City Council - Regular Meeting

I'd like to call to order the city council meeting for the city of Highland Park, Illinois, May 11th, 2026. Will the clerk please call the role? Council member Center, present. Council member Bman here. Council member Ross here. Council member Tapia. Council member Little here. Council member Bloomberg here. Mayor Roing here. We have a quorum. Is council member Tapia joining us electronically for this portion? I have my hearing aids on and I still can't hear you. Please can someone sound up a little? I will I will talk more into the microphone. Thank you for letting us know is No, not for this meeting.

He's not okay. We do have a quorum. Everybody, if you're able, please rise for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. May I have a motion to approve the minutes of the regular city council meeting held April 27th, 2026 and the closed session of the regular meeting of the city council held April 27th, 2026. So moved. Second.

All in favor say I. I. I. Thank you. May I have a motion to approve the warrant list? So moved. Second. Any comments or questions on the warrant list? Hearing none. Will the clerk please call the vote? Council member center I. Council member Buckman I. Council member Ross I. Council member Little I. Council member Bloomberg. Mayor Roing.

I. Six eyes's no nazs. And the warrant list is approved. The next item is the report of the mayor. I have no appointments this evening. We do have two proclamations this evening. For more than 40 years, Highland Park's historic preservation program has provided a clear path to preserving and celebrating our architectural history. Administered by the Historic Preservation Commission and the dedicated city staff in the Department of Community Development, the city's historic preservation program has grown throughout the years to encompass three historic districts and five national register districts and 79 local landmarks. And a little later tonight, this council will consider the historic preservations com preservation commission's recommendation for the 80th. I am going to read the proclamation. Whereas historic preservation provides continuity with the past, protects valuable architectural resources, invests in neighborhoods, fosters local pride, and teaches future generations local history and architecture. And whereas in 1982, Highland Park was the first Illinois community to subort to submit a multiple resource nomination in the National Register for its historic properties. And on August 8, 1983, Highland Park City Council adopted the city's first historic preservation ordinance. And whereas in October 1985, Highland Park was among the first communities in the state to be designated a certified local government with the Illinois State Historic Preservation Office. And in 1988, Highland Park conducted its first preservation award ceremony. And whereas in November of 2022, the city council adopted the city's first preservation plan setting forth the city's vision and goals related to preserving the city's architectural and historic resources. And whereas in 2026, Highland Park

celebrates the 43rd anniversary of its historic preservation program and its preservation efforts, including its almost now soon to be 80 local landmarks, its three historic districts, and its five national registered districts, while encouraging community partnership, local development, and distinctive attractive places. And whereas in 2026, the city council has so far designated three properties as local landmarks, expanding the city's inventory of protected historic resources. And whereas the historic preservation commission embraces the opportunity for organizing education and outreach events that promote the positive value and importance of historic preservation in May, such as the city's annual historic preservation awards ceremony and historic bike tours. And whereas through historic preservation, we see that the greenest building is the one already built and that the preservation of our built environment saves critical resources and sustains our natural environment. And whereas many important contributions in the fields of architecture, landscape architecture, and local and American history are found in Highland Park. And we're as stewardship of our historic built environment, its natural setting, and the meaning and memory of our community as a shared responsibility for all ages, all walks of life, and all ethnic backgrounds. Now therefore, I, Nancy Rotary, mayor of the city of Highland Park and the city council of Highland Park, do hereby proclaim May 2026 as National Historic Preservation Month and call upon the people of Highland Park to join in recognizing and participating in this special observance. Um, is Lynn Greenbomb here?

Yes. Hi, Lynn. Do you want to first I'll give this to you. I'm Did you want to say anything? I'm good. Okay. Thank you so much.

Thank you. Many thanks to the Historic Preservation Commission led by Chair Erica Weider, Vice Chair Greenbomb, Director of Community Development Joel Fontaine, and the Community Development staff team. Community Education and Advocacy is at the heart of this program, and the annual historic preservation tour is the perfect way to learn about our architectural heritage from the experts. Save the date for May 24th and May 31st from noon till 3 p.m. both days to explore the historic highlands, including an open house. The tour will begin at Old Elm Park. Please visit cityhil.com/hpc to learn more and to RSVP. Uh tonight, we are pleased to renew our commitment to the mayor's monarch pledge with a proclamation celebrating monarch butterflies. Monarchs and other pollinators help create a healthy local ecosystem and we're proud to stand alongside other communities throughout our region and taking action to support and protect them. Here's the proclamation. Whereas over the past couple of decades, the migrating population of monarch butterflies has plummeted due to habitat loss and environmental stress from an estimated 1 billion to record low numbers. The World Wildlife Federation reports that the eastern monarch butterfly populations wintering in Mexico have decreased dramatically by 80% in the past few decades. And whereas the near extermination of milkweed, the only plant on which monarchs lay their eggs, is a prime reason for the alarming decline. We must not delay any longer if we hope to reverse this trend and avoid the eastern monarch's extinction. The iconic m the iconic monarch's migration route from Mexico to Canada includes Highland Park, Illinois. And it's within our ability and power to take action to help save the monarch butterfly. And whereas we know that one source of hope for monarch survival is that individuals, institutions, and organizations can make a difference by including monarch friendly native

plants, especially milkweed, in their landscapes. And whereas furthermore, concerned citizens and organizations across the country are joining forces to create monarch way stations to sustain the insects along their annual migration routes. Now therefore, I, Nancy Roaring, mayor of the city of Highland Park, do hereby proclaim that Highland Park is a monarch butterfly way station and urge all residents of the community to do their part by planting milkweed, the exclusive food source for monarch larvae, and that every parcel in Highland Park may contribute to the survival of the monarch butterfly. We are so appreciative of the grassroots gardeners and pollinator advocates who work so hard to create habitat and increase public awareness. In particular, we recognize the team at Go Green Highland Park and Habitat Highland Park who recently spearheaded the effort to attain National Wildlife Foundation Community Wildlife Habitat designation by coordinating a network of native plant gardens to protect butterflies, bees, and other important species throughout Highland Park. Go Green HP and Habitat HP are always looking for more volunteers and of course more gardeners. To learn more about ways you can support monarch butterflies and other pollinators, please visit go greenhp.org. We have other business under the report of the mayor. One important annual initiative of our historic preservation program is the presentation of the historic preservation awards. It was such a delight to attend the awards ceremony last week and congratulate the winners on their outstanding projects which demonstrate sincere dedication to preserving Highland Park's rich architectural heritage. We would like to welcome community development director Joel Fontaine to the podium to provide information about the awards. Welcome Director Fontaine.

Thank you, Mayor. And in the spirit of historic preservation month, um we'll just go through a quick uh overview of the award ceremony. as you well know. Um thank you for this acknowledgement uh mayor and council. Um the award ceremony occurred on May 7th at the Willlets House. Um the ceremony has been going back to 1988. So we've been consistently doing this as a community since then and really celebrating our historic uh resources. Um the awards support the 2020 uh2 preservation plan in terms of the outreach efforts. It's one of the key outreach efforts that we have to celebrate our historic preservation in this community and nominations are accepted each year for adaptive reuse, rehabilitation, addition or new construction, restoration or landscape restoration. So, we do want to take a moment to thank our panel uh John Eiffel, Tori Marx, uh Kelsey Cohen. Um they all participated as the judge panel. Um, and I do note that two of those uh members of that panel um were preservation award winners. Um, that was 2019 for Tory Mark's uh home. Um, so the awards this year, first one went to there were two. Uh, the first one went to 18 um 818 Hill Street for restoration. Um you'll recognize this mayor and council as you just seen it as it was uh designated a landmark by the city council recently. Um so this was a a really uh extensive work that was done and a really welldone job and we were glad to see uh staff reported to me that uh the contractor actually came to the uh to the awards ceremony which was really great because the workmanship is just fantastic. Um, so they did the roof, the chimney, and they restored the uh ship motif on the

exterior of the chimney. I'll show you in a moment. Uh, they did the hardwood floor and plastered throughout. Um, before the renovation, the restoration, we there were several uh needs for improvement and repair as you could see here in restoration. Um, during the restoration, you could see how this work was done. It was really quite intricate and and not something you see every day, that's for sure. Uh after the restoration, you can see the gloriously restored uh roof here uh as well as the home itself. Um this was the motif of the ship that we were talking about. We learned more about that through the nomination process and the designation that you did a few weeks ago. Um and after restoration, this also included interior work and you can see that area that was damaged through that roof damage um was restored and it just is a glorious home. Um the second award winner uh was the Ravenia Elementary School for rehabilitation and addition. Um this this project went through a plan uh development process as you might recall and uh they just did a wonderful job and it credits to Dr. Lukeville and his staff and and consultants and architects and contractors for such a wonderful job. Um they did a quite extensive uh scope of rehabilitation and addition. They did a new front fibule, a history murals, new library, new art room, kindergarten edition, and improvements to safety, accessibility, and sustainabil sustainability features throughout. And Rocky the raccoon weather vein was included in the relocation of Flight of Time. And I'll mention I'll talk about those in just a moment. Um, so the rehabilitated facade, as you can see here, it just it's outstandingly done and it really it it preserves and and and celebrates this great building uh for uh for Highland

Park. You can see the weather vein in the upper uh left there as well. Um the front vestibule was rehabilitated, improved classrooms, new art room, was old library, new library. uh historic uh history museum uh murals throughout the the walls in there as well which was really a very nice touch. Um and then Rocky the Raccoon weather vein. I promised to mention that a it's a Mary Seafar design and there it is on the building. It's just wonderful to have that there. The kiddos love it. Um and then also the relocation of the flight of time. This was designed by Van Bergen uh dedicated Nelly Scyfarth and um moved from the former Lincoln school which was demolished um recently and is making way for some new homes there. So that was saved and and relocated here. What a wonderful way to keep that uh piece of history with the city.

And you know that Nelly was Mary's mother. Y very cool. Thank you. Well, congratulations to the owners of 818 Hill. Congratulations to Northshore School District 112. We're joined by board members Kesler Lasco and President Hirs. Thank you for joining us tonight. And um it's just our joy to highlight these incredible historic gems in our community and our deep appreciation to all of you for renovating, restoring, and and continuing to pro provide this architectural beauty to the community. So, thank you so much for all that you did and congratulations. Thank you, Director Fontaine.

Winners, any comments or just sure. Okay, please go to the podium and as we like to say to the third graders, welcome. Please state your name for the record. Art Art Kler. I actually I'm the current president. This was a past president. Apologies, Art. I've only known you since you were three years old.

No problem. I just want to say like everything else we do at 112, it was a team effort. Um, we had I want to give credit to former board members including Yumi Ross, Alex Brunk, Dan Jens, and um, Eric Ephraim who all had a part in this as well as our amazing administrative team and and the all the contractors who worked on this, including White Architecture, um, Gil Bane Construction, Train, HVAC, and so many others. But most importantly, I want to thank the uh, the community for really supporting the referendum. they're the ones who paid for this work and and were instrumental in getting it done. So, thank you to everybody who um who really participated in this. So, um also I guess I I also want to mention that 112's on a journey. Um Revvenia is spectacular, but it's just one of uh eight schools that were currently actually three others have been completed. Uh Braayside and um Wayne or Braayside and Sherwood are underway. Braayside's got also some architectural significance, so that'll be done soon. Then we've got uh three more to go. So, we're we're on a journey and they're all going to be spectacular. So, thanks again to the community for supporting our work.

Thank you, President Kesler. Continuing with the report of the mayor. Uh May is Asian-American Native American Native I'm sorry. Uh I don't know. Owners of 818 Hill. Did you want to jump in? Thank you. We've been driving by your house repeatedly. So, if you wonder what's going on, we're just so enthralled with what you

I just would like to just uh thank the uh city of Highland Park for um working with us uh having resources out there for historic preservation. There's tremendous uh deep history with architecture in Highland Park. Um you know, it's it I had never heard of anybody with a graduate degree in uh historic preservation. So it really u um it's really helpful and uh we appreciate the uh you know the the the event at the Franklidd ride. It really blew us away.

So um and also the structure of the kind of information that you provide. I mean we have it but I would have a very hard time organizing it. So it's really very useful. Anyway, thank you very much for everybody for uh the support and working on this. Thank you. Thank you Mr. Hiller. That was Tom Hiller for the record. Tom Hiller for the record. I'd just like to point out, mayor, that Maddie Markle was the person that he was referring to. She has a graduate degree in historic preservation is doing a wonderful job for the commission.

She really is. She really is unbelievable. Well, thank you all for coming this evening. Yes, Council Member Ross. One thing I to uh some of them former colleagues on 112 school board just that um so many years went into that building and and your service on facilities committees and the history mural and there's just a lot that you all you know school board members put into that and I wanted to recognize that. Thank you. Um, anybody else?

No. Good job. Thank you. Um, it's important to note that May is Asian-American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Uh, in May, we celebrate the achievements, history, and cultures of Asian-Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. Across the country and here in Highland Park, Asian-Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders have made great contributions as leaders in all sectors from business and the arts to medicine and public service. We encourage community members to check out the Highland Park Public Libraries collection to learn more about ahpi histories, achievements, and cultures. Whether you're interested in books, documentaries, or music, your library card is the key to a world of exploration. Thank you so much. Thank you in particular to council member Ross for being with us up on the dis during this special month. Appreciate it.

Thank you. Um our next item on our agenda is business from the council. All council members serve as liaison to city advisory groups, boards and commissions and they attend those meetings to hear firsthand the insights and contributions of commission members. Tonight council members Little and Bloomberg will provide reports on the work of the human relations advisory group and the historic preservation commission respectively. We'll start with council member liter and human relations advisory group. Thank you.

Thank you mayor rotoring. I serve as leazison on to the human relations advisory group commonly known as hrag. Atrag is composed of 10 volunteer adviserss three student adviserss and representatives from our government partners Marine Township Northshore District 112 and the park district of Highland Park. Paul Canester is the current chair of the advisory group. a staff liaison role transferred recently to management analyst Megan Sherry Smith after three years of exceptional service by senior services manager Christina Earl. Support is provided by program specialist Parker Ford. The department director guidance to the team is also from assistant manager Erin Jason. They participate tremendously in helping to run the workings of this group. HRA's mission is to support community programs to improve the quality of life for our residents and provide advisory recommendations relating to developing effective solutions to social problems and opportunities related to equality and social justice. This year, ATRA will review the city's statement against hate and value statement, providing insight on how best to position these important testimonies to the community, as well as provide any recommendations for amendments to the city council for further consideration. Atriog works on a variety of forward- facing projects throughout the year. Their pinnacle initiative is the MLK Day of Service, an annual event honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This year's event included more than 30 organizations providing meaningful service projects to over 600 participants. The event also includes a donation drop off to support local organizations. Atrich also assists in hosting the

annual Highland Park Awards ceremony. The awards ceremony acknowledges the exceptional accomplishments of our residents. ATRA reviews the humanitarian award nominations and submits feedback for final approval to the city council. Additionally, the group works with the character count steering committee to select award recipients who demonstrate outstanding character and embody one or more of the six pillars of character. trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. The awards ceremony also recognizes the winners of the arts award and environmental award as well as business businesses celebrating milestone anniversaries and capture the heart of Highland Park photography contest winter winners. ATRA's work plan outlines a number of other initiatives such as community conversations program. In 2024, ATRA launched the community conversation series with a goal of continuing discussions on issues like identity, society, and belonging. In addition, ATRA assists with relevant program outlets and community input gathering on initiatives that align with the group's mission. For more information about HREAG, please visit the city's website or contact the city manager's office.

Great. Thank you, Council Member Little, and thank you to Chair Canester and all the members of the human relations advisory group for your insights, advocacy, and dedication to ensuring that Highland Park continues to be a welcoming and affirming community. In particular, we congratulate adviserss and staff for the incredible work that makes a signature event like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service a reality. Now, Council Member Bloomberg, will you please provide the Historic Preservation Commission report? Thank you, Mayor Rotary. Thank you.

I serve as liaison to the Historic Preservation Commission. I'm pleased to share an update on the work of that group. The Historic Preservation Commission consists of seven members. Its chair is Erica Weider and its staff liaison whom we've already heard about is Mattie Markle, planner one. And additional support is provided by senior planner Zuben Coleman. And the department director providing oversight and guidance is Joel Fontaine, director of community development. The Historic Preservation Commission was established for a number of reasons, including protecting the characteristics of local landmarks and local historic districts through careful review of certificate of appropriateness applications, identifying historically significant properties through historic and architectural resource surveys, and demolition application considerations. As part of the city's celebration of National Historic Preservation Month, every week this month, the city is posting fun facts about our community's historic resources on our social media. The commission hosted two historic bike tours last year and will host a historic walking tour on May 24th and 31st this year. Four areas of work that I'm going to focus on in this report are as follows. Identification of historic properties. The commission completed an update to the northeast architectural survey using federal grant funds with local matching dollars. The survey updates over identifies over 400 historic properties and is an interesting and wonderfully comprehensive account. Designation of historic properties. The commission has been very busy considering voluntary landmark nominations since this time last year. Three of those nominations have been designated local landmarks by the city council and the fourth is before us

tonight and will be the 80th such landmark property in Highland Park. Educational programming as part of a multi-year outreach effort to to build community among owners of historic properties. Staff distributed 25 historic property plaques to owners of local landmarks last fall. 24 25 more plaques will be distributed this May. These plaques help identify historic properties to the PL public and are in high demand. There is a wait list of 34 property owners. The commission hosted the 2026 annual preservation award ceremony on May 7th that we just talked about this evening. The ceremony took place at the Ward Willlets house designed by Franklidd Wright and recognized outstanding preservation projects. The commission adopted a welcome letter to educate new homeowners about the city's historic preservation program. This fulfilled one of the objectives from the 2022 preservation plan adopted by the city council. And lastly, encouraging preservation. Earlier this year, the commission made a recommendation to city council regarding ways to encourage historic preservation. Further information is being developed as part of that important ongoing work and we look for your participation from the public as well. Thank you.

Thank you, Council Member Bloomberg. Appreciate you and many thanks as well to the commissioners for your care and passion for Highland Park's architectural history and character. We look forward to continued growth and community awareness around the engaging resources and programming that the commission supports. Should be a fun month. City Manager Newkerk, will you please provide the staff report?

Great. Thank you, mayor. Just a few reports on behalf of staff. Um Erin, if we could go to that next slide. Um just want to provide the public uh information about some upcoming important meetings. Um next Monday we have posted for a special workshop of the committee of the whole. Um this is an annual workshop that we coordinate as we take a look at planning and budgeting for the upcoming fiscal year. We'll be planning for fiscal year 27. That meeting is going to take place uh 1201 Park Avenue West City Senior Center. And so it'll be posted certainly accordingly um to the open meetings act. Um we have um uh a meeting on May 27th. This is a regular meeting but based on the holiday it is um shifted to Wednesday the 27th because of Memorial Day. Um so we'll have a committee of the whole meeting as well as city council meeting and the posting of the agenda will be consistent with our schedule. So the council will get the packet on the Thursday preceding that meeting. Um we do have a special meeting of the committee of the whole on June 8th. Um and we will be reviewing um the uh continued discussion of the place of remembrance as it pertains to the design concepts and then also receiving information as part of this next month that we'll be doing significant public engagement. Um and uh just a note about some upcoming neighborhood meetings. Neighborhood meetings are an opportunity for the public to have an audience with the chief elected official as well as other elected officials and the chief administrative official from all the governments serving Highland Park. So the city park district, school districts, township, Lake County, and so forth. Um and so the two upcoming neighborhood meetings um are on our website and they're also posted here for reference. The times of all those meetings we will confirm. I do see one error on there. Um but we'll make sure everything is posted accordingly on our website and in your calendars as well. Want to provide a quick update here if we can go to the next slide. Um uh a few items on omnibus. So there are

seven items on omnibus on the agenda. I'd like to just highlight um two of them. The first one is a modification of public policies. It pertains to attendance at public meetings. Um there was an addition that was made and it allows um an individual to participate electronically um if they are an active military duty of a service member. And so that is highlighted um in the document that's in the packet. So there are now five reasons primarily where individuals can participate electronically. Um we also made um an additional change to the policy. Um whereas previously notification is to the city manager, city clerk, we've included the staff leaison. So certainly we've got 18 boards and commissions and committees. Um so that notice would um go to the staff leazison or the city manager and then we would notify the presiding officer of that meeting. So there's other um regulations set forth in there. So subject to council approval and we are recommending approval. We'll make sure to share this information um with all the appointed members of our groups. And then um number five is a recommendation to amend the fiscal year 2026 budget. Um so certainly as the council knows, our budget process spans eight months. It's a significant process. Um typically in the spring, we do present a budget amendment for council consideration. Um, typically these budget amendments um are for the purpose of carrying over unspent funds from uh the preceding year into the current fiscal year. Um, the majority of the change in the budget amendment that's before you um this evening as it pertains to um bond proceeds that we did not receive. As you know, we did a modest debt issue this year for our street capital program, but we didn't do the full debt issue that was anticipated in the budget. Um, so included in the packet is a uh spreadsheet of all the

itemization. It reflects eight different funds. Um, certainly if anyone has questions, we're happy to answer them. Also for public information, just a few notes as it pertains to the city's um finances. Uh, every month um we have a monthly financial report. So that is shared with the mayor and city council and our finance um team u led by finance director Christine Macau um posts the monthly financial report on our website. So we do encourage the public to review that. Our budget document I think is a great read. It's over 400 pages but it's got a wealth of information in there. So we encourage individuals to review the budget. And then also our major projects we report on those quarterly. Um but those provide a good guide just in terms of projects uh progress of the voluminous workload that that we are undertaking as a city. Um and then um on other business under 12B and C are two documents relating to Ravenia Festival. Um we received late this afternoon communication from Ravenia Festival that they had one additional change but they weren't or recommendation um but they weren't able to get us the suggested language. So, we're just asking that we postpone consideration of those two agenda items to a future meeting. Um, and then separately at the committee of the whole meeting, um, we had planned to give an update on 455 central. So, very briefly, I'd like to just give a quick update. Um, certainly, as the council will remember, um, last November, the city council did approve a second amendment to the development agreement, um, for, uh, that subject property. that property is owned by Scott Kel and he was at the committee of the whole meeting and then subsequently the council took action at a city council meeting. So there are a number of uh restrictions and regulations as it pertained to that second amendment. Um but primarily it did allow a dermatologist to move forward in one of the ground level units that previously had been restricted for restaurant and retail. Um and then there were some

other conditions as part of that development agreement. So one uh Mr. Canel did agree to pay $250,000 to the city. Those funds would be used for economic development initiatives and um that funding uh is intended to be remitted to the city before a certificate of occupancy is granted to the dermatologist. So at this time um the buildout of the dermatologist space is underway. We anticipate that they're going to call for a final inspection uh this week or next week and we were advised on Friday by Mr. panel's um legal counsel that they are anticipating paying that $250,000 um certainly before the co so within this week or next week. So we will let you know about that. The other important aspect is um they did indicate that they would move forward with leasing the balance of those units on the ground level for restaurant or retail space. So, our business development staff has provided them a number of different leads um of businesses that may be interested in that property, but to date, we do not have a letter of interest um and to our knowledge, no leases have been signed. So, we'll continue to coordinate with Mr. Kel in that regard and certainly keep the count council apprised. And that concludes our staff report.

Great. Thank you. Do you have a question or a comment? Sure. You you mentioned that you're going to check the times of those meetings, right? Yes. Yes. Okay. Anybody else? Yeah. Council member Bloomer. So, you mentioned that there have been inquiries or leads that have been provided to Mr. Kel by the city. Yeah. Yes, that's correct. Not many.

And uh does the city keep track of whether any of those leads are contacted by the property owner? Well, through informal comm we certainly keep track of our own communication with brokers, retailers, restaurant tours, and so um we have that list. The last update provided to the council. Um we provided that list and we also provided it most recently to Mr. Kel's attorney as well. So we have those detailed records. Um and then in communication with them, um do you follow up to make sure that they've heard from the property owner? Um, yes we do. In some cases they do, in some cases they don't. Yes.

Okay. I'll leave it there for now. Okay. All right. Thank you, city manager Newkerk. Assistant to the city manager Palisca, if you could please introduce the next item on our agenda, business from the public.

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 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 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 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 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. Rather, it is intended as an opportunity to make comments to the city council. Please do not expect a response from anyone tonight. If appropriate, we may direct the city manager or other city staff to respond to questions or issues raised at a later date. All comments should be directed to the city council. All speakers will be limited to 3 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.

Great. Thank you. Are there any members of the public who wish to be heard this evening on an item not on tonight's agenda? Please come forward to the podium and state your name for the record. Ma'am and city council, this is the second time I'm here about a reoccurring event and a new one that just popped up that Jim Ferber has never followed up. I went to your office, ma'am, and your secretary wrote it down. I'll count on my fingers. September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April, May. The new one was my neighbor put up a fence. The fence was put up while fiber optics was being put in. The part of the fence that fell was also part of a common property line where the other neighbor had the responsibility date of where his entrance was to go into the

utility boxes because the fence fell down and the neighbor was putting up new fence. All of the utility people had to now come across the neighbor's property, come around to his new fence, which was 60 ft plus the fence people. And I had tra trespassing from the fence people. And the fence was slabs that each one had to be put in. and my back lawn is totally destroyed. Jim Ferber was called immediately. He talked to the neighbor who I never knew. I asked for a phone number, the name of the neighbor, never got it. I asked for the company that put in the fence, the name, the phone number, their insurance company. I don't even have the number of the permit to put in the fence. I am now waiting this time to have a contractor come in and repair my lawn. It was I'm sorry, my garden. There was major work. Jim said two or three times I called, maybe four times, that the neighbor was going to take care of it and do the work. I said, Jip, are we going to have a contractor come in and do it? I don't know.

I'm still waiting. What do I do? Do I hire a contractor and my neighbor do it? Now that's that. Thank you. Thank you very much. The second one. Nope. We're done. We I'm so sorry. You have three minutes. Three. You have three minutes. Three minutes.

The second one, please. It's reoccurring. I came here and I told you I don't believe in the truth. The truth with a hole in it. I believe in the whole truth. I am sitting with a fence that was put up 10 years ago that is flooding my property. I have never heard from anyone since Jim Ferber came in and my whole property is flooded. Mayor, I

I am getting the water from eight properties, one on top of the other. When it comes to my property, it won't go. The neighbor next to me is lower and has the sore. I need help and not from the inspectors. I need a civil engineer that knows what the hell they're doing. Your inspectors don't know how to correct anything.

Thank you for coming this evening. Whoops. You your cane is there. Mayor, I can. City manager, thank you. Um, this is the first that I have heard about this issue. City manager would like to respond to you, sir.

Yeah, Mr. Mr. Rice, thank thank you for coming in. Uh, mayor, uh, our staff has had a number of conversations with Mr. Rice. His neighbor did apply for a fence permit. Um, that fence permit, those plans were reviewed, approved, the fence was constructed. Um, and then we conducted now several field inspections and the fence is constructed according to code. Um, we understand the concerns of Mr. Rice and our staff um which includes four different professionals um have provided him different guidance on options that he can do um to address his property. But again, we don't believe that the construction of the fence is providing a negative impact on his property. Um so at this time, I guess what I would suggest is um director Fontaine can talk to Mr. rice in the hallway and just make sure that he understands what his options are available in terms of next steps. And then um just so you're aware, we've also um attempted communication with Mr. Rice's daughter as well, just to make sure that she understands what we've done to date to address his concerns as well as making sure that he knows what options he has to address the the concerns that he has.

Thank you so much. Thank you. Um, any other members of the public who wish to be heard, please come forward and share your name for the record and be cognizant please of the three minute time limit for speaking. Thank you for coming out this evening.

Good evening. I you know it's to listen to this but um to me my own problem. Um look someone please state your name for the record.

Renee Bova. Renee Bova from Highland Park. I've been a resident since 1993 and you know and someone's interf I'm trying to move out. Um I I want to move and some someone's interfering with everything I do. Um and it started when I they may had me being homeless. They stuck a a v a a stick in my they forced a stick in my vagina and then last year they stuck a stick in my anus and someone's stopping my dentist and my doctors and I'm being beaten up by the neighbors and it's interference and then you know they want to blame my children. They say you're their children are making they're they're making their own decisions. When you're attacking mother the children are not making the decisions. We're violating the 10. We're violating mom. When we're violating mom, we're violating the children. You know, and the excuse is the children are making their own decisions. Excuses, excuses is used when someone fails to do something and tries to justify their failure by giving you an excuse. The children are making their excuses and have a social worker. He that is good at making excuses is seldom good for anything else. That's my problem and probably that gentleman's problems. No one's doing anything. Um, and it's no healthcare. That's that's the problem with my children. I'm trying to move and there's interference and there's good and bad everywhere and someone is interfering and making it very difficult and they've put a crime scene on this block to say the very least. Look, my I my children's life are at great risk. They you know it's interference and and it the the the legal the attorneys are involved. Okay. That they called the the attorneys are involved. My ex-husband's an attorney. These and you know, so that's about it. I And they're ignoring my calls for help. I They forced a catheter in me. I said, "No, they forced it in me." And

they want to say, "Your children are making their own decisions. Look, I want my independence to want to go to the dentist. I went and that my doctors my doctors are ordering tests and someone calls the doctors and tells them not to do it you know and it's not my children and they do tell me you know they refer to someone in the city. So there's a pervert here um okay there's perverts which is lying. So anyway you know they banned me jailed me you know and violence and it scares the children away. So, and then the bad habits, you know, when they scare the children, it's, you know, they this the businesses are bad habits now. I got 20, you know, gambling, marijuana, and they turn mother, they turn me away and they have my kids go to social workers and, you know, it really is very dangerous. I want to move and I want my kids back. Someone's stopping my everything I do and they're put a crime scene on this block. Who's ever interfering with me is you know it's very it's some someone okay that's it. But yeah, thank you for coming out this evening, Miss Bova. We wish you the best. Thank you.

I think I think somebody is Thank you so much for your concern. appreciate it. Uh any other members of the public wishing to be heard this evening on an item not on tonight's agenda? Okay, seeing none, we'll continue on with our scheduled business. Omnibus items 1 through 7 have been grouped together for your consideration. I am seeking a motion to approve items 1 through 7. Move to approve. Second. Any comments or questions on 1 through 7? Any from the public? Hearing none, will the clerk please call the vote? Council member center. Hi. Council member Brookman. I, Council Member Ross. I, Council Member Little. I, Council Member Bloomberg, I, Mayor Roing,

I. Six eyes, no nays, items 1 through 7 have been approved. Item A is an ordinance designating the property at 670 Damble Avenue, a local landmark. Um I think director Fontaine is um occupied at the moment so we can simply take action but I do want to highlight that once again we are landmarking architectural gem in Highland Park. Urge everybody to drive by um the family that originally owned it was the Veter family and they were very well regarded and I think it's just wonderful that we are highlighting and preserving these architectural gems in our community. So with that, I'm seeking a motion to approve item A.

Support. Second. Will the clerk please call the vote? Council member center. Hi. Council member Buckman. I. Council member Ross. Hi. Council member Little. Hi. Council member Bloomberg. Hi. Mayor Roing. I. Six eyes, no A's, and 670 to Tambble is now a local landmark. Items B and C. I am requesting a motion to postpone them to a date uncertain. Is that where we are? Yeah. You or can I just postpone them? that the staff has indicated that they are both um no longer proceeding tonight. The minor amendment for plan development should be continued. So, let's take them separately. Mayor, I would do item um B and continue it to the next meeting and we can continue it thereafter. Continue to the June.

Seek a motion to to continue that to the June 27th May 22nd meeting. I'm seeking that motion. So moved to continue to continue until May 27th. Thank you. Second. Thank you. Could be a voice vote. All in favor say I. I. Thank you. Same with you. And then C is a resolution that's actually pulled. That does not require process. So that's just been pulled from the agenda. No action needs to be taken. Thank you so much. And with that, I'm seeking a motion to go into close session for purposes of discussing litigation. Motion to go into close session pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2C11 to discuss litigation. Is there a second? Thank you. Will the clerk call the vote, please? Council member center. I council member Buckman. Hi. Council member Ross. Hi. Council member Little.

Hi. Council member Bloomberg. Hi. Mayor Roing. I six eyes. No. We'll go into close session. Thank you so much.