Loading...
CITY COUNCIL 2014/09/02 MinutesThe City of Lake Forest CITY COUNCIL Proceedings of the September 2, 2014 City Council Meeting at 6:30pm. City Council Chambers CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Honorable Mayor Schoenheider called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm, and Deputy City Clerk Margaret Boyer called the roll of Council members. Present: Mayor Schoenheider, Alderman Waldeck, Alderman Beidler, Alderman Moore, Alderman Pandaleon, Alderman Reisenberg, Alderman Adelman and Alderman Moreno. Absent: Alderman Tack. Also present were: Bob Kiely, City Manager, Victor Filippini, City Attorney; Carina Walters, Assistant City Manager; Susan Banks, Communications Manager; Catherine Czerniak, Director of Community Development; Chuck Myers, Superintendent of Parks & Forestry; Elizabeth Holleb, Director of Finance; Bob Ells, Superintendent Engineering; and Michael Thomas, Director of Public Works. There were approximately 20 present in the audience. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance. REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS COMMENTS BY MAYOR A. 2014-2015 New Board and Commission Appointments/Reappointments ELAWA FARM COMMISSION NAME OF MEMBER APPOINT/REAPPOINT WARD Barry Hollingsworth Appoint 2 Alderman Moore made a motion to approve the Mayor’s Appointment, seconded by Alderman Reisenberg. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. B. Resolution of Appreciation for Robert Raymond Mayor Schoenheider read the Resolution, Alderman Reisenberg made a motion to approve the Mayor’s Appointment, seconded by Alderman Beidler. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Mayor Schoenheider added that Mr. Raymond’s Family had over 50 years of service within The City of Lake Forest. COMMENTS BY CITY MANAGER Proceedings of the September 2, 2014 Regular City Council Meeting A. Emerald Ash Borer Update City Forester Peter Gordon gave an overview of the City’s EAB program that included where the City is today and what is planned for the future. He stated that the objective of the EAB plan is to take a proactive, methodical, and measured approach to dealing with EAB in Lake Forest while attempting to minimize the impact of tree loss. He added that there has been time spent managing the 7,227 inventoried ash trees on City owned properties including parkways, parks, Cemetery and Golf Course, Forestry has also spent a considerable amount of time identifying private property ash trees that pose a threat to the public health or safety on public properties. Mr. Gordon added that EAB is poised to deplete Lake Forest’s untreated ash tree population within 5-7 years; however by utilizing the combination of treatment, removal and re-greening efforts outlined in the City’s EAB Plan, the City is effectively responding to this difficult environmental issue. While the immediate response may be to allocate more money to ash tree removals, staff recommends maintaining the current level of funding for the next three years; allowing for a much more managed approach that may result in a potential savings. This topic will be brought to Council for discussion at the October CIP meeting. With the understanding that reforestation is essential for maintaining the character of the community, it is best to replant a more diversified urban forest. He stated that the City was able to plant over 38 species of trees throughout the community. A community outreach included a city- wide mailing of its Native Tree Guide, and partnering with Open Lands for two native tree sale on May 17, 2014 and October 18, 2014 at Melody Nature Preserve from 8am to 1pm. Over 13 native tree species will be offered. COUNCIL ACTION: No Action Required COMMENTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS A. PPL- Property and Public Lands Committee 1. Consideration of a Recommendation from the Property and Public Lands Committee in Support of a Resolution Authorizing and Directing Activities Related to Advancing the Redevelopment of the City’s Former Municipal Service Site Located on the Northwest Corner of Laurel and Western Avenues. Alderman Reisenberg, Chairman of the Property and Public Lands Committee, stated that the PPL has been reviewing the Municipal Services site since 2013. He explained that The City of Lake Forest put out an RFQ (Request for Qualifications) and received 11 submissions. From those, five interviews were held. The City of Lake Forest then issued an RFP (Request for Proposals), from which three firms were selected and of those, two responded and were interviewed. The PPL selected Focus Development as the preferred development team. Mr. Reisenberg said that the next steps were to negotiate purchases and sales agreement for City Council approval and initiate the public process for a Tax Increment Financial District which would be used for property clean up, building demolition and other TIF eligible expenses. He added that the development would Proceedings of the September 2, 2014 Regular City Council Meeting move through various Boards & Commissions. He stated that approval of the Resolution does not approve a particular plan for the site, but instead sets the framework for the critical next steps in moving forward. Mayor Schoenheider asked if there was anyone from the public who would like to comment. Seeing none, he asked for a motion. COUNCIL ACTION: Approve a Resolution authorizing actions relating to the possible establishment of a Tax Increment Financing District and the sale and redevelopment of the former Municipal Services site located on the northwest corner of Laurel and Western Avenues. Alderman Moore made a motion to approve a Resolution authorizing actions relating to the possible establishment of a Tax Increment Financing District and the sale and redevelopment of the former Municipal Services site located on the northwest corner of Laurel and Western Avenues, seconded by Alderman Beidler. The following voted “Yea”: Aldermen Waldeck, Beidler, Moore, Pandaleon, Reisenberg, Adelman and Moreno. The following voted “Nay”: None. 7 Yeas, 0 Nays, motion carried. 2. Consideration of a Recommendation from the Property and Public Lands Committee in Support of an Ordinance Directing the Sale of Surplus Property. Alderman Reisenberg, Chairman of the Property and Public Lands Committee, said that the parcel is approximately 1.5 acres and is comprised of two parts: first, the “triangle parcel”, an undeveloped piece of land located north and east of Sheridan Road, and the unused Westleigh Road right-of-way which is adjacent to the triangle parcel to the north. He added that as part of its charge, the PPL reviews City-owned properties on an ongoing basis to determine whether they are strategic properties and should be retained, or whether they are surplus properties and should be sold or vacated. The property under construction was used as a parking lot for Barat College and planned for incorporation on the Barat Woods residential development, which unfortunately did not move forward, and then the property was gifted to Woodlands Academy. Barat Campus consolidated with Woodlands Academy, and the City approved a Master Plan for the overall site. He added that the PPL Committee unanimously recognized that the parcel had become surplus; however, the parcel served as an access to the bike path, parking for users of the bike path and as open space, and conditions of a sale should include conservation of the same. Mayor Schoenheider asked if there was anyone from the public who would like to comment. Seeing none he asked for a motion. COUNCIL ACTION: Approve an Ordinance directing the City Manager to offer surplus property, the triangle parcel which includes unused right-of-way and is generally located north and east of Sheridan Road for sale subject to terms and conditions. Alderman Moreno made a motion to approve an Ordinance directing the City Manager to offer surplus property, the triangle parcel which includes unused right-of-way and is generally located north and east of Sheridan Road for sale subject to terms and conditions, seconded by Alderman Proceedings of the September 2, 2014 Regular City Council Meeting Beidler. The following voted “Yea”: Aldermen Waldeck, Beidler, Moore, Pandaleon, Reisenberg, Adelman and Moreno. The following voted “Nay”: None. 7 Yeas, 0 Nays, motion carried. Chairman of the Public Works Committee, Alderman Waldeck invited the City Council to consider attending the Public Works meeting to be held on September 10, 2014 at 6pm at the Municipal Services Center. The topics included results from Strand and Associates study to retrofit the water plant and an expected that a representative from Aquasource will also be present. OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS None ITEMS FOR OMNIBUS VOTE CONSIDERATION 1. Approval of the August 4, 2014 City Council meeting Minutes. 2. Check Register for period of July 26- August 22, 2014. 3. Approval of the purchase of FY2015 computer workstations and laptops for all City departments. 4. Approval of Policy Regarding the Public Safety Employee Benefits Act (PSEBA). 5. Approval to enter into an agreement with Unify for the maintenance of the City’s telephone system for a period of one (1) year. 6. Consideration of an Ordinance Approving a Recommendation from the Zoning Board of Appeals. (First Reading, and if Desired by the City Council, Final Approval). 7. Consideration of an Ordinance Approving a Recommendation from the Building Review Board. (First Reading and if Desired by the City Council, Final Approval). 8. Approval of contract between the City of Lake Forest and Inner Security Systems, 418 Treasure Drive, Oswego, Illinois 60543 for alarm service and monitoring for city buildings. 9. Authorization for the City Manager to Ratify a Settlement Agreement by the City’s Risk Manager IRMA pertaining to Litigation (Matter No. 163666). 10. Consideration of an Ordinance Amending Chapter 9 of the City Code to Regulate Illicit Discharge and Stormwater Connections. 11. Award of Contract with Vermont Systems, Inc. to Purchase Parks and Recreation Software as Budgeted in FY15 Capital Plan. Proceedings of the September 2, 2014 Regular City Council Meeting 12. Approval of a Water Delivery Agreement with the Army Corps of Engineers and Award of contract for Sheridan Road Water Main Improvement Project. 13. Approve Resolution to Ratify NSSRA (Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association) Board Action Authorizing a Petition to Circuit Court for Leave to Sell NSSRA Property No Longer Needed for Park or Special Recreation Purposes. 14. Consideration of an Ordinance Approving a Recommendation from the Plan Commission. (Waive First Reading and if Desired by the City Council, Final Approval). 15. Consideration of an Ordinance Approving an Addendum to the Illinois Mutual Aid Alarm Box System Agreement (MABAS). 16. Consideration of a recommendation from staff to authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Elevator Inspection Services Co., Inc. COUNCIL ACTION: Approve the sixteen (16) Omnibus items as presented. Mayor Schoenheider asked the Council if they would like any item removed or be taken separately. After a brief clarification, he asked for a motion to approve the sixteen (16) Omnibus items as presented. Alderman Reisenberg made a motion approving the Omnibus items as presented, seconded by Alderman Pandaleon. The following voted “Yea”: Aldermen Waldeck, Beidler, Moore, Pandaleon, Reisenberg, Adelman and Moreno. The following voted “Nay”: None. 7 Yeas, 0 Nays, motion carried. For the record, Alderman Adelman recused his vote on item # 14. At the October 6, 2014 City Council meeting to approve these minutes, Alderman Moore asked to revise these minutes to reflect the following reference he made, “this was the 4th time the City Council had no bids and the 2nd time this year there were more no bids then bids on the Omnibus agenda”. 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 None NEW BUSINESS Proceedings of the September 2, 2014 Regular City Council Meeting 1. Consideration of a Recommendation from the Plan Commission in Support of the Overall Landscape and Signage Plans for the Revitalized Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital Campus. (Approval of a Resolution.) Director of Community Development, Catherine Czerniak, reported that this is a recommendation from the Plan Commission affirming that the landscape and signage plans for the revitalized Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital Campus, and that they are in conformance with the previously approved Campus Master Plan and Special Use Permit. Approval of these plans completes the design approval phase of this project. Ms. Czerniak gave an overview of the timeline. This project was initiated in September, 2011, when the Plan Commission began consideration of a new Master Plan to guide the revitalization of the Hospital campus. After many months of review, public input and deliberation by the Plan Commission and City Council, the Master Plan, along with a Special Use Permit, was approved by the City Council on October 1, 2012. Since that time, the project team has been in the design development phase with the Hospital project team, working closely with the City Manager’s Hospital Advisory Committee and City staff. In January, 2014, based on recommendations from the Plan Commission and the City Manager’s Hospital Advisory Committee, the City Council approved a Resolution affirming that the overall site plan, architectural design of the building and exterior lighting plan conform to the previously approved Master Plan and Special Use Permit. At that time, work was continuing on the development of the landscape and signage plans. On July 31, 2014, the Plan Commission heard a recommendation from the City Manager’s Hospital Advisory Committee in support of the remaining components of the project, the landscape and signage plans. After hearing a presentation of the landscape and signage plans, the Plan Commission commended the plans and the collaborative process through which they were developed and refined. The Plan Commission heard testimony from a resident of Lake Forest Place who expressed appreciation for the accommodations made in the plan to address concerns previously raised by residents of Lake Forest Place. Ms. Czerniak also added that there will be times during this construction when the site does not look like the plan, and asked residents to keep in mind that the construction is done in stages, and showed an example, stating “Park Here Today, Back to Nature Tomorrow.” Mayor Schoenheider asked if there was anyone from the public who would like to comment. Seeing none he asked for a motion. COUNCIL ACTION: If determined to be appropriate by the City Council, approve a Resolution affirming conformance with the Special Use Permit and Master Plan and approving the overall landscape and signage plans for the revitalized Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital Campus subject to the conditions as recommended by the Plan Commission as detailed in the Resolution. Proceedings of the September 2, 2014 Regular City Council Meeting Alderman Reisenberg made a motion to approve a Resolution affirming conformance with the Special Use Permit and Master Plan and approving the overall landscape and signage plans for the revitalized Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital Campus subject to the conditions as recommended by the Plan Commission as detailed in the Resolution, seconded by Alderman Beidler. The following voted “Yea”: Aldermen Waldeck, Beidler, Moore, Pandaleon, Reisenberg, Adelman and Moreno. The following voted “Nay”: None. 7 Yeas, 0 Nays, motion carried. Tom McAfee, President of the Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital, thanked the community for the enormous support and guidance through the last four years and the start of the conversation. he stated that he took great pride in revitalizing a cornerstone of the community for the next 100 plus years, to deliver the best medicine attached to the best learning site, to serve the health care needs of everyone in the future. He thanked all involved including Alderman Reisenberg and Tack and Catherine Czerniak for her leadership through the processes. Mayor Schoenheider thanked Tom McAfee and his team along with City Staff, the Plan Commission and the Hospital Advisory Committee for all their hard work and said that he is thrilled to see this project started. ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION None ADJOURNMENT There being no further business. Alderman Reisenberg made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Moore Motion carried unanimously by voice vote at 7:45 p.m. 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.