City Council Meeting 07/13/2026
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyFOy8alMmk
Automatic captions; not audio-verified.

[6:04] Good evening. I'd like to call to order the city council meeting for the city of Highland Park, Illinois, July 13th, 2026. Will the clerk please call the role?

[6:13] Council member Center, present.

[6:14] Council member Buckman here. Council member Ross here.

[6:17] Council member Tapia, present.

[6:20] Council member Little here.

[6:21] Council member Bloomberg. Mayor, Mayor Roing here. We have a quorum. Everyone okay with council member Tapia joining us electronically?

[6:28] Yes. Yes. Okay. Great. Let's please rise for the pledge of allegiance.

[6:33] I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation

[6:42] under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

[6:51] [clears throat]

[6:51] I have a motion to approve the minutes of the consolidated meeting of the city council held June 29th, 2026. Some moved. Second. All in favor say I. I.

[7:00] I. Thank you. The minutes are approved.

[7:01] May I have a motion to approve the warrant list. So move. Second.

[7:06] Any comments or questions on the warrant list? Hearing none. Will the clerk please call the vote? Council member center. Hi. Council member Buckman. Hi. Council member Ross. Hi.

[7:14] Council member Tapia. I. Council member Law. I. Mayor Roing.

[7:18] I. Six eyes. No. The warrant list is approved. Continuing on uh the report of the mayor. We have no appointments this

[7:26] evening. We have no proclamations this evening, but we do have plenty to talk about this evening. So, a little over a week ago, our community came together

[7:34] for our America 250 Independence Day weekend events. While the weather did not fully cooperate for Independence Fest and the fireworks display on Friday

[7:43] night, Saturday's parade and pool party and Sunday's concert by Dr. Mark were a true celebration of our community pride

[7:50] and patriotic spirit. Many thanks to all who made the weekend possible, especially our city manager Gita Newkerk, assistant city manager Aaron

[7:58] Jason and Emily Ta, police chief Lou Jagman, fire chief Joe Shraggy, public works director Ron Bannon, and all of

[8:06] our incredible city staff who've worked tirelessly on these events for the past six months. Special thanks to our friends at the Park District of Highland

[8:15] Park. Uh thank you all. So tonight we are really proud to recognize the Highland Park Career Exploration Program

[8:22] and so many professionals who have contributed to its success over the years. Launched in 2015 as a business

[8:29] engagement initiative, HPCE was founded by then council member Alyssa Noble and city manager Gita Newkerk in close

[8:38] partnership with Township High School District 113 and the Highland Park Chamber of Commerce with the goal of strengthening the connection between

[8:46] Highland Park's business community from small business owners to professionals working at some of our city's largest employers and the next generation of

[8:54] professionals, business owners, skilled trades people, civil servants and entrepreneurs. The HPCE program has introduced high school students to a

[9:02] wide variety of career paths over the past 11 years. As part of the program, Alyssa and Gita connected participating

[9:10] high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with mentors in the students areas of professional interest. Students participated in job shadowing, workplace

[9:19] visits, ongoing mentoring, and even internships thanks to the generosity of the participating businesses and

[9:26] professionals. The success of the HPCE program is truly indicative of our community's commitment to care for each other and to foster unique ways to support Highland Park's growth.

[9:37] Beginning with the 2026 school year, Township High School District 113 will assume leadership of the HPCE.

[9:46] As part of its expanding college and career readiness initiatives, it's been absolutely incredible to watch the growth of this program year after year

[9:54] and to see its impact now expand to all Highland Park High School students is truly remarkable. More than 65 professionals who participated in the

[10:03] HPCE program are recognized in tonight's packet. If you're joining us tonight because of your generous support of the HPCE program, please stand to be recognized.

[10:17] [applause]

[10:24] [applause] We're going to give you one more task before you sit down. If you could please come to the podium and share your name and your profession and

[10:31] then come forward to the dis. We have special recognition. Everybody come on up.

[10:41] [laughter]

[10:42] Great.

[10:44] Cheryl Stiger, um, commercial and fine artist. And what did you what else did you want to And then come over here.

[10:50] Oh, [laughter] thank you. Next person.

[11:00] I'm Mark Hill. I'm a professor and a surgeon. And uh that's what I do. Excellent. Thank you. Come on.

[11:08] Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you.

[11:15] I'm Ben Cutshide, landscape architect with the Park District Highland Park.

[11:19] Excellent. Thanks, Ben. [clears throat] And former PDC member.

[11:24] And former DC member. [laughter] Thank you.

[11:28] Thank you. [clears throat] Scott Leonard, fleet foreman, city of Highland Park. Excellent. Thank you.

[11:40] [clears throat]

[11:43] Michael Peard, um, with a background in both computers and in retail.

[11:57] I'm Michelle Nitmire and I'm one of the social workers with North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic.

[12:12] I think we're taking a picture.

[12:14] [laughter]

[12:16] [snorts]

[12:26] [snorts]

[12:29] just for consistency. And the three of you show your certificates.

[12:33] [laughter]

[12:35] Like everyone got one.

[12:36] I told you one more pass and they're free. [clears throat]

[12:44] Awesome. Thank you. [applause]

[12:50] [applause]

[12:54] So, we also want to share special appreciation to the following organizers and managers of the HPCE program. Alyssa

[13:03] Noble, former council member, Alyssa Noble Consulting and AM Communications.

[13:08] Thank you. Gita Newkerk, city manager, city of Highland Park.

[13:14] Dr. Shayla Holland, superintendent, Township High School District 113.

[13:19] Dr. Karen Ritter, assistant superintendent, Township High School District 113. Dr. Holly Flecher, principal, Highland Park High School.

[13:28] Mera Auntie, Township High School District 113, and Jennifer Ginopoulos, Township High School District 113. Thank

[13:36] you all for your contributions to the HPCE program through which you have impacted so many students. And I think you wanted the organizers to come forward as well.

[13:46] Yes.

[13:47] Yes. Okay. So, I just named you. Come on up. Thank you.

[13:58] Simple form.

[14:01] [laughter]

[14:11] Thank you. Here we go again. Thanks everyone.

[14:21] Thank you. [applause]

[14:27] [applause]

[14:30] Council member Noble, you're not allowed to sit down yet. Sorry to do that to you. And I know you threatened to kill me when you talked about this earlier this afternoon, but [laughter] uh your

[14:38] contributions to the Highland Park community are too numerous to list tonight. From your appointment to the Business and Economic Development

[14:46] Commission to your service as an elected council member, your unwavering advocacy for our business community to your eye for detail on infrastructure projects

[14:55] and your enthusiastic celebration of all things Highland Park, to your immediate support of our community in our darkest

[15:02] days. You truly have led by example and your dedication to this community. No, we're not naming a street for you. Don't worry about it. [laughter]

[15:11] you want. I know the Highland Park career exploration program is just one way that your time and talents have made

[15:18] a lasting impact on Highland Park. As many here tonight can attest, your commitment to improving the quality of life for all residents, including those

[15:26] with four legs has only accelerated since your time on the city council.

[15:30] Organizations like the North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic, the Highland Park Community Foundation, and Orphans of the Storm have benefited from your professional expertise and your

[15:39] passionate advocacy. How fortunate we are to know you and to work alongside you. So, it is our honor, Come on up to

[15:47] present you with the key to the city.

[15:53] Yes, it does open Dairy Queen

[15:56] [laughter]

[15:59] and our deepest appreciation for all

[16:02] [applause]

[16:12] [applause]

[16:17] [applause]

[16:22] Hold on while we present the key. The official key. I would make me take it out. Yeah. Take this out of the picture.

[16:30] [laughter]

[16:36] [laughter]

[16:43] Thank you.

[16:43] You bet. [clears throat]

[16:45] [applause]

[16:51] [laughter]

[16:53] Good recycling. That's okay. Okay.

[16:57] But wait, there's more. So, oh, and I forgot to hand out the coins. So, if you want to Oh, pass these around.

[17:05] [laughter] Thank you. Sorry. Um, it's our pleasure to welcome back to the podium Dr. Mark Nolan Hill to provide an update from the Great Lakes and St.

[17:13] Lawrence Cities Initiative. The initiative is a bational coalition of mayors from communities in the United States and Canada who rely on water from

[17:22] the Great Lakes working together to advance the protection and restoration of the Great Lakes ecosystem through development and implementation of a

[17:29] comprehensive Great Lakes protection and restoration plan. Goals of the initiative include strengthening coastal resiliency given the impacts of climate

[17:37] change, advancing water equity, and leveraging economic benefits of freshwater resources. I invite Dr. Hill to share some more about this important work. Thank you.

[17:46] Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, councel. I am Dr. Mark Nolan Hill, and I'm going to present highlights of the 24th annual Great Lakes St. Law Cities Initiative uh

[17:55] meeting that was held in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. And this is the 24th year that I have presented this. And please excuse me if I speak fast. I want

[18:03] to be uh uh uh uh cognizant of of the time allotted. As the mayor said, uh the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Cities

[18:11] Initiative is a bational consortium of mayors and representatives of United States Great Lakes and Canada's St.

[18:18] Lawrence River Basin uh regarding sustainability, ecology, and water management. It's formed by mayors uh Richard Daly and Toronto Mayor David

[18:27] Miller in 2003. There are now 430 member cities. In 2003, there were only 90. And

[18:34] they've been involved with the White House and Canadian Parliament. And last year, we gave 335 articles and

[18:41] interviews. And several years ago, I was honored to present uh the city of Highland Park um uh to the be considered

[18:50] for the annual WGI award for small city sustainability. and Highland Park won and uh was is the only city in Illinois

[18:59] that has won this. And mayor, I I was very pleased to see how the new sustainability initiatives have been enacted in this city. And finally, uh uh

[19:09] Mayor Daly once said, "If you want something done, you ask a mayor." And I'm sure Mayor Rotary and you can concur with that. I am in a volunteer

[19:16] non-compensated position which is unique as I'm the only member who has been involved since 2003 at every meeting because I'm not an elected official and

[19:25] I'm amazed at the progress and achievements which you'll see now.

[19:30] Uh this theme this year was fresh coast economic corridor uh uh scientific and research presentations as well as

[19:38] legislative uh actions water and energy efficiency. We talked about household leaks of water. One out

[19:47] of 10 homes leak water. And in terms of energy, 30% of the energy is used to heat water, but 80% of the energy is

[19:55] wasted in water down the drain. So there are processes to try to recover that energy.

[20:00] Protect waterways from invasive species and uh decontaminating ballast water and boats. Transforming harmful algo blooms.

[20:10] And what they use here is crisper. You might uh remember crisper is the gene splicing process with metagenomic

[20:17] assessment and then also placing water pools water pearls in manhole covers and to decrease the bacteria.

[20:27] We're covering runoff sewers overflows and leaks. This the process of this is unbelievable on the hydrants the mains

[20:34] the service connections and valve assessment. It used to be years ago that when a valve was stuck, you would have to replace the valve and that would be

[20:43] very costly. And now they use pneumatic vibrations. And the company that does this is in Walkagan, Emmy Simpson, and

[20:50] they take care of much of Canada, United States. And I spoke with them and spoke with Keith Miller, our utilities

[20:58] superintendent who works with Emmy Simpson in this regard. And I asked I invited Keith to be here, but he's on a golf tournament right now.

[21:08] PAS per and poly fluoroal substances what we call forever chemicals cause diseases

[21:15] including cancer and I was very pleased that the mayor in her recent newsletter talked about this in the newsletter um

[21:22] in 1940s 14,000 synthetic chemicals were made to make products resistance to water grease and stains in cosmetics and

[21:32] cookware and carpets and they have a carbon florine bond which is hard to disrupt and 98% of Americans have

[21:39] measurable blood levels. 158 million Americans are exposed in water and the treatment of this is using wood from

[21:47] trees, electrooxidation and ion exchange to break this bond. And that's well above my pay grade.

[21:56] Microlastics and microfiber emissions.

[21:59] Again, mayor, thank you for including this in your newsletter. It's estimated that all of us sitting here have a credit card of plastic inside of us. Not

[22:08] just in your wallet or your purse. And we talked about water refill stations.

[22:13] So to throw your bottles, not uh in in the water, uh but to use water refill stations. And then in Canada, they have

[22:21] special washing machine filters. They're rather expensive, but they decrease microfiber emissions. And I was honored to be able to speak with the person who

[22:30] developed this uh uh device and also wrote the paper.

[22:36] There was very respectful collaboration with indigenous people, the first nations sustaining Turtle Island. Now, the First Nations refer to North

[22:45] America, especially Canada, as Turtle Island because of the creation story that the continent was formed on the

[22:52] back of a giant turtle. And we had talks from one of the chiefs there,

[23:00] another chief, and then a declaration signing ceremony in Canada for Canada and the United States.

[23:09] On the left is the new chair of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence City's Initiative, uh, Mayor Cavalier Johnson, who's mayor of Milwaukee and the

[23:17] protetéé of ambassador and former mayor Tom Barrett. and he is the new chair and he's he's just a great person and very smart and very nice.

[23:29] On the left is Mayor John Dickert who has presented here and he was the president and CEO of the Great Lake St.

[23:37] Lawrence City Initiative some years ago.

[23:39] Uh next to the mayor is her worship Katherine Vorn who is the uh mayor of uh

[23:46] Quebec City in Quebec, Canada. And next year we will be having our meeting there.

[23:52] And there she's presenting. Now, every other year I have a surgical meeting at Meno Island in uh Michigan.

[24:04] So, I've been there many times. And somehow at the Great Lakes St.

[24:07] Lawrence's initiative meeting, the current chair, Mayor um uh Ryan Sorenson

[24:14] from Chbuan and the CEO John Altonberg said found out about this and said, "Could you talk to the mayor of Meno

[24:22] Island to get them to join the organization and in a month when Carol Sue and I go up for the meeting, uh we

[24:30] have a meeting. But the reason I bring this up and mayor, I think you'd be very interested in this. Mayor Dow, I can't

[24:36] wait to meet her, is the longest serving mayor in the United States, 51 terms since 1975.

[24:47] Mayor Rotary, maybe you want to strive for that. I don't I don't know. I don't know. [laughter] I don't know. And finally, if I may,

[24:55] Mayor, um I'd like to recognize several guests whom I invited. As I was on the city's lakefront commission for over 30

[25:03] years and its chairman dealing with some of the same issues of the Great Lake St.

[25:07] Lawrence's Initiative, I worked with three remarkable people.

[25:13] Dr. Charles Shabika and his son John Shabika, uh the area's premier consulting firm on shoreline

[25:21] stabilization, beach preservation, and revetment design. And fellow physician Dr. Tom Sultan, who also worked together

[25:30] on the lakefront commission and was a chair. Thank you. Thank you so much, Dr. Martin.

[25:35] [applause]

[25:37] Um, Mayor Keh, Mayor Kevier Johnson gave these to me to to give to you and and the council. Beautiful.

[25:46] Little Pence, may I approach?

[25:48] Um, actually, if you could just share it with Erin, that would be so appreciated.

[25:52] Oh, well, there you go. Keep it out of the water. Thank you.

[25:55] Thank you so much. And wonderful to see Shabika Elder and Junior and Dr. Sultan.

[26:00] Thank you all for joining us this evening. Wonderful to see you as well. So, thank you. Thank you, Council Ross.

[26:07] Thank you, Mayor. I just wanted to thank Dr. Mark for your clean water advocacy.

[26:13] Um it's it's amazing to hear about and uh I also want to try to put you in

[26:20] touch with um uh somebody I recently learned about uh at University of Chicago who's working on a a really

[26:27] viable way to remove uh uh PAS from water and uh uh so I will do that via an

[26:35] email but but I just so impressed and and thankful that that you're doing the work that you are right. Thank you for your commitment.

[26:45] Much appreciated. Thank you.

[26:48] Um, continuing on, is there any business from the council?

[26:52] Nope. Okay. Business from city staff, city manager Newkerk.

[26:55] Yes. Thank you, mayor. Um, just a few reports on behalf of staff. Um, first, Bean Bar is an experienced full service restaurant tour seeking to establish at

[27:03] 565 Roger Williams in the Ravenia business district. Um, as certainly the council knows, the site has been vacant for many years and due to significant

[27:12] investment that's necessary for the property, the business is seeking additional funding um, beyond our food and beverage grant and the exterior

[27:19] improvement grant. Um, we are suggesting consideration of using the exterior improvement grant funds, which are currently um, a matching grant of

[27:27] $20,000 per year. Um, businesses are currently able to take advantage of that program every year, but we're

[27:34] recommending pooling five years worth of funds and allowing them to take advantage of $100,000 given that they are investing um

[27:43] approximately $1.5 million into the property. Um, if supported by the council, they would be ineligible um for

[27:50] taking advantage of subsequent exterior improvement grants for um the five years following. And this is an entity that's been vacant for over a decade. Former dry cleaners.

[28:00] Yes. Yes. As indicated. Yeah. It's been vacant for a long time. Significant investment is needed. We presented a similar concept for a different um

[28:08] restaurant at this area and there was majority support to move forward. So, um I emailed this information to the city council. I did not have any concern. So,

[28:17] assuming that there's support, um what we would do is work with them on an agreement and then have it on the next city council for formal consideration.

[28:25] So here you can see on the screen um the current exterior of the building um and then the conceptual exterior plan

[28:34] proposed for the property. And then the next um is just an example of the patio area in terms of buildout. So again

[28:43] approximately $ 1.5 million investment in the property. We think it'd be a great addition to that district to the community overall. Um and unless there

[28:50] are concerns, we'll move forward accordingly as noted. Thank you.

[28:54] Okay. Um the next thing is um we are also we've been working with Lucid Motors um to welcome them to Highland

[29:01] Park. Um they are looking at occupying the space at 1200 Old Skooki Road in the Briergate Business District. Um so we're excited about welcoming them to our

[29:09] community. Um we have a current program that we make available to businesses.

[29:15] It's our sales tax rebate program. This is a longestablished program that's been very successful in attracting and retaining some of our largest employers

[29:23] as well as those businesses that are producing the greatest amount of sales tax um revenue. This program is for new businesses making a minimum capital

[29:32] investment of $250,000 and generating a minimum of $1 million in sales tax annually. Um, we've been working with

[29:40] Lucid on we have their application for the sales tax rebate and one condition for the program is that businesses

[29:48] cannot begin construction until their sales tax rebate program has been approved by the council. Um, given the

[29:55] fact that they are on an expedited plan, they'd like to get open as soon as possible. Um, we recommend allowing them to start construction with the

[30:04] understanding that we are working with them on the sales tax rebate program.

[30:07] And again, that agreement is planned to be presented at the next meeting for formal consideration. So unless there are any concerns, um they will start

[30:15] construction, but know that that sales tax rebate is coming and it's very much needed given their investment in the property as well. Okay. Thank you.

[30:22] Okay. Um and then just a couple of highlights on the omnibus agenda. We have 11 items on omnibus um for your consideration. All have detailed staff

[30:31] reports. Items six through 10 are construction projects. Um and so we do have on our website information where

[30:38] all the city's infrastructure investment um projects are identified so individuals can get an overview of what

[30:46] is planned where when um contact information for each project. So similar to um these projects that are on for

[30:53] formal consideration, we'll update the website accordingly. We'll continue to communicate heavily with um the general public as well as impacted properties in

[31:02] that immediate area and happy to answer questions that the public or anyone may have at any time about these projects or anything else.

[31:09] And I think it's important to note those are infrastructure construction projects. Um and I just want to give a shout out to public works. Amazing job

[31:17] gaining state grant money. um millions of dollars and so we benefit but we're not paying the full freight for these

[31:26] major major projects. So I just want to give a shout out to Ron Bannon and his crew. Excellent work in getting those grants. Really appreciate it. Thank you.

[31:36] Um did you want to ask your question about four was it?

[31:39] What we have in the omnibus today um with regard to Beanbar is their food and beverage grant. It's not talking about

[31:47] the exterior grant, which is what you mentioned. And I just want to be on the record that we, this is an aberration.

[31:54] Our grant program, as you said correctly, is for $20,000 per year for 5 years. And the fact that we're doing it, we are not we are not creating a

[32:03] condition proceeding. We're not saying this is a precedent that we're going to go forward with. This is a very special situation. It's someone who's met our

[32:11] criteria on so many other levels for the interior portion and will be doing so much exterior work that that's why we

[32:19] want to make this very very unusual request and what we did with um RBG CBG

[32:26] CBG thank you was was truly an aberration too and one that we actually were very lucky that you know it didn't

[32:34] go forward because it would have been a mistake. So this is very different. Um and we feel much more comfortable about

[32:41] acknowledging and taking your advice on this. So thank you. That's correct. Thank you.

[32:45] Great. Thank you. Did you have something you wanted to say?

[32:47] Yes. Yes. Thank um also on four, but my question was I saw in the packet it said that we're you're working through lease

[32:55] negotiations still with Beanbar. Is that correct? So just the agreement.

[33:01] The agreement. So, but you'll let us know if there's any changes before this would become come on the next agenda, the exterior improvement grant.

[33:09] Absolutely. We're working on the agreement that is going to come before you at the next council meeting for formal consideration. Okay.

[33:15] Yes. [clears throat] Okay. Thank you.

[33:17] And it is subject to them occupying that space.

[33:20] Absolutely. Thank you. Thank you, city manager. Um, assistant to the city manager Pelitzko, would you please introduce the next item on our agenda, business from the public?

[33:28] Thank you, mayor. The next item on the agenda is business from the public. This is an opportunity for members of the public to address the city council on a

[33:36] topic that is within the council's purview and jurisdiction but is not listed in another location on the agenda. If you would like to speak about

[33:44] a matter that is listed on the agenda, we ask that you wait until that agenda item is called and we will give you an opportunity to speak. Then if your

[33:53] matter is on the omnibus consent agenda, please let us know if you would like us to remove that matter from the consolidated list so that you can speak

[34:01] about it. Please be aware that business from the public is not intended to be a forum for open dialogue or engagement with members of the city council.

[34:10] Rather, it is intended as an opportunity to make comments to the city council.

[34:15] Please do not expect a response from anyone tonight. If appropriate, we may direct the city manager or other city

[34:22] staff to respond to questions or issues raised at a later date. All comments should be directed to the city council.

[34:29] All speakers will be limited to three minutes. We request that the public not applaud or make other comments after any speaker. We ask that everyone be respectful, civil, and non-repetitive.

[34:39] Great. Thank you. Are there any members of the public who wish to be heard tonight on an item not on tonight's agenda?

[34:46] Seeing none, we'll continue on with our omnibus agenda. As mentioned, items 1 through 11 have been grouped together

[34:53] for omnibus consideration. I'm seeking a motion to approve items 1 through 11.

[34:58] I have a question about 11, but I don't think it needs polling. I might be happy.

[35:03] Uh, what is your question about 11? Um, my question about item 11 has to do with a minor amendment to 925 Deerfield Road

[35:12] and what's being added is patio grading 8x10 patios. So, I'm wondering if um there's anyone here from development.

[35:22] I don't know that there is. Um, but I do know from the packet if your question is concerning the addition of imperous surface that there were no concerns about storm water management impact.

[35:31] That was my question both about storm water management and the ratio of green to patio considering there were no patios when we approved this development

[35:40] and now every single unit has an 8 by10 patio and it is an impervious um surface surface right

[35:47] so I don't know if you can answer that city manager or someone from staff community development or development

[36:00] I think mayor Um you had stated it correctly that there's staff have no concern with the with regard to the additional impervious from the code

[36:07] perspective from code storm water and green versus permeable or green versus impervious. Yes. Okay.

[36:15] And there would be an engineering plan that would be approved by our staff.

[36:19] Do we know what the ratio is now of impervious to green for these don't have town homes? But my understanding is it is within code and

[36:28] so there are specifics regarding how much there can be in the site and this does not take them over that ratio.

[36:36] Okay. It's just for it to be on consent agenda and that not being what we approved. That's why I wanted to make sure we at least ask those questions

[36:44] and and I think it's important to recognize this was considered insignificant. So that's why it was on that's fine. Okay. With that I'm still

[36:51] seeking a motion to approve items 1 through 11. So moved. Second.

[36:55] Any comments or questions on 1 through 11? Any from the public? Hearing? None. Will the clerk please call the vote? Council member Center. Hi. Council member Buckman. I.

[37:03] Council member Ross. Hi. Council member Tapia. I. Council member Little. I. Mayor Roing.

[37:09] I. Six eyes, no nays. Items 1 through 11 have been approved. Um items A, B, and C

[37:16] under subheading other business 12. Uh corporation council. Can we consider these in omnibus fashion? Absolutely, Mayor.

[37:24] Okay. So, I'll read those out loud and see if there are any comments or questions regarding these. A is a resolution approving a plat of

[37:32] subdivision 1660 and 1700 Old Deerfield Road. B is an ordinance amending a special use permit for a plan

[37:39] development and the inclusionary housing plan again 1660 and 1700 Old Deerfield Road. and C is a resolution approving a first amendment to the development

[37:48] agreement between the city of Highland Park and HDCM MIHP Venture LLC. Um we've

[37:56] read the copious packets that are related to these three issues. Um but certainly open to any comments or

[38:04] questions from the council and also from the public. Um council member Litterward and then council member Ross. So, I did have a couple of questions and I don't

[38:13] know whether someone from the development or staff wants to respond, but I just wanted to run a couple of things by you. Um, we noticed that uh

[38:21] you took it down from or in the inclusionary housing they all went from two and three bedrooms to all three

[38:28] bedrooms and I was just wondering at the reasoning behind it. I mean, the square footage appears to be the same, so it's not changing anything, but from an

[38:37] inclusionary housing perspective, I was wondering what your rationale was,

[38:42] [clears throat]

[38:44] mayor. Um, may I respond just to the inclusionary portion, then defer to the applicant?

[38:49] So, in our code, um, the code calls for inclusionary housing to mirror essentially the types of dwelling units

[38:58] that are being provide provided at market rate. And so the bedroom mix is the type of unit and so they've

[39:05] converted all of the market rate to threebedroom and thus the inclusionary were changed to three-bedroom as well.

[39:12] Now there's marketing reasons why they're doing that but I'm saying from a code perspective that's that's also helpful that's tethered and and the housing commission did vote six to

[39:21] recommend and then from a marketing perspective.

[39:26] Yes. Hello my name is Zachary Kenzer. Uh I'm the planning and develop our planning and entitlements manager for MI Homes that's on this project uh working

[39:34] with a or with uh Habitat and our joint venture. Um I just wanted to say that yeah the the reason that we move from two to threebs is uh marketing purposes.

[39:43] There's a lot more demand for three-bedroom units and I think one of the things that um is really interesting about the affordable housing piece is

[39:50] that there's actually more demand as well for three-bedroom units as opposed to two-bedroom units. So that's also a big part of why we decided to make the change.

[39:58] Great. Great. Thank you. And I for one am thrilled to hear it because we know how much of a challenge it is for so many of our families. So thank you for

[40:06] making that adjustment. That's great. Um I had another question and that had to do with um oh this is actually from a

[40:14] but it has to do with why were the lights removed along the woodland path?

[40:19] Um so I don't know if you have a response for that. Yeah, happy to respond to that as well.

[40:25] So um so first of all um the woodland path is in a conservation easement and when we were reviewing the plans one of

[40:32] the things that we you know believe in that in the sale to a um and the transition to a forale environment um

[40:39] that the path lights would a removal of those would kind of lessen the amount of light and allow some darker skies right

[40:46] um to in the conservation easement. Um the second piece was is that you know a lot of the public parks in the area uh typically are dawn to dusk operating and

[40:55] having additional path lights could invite you know other people that are using the facilities at inappropriate times. Uh and the third thing is is that

[41:02] putting those path lights in there in a conservation easement ultimately requires us to disturb some of the ground to put those in. So you know as

[41:10] opposed to putting in those lights and creating some of those other potential negative externalities we decided to remove the lights and leave it more natural and state.

[41:16] Great. Okay. Thank you. That makes a lot of sense as long as it's safe. But, you know, from a path perspective, I'm always asking that. Okay. And my last

[41:23] point, and I'm sorry, but my last point was um I had at previous meetings um spoken quite a bit about the buffer

[41:31] between Bluegrass, one of the businesses, and um the development. And I I think the development has turned out

[41:38] to be a really lovely lovely thing. And yet I have spent the past five years whether it was on PDC or um on this

[41:48] council or as liaison working on buffers and working on transitions between developments and businesses and making

[41:56] sure that there was adequate space. And frankly, from a policy perspective, the 2 and 1/2 ft, which we did not change,

[42:05] um, really flies in the face of everything we've worked on in terms of building more of a 5-ft very gentle kind

[42:12] of a way of doing it. And so, I just want to actually commend the property owner for working with Bluegrass, the

[42:20] tenant, and I guess with developer. Um, they are putting up some lovely lattice fencing. They're putting up some things

[42:28] that instead of having trees and bushes to block, having a car 2 feet from a table on a patio that's an outdoor restaurant, it's one of our oldest

[42:37] establishments in the city of Highland Park and having that right there. And even if it was there to date, you're putting up a beautiful residential area.

[42:47] And to complement that, I wanted to see the kind of graceful transition to our business, to a restaurant, to a parking

[42:55] lot. And so, I'm really glad that the owner has stepped up and done it in a way that's still attractive and that

[43:03] still acts as a buffer since we didn't have the space to do it from a land perspective. So, I want to commend you on all working together and getting that

[43:10] done. But please understand that for us in Highland Park, that's a really big piece of making a new residential

[43:18] development feel like home. So, thank you, Council Member Ross.

[43:22] Um, thank you. Uh, I I do want to share uh Council Member Ludau's uh appreciate

[43:29] I I agree. Um, thanks for the collaboration with Bluegrass uh restaurant and that uh

[43:36] property owner uh both for the um lattice work surrounding the um patio apparently and uh the landscaping as

[43:46] well. Um I I it it it's a really nice to to have that collaboration. Um

[43:55] and uh and and so that seems to have resolved fairly well and and uh I assume you'll continue that great collaboration

[44:04] with uh the restaurant uh which as I've said at two other council meetings, the one, you know, property, the one

[44:12] business that that didn't get much of an accommodation until until that um you know any you know buffer. So this is

[44:20] really nice. Um I um I want to speak to

[44:25] the the the signage. Um you have a uh you know at facing roughly the police

[44:34] station you have a 16 ft by 9 ft uh sign

[44:40] and uh I I do realize um you know they went in front of PDC there were two 16

[44:48] by 9 ft signs. [music] uh you did reduce it uh to one. It's it's just that it's it's a massive

[44:56] massive sign and and I I apologize for saying this. I mean no disrespect. It's it just ugly simply by virtue of its

[45:04] immense scale. Um and this is you know not not a highway that that street. I mean I understand it on on a highway. Um

[45:12] and it in my opinion it's a a visual detriment to the area. Um, and and I I frankly don't even think it it helps

[45:20] your project uh because it it uh and forgive me for saying this, but it a little bit kind of cheapens the look of

[45:28] it. Um, and so I wanted to ask if it's possible to do reduce that sign to 8 by

[45:36] 8 ft, which is still extremely large and and it's certainly adequate. Uh, and I I

[45:44] just believe it it helps everyone involved, including your project and it's a a sign of goodwill to the neighborhood that you are now part of.

[45:52] Um, so that is my question of you of your team. Um, and is is there is there a way to make that happen?

[46:04] Uh, Councilwoman Ross, uh, thank you for those very uh insightful comments.

[46:08] appreciate your your thought uh and the time that you took to explain that. Um I think we would be willing to remove uh or reduce the size of the 16x9 sign to

[46:17] an 8 by8. Um and but we one of the things that um is really important to us is that and and beneficial to the community is those signers really help

[46:25] us market the community and get us people that drive by that may not know necessarily about it and drive people to the site in order to transact homes at a

[46:34] faster pace. So as part of the marketing part of this, the idea is that we want to try to move through this community as quickly as possible to minimize impact

[46:42] on the community long term. Ideally, right, we want to be selling four, five, six of these homes a month. And with that, that actually puts us at a

[46:49] timeline that would extend past the 3 years that council has currently worked with us on. So, you know, in lie of us taking down the size of that sign,

[46:58] right? I think one of the things that we would like to do is be able to keep both of those 8 by8 signs up for a couple of years and then um take one of those

[47:06] signs down specifically on Ridge Road to minimize the long-term impact of those residents and leaving the one up at the entrance um until we are able to close

[47:14] our last house. Would that be amanable to the council?

[47:17] Are So you're saying there would be two 8 by8? Yeah, two 8 by8s. I mean it's certainly a big improvement.

[47:22] Yeah. Um, and I asked my colleagues if that is I mean that that would be a big improvement and I think a benefit uh you

[47:31] know to the neighborhood and I I truly truly believe it's a benefit to to you as well. It's it uh sort of a better

[47:39] look for the for the whole thing. Thank you for that. Absolutely. And I really appreciate that. Um, and I also want to

[47:47] ask what you will do and if you could describe it and what the city will require in terms of mitigating the dust

[47:55] from uh construction on on such a huge site. Um, I assume it's in, you know, a standard contract um that the con the

[48:05] construction company will will uh you know clear this the site on a regular basis, maybe daily basis. Um and you

[48:13] know what kind of um language is there around keeping the site clean uh and and

[48:22] not having you know dust and and and construction debris migrating to you know to businesses or residences.

[48:30] Yeah, absolutely. So uh at MI Homes uh one of the things that we like to tout about ourselves is that we are very clean and green. Uh it's something that

[48:38] we really um we don't just aspire to, we try to execute every day. And as part of that process, we do use best-in-class vendors to actually go through and use

[48:47] water on the streets in order to keep dust down, regular street sweeping, right? We want our site to look the best, not just because we want to be the best, but because we want to make our

[48:55] customers feel like they are welcome at every single turn. So, um you can be assured that we will be using best practices to manage all dust, all

[49:03] construction debris, everything from concrete wash out areas to maintaining the roads and street sweeping on a fairly regular basis. Um about what once

[49:11] once a week if I recall correctly. Yeah, once a week uh basis. Um and then dewatering the streets as well to keep down dust as needed.

[49:19] And our staff does inspections as well.

[49:21] I was going to ask you what kind of enforcement is there from the city in terms of just making sure Yeah, we review all Yeah, we review all

[49:28] construction projects. Um, we respond to any concerns. Um, you know, we work collaborately with the developers, but we do have the ability to issue citations if warranted.

[49:38] Okay. Thank you very much on both counts.

[49:41] Great. Thank you. Any other questions on item A, B, and C? No. Any from the public?

[49:47] No. So with that, I'm seeking a motion.

[49:50] Yes, if I may. Two [clears throat] two important floor amendments that we'd like to recommend.

[49:58] Okay. Okay.

[50:05] So staff have two recommended conditions. Um, one is related to the platter of resolution that the applicant

[50:12] revise sheet number three to remove the request to vacate document number 3495229.

[50:21] Um, so what they do is they would supply a revised uh plan showing that removed.

[50:28] Okay. So that's all that's needed. So it's just a condition of approval. So before anything would get recorded that that would be made that revision. Um and

[50:36] then regarding the development agreement in uh section two, um the definitions uh

[50:42] related to public improvements, um city engineers had indicated that she wanted some more clarity over the points that are made

[50:50] here that are bold and underlined to be added. uh that the sanitarian water mains on the property uh be identified

[50:58] here and that uh exhibit be uh you know it it but excluding that the new road, storm water, lighting and sidewalks,

[51:07] curves and gutters and similar improvements on the property. So essentially what this does is it says we're as a city going to take after

[51:14] they're completed and pass inspection um the sanitary sewer and storm water and and water manes portable water manes and

[51:22] then the rest of the improvements on the private property would be um the privately maintained and held. Okay.

[51:29] Thank you. If I could ask for more detail on the first request given that we haven't memorized what document number 349529

[51:37] is. So what I can say is that that document there is background information that was unable to be provided in time

[51:45] for this approval and thus we recommend not to uh vacate that until such time as the city's had time to review all of the

[51:54] details about that particular uh already existing um easement.

[51:59] Okay. Any questions from the council members? People are comfortable with these amendments. So it' be approval of items A, B, C as amended.

[52:08] Yeah. I do have one other question. Sure.

[52:11] I and I I apologize to everybody um regarding the the signs and the requests that the that or the offer that you

[52:20] would have both signs be um 8 by8 and uh which I appreciate. Uh, and you would up

[52:29] have it up for the entire length of of it. You know, until you you sold, you're talking about phase one and phase two.

[52:35] You until you've sold. Was that originally part of the plan for was that originally part of the plan? The length of time those signs would be up.

[52:44] The original length of time uh that was planned was three years. That was by planning and zoning.

[52:48] That that was Okay. Okay. I didn't want to inadvertently um have it up longer than Right. Yeah. So, so that that thank you for clarifying.

[52:58] And and our request for 5 years is really just for the one sign at the entrance, right? So, leaving that sign up at the entrance and removing the sign

[53:05] along Rich Road after 3 years. Okay. Until the final sale. Yeah.

[53:12] [clears throat]

[53:13] Leaving the sign up at the entrance until final sale. Pardon?

[53:16] Final sale or three years, whichever is less or what?

[53:20] Uh final sale for the sign at the entrance of the community. So, we would want to leave that 8 by8 sign up until we finish selling out the community.

[53:28] But the one on bridge would come down years would come down after three years. Sorry, the sneeze obliterated your sound.

[53:36] [laughter] Okay. Um, so again, I am seeking a motion to approve items A, B, and C as amended. So move. Second.

[53:44] Any further discussion? Hearing none, will the clerk please call the vote? Council member center. Hi. Council member Barkman.

[53:52] I. Council member Ross. Hi, Council Member Tapia.

[53:55] I council member Little I. Mayor Roering. I six [clears throat] eyes, no nays.

[54:00] Items A, B, and C as amended have been approved. Uh, we've already had closed session, so with that, I'm seeking a motion to adjurnn.

[54:08] Second. All in favor say I. I. Thanks everybody.

[54:24] Oh, sorry.

[54:29] I like talking to