CITY COUNCIL 2014/11/03 MinutesThe City of Lake Forest
CITY COUNCIL
Proceedings of the November 3, 2014
City Council Meeting. 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 Tack, Alderman Reisenberg, and Alderman Moreno.
Absent: Alderman Adelman.
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.
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 New Police Officers-
David Miniscalco, Aaron Kruchko and Erik Blomberg
-Mayor Schoenheider and James Held, Chief of Police
Mayor Schoenheider swore in all three officers.
B. 2014-2015 New Board and Commission Appointments/Reappointments
SENIOR RESOURCE COMMISSION
NAME OF MEMBER APPOINT/REAPPOINT WARD
Nancy Carey Re-Appoint 4
HOUSING TRUST FUND BOARD
NAME OF MEMBER APPOINT/REAPPOINT
Tom Grant Appoint (Senior Resource)
Lori Sundberg Appoint (Local Business/Institution)
Proceedings of the November 3, 2014
Regular City Council Meeting
PARKS & RECREATION BOARD
NAME OF MEMBER APPOINT/REAPPOINT WARD
Steve Reimer Appoint 4
COUNCIL ACTION: Approve the Mayor’s Appointments
Alderman Moreno made a motion to approve the Mayor’s Appointments, seconded by Alderman
Beidler. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
C. Appointment of City Representative and Public Member for TIF Joint Review
Board (Proposed TIF District for Laurel/Western Redevelopment Project Area).
JOINT REVIEW BOARD
NAME OF MEMBER APPOINT Sector
Robert Kiely, Jr. Appoint City Representative
TBD Appoint Public Member
COUNCIL ACTION: Approve the Mayor’s Appointments
Alderman Moore made a motion to approve the Mayor’s Appointments, seconded by Alderman
Beidler. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
COMMENTS BY CITY MANAGER
City Manager, Robert Kiely encouraged residents to exercise their right, to vote on Election Day.
A. Community Spotlight
Lake Forest Open Lands
- John Sentell, President
City Manager Robert Kiely introduced Mr. Sentell who gave a report on the history of the
organization. Founded in 1967, Lake Forest Open Lands Association is an independently-funded
conservation and educational organization devoted to the acquisition and stewardship of natural
landscapes, and to ensuring all generations have a meaningful, lasting connection to nature and
land.
COMMENTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Finance Committee
A. Audit Committee Report
Proceedings of the November 3, 2014
Regular City Council Meeting
Fiscal Year 2014 Annual Financial Report
Audit Committee Chairman, Lucinda Baier reported to the City Council that the seven-member
board held 4 meetings in the past year. Chairman Baier added that the City has received another
clean opinion from the Committee and an unmodified opinion from McGladrey LLP. She stated
that the expenses for the City were under budget and the net assets have increased over the last
year. Ms. Baier added that all financial statements are available on The City of Lake Forest
website, cityoflakeforest.com.
COUNCIL ACTION: Receipt of the audit report for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2014.
Alderman Moreno made a motion on receipt of the audit report for the fiscal year ended April 30,
2014, seconded by Alderman Moore. The following voted “Yea”: Aldermen Waldeck, Beidler,
Moore, Pandaleon, Tack, Reisenberg 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
None
ITEMS FOR OMNIBUS VOTE CONSIDERATION
1. Approval of the October 20, 2014 City Council meeting Minutes
2. Check Register for period September 27- October 24, 2014
3. Determination of an Estimate of the Amount of Revenue to be generated from
Property Taxes for the 2014 Calendar Year in Accordance with the Truth in
Taxation Statute and Establishment of a Public Hearing Date for the 2014 Tax
Levy (if Required)
4. Award of Bid for the Stuart Room Window Replacement at Gorton Community
Center Included in the F.Y. 2015 CIP Budget
5. Consideration of an Ordinance Approving a Recommendation from the Historic
Preservation Commission. (First Reading and if Desired by the City Council, Final
Approval)
COUNCIL ACTION: Approve the five (5) 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 five (5) Omnibus items as
presented.
Proceedings of the November 3, 2014
Regular City Council Meeting
Alderman Pandaleon made a motion approving the five (5) Omnibus items as presented, seconded
by Alderman Reisenberg. The following voted “Yea”: Aldermen Waldeck, Beidler, Moore,
Pandaleon, Tack, Reisenberg 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 Documents Relating to Corrective Action at 260 E. Illinois Road,
the Former Site of an Exxon Mobil Gas Station, to Address Environmental Issues.
(Waive First Reading and Grant Final Approval of an Ordinance and Approve
Resolution Authorizing Related Agreements)
City Attorney Victor Filippini reported that the actions before the City Council are consistent with
Council action in support of corrective actions at other current and former gas station locations.
He stated that the City is working in cooperation with the property owner to assure that
environmental issues resulting from the previous use of the property at 260 E. Illinois Road as a
gas station are properly addressed.
Mr. Filippini added that because environmental issues include some migration of contaminants
into the subsurface of the City rights-of-way, a protocol for future excavations is needed in the
event that certain excavation activities occur in the affected rights-of-way in the future. Exxon
Mobil requires the City to adopt a prohibition against the use of groundwater as a potable water
source in the affected areas.
The City Attorney explained that the documents presented are a resolution approving a Highway
Authority Agreement and a Supplemental Agreement; the agreements set forth the respective
obligations of Exxon Mobil for the clean-up of the affected City right-of-way and the protocol in
the event that certain excavation activities are undertaken. The second action is an Ordinance
prohibiting the use of groundwater as a potable water source.
Mayor Schoenheider asked if there was anyone from the public who wanted to comment on this,
and seeing none, asked for a motion.
COUNCIL ACTION: If determined to be appropriate by the City Council,
(i) Approve the Resolution approving the Agreements and authorizing the Mayor and City
Manager to enter into Agreements relating to corrective action related to environmental
conditions at 260 E. Illinois Road, and
Alderman Pandaleon made a motion to approve the Resolution approving the Agreements and
authorizing the Mayor and City Manager to enter into Agreements relating to corrective action
related to environmental conditions at 260 E. Illinois Road, seconded by Alderman Reisenberg.
The following voted “Yea”: Aldermen Waldeck, Beidler, Moore, Pandaleon, Tack, Reisenberg and
Moreno. The following voted “Nay”: None. 7 Yeas, 0 Nays, motion carried.
Proceedings of the November 3, 2014
Regular City Council Meeting
(ii) Waive first reading of an Ordinance relating to Groundwater and grant final approval of such
ordinance.
Alderman Pandaleon made a motion to waive first reading of an Ordinance relating to
Groundwater and grant final approval of such ordinance, seconded by Alderman Beidler. The
following voted “Yea”: Aldermen Waldeck, Beidler, Moore, Pandaleon, Tack, Reisenberg and
Moreno. The following voted “Nay”: None. 7 Yeas, 0 Nays, motion carried.
2. Consideration of a Recommendation from the Plan Commission in Support of
Amendments to Chapter 46, Sections 37 and 38, Single Family Residence
Districts, to Permit “Granny Flats”, or Secondary Living Units, on Properties
Zoned for Single Family Use, Under Certain Conditions. (Approve First Reading.)
Director of Community Development Catherine Czerniak stated that the Plan Commission studied
this concept of “granny flats”; quaint, eccentric small secondary living units located in the R-5 and
R-4 residential zoning districts under certain conditions. Ms. Czerniak added that the community
of existing properties, and benefits from the City’s goal in diversity in housing, encouraging
investment and the enhanced use partnering with historic preservation. There are currently 160
properties that fit this category, but the number decreases to about 20 actual sites with existing
buildings.
In 2013, the City held a Community Engagement Forum, chaired by Alderman David Moore, to
discuss the concept of secondary living units on single family properties. A summary of the
comments heard at the Forum was provided to the City Council and the Council directed the Plan
Commission to study the concept further. The Commission held a work session to consider the
topic and then held a public hearing which spanned the course of two meetings.
After hearing public comment and after deliberations, the Plan Commission determined that it
would be in the community’s best interest to move forward with this concept, but cautiously. The
concerns heard and discussed by the Commission centered around the potential for negative
impacts on neighboring properties. To address that concern, the Plan Commission is
recommending conditions under which secondary living units would be permitted. The conditions
as recommended by the Commission establish a framework that minimizes the likelihood of
negative impacts on surrounding properties. In summary, the key conditions:
Limit secondary living units to the R-4 and R-5 zoning districts, the districts with larger lot
sizes and the districts in which existing, historic accessory structures are most commonly
found.
Limit secondary living units to existing structures and outbuildings.
Require the main residence to be owner occupied.
Establish a minimum setback for secondary living units.
Proceedings of the November 3, 2014
Regular City Council Meeting
The City Council members discussed concerns around parking, owner on site, registration, zoning
and life safety issues with Fire & Police.
COUNCIL ACTION: If determined to be appropriate by the City Council, approve first reading of
the Ordinance approving a Code amendment to permit secondary living units in the R-4 and R-5
zoning districts under certain conditions.
Alderman Reisenberg made a motion to approve first reading of the Ordinance approving a Code
amendment to permit secondary living units in the R-4 and R-5 zoning districts under certain
conditions, seconded by Alderman Beidler. The following voted “Yea”: Aldermen Waldeck, Beidler,
Moore, Pandaleon, Tack, Reisenberg and Moreno. The following voted “Nay”: None. 7 Yeas, 0
Nays, motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
EXECUTIVE SESSION pursuant to 5ILCS 120/2 (c), (5), The City Council will be discussing the
purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body, including for the purpose of
discussing whether a particular parcel should be acquired and 5ILCS 120/2 (6), The City Council will
be discussing the consideration for the sale or lease of property owned by the Public Body, and
5ILCS 120/2 (21), semi-annual review of the minutes mandated by Section 2.06 of the Open
Meetings Act.
Adjournment into executive session
Alderman Pandaleon made a motion to adjourn into executive session at 6:40pm, seconded by
Alderman Beidler. The following voted “Yea”: Aldermen Waldeck, Beidler, Moore, Pandaleon,
Tack, Reisenberg and Moreno. The following voted “Nay”: None. 7 Yeas, 0 Nays, motion carried.
RECONVENE INTO REGULAR SESSION All members of the City Council are still present at 9:50pm
1. Consideration of approval/ review of executive session minutes.
COUNCIL ACTION: Approval/review of executive session minutes that include the dates of:
11/15/2010,1/31/2011,2/7/2011,2/22/2011,7/18/2011,9/19/2011,11/7/2011,8/4/2014 and
5/19/2014
Alderman Reisenberg made a motion to Approval review of executive session minutes that include
the dates of: 1/15/2010, 1/31/2011,2/7/2011,2/22/2011,7/18/2011, 9/19/2011, 11/7/2011,
8/4/2014 and 5/19/2014, seconded by Alderman Beidler. The following voted “Yea”: Aldermen
Waldeck, Beidler, Moore, Pandaleon, Tack, Reisenberg and Moreno. The following voted “Nay”:
None. 7 Yeas, 0 Nays, motion carried.
ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION
Proceedings of the November 3, 2014
Regular City Council Meeting
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business. Alderman Reisenberg made a motion to adjourn, seconded by
Alderman Moore Motion carried unanimously by voice vote at 9:55 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.