CITY COUNCIL 2014/10/20 MinutesThe City of Lake Forest
CITY COUNCIL
Proceedings of the October 20, 2014
City Council Meeting immediately following Finance Committee meeting. City Council Chambers
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Honorable Mayor Schoenheider called the meeting to order at
7:05 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; Diane Hall, Assistant Finance Director; Bob Ells, Superintendent Engineering;
and Michael Thomas, Director of Public Works; Jeff Howell, Fire Chief, Kevin Issel, Deputy Fire
Chief; Todd Nahigian, CROYA Manager.
There were approximately 40 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. Swear in Firefighter Paramedic- Chuck Kriens
Mayor Schoenheider and Fire Chief Jeff Howell
Jeff Howell introduced Chuck Kriens to the City Council and Mayor Schoenheider swore him in.
Mayor Schoenheider reminded residents of the Town Hall meeting to be held at CROYA at 7 pm
on Thursday, October 23, 2014. He also reported that the City Council took a tour of Forest Park
and encouraged all residents to see the improvements. He added that the Forest Park Project is
about eighty percent funded and all contributions big and small are welcome. More information
can be found at theforestparkproject.com website.
COMMENTS BY CITY MANAGER
City Manager, Robert Kiely stated that the tabled epoxy floor bid from the October 6, 2014 agenda
has been dismissed, Staff will not proceed and all Bids will be dismissed.
A. Community Spotlight
CROYA Manager, Todd Nahigian
Proceedings of the October 20, 2014
Regular City Council Meeting
Todd Nahigian, Manager of CROYA presented a video that was created by students at CROYA. The
video highlighted the programs available through CROYA and the positive impact the programs
and the staff have on the youth in the community. Kelli Jacobs, Chair of the Youth Board, reported
how the social programs, along with the leadership programs, have opened doors of opportunity
for her and others. Mr. Nahigian stated that the partnerships that CROYA has with the Schools,
American Legion, and other local groups, play an important role in the success and in the
challenges that students face today. Mayor Schoenheider thanked Mr. Nahigian and the staff on
behalf of the Community.
COMMENTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS
A. Finance Committee
1. Acknowledge Receipt of the FY2014 Treasurer’s Report
Finance Committee Chairman George Pandaleon reported that this item had been discussed in the
Finance Committee meeting and that the Council is required to acknowledge the receipt of the
2014 Treasurer’s Report.
Mayor Schoenheider asked if there were any questions. Seeing none, he asked for a motion.
COUNCIL ACTION: Acknowledge receipt of the FY2014 Treasurer’s Report.
Alderman Reisenberg made a motion acknowledging the receipt of the FY2014 Treasurer’s report,
seconded by Alderman Moreno. The following voted “Yea”: Aldermen Waldeck, Beidler, Moore,
Pandaleon, Reisenberg, Adelman and Moreno. The following voted “Nay”: None. 7 Yeas, 0 Nays,
motion carried.
B. Property and Public Land Committee
1. Consideration of Three Recommendations from the Property and Public Land
Committee Related to the Process for Considering the Establishment of a Tax
Increment Finance District. (Waive first reading and grant final approval of two
Ordinances and approve a Resolution.)
Chairman of the Property and Public Land Committee, Jack Reisenberg stated that in September,
the City Council approved a Resolution authorizing and directing the Property and Public Land
Committee, the City’s TIF Consultant and City staff to proceed with preparations and actions
concerning the possible establishment of a TIF District for the Western and Laurel Avenues
redevelopment site.
Chairman Reisenberg reported that the PPL is recommending that the City Council take three
actions for consideration of the establishment of a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District.
1. Approval of an Ordinance setting the public hearing date for consideration of a TIF District
for the Western and Laurel Avenues Redevelopment Project.
2. Approval of the TIF Inducement Resolution by motion.
Proceedings of the October 20, 2014
Regular City Council Meeting
3. Approval of an Ordinance approving the establishment of an “Interested Parties Registry”
and Adopting Registration Rules.
Chairman Reisenberg added that the three actions recommended by the PPL do not approve or
authorize the establishment of a TIF District, but instead, allow the public review process for
considering the proposed TIF District to get underway.
The City Council discussed the TIF Resolution. City Attorney, Victor Filippini and Lee Brown, the
City’s TIF Consultant, clarified the Resolution and what it authorizes (no additional expenditures,
other then what has been spent to start the process). Mr. Brown added that the
recommendations from the PPL are necessary next steps in the process of considering a TIF
District, and that staff has procedural requirements. Nothing is final until the City Council gives its
approval.
Mayor Schoenheider asked if there was anyone from the public who wanted to comment or had a
question on this item. Seeing none, he asked for approval, taking each item separately.
COUNCIL ACTION:
1. Waive first reading and grant final approval of an Ordinance setting the public hearing
date for consideration of a TIF District for the Proposed Laurel and Western Avenues
Redevelopment Project.
Alderman Moore made a motion to waive first reading and grant final approval of an Ordinance
setting the public hearing date for consideration of a TIF District for the Proposed Laurel and
Western Avenues Redevelopment Project, seconded by Alderman Moreno. 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. Approve the TIF Inducement Resolution by motion.
Alderman Pandaleon made a motion to approve the TIF Inducement Resolution by motion,
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.
3. Waive first reading and grant final approval of an Ordinance establishing an Interested
Parties Registry and adopting associated rules.
Alderman Beidler made a motion to waive first reading and grant final approval of an Ordinance
establishing an Interested Parties Registry and adopting associated rules, seconded by Alderman
Moore. The following voted “Yea”: Aldermen Waldeck, Beidler, Moore, Pandaleon, Reisenberg,
Adelman and Moreno. The following voted “Nay”: None. 7 Yeas, 0 Nays, motion carried.
OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Proceedings of the October 20, 2014
Regular City Council Meeting
None
ITEMS FOR OMNIBUS VOTE CONSIDERATION
1. Approval of the October 6, 2014 City Council meeting Minutes
2. Recommendation from Parks and Recreation Board and Golf Advisory
Committee to enter into a contract with KemperSports, Inc. for the management
of Deerpath Golf Course
3. Consideration of a Recommendation from the Zoning Board of Appeals in
Support of an Amendment to the Special Use Permit for the Lake Forest Club
Approving a Modified Master Site Plan. (First Reading, and if desired by the City
Council, Final Approval)
COUNCIL ACTION: Approve the three (3) Omnibus items as presented.
Mayor Schoenheider asked the Council if they would like any item removed or be taken
separately. Seeing none, he asked for a motion to approve the three (3) Omnibus items as
presented.
Alderman Reisenberg made a motion approving the three (3) Omnibus items as presented,
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.
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 a Recommendation from the Plan Commission in Support of
Final Plat Approval of the Spiel Planned Preservation Subdivision and Approval
of the Associated Special Use Permit. (If desired by the Council, Waive First
Reading and Grant Approval of the Final Development Plan Ordinance.)
This item was tabled by the City Council.
2. Consideration of a Recommendation from the Plan Commission in Support of
Actions Related to Tentative Approval of the Oak Knoll Woodlands Subdivision.
(If desired by the Council, Grant First Reading of An Ordinance and Grant
Tentative Approval of the Plat of Subdivision by Motion)
Director of Community Development, Catherine Czerniak, reported that the Plan Commission held
a public hearing on this petition in May and September of this year. At the conclusion of the Plan
Commission’s third meeting on this petition, the Commission concluded that all of the applicable
Proceedings of the October 20, 2014
Regular City Council Meeting
requirements and criteria were satisfied for tentative approval and recommend first reading of an
Ordinance approving a zone change to R-4 and application of the overlay district and tentative
approval of the plat of subdivision. Importantly, these tentative approvals indicate support for the
overall plan but do not authorize the development to proceed.
Ms. Czerniak added that the 30 acre parcel is located east of the Conway Farms development,
north of Conway Road, at the north end of Oak Knoll Drive. She added that this is the last parcel of
significant size available for development in this area and was recently acquired by a developer as
part of the settling of an estate.
The 16-lot Planned Preservation Subdivision is proposed on the 30-acre parcel. In order to achieve
the proposed development, a zone change from R-5 to R-4, application of the Historic Residential
Open Space Preservation Zoning District, and tentative approval of the plat of subdivision are
being requested. The overlay district requires that the density of the development is consistent
with the underlying zoning district, but allows flexibility in lot sizes and setbacks in exchange for
preservation of open space, wetlands and woodlands. This conservation subdivision approach has
led to other successful developments in the community including the Conway Farms, Middlefork
Farm and Everett Farm subdivisions.
The Director added that tentative approval allows the petitioner to proceed with detailed
engineering work, preparation of detailed tree preservation and tree removal plans, a detailed
landscape plan, development of the final plat of subdivision and completion of the various
documents required for final approval. Once all of the requirements for final approval are met,
and after review by City staff, the final plans will again be considered by the Plan Commission at a
public hearing and a final recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for action on this
project. She reported that tentative approval is valid for 12 months from the date of Council
approval.
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:
1. Grant first reading of an Ordinance rezoning the 30 –acre parcel from R-5 to R-4 and
applying the Historic Residential and Open Space Overlay District.
Alderman Reisenberg made a motion to Grant first reading of an Ordinance rezoning the 30 –acre
parcel from R-5 to R-4 and applying the Historic Residential and Open Space Overlay District,
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.
AND
2. Approve a motion granting tentative approval of the Oak Knoll Woodlands Planned
Preservation Subdivision subject to the conditions of approval as recommended by the
Plan Commission, conditioned on the ultimate approval of the zoning to R-4 and the
Overlay District.
Proceedings of the October 20, 2014
Regular City Council Meeting
Alderman Reisenberg made a motion to approve a motion granting tentative approval of the Oak
Knoll Woodlands Planned Preservation Subdivision subject to the conditions of approval as
recommended by the Plan Commission, conditioned on the ultimate approval of the zoning to R-4
and the Overlay District, seconded by Alderman Moreno. The following voted “Yea”: Aldermen
Waldeck, Beidler, Moore, Pandaleon, Reisenberg, Adelman and Moreno. The following voted
“Nay”: None. 7 Yeas, 0 Nays, motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Metra Commuter Rail Update
Norm Carlson, Metra Board of Directors, Lake County Representative
Mr. Carlson made a report emphasizing safety around railroads and the importance of endorsing
the mission of “Operation Lifesaver”, and asked the City to help promote “Education, Engineering
and Enforcement”
2. Update on the East Train Station and West Train Station
Assistant City Manager Carina Walters reported on the project goals included, public and
commuter safety, congestion mitigation, regional services and economic vitality.
The West Train Station Pedestrian Underpass process for construction;
• Agreements with Metra & IDOT & CLF – Completed
• Phase 1 – Preliminary Engineering
• Phase 2 – Engineering Design – Pending
• Identify Funding Gap
• Phase 3 - Construction – Pending
The East Train Station
• 2010 the City has received over $2 million in ITEP Funding
• Completed portion of Phase 1 Exterior (Roof, Dormers)
• Phase 2 – In process (November bid letting)
• 2012 City has received approximately $1 million to separate pedestrian/ vehicular/ bicycle
traffic (Illinois to Woodland)
• Utility work is underway
• Agreements will be finalized
• Construction in Spring 2015
ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION
Alderman Adelman thanked Michael Thomas and the Public Works department on the paving
work that has been completed around The City of Lake Forest.
ADJOURNMENT
Proceedings of the October 20, 2014
Regular City Council Meeting
There being no further business. Alderman Reisenberg made a motion to adjourn, seconded by
Alderman Moore Motion carried unanimously by voice vote at 8:55 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.