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.