CITY COUNCIL 2013/11/04 MinutesThe City of Lake Forest
CITY COUNCIL
Proceedings of the November 4, 2013 Regular Meeting
7:30 p.m. – Council Chambers
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Mayor Schoenheider called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm,
and Deputy City Clerk Margaret Boyer called the roll of Council members.
Present: Honorable Mayor Schoenheider, Alderman Novit, Alderman Waldeck, Alderman
Reisenberg, Alderman Palmer, Alderman Adelman and Alderman Pandaleon.
Absent: Alderman Moore, Pandaleon and Tack.
Also present were: Robert Kiely, City Manager; Vic Filippini, City Attorney; Catherine Czerniak,
Director of Community Development; Susan Banks, Communications Manager, Mary Van Arsdale,
Director of Parks and Recreation, Bob Ells, City Engineer, Michael Thomas, Director of Public
Works, Elizabeth Holleb, Finance Director, Jim Held, Chief of Police, Karl Waldorf, Deputy Chief of
Police, Kevin Issel Deputy Fire Chief, and Anne Whipple.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance.
There were approximately 45 present in the audience.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS
Comments by Mayor
A. Appointment by Mayor
CROYA BOARD
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve appointments recommended by Mayor Schoenheider
Alderman Palmer moved, seconded by Alderman Reisenberg to approve the appointment
recommended by Mayor Schoenheider. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
Mayor Schoenheider introduced Martha Sostre the Coach of the Deer Path Middle School State
Champions who spoke to the Council on what an extraordinary, record setting season the team
had.
Mayor Schoenheider went on to congratulate other school teams who won State Championships
or who are well on their way.
The Mayor then congratulated the following: FF/PM Cory Kazimour, FF/PM Patrick Issel, FF/PM
Dave Tisinai, Lieutenant Stephen Grost and Deputy Chief Chris Garrison for their collaborative
effort in saving the life of a 51 year old man, and Deputy Chief Kevin Issel and Battalion Chief Pete
NAME OF MEMBER APPOINT WARD
John F. Maher Appoint n/a
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Regular City Council Meeting
Siebert for having successfully organized and Emergency Response System for the 2013 BMW
Championship. Mayor Schoenheider commented that their actions exemplify the Lake Forest Fire
Department’s high quality care as well as their actions exemplifying the character and excellence
of the City of Lake Forest and its partners.
Lastly, the Mayor thanked State Representative Scott Drury for bringing it to the attention of the
City Council that Highwood is considering reversing its position on video gaming. The North Shore
communities made a pledge to keep video gaming out, and that anyone interested in sharing their
view should do so with Highwood.
Comments by City Manager
None.
Comments by Council Members
A. Finance Committee
Audit Committee Report: Fiscal Year 2013 Annual Financial Report
Michelle Moreno, Audit Committee Chairman reported that the Committee has completed its
work for the year. She said that in 2013 the Committee met four times and has met the charge of
reviewing the Financial Statements of Foundations associated with the City; Elawa, Gorton and
Ragdale. Revenue was more than was budgeted and that the City was well managed. The
Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2013 was
provided in City Council packets. The document has been reviewed by the Audit Committee with
McGladrey LLP, the City’s independent audit firm, and has been accepted by the Audit Committee.
The City has received an unmodified opinion from McGladrey LLP.
City Manager Robert Kiely stated that The City of Lake Forest is one of a few communities, not just
in the State of Illinois but in the Country, that has an independent resident group who acts as an
Audit Committee, and that the community is fortunate to have this oversight committee. He also
thanked Elizabeth Holleb and her staff along with the Audit Committee for all their hard work.
COUNCIL ACTION: Receipt of the audit report for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2013.
Alderman Palmer made a motion to accept receipt of the audit report for the fiscal year ended
April 30, 2013, seconded by Alderman Reisenberg. The following voted “Yea”: Aldermen Novit,
Waldeck, Reisenberg, Palmer and Adelman. The following voted “Nay”: None.5 Yeas, 0 Nays,
motion carried.
B. Public Works Committee
Proceedings of the November 4, 2013
Regular City Council Meeting
1. Request for Early Purchase of Equipment Included in the F.Y. 2015 Capital Equipment
Budget
Michael Thomas, Director of Public Works, gave a presentation on these topics at the Committee
of the Whole meeting held at 6:30pm. Staff is requesting City Council authorization to purchase
two Chevrolet Tahoes for the Police Department. The Streets Section requests a new hot patch
machine to repair the numerous potholes that surface after the winter months.
Both of these topics were discussed and purchases were approved at the October 22 Public Works
Committee meeting.
Mayor Schoenheider asked if there was any Public comment or questions on these items. Seeing
none he asked for a motion.
COUNCIL ACTION 1: Waive the bidding process and authorize the purchase of two police
package Tahoes from the State bid vendor, Miles Chevrolet, in the amount of $61,232.
Alderman Reisenberg made a motion to waive the bidding process and authorize the purchase of
two police package Tahoes from the State bid vendor, Miles Chevrolet, in the amount of $61,232,
seconded by Alderman Novit. The following voted “Yea”: Aldermen Novit, Waldeck, Reisenberg,
Palmer and Adelman, Mayor Schoenheider. The vote of the Mayor was required on this item
needing a 2/3 vote. The following voted “Nay”: None.6 Yeas, 0 Nays, motion carried.
COUNCIL ACTION 2: Waive the bidding process and authorize the purchase of a replacement
pothole patching machine from Spaulding Manufacturing in the amount of $28,500.
Alderman Novit made a motion to waive the bidding process and authorize the purchase of a
replacement pothole patching machine from Spaulding Manufacturing in the amount of $28,500,
seconded by Alderman Palmer. The following voted “Yea”: Aldermen Novit, Waldeck, Reisenberg,
Palmer and Adelman, Mayor Schoenheider. The vote of the Mayor was required on this item
needing a 2/3 vote. The following voted “Nay”: None.6 Yeas, 0 Nays, motion carried.
C. Property and Public Lands Committee (PPL)
1. Consideration of Recommendations from the Property and Public Lands Committee of
the City Council Regarding Redevelopment of the Former Municipal Services Property on
Laurel Avenue (Approve a motion in support of the recommendation.)
Chairman of the Property and Public Lands Committee, Alderman Reisenberg, told the City Council
that there were three recommendations by the Property and Public Lands Committee (PPL) for
consideration. The first recommendation is to accept the revised Development Parameters for
the former Municipal Services property as recommended by the Plan Commission. The second
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Regular City Council Meeting
recommendation is to authorize the issuance of a Request for Qualifications in an effort to select a
short list of qualified developers who would be invited to engage in a more detailed plan
development process. The third recommendation is to begin the formal decision making process
on whether or not to establish a Tax Increment Financing District in support of redevelopment of
the site.
A question from the City Council regarding establishing a TIF district at the same time was
necessary. Lee Brown, President of Teska & Associates, explained that by doing so now, with the
amount of time it takes to complete this, the City could allow the process to begin without
commitment to establish the district.
COUNCIL ACTIONS: Approve a motion: 1) accepting the revised Development Parameters for
the former Municipal Service property; 2) directing the issuance of the Request for
Qualifications and 3) directing staff, the City’s consultant and the Plan Commission to begin the
formal public process for consideration of the establishment of a Tax Increment Financing
District
Alderman Palmer made a motion to approve a motion: 1) accepting the revised Development
Parameters for the former Municipal Service property; 2) directing the issuance of the Request for
Qualifications and 3) directing staff, the City’s consultant and the Plan Commission to begin the
formal public process for consideration of the establishment of a Tax Increment Financing District,
seconded by Alderman Novit. The following voted “Yea”: Aldermen Novit, Waldeck, Reisenberg,
Palmer and Adelman. The following voted “Nay”: None.5 Yeas, 0 Nays, motion carried.
OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Alderman Palmer offered a speedy recovery on behalf of the City Council to Lake Forest resident
Brian Ludmer, who was on his way home when he was shot at Las Angeles Airport earlier in the
week.
Mayor Schoenheider read the Omnibus items for consideration.
ITEMS FOR OMNIBUS VOTE CONSIDERATION
1. Approval of the October 21, 2013 City Council minutes.
2. Check Register for September 28- October 25, 2013
3. Determination of an Estimate of the Amount of Revenue to be generated from
Property Taxes for the 2013 Calendar Year in Accordance with the Truth in
Taxation Statute and Establishment of a Public Hearing Date for the 2013 Tax
Levy (if Required)
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Regular City Council Meeting
4. Approval of expenditure of remaining Emerald Ash Borer funds for the Annual
Tree and Stump Removals for FY14
5. Consideration of waiving the bidding process and authorizing the purchase of
Replacement Video Recording Systems for Police Squad cars. 2. Approval of
Server Purchase.
6. Consideration of Ordinances Approving Recommendations from the Building
Review Board. (First Reading and if Desired by the City Council, Final Approval)
7. Consideration of an Ordinance Approving a Recommendation from the Historic
Preservation Commission. (First Reading and if Desired by the City Council, Final
Approval)
8. Approval of the Vacation of a Sewer Easement on the Old Elm Golf Course.
COUNCIL ACTION: Approve the eight (8) Omnibus items as presented.
Alderman Novit made a motion to approve by Omnibus vote designation items as noted,
seconded by Alderman Palmer. The following voted “Yea”: Aldermen Novit, Waldeck, Reisenberg,
Palmer and Adelman, Mayor Schoenheider. The vote of the Mayor was required on this item
needing a 2/3 vote. The following voted “Nay”: None. 6 Yeas, 0 Nays, motion carried.
Information such as Purpose and Action Requested, Background/Discussion, Budget/Fiscal Impact,
Recommended Action and a Staff Contact as it relates to the Omnibus items can be found on the agenda.
ORDINANCES
1. Consideration of an Ordinance Approving a Recommendation from the Building Review
Board. (First Reading and if Desired by the City Council, Final Approval)
Director of Community Development Catherine Czerniak gave a brief presentation regarding the
unanimous Building Review Board recommendation. The Building Review Board recommended
approval of the demolition of the existing residence and approval of a replacement residence,
garage and landscaping. The house is located on Edgewood Road. She said the Board considered
this petition over three meetings, and moved further with engineering grading and approval early
due to concerns raised that included drainage.
In response to the concerns raised, the Board provided direction over the course of the meetings and
reviewed revised plans developed by the petitioner in response to the concerns. The revised plans
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Regular City Council Meeting
presented to the Board reduced the size of the replacement house to 80% of the allowable square
footage and shortened the length of the house to reduce impacts to neighboring backyards. The Board
also directed that due to the tightness of the properties in this area, the flat topography and the
neighbors’ concerns, engineering reviews be completed at the front end of the process. Engineering staff
has approved the grading and drainage plan for this project and of particular note, the installation of a
curb along the new driveway was required to restrict runoff from the driveway on to the neighboring
property and portions of the hardscape on site will be pervious pavers, rather than asphalt. (Board vote:
7-0, approved)
The City Council asked if the storm sewer could be extended at owner cost.
Catherine Czerniak stated the installation of a curb along the new driveway was required to
restrict runoff from the driveway on to the neighboring property and portions of the hardscape on
site will be pervious pavers, rather than asphalt.
Bob Ells, Engineering Supervisor, added that the plans as submitted met the Watershed
Development requirements. He also said that Staff had met with the neighbor to the south with
recommendations as to what he could do to allow natural water flow through his property.
Mayor Schoenheider asked if there was anyone who wanted to address the City Council on this
issue. Seeing none he asked for a motion.
COUNCIL ACTION: If determined to be appropriate by the City Council, waive first reading and
grant final approval of the Ordinances approving the petition in accordance with the Building
Review Board’s recommendation.
Alderman Palmer made a motion to waive first reading and grant final approval of the Ordinances
approving the petition in accordance with the Building Review Board’s recommendation,
seconded by Alderman Reisenberg. The following voted “Yea”: Aldermen Reisenberg, Palmer and
Adelman. The following voted “Nay” Alderman Novit, Waldeck: 3 Yeas, 2 Nays, motion fails.
Alderman Palmer moved, seconded by Alderman Reisenberg to approve first reading of the
Ordinances approving the petition in accordance with the Building Review Board. Motion carried
unanimously by voice vote.
NEW BUSINESS
None
ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Proceedings of the November 4, 2013
Regular City Council Meeting
There being no further business. Alderman Palmer made a motion to adjourn, seconded by
Alderman Reisenberg. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote at 8:23 pm
Respectfully Submitted,
Margaret Boyer
Deputy City Clerk
A video of the City Council meeting is available for viewing at the Lake Forest Library and on file in
the Clerk’s office at City Hall. You can also view it on the website by visiting
www.cityoflakeforest.com. Click on I Want To, then click on View, then choose Archived Meetings
Videos.