CITY COUNCIL 2013/12/02 MinutesThe City of Lake Forest
CITY COUNCIL
Proceedings of the December 2, 2013 Regular Meeting
7:30 p.m. – Council Chambers
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Mayor Schoenheider called the meeting to order at 7:40 pm,
and Deputy City Clerk Margaret Boyer called the roll of Council members.
Present: Honorable Mayor Schoenheider, Alderman Novit, Alderman Waldeck, Alderman Moore,
Alderman Pandaleon, Alderman Tack, Alderman Reisenberg, Alderman Palmer, and Alderman
Adelman.
Absent: none
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 40 present in the audience.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS
Comments by Mayor
A. Recreation Department High School Sailing Team--Great Lakes High School
Sailing Champs and program has achieved #1 ranking in the Midwest
Interscholastic Sailing Association. Coach Hunter Ratliff
Mayor Schoenheider introduced Coach Hunter Ratliff, who gave an overview of the team and the
outstanding job the sailors do from training in extreme conditions to achieving the number one
ranking.
Mayor Schoenheider said that there were a record number of residents at the tree lighting
ceremony this year, and encouraged residents to consider “shopping local” first.
Comments by City Manager
City Manager Robert Kiely wished a Happy Holiday to all from the City Staff.
A. Central Dispatch Update
Proceedings of the December 3, 2013
Regular City Council Meeting
City Manager Robert Kiely reported that the Shared Fire Service met to continue the conversation
of Centralized Dispatch. He said at this time there is a potential five years savings of 1.9 million
and that Option 4B is preferred. He encouraged residents to attend the joint meeting on Tuesday,
December 17, 2013 at the Highland Park Country Club, to join in the discussion with Lake Forest,
Lake Bluff and Highland Park.
B. Update on Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital Extension
City Manager Robert Kiely then introduced Ed Chandler, Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee, who
reported that the committee has met nine times and they are ready to move forward with a
recommendation to the Plan Commission with some conditions of approval. Additionally he
showed how the open space will be used, showed a current site plan with a potential parking
garage.
Mayor Schoenheider thanked Mr. Chandler, the Committee, Catherine Czerniak, Director of
Community Development, City Staff and North Western lake Forest Hospital for building a world
class regional hospital in the Community.
COMMENTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS
A. Finance Committee
1. Consideration of an Ordinance Restating and Reaffirming Ordinance No.
2008-08 and an Ordinance Establishing the 2013 Tax Levy (Grant Final
Approval)
Finance Director Elizabeth Holleb explained that Staff is requesting final approval of an Ordinance
restating and reaffirming Ordinance No. 2008-08 and the 2013 tax levy ordinance.
In regards to the debt service levy, it was recognized that imposition of the set dollar limit of
$2,589,906 which was the tax extension in 2004 should appropriately be adjusted by an
inflationary factor to recognize that the cost of capital improvements would increase over time.
1) In regards to the debt service levy cap, it is recommended that this be revised to allow
for the cap to apply to the sum of any debt service levy plus any capital improvement
line item levy, to allow the City the flexibility to allow for pay-as-you-go financing in
the Capital Improvement Fund to avoid interest costs, thereby reducing the overall
costs of capital improvements to taxpayers.
2) In regards to the City’s aggregate levy for operating purposes (with the exception of
any capital improvement line item levy per #2 above), provide specific circumstances
by which the City Council may exceed the property tax cap. The exception would
require a 3/4 vote of the City Council, could not be more than 5%, and must be used
for either: 1) capital improvements, or 2) replacement of revenues lost due to the
State altering its distribution of funds allocated to local governments.
Proceedings of the December 3, 2013
Regular City Council Meeting
The tax levy to be approved includes the needs of all City departments, as well as for pensions and
debt service requirements. A summary of the proposed levies is as follows:
The proposed tax levy for 2013 reflects a 2.82% increase over the 2012 tax levy extensions for the
City and Library operating funds and City pension and debt service funds. This increase is
comprised of the 1.70% property tax cap increase on those levy lines subject to the tax cap and
debt service bond levies as previously approved by City Council bond Ordinances, subject to
abatement for debt paid by alternate revenue sources. The average increase to existing residents
($800,000 home) is projected to be $86 or 2.82%.
COUNCIL ACTION: Grant final approval of an Ordinance Restating and Reaffirming Ordinance
No. 2008-08 and Grant final approval of an Ordinance Establishing the 2013 Tax Levy.
Alderman Pandaleon made a motion to grant final approval of an Ordinance Restating and
Reaffirming Ordinance No. 2008-08, seconded by Alderman Reisenberg. The following voted
“Yea”: Aldermen Novit, Waldeck, Moore, Pandaleon, Tack, Reisenberg, Palmer and Adelman. The
following voted “Nay”: None. 8 Yeas, 0 Nays, motion carried.
Alderman Pandaleon made a motion to grant final approval of an Ordinance Establishing the 2013
Tax Levy, seconded by Alderman Novit. The following voted “Yea”: Aldermen Novit, Waldeck,
Moore, Pandaleon, Tack, Reisenberg, Palmer and Adelman. The following voted “Nay”: None. 8
Yeas, 0 Nays, motion carried.
2. Approval of Ordinances Abating 2013 Tax Levies for Various G.O.
Alternate Revenue Bond Issues (Grant Final Approval)
Proposed
FUND 2013 LEVY 2012 Extension $ CHANGE % CHANGE
City General 13,061,396$ 12,936,576$ 124,820$ 0.96%
Pension Funds 4,509,570 4,280,485 229,085 5.35%
Fire Pension PA 93-0689 40,999 47,561 (6,562)-13.80%
Recreation 1,330,161 1,307,926 22,235 1.70%
Parks 2,974,723 2,924,998 49,725 1.70%
Special Recreation 386,956 380,488 6,468 1.70%
Library 3,419,450 3,353,046 66,404 1.98%
Library sites 386,956 380,488 6,468 1.70%
Bond Funds 1,959,713 1,688,413 271,300 16.07%
TOTAL TAX LEVY - CITY 28,069,924$ 27,299,981$ 769,943$ 2.82%
School District 67- ESTIMATED 30,648,510$ 29,901,117 747,393$ 2.50%
GRAND TOTAL 58,718,434 57,201,098 1,517,336$ 2.65%
Proceedings of the December 3, 2013
Regular City Council Meeting
Finance Director Elizabeth Holleb stated that staff is requesting final approval of ordinances
abating 2013 tax levies.
The proposed Ordinances provide for the abatement of 2013 taxes levied for the various
outstanding general obligation ALTERNATE REVENUE bond issues. The tax levies for all bond
issues are established and recorded with the County Clerk at the time the bonds are issued.
Therefore, in order to reduce the bond tax levies, an abatement ordinance must be approved and
filed with the County Clerk before the last Tuesday in December. The abatement of these general
obligation ALTERNATE REVENUE bonds is possible due to the fact these bond funds have an
adequate revenue source from water sales, Cemetery revenue, golf fees, sales tax or payments
from the U.S. Treasury. Therefore, the general obligation tax levy can be abated as was planned at
the time the bonds were issued. The proposed Ordinances are as follows:
An Ordinance Abating a Portion of the Tax being Levied in 2013 for the Annual Payment of
the Principal and Interest on the Taxable General Obligation Bonds, Series 2010-B Bond
Issue
An Ordinance Abating a Portion of the Tax being Levied in 2013 for the Annual Payment of
the Principal and Interest on the Taxable General Obligation Bonds, Series 2010-C Bond
Issue
An Ordinance Abating the Total Tax being Levied in 2013 for the Annual Payment of the
Principal and Interest on the 2011 General Obligation Series 2011-A Refunding Bond Issue
An Ordinance Abating the Total Tax being Levied in 2013 for the Annual Payment of the
Principal and Interest on the 2011 General Obligation Series 2011-B Refunding Bond Issue
BUDGET/FISCAL IMPACT: A summary of the proposed tax levy abatements is provided below:
COUNCIL ACTION: Grant final approval of the Ordinances abating tax levies for various general
obligation bond issues.
2013 Debt Service Levy and Abatements
Levy per County Cemetery Golf Water .5 NHRST Int Rebate Net Levy
2008 829,206.26 829,206.26
2009 279,845.00 279,845.00
2010A 0.00 0.00
2010B 172,500.00 (77,625.00)94,875.00
2010C 259,311.26 (90,758.92)168,552.34
2011A 507,262.50 (142,100.00)(159,237.50)(205,925.00)0.00
2011B 2,475,300.00 (106,907.50)(2,049,382.50)(319,010.00)0.00
2013 587,235.00 587,235.00
5,110,660.02 (142,100.00)(106,907.50)(2,208,620.00)(524,935.00)(168,383.92)1,959,713.60
Proceedings of the December 3, 2013
Regular City Council Meeting
Alderman Pandaleon made a motion to grant final approval of the Ordinances abating tax levies
for various general obligation bond issues, seconded by Alderman Reisenberg. The following voted
“Yea”: Aldermen Novit, Waldeck, Moore, Pandaleon, Tack, Reisenberg, Palmer and Adelman. The
following voted “Nay”: None. 8 Yeas, 0 Nays, motion carried.
3. Consideration of an Ordinance approving a Fee Schedule, Ordinances
adopting new fees related to Sanitation, Parks and Recreation, Electric
Vehicle Charging Station and Landscape Licensing, and an Ordinance
amending City Code to Authorize the City Manager Authority in
Administering Fees (Grant Final Approval)
Finance Director, Elizabeth Holleb stated that Staff is requesting final approval of the proposed
Ordinances.
As part of the budget process, all departments are asked to review their user fees. A
comprehensive fee schedule is provided as Exhibit A to the Ordinance approving a fee schedule,
which clearly identifies the proposed fee increases highlighted in yellow and the proposed new
fees highlighted in orange. Departments had to provide supplemental memos justifying their
proposed fee adjustments and new fees, which were included in the packet. New fees require a
separate Ordinance to be submitted by the department proposing the new fee and accompany
the Ordinance approving the fee schedule. The following Ordinances are submitted for City
Council consideration at this time:
Ordinance approving a fee schedule
Ordinance adopting a new sanitation fee
Ordinance adopting new fees related to Parks and Recreation
Ordinance adopting a new fee for use of an electric vehicle charging station
Ordinance adopting a new fee associated with landscape licensing
Ms. Holleb added that to more effectively administer the collection of the City’s revenues, it is
recommended that the City Council approve an Ordinance providing the City Manager specific
authority to reduce and/or waive fees in specific circumstances in the best interests of the City,
and to establish the appropriate means of payment for specific fees and charges. The Ordinance
proposed would allow fee reductions or waivers up to $5,000, and it is proposed that any
reduction or waiver that exceeds $1,000 be reported to the Finance Committee as an
informational item.
COUNCIL ACTION: Grant final approval to the proposed ordinances.
Alderman Novit made a motion to Grant final approval of the Proposed Ordinances, seconded by
Alderman Moore. The following voted “Yea”: Aldermen Novit, Waldeck, Moore, Pandaleon, Tack,
Proceedings of the December 3, 2013
Regular City Council Meeting
Reisenberg, Palmer and Adelman. The following voted “Nay”: None. 8 Yeas, 0 Nays, motion
carried.
OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
None.
ITEMS FOR OMNIBUS VOTE CONSIDERATION
1. Approval of the November 18, 2013 City Council minutes.
2. Check Register
3. Award of contract for professional services consultation on the purchase of new
Parks & Recreation software.
4. Authorization to Dispose of City Property
5. Award of Bid for the Water Plant Pony Boiler and Water Heater Improvement
Project
6. Consideration of Request to Waive the Bidding Process and Purchase a Vertiflow
Recirculation Pump from Pump Supply, Inc.
7. Ratify approval of Gorton Community Center budget.
8. Consideration of an Ordinance Approving a Recommendation from the Building
Review Board. (First Reading and if Desired by the City Council, Final Approval)
9. Consideration of an Ordinance Approving a Recommendation from the Zoning
Board of Appeals. (First Reading, and if Desired by the City Council, Final
Approval)
10. Approval of a Resolution Supporting the Retrofit of Existing Dot-111 Rail Tank
Cars that Transport Packing Groups I and II Hazmat Before the Pipelines and
Hazardous Materials Safety Administration in Docket No. PHMSA-2012-0082
(HM-251)
COUNCIL ACTION: Approve the ten (10) Omnibus items as presented.
Alderman Palmer made a motion to approve by Omnibus vote designation items as noted,
seconded by Alderman Reisenberg. The following voted “Yea”: Aldermen Novit, Waldeck, Moore,
Pandaleon, Tack, Reisenberg, Palmer and Adelman. The following voted “Nay”: None. 8 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.
Proceedings of the December 3, 2013
Regular City Council Meeting
ORDINANCES
None
NEW BUSINESS
A. EXECUTIVE SESSION pursuant to 5ILCS 120/2 (c) (21).
Adjournment into executive session.
Alderman Palmer made a motion to adjourn into executive session at 8:35 p.m., seconded by
Alderman Novit, motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
Reconvene into regular session 8:50 p.m.
1. Consideration of approval and/or release of executive session minutes.
Council Action: Approval and/or release of executive session minutes.
Alderman Palmer made a motion for approval only of executive session minutes with the dates of
7/6/09, 11/209, 12/7/09, 4/19/10, 12/5/11, 3/5/12, 7/16/12, 9/4/12, 5/16/13, 6/17/13, 7/11/13,
8/5/13, and 9/16/13, seconded by Alderman Reisenberg, motion carried unanimously by voice
vote.
ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION
Mayor Schoenheider wished all residents a very Happy Holiday, and said it is an honor and a
pleasure to serve The City of Lake Forest.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business. Alderman Palmer made a motion to adjourn, seconded by
Alderman Reisenberg. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote at 8:55 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.