Committee of the Whole

Regular Meeting

Highland Park, IL · November 24, 2025

Minutes

MINUTES OF A OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE OF THE CITY OF HIGHLAND PARK MEETING DATE: November 24, 2025 MEETING LOCATION: City Hall 1707 St Johns Avenue, Highland Park, IL 60035 I. Call to Order At 5:30 PM, Mayor Rotering called the meeting to order and asked for a roll call: Present: Mayor Rotering, Councilmembers Center, Bruckman, Ross, Tapia, Lidawer, Blumberg Absent: None Staff Present: City Manager Neukirch, Director of Public Works Bannon, Community Development Director Fontane, Assistant City Manager Jason, Finance Director McCaulou, Fire Chief Schrage, Assistant City Manager Taub, Commander Curran, Communications Manager Bennett, Assistant to the City Manager Palbitska, Finance Executive Assistant Icasiano Also Present: Deputy Corporation Counsel Passman II. Approval of Minutes A. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Committee of the Whole Held on November 10, 2025 Councilmember Lidawer moved to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Committee of the Whole Held on November 10, 2025. Councilmember Bruckman seconded the motion. Upon a voice vote, the Mayor declared the motion Passed (7 - 0). MOVER: Councilmember Lidawer SECONDER: Councilmember Bruckman AYES: Mayor Rotering, Councilmembers Center, Bruckman, Ross, Tapia, Lidawer, Blumberg NAYS: None III. Scheduled Business A. Utility Billing Leak Adjustment Policy City Manager Neukirch provided opening comments. Finance Executive Assistant Icasiano presented an overview on the City's Utility Billing Leak Adjustment Policy and procedures for utility billing adjustments. She presented new considerations for policy consideration. Public Works Director Bannon provided additional insight on the policy considerations. The Council and Staff discussed the appreciation for the time and effort that was spent on this subject matter. They discussed items to eliminate and keep as part of the policy. They discussed the appeals process, how it allows for homeowners to work with the City and the due diligence staff takes at reviewing each request submitted. They discussed how the policy overall recognizes human error and encourages repair, not just allowing the problem to continue without action. They discussed the history of the policy, as well as the time limit or frequency of requests for adjustments that was introduced in 2018 that was not part of the policy previously. A majority of the Council was in favor of the policy and recommendations. IV. Closed Session Councilmember Blumberg moved the Committee to close its meeting to the public, pursuant to the following cited section of the Illinois Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 120/2(c)), for the purposes of, (i) security (5 ILCS 120/2(C)(8)); and (ii) purchase or lease of property (5 ILCS 120/2(C)(5)). Councilmember Lidawer seconded the motion. On a roll call vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed unanimously. At 6:02 PM, the Committee recessed the public portion of the meeting to meet in Closed Session. At 6:46 PM, Mayor Rotering reconvened the open session of the Committee of the Whole meeting. Present: Mayor Rotering, Councilmembers Center, Bruckman, Ross, Tapia, Lidawer, Blumberg Absent: None Staff Present: City Manager Neukirch, Fire Chief Schrage, Assistant to the City Manager Palbitska Also Present: Deputy Corporation Counsel Passman V. Adjournment Councilmember Lidawer moved to adjourn the Committee of the Whole meeting. Councilmember Tapia seconded the motion. Upon a voice vote, Mayor Rotering declared the motion passed unanimously. The Committee of the Whole adjourned its meeting at 6:46 PM. Respectfully Submitted, Ashley Palbitska Assistant to the City Manager/Deputy City Clerk

Agenda

Packet

Committee of the Whole Meeting City Hall 1707 St Johns Avenue, Highland Park, IL 60035 November 24, 2025 5:30 PM Agenda Individuals with questions or feedback about an agenda item can address the City in the following ways: 1. Emails with Unlimited Information. Individuals may email the City an unlimited number of words at cityhp@cityhpil.com. Emails will be forwarded to the City Council if requested. All emails received will be acknowledged. 2. Telephone. Individuals with no access to email may leave a message with the City Manager’s Office at 847.926.1000. 3. Live Comments. Individuals are able to address the Council during the City Council meeting. Questions/comments should be limited to three minutes or less. Committee of the Whole and City Council meetings are broadcast live on the City’s Facebook page and on the City’s website. Meetings can be watched after the meeting from a video link on the City’s website. The City encourages individuals to sign-up for its enews for important information from the City. To sign-up for the enews, visit www.cityhpil.com. I. Call to Order II. Approval of Minutes A. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Committee of the Whole Held on November 10, 2025 III. Scheduled Business A. Utility Billing Leak Adjustment Policy IV. Other Matters V. Adjournment Page 1 of 6 Staff Report Meeting Date: November 24, 2025 Staff Contact: Ashley Palbitska, Assistant to the City Manager/Deputy City Clerk Department: City Manager's Office Title: Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Committee of the Whole Held on November 10, 2025 Recommendation: For the City Council’s approval are the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Committee of the Whole held on September 25, 2025. Attachments: 1. MIN COTW 11-10-2025 Page 2 of 6 Minutes of a of a Regular Committee of the Whole of the City of Highland Park MEETING DATE: November 10, 2025 MEETING LOCATION: City Hall 1707 St Johns Avenue, Highland Park, IL 60035 I. Call to Order At 5:30 PM, Mayor Rotering called the meeting to order and asked for a roll call: Present: Mayor Rotering, Councilmembers Center, Bruckman, Ross, Tapia, Lidawer, Blumberg Absent: None Staff Present: City Manager Neukirch, Director of Public Works Bannon, Community Development Director Fontane, Assistant City Manager Jason, Police Chief Jogmen, Finance Director McCaulou, Fire Chief Schrage, Commander Curran, Communications Manager Bennett, Assistant to the City Manager Palbitska, Marketing Coordinator Larson Also Present: Corporation Counsel Elrod II. Approval of Minutes A. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Committee of the Whole Held on October 20, 2025 Councilmember Blumberg moved to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Committee of the Whole Held on October 20, 2025. Councilmember Center seconded the motion. Upon a voice vote, the Mayor declared the motion passed. MOVER: Councilmember Blumberg SECONDER: Councilmember Center AYES: Mayor Rotering, Councilmembers Center, Bruckman, Ross, Tapia, Lidawer, Blumberg NAYS: None III. Scheduled Business A. 2026 City-Sponsored Events City Manager Neukirch provided opening comments as it relates to the presentation for 2026 City-Sponsored Events. Assistant City Manager Jason and Marketing Coordinator Larson presented a high level overview about the 2026 slate of events and provided follow-up information that was requested by the Council. Page 3 of 6 The Council and staff discussed Council’s previous request to consider updating the slate of 2026 events to include World Music Fest and Oktoberfest as City produced stand-alone events. They discussed third parties that have requested financial or in- kind sponsorship by the City to include Arts on Sheridan, Port Clinton Art Festival and the Randolph Market Vintage Shindig. City Manager Neukirch noted that a majority of the Council was interested in incorporating World Music Fest into other programming, specifically theming the Port Clinton Friday Night Concert series per staff recommendation, having the City produce Oktoberfest with strong support for the event to be held in the Ravinia Business District, provide an in-kind contribution up to $5,000 to Arts on Sheridan and Port Clinton Art Festival, and not offering an in-kind contribution for the Randolph Street Market Vintage Shindig. B. Review Spring Clean-Up Program City Manager Neukirch and ACM Jason provided comments regarding the annual Spring Clean-Up Program. The Council and staff discussed whether or not to continue offering Spring Clean-Up in 2026. A majority of the Council were in favor of continuing to offer the program in 2026. VI. Adjournment Councilmember Lidawer moved to adjourn the Committee of the Whole meeting. Councilmember Tapia seconded the motion. Upon a voice vote, Mayor Rotering declared the motion passed unanimously. The Committee of the Whole adjourned its meeting at 6:49 PM. Respectfully Submitted, Ashley Palbitska Assistant to the City Manager/Deputy City Clerk Page 4 of 6 Staff Report Meeting Date: November 24, 2025 Staff Contact: Christine Icasiano, Executive Assistant Keith Miller, Utilities Superintendent Department: Finance Department Title: Utility Billing Leak Adjustment Policy Recommendation: Review of the City's current policy and procedures for utility bill leak adjustments and consideration of policy modifications. Policy Consideration: Currently, the City follows sections 50.211 (Maintenance of Service Pipes) and 50.285 (Leaks; Adjustment of Water Bills) when a customer requests a utility bill adjustment due to a leak. These requests are reviewed and processed on a case-by-case basis by the Finance and Public Works Departments. City Code Sections 50.211 (Maintenance of Service Pipes) and 50.285 (Leaks; Adjustment of Water Bills) establish the City’s authority and framework for addressing leak-related issues, which allows one adjustment every five years per service address with proof that a licensed plumber has fixed the leak. Council feedback is requested pertaining to the following new policy considerations: • Third-Party Liability: The City does not provide leak adjustments caused by third parties. This includes, but is not limited to, theft, vandalism, negligence, construction damage, or leaks at unoccupied or vacant properties. • Tampering or Unauthorized Access: The City does not provide adjustments if the water meter at the subject property has been accessed, tampered with, or turned on/off by anyone other than an authorized City employee, resulting in water loss. • Wholesale Accounts: The City does not provide adjustments for wholesale accounts. • Mechanical Issues: The City does not provide adjustments for mechanical or system issues, including errors or failures in pool, pond, sprinkler, or irrigation system control settings. Page 5 of 6 • Pool and Sprinkler Leaks: The City does not provide leak adjustments for pool, sprinkler, or irrigation systems. • Plumbing Work Not Related to Water Leaks: The City does not provide adjustments for plumbing work that does not directly repair or address the water leak that caused the water usage issue. • Capping Leaks: The City does not provide adjustments for issues related to capped leaks. Following policy feedback, staff will draft an administrative order to guide staff operations and a formal application process as part of the program. Core Priorities: Attachments: None Page 6 of 6