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Highland Park council compiles ordinance workplan; members asked to lead drafting
Summary
At a July 21 workshop the council reviewed a prioritized list of proposed ordinances — including graffiti, non-owner-occupied rental, special events, food-handler certification and street vendors — and discussed who will draft and sponsor changes and how the clerk and outside consultants will support the process.
City Council members at a Highland Park workshop Monday reviewed a list of proposed ordinances and asked council members to take lead roles drafting or redlining items they want to advance.
Council President Thomas opened the item by saying the council must treat ordinance drafting like sponsoring a bill: members should present draft language and proposed edits for the body to consider. “Our job is to go through and see if what we like in that ordinance, it has to be read into the record and modifications need to be made,” said Council President Thomas.
The list presented to the workshop identified top priorities for immediate review: a graffiti ordinance, a non-owner-occupied rental ordinance, a special events ordinance, a food-handler certificate, street-vendor rules, fireworks, a dog ordinance, lodging-house rules, construction fees and marijuana-dispensary rules. Council members also discussed a blight ordinance and the need for clear criteria and process for street naming.
Process, responsibilities and resources Thomas and other members emphasized that drafting ordinances requires a sponsoring council member to read and explain proposed changes and to present redlined language. The council discussed using McKenna Group (a consulting firm) and the city’s legal staff for review, but said substantive drafting and policy choices should come from council sponsors.
Clerk’s materials and existing code The city clerk told the workshop that each council member had been provided a copy of the municipal ordinance book when the current council took office. “When the council took office, each council member was provided a copy of the ordinance book,” the clerk said. Workshop participants noted that some ordinances on file are out of date online and that the municipal code needs systematic review.
Special-event vendors and permits The clerk also said special-event vendors require a permit issued by the clerk’s office, with a $150 fee that is valid only for the date of the event. The workshop discussed the distinction between regular street vendors (who operate under separate licensing) and special-event vendors who are licensed for a single event.
Next steps Council members agreed to circulate the priorities list and to identify sponsors and working groups. The expectation set at the workshop is that members who sponsor an ordinance will prepare redlined drafts, coordinate with the clerk and legal staff for review, and bring the resulting drafts back to the council for deliberation and formal introduction.
