reason for [51:26] it and with designing to really have a reason for it something. Yeah. And and I don't know if one option is to have it [51:34] just a focal point at the end something like that or just eliminate it entirely because honestly water features in our [51:42] climate uh are not very practical. um you know it's very few months of the year that we'd be able to use it. [51:52] Uh so those are my thoughts. Yeah. [51:55] Yeah. I mean I think our directive right now is to talk about timing. So I'm just going to bring us back for a minute. Um [52:01] my only question on that front is have we brought it to the working group and the public and is there any concern [52:08] around that? I know there's growing I don't want to say fatigue but a desire to just get this done and so are we [52:16] comfortable that the public is okay with this decision? [52:22] As with anything we believe there's varying viewpoints um of the people we've talked to they we do believe that most would be comfortable with it as we [52:31] build this out with the timeline as we can set expectations and then stick to them. Um, so we do believe that the people we've spoken with that this would [52:40] be unacceptable to as long as we've starting the process and moving along in the process. Sounds good. Thank you. [52:46] And it's going to last for such a long time. So, no, I I I'm there and I mean, we want to make sure we do it thoughtfully and right. So, I that's [52:55] Yeah. So that's I was going to say as long as we're doing it right and that the process has been started, people have seen the design, they know that [53:02] we're working to get this done. I'm comfortable with the delay as long as we're able to see um more um additional [53:11] information. Um I know when um we spoke with the city manager and I you had mentioned the benches and the amount that they quoted us for that and that's [53:20] very high. sort of to see other options as well with this price would be very helpful for us. Um, terms of the water feature, I know we're not really [53:28] discussing that. Um, I'm up for doing some piece of it, and I know we talked about this in the last meeting, too, about maybe just a portion of it or in [53:36] the front or the back, but not to fully eliminate it just yet until we see some of the other additional details. I think [53:43] we need to be a be able to see where we're at in terms of our budget. So, thank you. Uh I I remember to follow up [53:51] which is simply that um I the S SWA when they had their individual zooms with us felt said they felt it was uh an [54:00] aggressive timeline and um I agreed and you know it's turning out to be that I I do support you know getting getting this [54:08] right value engineering this um doing it for the within budget within you know to the best of our ability. [54:18] Yeah. and then I I'll weigh in my opinion as well. Um I just want to be clear that you're asking for more time [54:26] so that we have a better chance of maybe perhaps meeting the July 4th deadline, but it's not a guarant if you get this [54:33] more time now. It's not a guarantee that we can meet the July 4th deadline. Is that true? That is correct. Right. [54:40] But the only chance we have to possibly meet it is if we get a little more time now. [54:46] No. So we cannot meet it. You would have to give us the green light today for us to meet the [54:54] July 4th deadline to just say just go with the budget pretty much just what you have and just make your own best decisions. Um, [55:03] what we're asking for is some time to do value engineering so we can come back to you with options and then we could look [55:12] at those options to still get the greatest extent of what we've heard from the public and what we think is the best plan at the most cost-effective amount. [55:21] Okay. So, and that's going to get us past July 4th, but what we're ideally we're thinking is the fall. I mean, we'll still try to stay on schedule to the greatest extent possible, but we cannot [55:30] meet July 4th if we now have another policy discussion at our next meeting in September. [55:36] Okay. So, I guess we we have to be comfortable with that, right? Uh even though it was sort of an ideal situation, the reality is what it is. [55:45] All right. And then regarding the uh whether we should get pricing for water or no water, I think there's enough [55:52] differences of opinion in the group that I think we need to have both and I think there's some good ideas about even if we have water, maybe it's more contained [56:01] and I think we want to see the options there. So I would be in that place as well. [56:06] Okay. Okay. So just to recap, so we're going to follow up. Um so council member center we didn't have a place of remembrance working group meeting just [56:14] because we met last team last week as a team and then we wanted to put this on this agenda for the policym body to give us some direction this evening but we [56:23] will follow up with communication to the general public um to our project contact list certainly the working group um and [56:30] let everyone know what the next steps are. We're going to continue working as a team. Um we will work diligently to have something on the next um available [56:39] committee of the whole agenda which will have the itemization of the project budget details as well as options. We'll [56:47] also include um the preliminary estimate for Port Clinton which is one sculpture at least what we have that we're working [56:54] towards. And then um we have talked will also include the design cost. So just so you see what everything is, not just construction, but also what consultant dollars are as part of that. [57:05] Yes. [57:06] One. So thank you. First of all, um I I just want to say that to Councilman Bman's point, I think you're completely [57:13] right about how costs have risen, but when I was looking through um our consulting costs, which I know we'll go [57:20] to at another point, they're almost at a million dollars. And so you know when we were talking our budget we're spend [57:28] that's no materials that's no infrastructure. [57:32] Um so that's one issue I have. A second issue I have is the fact that we are 4 and 1/2 years in. I don't mind that this [57:40] is going to go somewhat longer but then to council number cent's point I do think there's a great deal of fatigue. [57:48] So I want to know responsibly two things. Number one, the hope is to be done in fall, so it's just a little bit [57:57] longer. And is there any plan or desire to do something already this 4th of July [58:04] marking the 5th anniversary um at perhaps an incomplete [58:11] um or not fully done thing? I don't know what the thinking is. I don't know if it'll be a construction site. I don't know if it'll be safe, but um I just [58:21] want to make sure we are so so sensitive and that we still get it done this upcoming year in the fifth year. Maybe [58:29] not the fifth anniversary, but the fifth year I think is really crucial to people in this community at this point. [58:37] That would be the plan next year. Next year. Yeah. Okay. Okay. Are we good with this? [58:41] Good. I'm going to make one more. One more. I know you want to you want to move us along. Yes. Uh rightly so. Uh just if anyone you know questions that [58:49] you know we've seen in Washington with the reflecting pool that you know a rush to get it done uh made the cost balloon. [58:57] I I'm full I respect that entirely that we we need to set a deadline or reach for a deadline but but also uh we we [59:05] don't want to spend a ton more because we're racing to meet that deadline. All right. It's all clear. Thank you. [59:11] All right. And our final agenda item is a comprehensive review of chapter 119 alcoholic beverages. And again, city manager, please introduce the agenda. [59:20] Thank you. Um, so our staff team um, leading this presentation is assistant to the city manager Ashley Falbitzkub and Megan Cherry, our management [59:27] analyst. I also want to recognize Erin Jason, assistant city manager also for working on this initiative. Um, so as the council knows, every year um, for [59:36] many, many years, we review different segments of the city's municipal code and look for updates. What we are looking for is to make sure um things [59:44] are legally correct as laws change. Um looking at opportunities to better serve our residents, our businesses, looking [59:52] at efficiencies and opportunities to streamline processes for our staff. And so with that in mind, for the last two years, we've really been working on the [1:00:01] complete chapter um 119, which is our regulations for alcoholic beverages. And so our team is going to walk through um highlights of the major policy changes. [1:00:12] Um the report and recommendation was emailed to the city council before the agenda was posted, giving you additional [1:00:19] time to review the staff report. Just understanding it is 20 pages long. Um so much of the report is really just [1:00:27] administrative. We don't anticipate any um any concerns with the administrative changes but there are some highle policy [1:00:35] uh recommendations that we are certainly looking for your feedback on. Um, as it pertains to next steps, um, our team is [1:00:42] going to walk us through, but what we, um, are recommending doing is having, uh, regulations on the next agenda in [1:00:52] September in the form of an ordinance that formally places everything um, as formally adopted by the city. And it's [1:01:00] next month that we do communication with all of our license holders and then we start renewals um, September, October. [1:01:06] Um, anything that is not approved, it would just it would just mean, you know, delaying the licenses for for one year. So, no pressure to approve anything. [1:01:15] We're certainly comfortable with the staff recommendation, but just wanted to outline the steps. [1:01:26] Oh, this is Yeah, that's why I was working around [1:01:35] those. I thought everybody had one. No. [1:01:40] Um, well, the paperwork's being passed from um we'll go ahead and get started. Um, so as Gita has indicated, our report was [1:01:49] 20 pages long, but we wanted to make sure we were pretty comprehensive in our review for the entire chapter. So these this is taking in consideration the [1:01:56] entire chapter 119. Um, so highlights of the notable policy recommendations we're going to kind of go through. It's going to include classifications, review of [1:02:05] our fee structure, also hours of business, and happy hour update. Uh we just want to let you know that this will [1:02:12] also be reviewed at the BDAG meeting on August 25th. So any comments um or feedback that we received tonight will [1:02:21] be shared with BDAG um through Aaron Jason. And then any of their comments will also be incorporated into the final [1:02:29] staff report for the September 14th uh city council meeting where we're looking to approve hopefully an ordinance that will take into consideration these uh recommendations that staff has. [1:02:43] All right. [1:02:45] So, as we were looking at chapter 119, one of the areas we looked at um and reviewed uh quite closely was our [1:02:53] license classifications um that the city currently offers. So, we have identified um several that can be um that we recommend to be eliminated, several that [1:03:02] we recommend uh be consolidated um and then there are a few that we recommend some updates to. So in terms of license [1:03:09] classifications that can be eliminated, uh we have identified the class A and class Q licenses. So the class A license [1:03:17] um allows for retail sale of liquor by art studios for consumption on premises. [1:03:22] And then the class Q license is actually the city's original caterers license. [1:03:27] Now both of these license classifications have not been issued in more than a decade. Um we as staff believe that if an art studio were to [1:03:35] establish itself um in the city that they would probably lean towards a Bob license. And then in terms of the class [1:03:42] Q license, the city actually did implement a class V caterers license just the other year. Um so that would [1:03:49] cover um any operations as it pertains to catering. So um given that these are outdated, uh we would recommend uh they be eliminated. [1:04:02] Uh we are also recommending uh consolidating a few license classifications. Um and so you can see from this chart here um there are [1:04:10] several um that would basically uh turn into four new classifications. So the class C1 and C2 licenses are club [1:04:18] licenses. Um and so we would recommend that those be um consolidated to one class C license. Um we also have the [1:04:26] class G and class SP licenses. Those cover sports, facilities, and sporting events. And so we believe that those can [1:04:33] also be consolidated and combined into one class G. Now, the class R1 and R2 licenses are for restaurants. The class [1:04:41] R1 license allows the sale of all alcoholic liquor for onremise consumption. And the class R2 license [1:04:50] allows for the sale of beer and wine only for on-remise consumption. So we are recommending that those be combined [1:04:57] into one class R that allows for all alcoholic liquor for on premise consumption at restaurants. And then the class S1 and S2 license licenses are [1:05:06] similar um except those are your package liquor stores. So the S1 allows for the sale of all alcoholic liquor in original [1:05:14] package uh for off-remise consumption only. And then the S2 license allows for the sale of beer and wine in original [1:05:21] package for off- premise consumption only. So again, we are recommending that those two be consolidated into a class S [1:05:28] which would allow all alcoholic liquor in original package for off- premise consumption. [1:05:35] Okay. So, we have reviewed some of our license classifications that we currently have and we have recommendations [1:05:42] um regarding those licenses based on feedback that we've received from business owners in our conversations [1:05:49] with them at business forums or when we interact with them um during licensing season. The first one that we're looking [1:05:56] to update is an RS1. This allows for the sale of beer and wine only in the original package for off-remise [1:06:04] consumption. We have five liquor license holders that currently have this. Uh we have been asked to consider to allow all [1:06:12] alcoholic liquor to be sold in the original package. So allowing um an establishment to sell beer, wine, and [1:06:19] then if someone is interested in maybe they have a special type of tequila, then they would be able to sell also the tequila as well. [1:06:27] S3. Um this is for our tasting shops. We have one. This is Lynford Winery. The only update that we're looking to do is just to to change it from an S3 to a TS. [1:06:38] These are for tasting shops. Uh this kind of would elim alleviate confusion between like an RS1 and we were thinking [1:06:46] like an SR3 or an SR, you know, RS1. So we didn't want we didn't want the confusion to happen. So we're just [1:06:55] looking to update the classification title to TS. [1:06:59] Um so the class V is for our carers. We did um have this license in place [1:07:06] recently. The intent of the license was to allow for uh food and alcohol to be sold on site. Some of our caterers um [1:07:14] have asked us, we'd like to have pop-up events cuz maybe they're interested in hosting events on their site. Uh they can have a class V, but it only allows [1:07:23] for food and alcohol to be served off site. So, we just want to make sure that what the intent of this license was when we um approved it is that what we're [1:07:31] actually um capturing within this license type. Currently, right now, we don't have any license holders, but by making sure that we add this, this may [1:07:40] get us um some interested parties to uh obtain this license. [1:07:47] The class W, this is giveaways. This is like we have jewelers that maybe there's a celebration, someone comes in and they buy like an engagement ring. Um, it [1:07:55] allows them to be able to give them complimentary beverages. The language within the definition of a class W does [1:08:02] not say two servings, but later down in the code, it does specify two servings. [1:08:07] Most of our businesses go directly to the definitions. And so, we just want to add two servings within the definition. [1:08:14] It's already there. We just want to make it clear. We do have one pending liquor license for this right now. We just want to make sure that we clean it up. Um [1:08:22] there is a business coming in in uh downtown that is looking to obtain this type of license. [1:08:29] BYOB as Megan mentioned um we it says that it can be brought in by a patron. [1:08:35] We just want to clean up the license language to say that um it can be consumed on the license premise. So the [1:08:42] business that has a BYB license, it can be consumed there and it has to come in the original package. Um, it's not if a [1:08:51] two businesses are next to each other and one business holds a BYOB, we just want to make sure that they're not purchasing from a business that is in [1:08:59] like a to- go cocktail and bringing it into another business. It needs to come into the original package. Currently, right now, we don't have any license [1:09:06] holders for this, but we do know that there's been interest as um businesses have asked about this tasting. This license is provided to [1:09:15] those who hold the license that are listed. If we have uh if the council approves for us to combine the S1 and [1:09:24] the S2 license and then um approves the change of the title for the S3 to a TS, we would just need to make sure that [1:09:32] we're updating the language within the code. There are 14 businesses that hold this license. Um again, this is a [1:09:40] combination between your S1, S2, and your S3. And again, those are the only license types that will um be able to hold this type of license. [1:09:52] Fees. I know that this has been a big conversation and staff has taken a lot of time to review what our fees are. We [1:10:01] have been in conversations with other municipalities to understand what they charge for fees. I would just like to [1:10:08] note um unfortunately we're not comparing apples to apples. Uh, every municipality has has licenses, but we don't all hold [1:10:18] the same type of licenses, and we don't have them all at the same costs. [1:10:22] The licenses that are listed on the screen right now are the only licenses. [1:10:26] We would be making recommendations to the fee changes. [1:10:31] In the current column that lists what the cost of the license is currently just the base license fee and the [1:10:38] proposed column is what we are recommending to make a change to it. [1:10:43] Some of them you'll see that there is a decrease. Uh most of them there is a decrease. We do understand that um there [1:10:51] are some license holders that have like a C2, an R2 and an S2 that this change could impact them. Um, and we are happy [1:11:01] to have those conversations with those businesses. We do see these as being opportunities for them to sell more if [1:11:08] they're interested in it and not having to come back to us to say, "Well, I have an S2 now I want an S1." And then now [1:11:16] they have to pay a big difference between what those licenses are. In the last column, we have years to a current fee. What this means is that basically [1:11:23] this is the amount of time that will pass in order for these license holders to pay what the current fee is today. So [1:11:33] for example um a class RS1 right now we have five license holders. The current cost is $3,820. [1:11:41] We are um recommending to decrease that to 3500 and it will take 6 years based [1:11:48] on our our recommendation for either increase by CPI or if CPI is more than [1:11:56] 2% we would cap it an increase at 2%. So with that being said I'm going to leave [1:12:03] this up for just a second so you can review. [1:12:12] All right. So, um, hours of business. [1:12:14] Um, so these are current, um, hours of business are up there for your reference. So, a liquor license holder [1:12:21] can sell liquor Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. And then Saturday to Sunday, 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. My apologies for the typo. It says 2 p.m., [1:12:29] it should say 2 a.m., but um, we are not recommending any changes to the hours of business at the moment. However, staff [1:12:37] um is recommending that uh businesses be allowed to cease their kitchen operations as of 9:00 p.m. um in order [1:12:45] to reduce labor costs while still allowing the business to operate um in regards to liquor sales. Um so that would be the recommendation um in terms of housing business. [1:12:56] Um, in regards to sales promotions, uh, currently in the city code, we it is prohibited for, uh, businesses to allow [1:13:06] for happy hour. We don't want to limit businesses regarding this. Uh, so our recommendation is that similar to what [1:13:12] we did, um, with cocktails to go, we are recommending that we codify the state's regulations regarding happy hour promotions. What the state state [1:13:21] regulations are is it um as it reads allows promotions for up to four hours a day cumulative of 15 hours a week and discounted drinks are not permitted after 10 p.m. [1:13:33] Again, here's just a review of feedback that we're requesting. Happy to answer any questions um or provide more detail or clarification if needed. [1:13:42] Any questions? John, thank you. Um just a general question. [1:13:46] the the proposed elimination is is there a burden to maintaining the classifications. I understand the consolidation making it easier for the [1:13:55] business and more clear but like the art with the like sip si and paint type place right by eliminating that they are [1:14:02] not going to be able to get a license and I'm not saying they're coming I granted they haven't we haven't had it for 15 years I get it but like what what's the hurt of just keeping it keeping it as a possibility [1:14:10] assist city manager jump up some money [1:14:19] so what used to happen is we were very trend specific on different type of license classifications. Highland Park is not alone in this. Um, but what we've [1:14:27] seen year-over-year is there are a lot of our more general classifications that make sense for those type of businesses to apply for. [1:14:33] So, going forward, there's I know mentioned the BIOB, but there's other options that will be available to Perfect. It's not going to restrict potential business. [1:14:41] Um, and then the only other question I have is hearing what you said around uh the challenges with comparing to [1:14:49] other municipalities. I do think it would be really good for us to understand in totality what's the cost of doing business for restaurants, bars, [1:14:58] etc. whether across all fees like so that includes liquor fees that includes permit fees, whatever else they're [1:15:06] paying for. Um, and I think bringing that to BAB would be really impactful and insightful to make sure that we're [1:15:13] in line and that is not a barrier to to businesses wanting to do business here. [1:15:19] So we are talking about work plan for BACK for next year at on August 25th, we can certainly add that as a consideration. Thank you. [1:15:25] Yeah. And if you're comfortable maybe taking like highlights of major, so like a full service restaurant only because we've got so many different licenses. So [1:15:34] if we had to do an analysis of every possible Yeah. I would say not at the at the I wouldn't classify the analysis at the fee level. [1:15:44] I would classify it at the business type. and then accumulate all of the fees that those business types are [1:15:52] subject to and then do the best comparison possible to other municipalities understanding that they classify fees differently. But if you do [1:16:01] it for a full service restaurant, for a quick service restaurant, for a pub, then I think you're going to get a good analysis of what it really costs to do business here. [1:16:09] Yeah. Highlights of my business. [1:16:11] Yeah. Thank so uh two general areas. First of all, I really want to commend you guys. I think it's long overdue that we're doing this. [1:16:19] Um, I'm a little bit uncomfortable because it took us 13 months to change one sentence of one portion and we did a [1:16:29] comprehensive review of every district in the state and we came up with a beautiful legal [1:16:37] brief that gave us this. I really um I'm so glad we're doing this, but I'm also a [1:16:44] little blown away by the fact that our fees are that much higher. And I while I don't want staff to waste their time [1:16:53] going all over the state, I would like to know I mean these are significant reductions and I think it's great. Can you go back to that page for a minute? [1:17:03] But, you know, the margins for some of these restaurants and these bars, and they're not bars, I'm sorry, for our stores and whatever are very, very low. [1:17:14] And it I find it really I I'm thrilled we're correcting it now. And that it's going to take 14 years to get back to where we were for 26 lenses. [1:17:26] It it it tells me that for some reason, we just kept adding our fees. So I think this is a very um communityfriendly [1:17:35] businessfriendly move on our part but all the more reason to make sure that at this BDAG meeting this is really pointed [1:17:43] out and frankly I would like to see some statistics at least from neighboring communities. Now I know that for example Highwood doesn't you know have attacks [1:17:52] on these things. So I don't think Highwood is really relevant but I do think that will Matt and Lake Forest are [1:18:00] for example. And so I don't know where these numbers came from. I commend you because I feel like we're probably [1:18:07] bringing them more in line but I'm I'd really like to know what the others are charging because if they're still significantly lower, how friendly does [1:18:16] that make us? and I want to make sure we're as friendly as we can be. So that's the one question with regard to [1:18:22] the numbers. Um and then some of these classifications that we're combining and and again they [1:18:31] seem very user friendly but there have been a lot of state law changes and so for example like you know the um being [1:18:39] able to serve on premises the wrapped versus unwrapped and original packaging. [1:18:44] All those things have recently come up and so this may be more for council and I'm sure you've gone through this with a fine tooth comb but I just want to make [1:18:52] sure anywhere we're open on state regulations that they've opened up since we're reviewing our code. I just want to [1:18:59] make sure we're doing it as openly as possible. [1:19:02] So we did review all um recommended changes with corporation council with heart passman um to make sure that we were up to date with and in line with [1:19:09] state. So, anything we're recommending that there wasn't anything state related, which is one of the reasons why we have the happy hour piece. We know that's new state legislation. We wanted [1:19:18] to make sure we incorporated that in and the original packaging. I mean, frankly, this summer, even though, you know, they've been out of session this past spring, they had [clears throat] a [1:19:26] lot of stuff on liquor. So, the last thing I want us to do is go through this, update it, and then not even be in [1:19:34] complant, not that we're not not taking advantage of some of the more open literally because it's bottles. Um, open laws that they have now. [1:19:43] So, we do have, for example, the RS license, the the RS license. I'm going to give an example. Um, that's what Bluegrass has. And one of the um changes [1:19:51] that we're um asking council to consider is to allow for them to have like the packaged liquid for off- premise consumption. So, Ashley mentioned like [1:19:59] tequila. Um, we think of like if you're doing a bourbon dinner, you're doing a wine dinner, you want to be able to sell beyond like the wine and beer like they do now. Um, I will tell you in relation [1:20:07] to the full proposed fees, we did spot check a lot of our um our numbers while we did this, we also spot checked not [1:20:14] just with other communities, we spot checked with our business owners. Not all of them, mind you, but those we hear from the most. Um, so the one I just [1:20:21] mentioned, thrilled with this. So, uh, there's a lot of different considerations and a lot of, as Ashley mentioned earlier, this wasn't just [1:20:29] business forums. It wasn't just, um, you know, licensed fee review. This is a lot of one-on-one conversations over the last year plus, um, in consideration of this full review. [1:20:38] Okay. I just want to make sure that, and I'm thrilled that you all are going to BDAG and that this will still come up to us again because frankly, it's going to [1:20:46] take and by the way, it was great to get it ahead of time, but we're talking 2 or 3 days. We're not talking a month ahead of time. And this was a lot of material [1:20:54] to go through line by line to determine what the businesses were. So I commend you guys on a lot of work and I know that you're under a time deadline [1:21:02] because you want this to affect their licenses this year. If we weren't bringing them down, I would tell you I really don't think we should push this [1:21:09] through. But considering we're bringing it down, I think that this is the right way to go. But it it's a lot. It really [1:21:18] is. And it is also based on business feedback as well that we've talked to businesses, you know, we've gotten their feedback as they're opening or as [1:21:26] they're making changes. And so all that knowledge has been incorporated into the recommendation. [1:21:31] But I do think we should get a couple of towns that we can see to see if we feel any differently about what those rates should be. Thank you. [1:21:39] Can I just Can I Sorry, can I um while we understand the report Sorry. Well, we understand the report was 20 pages. A [1:21:47] lot of what makes up that 20 that 20 pages is a lot of admin cleanup stuff. [1:21:51] So, it's genderneutral language. It's adding uh their design. So, that's a lot of what that kind of touched on in that [1:21:59] staff report. And that's why right now we're highlighting these particular items because we understand based on our conversations with businesses and staff [1:22:07] that these are going to be the the biggest impacts that we're going to have um that we're interested in in making these recommendations for. and I would say biggest positive impacts to business community. [1:22:16] Yes. All right, Tony. [1:22:17] Thank you. Um I I my reaction is this seems [snorts] business friendly and I'm not surprised to hear that it's partly the product of talking to businesses [1:22:26] that are affected. It seems more flexible. Uh the licenses involved are a little more expansive for the license [1:22:34] holder, probably easier for us to administrate. Um, the license fees are [1:22:42] in a pretty limited range, not too different from where they used to be. [1:22:47] And as you mentioned, most of them go down a little bit. Obviously, for a few license holders, there's a potentially significant [1:22:55] uh impact going up. But I think overall it allows it seems to allow greater flexibility and some of the creativity [1:23:03] we're starting to see with some of the businesses and their use of liquor uh in a responsible way within their [1:23:09] businesses. Um my very minor uh getting in the weeds a little bit are first of all when we talk about the BYOB lensure [1:23:18] and you have to bring it in its original package is an original package if I decide to make cocktails at home and put [1:23:26] them in a container. I can't bring that in. So how is a business owner going to administer that? How is the police [1:23:34] department going to address that if they're called upon to address it? So we do already have BOB in in the code as you know and clarifying this that is the [1:23:42] language that would be part of the definition. So the part of the definition that we already have um because we already talk about um for off- premise consumption on premise [1:23:50] consumption sold in the original package. So we have what that is and that's a sealed bottle can etc that has to be opened by a staff member and why [1:23:57] it has to be opened by a staff member is so that you have somebody who is basset trained still opening that can. And if someone comes in who, as my dad would [1:24:06] say, blotto, um, they have a right to say, "No, you cannot open this. You cannot consume this here." So, it's a a way of regulating the [1:24:14] Graham shop issues that they're correct with and the number of servings per patron. Correct. [1:24:18] Um, the other question I have, um, there there is, I think, some change in when food sales can cease and how late liquor [1:24:28] can be served. Um, is the police department comfortable with some of these changes? Do we change we change or have there been change? [1:24:35] The change not for serving, just for food. I'm sorry. Correct. It's just for food service. Okay, you're all set with that. All right, great. Thank you. [1:24:43] All right, you um I mine is pretty simple. I don't have a question. I really just want to [1:24:50] comment that I'm in favor of, you know, as soon as I read, you know, the packet, I I just thought, you know, I'm in favor [1:24:57] of reducing the [clears throat] fees as much as we possibly can. I agree that uh every uh you know restaurant uh is uh [1:25:07] alcohol selling restaurant is you know it it close margins to make it successful to succeed to stay open. Um [1:25:15] and so I'm I'm really in favor of that and simp simplification just making it as easy as possible for for business owners. That's that's the thrust of what I wanted to say. [1:25:24] Great. [1:25:26] Uh thank you. Uh just thank you for giving us this report. Uh it looks good to me. I'm also glad that it'll be in [1:25:33] front of BDAG um next week because they always have additional thoughts and ideas as well. So I think that'll be really helpful and then to bring those [1:25:40] comments back to us. Um one question I guess similar to what you meant with the happy hours. Um what I guess how many [1:25:48] businesses use use that now? Because I feel like I've seen very few um happy hour specials. [1:25:54] That is right. Right. Currently, we do not allow you to have a happy hour, okay, here in Highland Park, but our neighboring communities do allow it. Um, so that's why we wanted to open that up [1:26:02] and follow the state regulations related to it. And we did talk to the police department about that as well um to make sure we were all engaging on the same page. [1:26:09] Okay. And I think that would be great to add that in um H Park for people wanting to come have a drink after work and take advantage. So that's great. Thank you. [1:26:20] All right. Well, I'm all for simplicity and reducing fees to our businesses, so I'm good. [1:26:28] All right. So, thank you so much. Um, so we have no further business on the agenda this evening. May I have a motion to address? [1:26:37] Second. Okay. All in favor? All right.