CITY COUNCIL 2014/01/21 MinutesThe City of Lake Forest
CITY COUNCIL
Proceedings of the January 21, 2014 Regular Meeting
7:30 p.m. – Council Chambers
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Mayor Schoenheider called the meeting to order at 7:30 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; Andrew Fiske, City
Attorney; Carina Walters, Assistant City Manager; Catherine Czerniak, Director of Community
Development; Susan Banks, Communications Manager, Michael Thomas, Director of Public Works,
Dan Martin, Superintendent of Public Works, Karl Walldorf, Deputy Chief of Police, Jim Held, Chief
of Police; .Kevin Issel, Fire Chief, Desha Kalmar, Director of Human Resources, Mary Van Arsdale,
Director of Parks and Recreation; Sally Swarthout, Superintendent of Recreation; and Anne
Whipple.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance.
There were approximately 20 present in the audience.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS
Comments by Mayor
Mayor Schoenheider commended Michael Thomas, the Director of Public Works and the snow
removal teams for all their hard work this season. He also said that the City of Lake Forest has lost
a great civic leader and friend with the passing of Wes Dixon. Mr. Dixon was active in the City,
including the Lake Forest Day Foundation and numerous conservation groups.
Comments by City Manager
A. Lake Forest- Lake Bluff Rotary Club 2014 Economic Breakfast
“Fiscal State of Illinois: Fitness or Folly?”
City Manager Robert Kiely told the Council that the City of Lake Forest will have a table at this
fundraiser and that Council member’s interested in attending should contact his office.
B. Community Spotlight
Proceedings of the January 21, 2014
Regular City Council Meeting
Kinderhaven Philanthropic Compassion Projects
Mary Van Arsdale, Director of Parks and Recreation, introduced Dr. Penny Robbins, Director of
Kinderhaven. Dr. Robbins reported that Kinderhaven is one of the only Reggio Emila- inspired
preschools in the area, and that “compassion” is at the heart of Kinderhaven, through the staff,
children and projects chosen. The Brown, Lockhart, Sands, and Sinclair Families were in
attendance along with Kinderhaven teaching staff. A short video was shown.
COMMENTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Alderman Moore thanked the Lake Forest Fire Department for their prompt response to his call.
OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
None.
ITEMS FOR OMNIBUS VOTE CONSIDERATION
1. Approval of the January 6, 2014 City Council minutes.
2. Approval of a Sales Contracts to Purchase Wedgewood Property
3. Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) resolution appropriating
$1,720,000 in Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) funds to be used for the 2014 Annual Street
Resurfacing (ASR) Program.
COUNCIL ACTION: Approve the Three (3) Omnibus items as presented.
Alderman Novit made a motion to approve by Omnibus vote designation as noted; item # 2 was
read as Approval of a sales contract to purchase Wedgewood property lots 22 and 24, seconded
by Alderman Pandaleon. 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.
ORDINANCES
NEW BUSINESS
Proceedings of the January 21, 2014
Regular City Council Meeting
1. Consideration of a Recommendation from the Plan Commission in Support of
Tentative and Final Plat Approval of a 2-Lot Re-Subdivision, the Green Briar Re-
Subdivision. The Property is Located on the north side of Green Briar Lane, east
of Maywood Road and is Commonly Known as 700 Green Briar Lane. (Approval
of a Motion Granting Tentative and Final Plat Approval)
Catherine Czerniak, Director of Community Development told the Council that In November, 2013,
the Plan Commission considered a request from the owners of the 44,377 square foot property
located at 700 Green Briar Lane for approval of a two lot re-subdivision. The property is currently
developed with one single family house which was built in 1953. The Property is currently zoned
R-4. After subdivision, the two newly configured lots, each 22,197 square feet in size, will be
redeveloped with new residences. The Plan Commission held a public hearing to consider the
request and heard testimony from two neighboring property owners about drainage problems in
the area. In response to the testimony, the Plan Commission recommended conditions of
approval that include a drainage easement at the time the two lots are developed. In addition, the
Commission recommended a condition requiring that at the time grading and drainage plans are
submitted for new development on the lots, the plans are made available to the neighboring
property owner to provide an opportunity for coordination of grading and drainage
improvements.
She reported that the Plan Commission voted 5 to 0 in favor of a tentative and final plat approval
for the Green Briar re-subdivision to the City Council. City staff from Public Works - Engineering
and Community Development met with the neighboring property owner to discuss the proposed
development and to review improvements that could be made, in coordination with the new
development, to improve the existing situation. As plans for development of the lots move
forward, City staff will continue to communicate with the neighboring property owner and identify
opportunities for coordination.
James Hopkinsen of 744 Greenbriar offered his opinion on the topic.
Ann Russel, neighbor to the east of the property offered her opinion on the topic.
Since the opinion offered referred to a ravine that had been filled in, City Engineer, Bob Ells
offered that the Lake County Watershed Ordinance would be adhered to in the new plans. City
Attorney Victor Filippini explained to the City Council that the Illinois Drainage Act protects
neighbors.
COUNCIL ACTION: If determined to be appropriate by the City Council, approve a motion
granting tentative and final plat approval for the Green Briar Re-Subdivision subject to
conditions as recommended by the Plan Commission.
Alderman Reisenberg made a motion to approve a motion granting tentative and final plat
approval for the Green Briar Re-Subdivision subject to conditions as recommended by the Plan
Commission, seconded by Alderman Pandaleon. 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.
Proceedings of the January 21, 2014
Regular City Council Meeting
2. Consideration of a Recommendation from the Plan Commission in Support of
the Overall Site Plan, Architectural Design, Exterior Lighting Plan and Landscape
Concept Plan for the Revitalization of Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital.
(Approval of a Resolution.)
Catherine Czerniak, Director of Community Development, said that the City Council is asked to
consider a recommendation from the Plan Commission relating to approval of plans for the
replacement hospital on the Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital Campus. In September, 2011, 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 Hospital project team has been in the
design development phase, working closely with the City Manager’s Hospital Advisory Committee
and City staff. An overall site plan was developed and refined, the building massing and design
elements took shape, a site lighting plan was prepared and landscape themes and concepts were
established for the various areas of the campus. Work continues on a detailed landscape plan and
overall signage plan.
On December 11, 2013, the overall site plan, architectural design of the building, exterior lighting
plan and landscape concepts were presented to the Plan Commission with a report and
recommendation for approval from the City Manager’s Advisory Committee.
After hearing a presentation of the plans, the Plan Commission commended the plans noting that
they comply with the approved Master Plan and the Special Use Permit and in some respects go
beyond the specific requirements of those documents to address concerns raised during the
public discussions about the Master Plan. Ms. Czerniak summarized key aspects as listed below:
The replacement Hospital is located away from neighboring residential properties,
centrally located on the eastern portion of the site.
The height of the replacement Hospital is lower than permitted by the Master Plan. The
horizontal massing of the building, with a series of vertical pavilions, further minimizes the
appearance of height and building mass.
Significant open space is provided on the campus with “no build” preserved open space
setback areas along the perimeters of the campus.
A direct road connection from the center of the Hospital campus to Route 41 was
completed as required by the previous approvals. The road is open for traffic and will
support the majority of the construction traffic as work gets underway on the site later
this year.
Additionally, she said that the public comments presented to the Plan Commission primarily
focused on minimizing traffic impacts, including headlights, on Lake Forest Place and assuring that
the no build buffer areas and the perimeters of the campus are adequately landscaped to provide
screening for residential properties and adjacent streetscapes .
Mayor Schoenheider introduced Thomas McAfee, President and CEO of Northwestern Lake Forest
Hospital, offered thanks as they worked through this complicated process with feedback from
Campus Partners. Mr. McAfee thanked Staff Catherine Czerniak and her staff, the Hospital
Proceedings of the January 21, 2014
Regular City Council Meeting
advisory Board and Bob Kiely, and remarked that this Hospital will serve generations of health care
needs.
Mayor Schoenheider offered his thanks to Thomas McAfee and City Staff for bringing this type of
world class health care to Lake Forest. He stated that The City Council is grateful to the Hospital
Advisory Committee for the hours of work that advocate for the process.
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
site plan, architectural design, exterior lighting plan and the landscape concepts plan, all subject
to conditions, as recommended by the Plan Commission.
Alderman Reisenberg made a motion to approve a Resolution affirming conformance with the
Special Use Permit and Master Plan and approving the overall site plan, architectural design,
exterior lighting plan and the landscape concepts plan, all subject to conditions, as recommended
by the Plan Commission, 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.
3. Approval of a Resolution Directing Staff to Prepare a Contract for Police and Fire
Emergency 911 Dispatch Services with the Village of Glenview
City Manager Robert Kiely reminded the Council that this topic dates back to 2010 and that in July
2012, the Village of Lake Bluff, City of Lake Forest and City of Highland Park contracted with Matrix
Consulting Group to conduct a feasibility study of consolidating 9-1-1 public safety dispatch
operations. The Consulting group submitted multiple options to the municipalities in September.
At an open meeting of the three City Councils that was held on Tuesday, December 17, 2013 at
7:00 p.m. at the Highland Park Country Club, Matrix Consulting Group presented the final draft of
the consolidation study along with the Task Force recommendation. He added that questions from
the City Council members as well as the public present were responded to. At the end of the
meeting, the consensus of the City Council members present was to proceed with bringing the
preferred option (consolidated services with Glenview, housed at Highland Park Police Station) to
each respective City Council at formal meetings in January of 2014 with a resolution to proceed
with seeking a contract to provide said services in the manner prescribed. The City of Highland
Park approved the proposed Resolution its January 13 meeting. The Village of Lake Bluff is
considering the Resolution at its January 27 meeting.
Mr. Kiely added that this Resolution doesn’t make the final decision, and that Highland Park and
Lake Bluff would be in negotiations for contract services. Along with performance metrics, quality
of service will be maintained under any consolidation moving forward.
Proceedings of the January 21, 2014
Regular City Council Meeting
Alderman Waldeck opened discussions regarding the timeliness of service. She asked that when a
resident calls 911, and should this consolidation not be successful, how would a community turn
back?
Alderman Novit stated that we need to optimize revenues and with communication and
technology improving so quickly and precisely, The City Council has an obligation to explore it.
Alderman Palmer said he was impressed with the people and the camaraderie of the City of Lake
Forest staff, but is confident that there will not be a drop off in service and that there is a greater
value in the consolidation as there is not currently a backup for the City of Lake Forest.
Alderman Pandaleon offered his understanding that consolidation is coming and that by acting
now with like-minded communities, the City of Lake Forest would actually maintain greater
control, without compromising service.
Alderman Adelman gave a breakdown of the cost of $1.9 million over 5 years as to be $62.00 per
household and asked what the cost of writing this contract would be.
City Manager Robert Kiely stated the cost is fixed, and that the three communities had the same
legal counsel. He also stated that performance metrics are a part of the contract, and that the City
of Lake Forest will be the first community to have redundant 24/7 operating system. And that
quality of service would most likely go up.
Mayor Schoenheider added that this Resolution has the full backing of Chiefs Howell and Held.
And that consolidation is the next best alternative: it will keep the City of Lake Forest in control.
He recognized it will be sad to lose dedicated employees. He reiterated that Public Safety is the
number one concern in the community.
Mrs. William Frost, a 70 year resident, offered her opinion on this topic.
COUNCIL ACTION: Approve the Resolution directing the preparation of a contract for services
with the Village of Glenview for emergency 911 dispatching.
Alderman Palmer made a motion to Approve the Resolution directing the preparation of a
contract for services with the Village of Glenview for emergency 911 dispatching, seconded by
Alderman Pandaleon. 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.
ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION
9. ADJOURNMENT INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION
Proceedings of the January 21, 2014
Regular City Council Meeting
EXECUTIVE SESSION pursuant to 5ILCS 120/2 (c) (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 (c) (11)
Pending Litigation.
Adjournment into executive session
City Manager Robert Kiely said that there will not be any action items when the Council returns
from executive session.
Alderman Palmer made a motion to adjourn into executive session for the purpose of discussing
the consideration for the sale or lease of property owned by the Public Body; and 5ILCS 120/2 (c)
(11) Pending Litigation at 9:35 p.m. , seconded by Alderman Pandaleon. 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.
RECONVENE INTO REGULAR SESSION
The City Council reconvened into regular session at 10:05 p.m.
10. CONSIDERATION OF ACTIONS PURSUANT TO EXECUTIVE SESSION DISCUSSION
No action taken
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business. Alderman Palmer made a motion to adjourn, seconded by
Alderman Moore Motion carried unanimously by voice vote at 10:05 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.