CITY COUNCIL 2015/05/08 MinutesThe City of Lake Forest
CITY COUNCIL
Proceedings of the Monday, May 18, 2015
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: Honorable Mayor Schoenheider, Alderman Beidler, Alderman Waldeck, Alderman
Newman, Alderman Tack, Alderman Reisenberg, Alderman Moreno and Alderman Adelman.
Absent: Alderman Pandaleon
Also present were: Bob Kiely, City Manager, Victor Filippini, City Attorney; Catherine Czerniak,
Director of Community Development; Susan Banks, Communications Manager; Elizabeth Holleb,
Finance Director; Bob Ells, Superintendent of Engineering; DeSha Kalmar, HR Director, Jeff Howell,
Fire Chief; James Held, Police Chief; and Anne Whipple.
There were approximately 45 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. Resolution of Sympathy for employee Robert Wilkins
Mayor Schoenheider read the Resolution and presented it to the family, expressing the Council’s
condolences.
COUNCIL ACTION: Approve the Resolution
Alderman Reisenberg made a motion to approve the Resolution, seconded by Alderman Beidler.
Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
B. Swear in Police Officer Philip Gualdoni
Mayor Schoenheider swore in Officer Philip Gualdoni.
C. Lake Forest Day Proclamation- “McKinlock American Legion Post 264 Salutes Gorton
Community Center”
Mayor Schoenheider read the Proclamation and presented it to Commander Patricia Simmons.
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Regular City Council Meeting
D. Proclamation of Historic Preservation Month presentation to the Lake Forest Preservation
Foundation
Mayor Schoenheider read the Proclamation and presented it to Arthur Miller, President of the
Lake Forest Preservation Foundation.
COMMENTS BY CITY MANAGER
A. Community Spotlight
Lake Forest Preservation Foundation
-Arthur Miller, President Lake Forest Preservation Foundation
Arthur Miller, President Lake Forest Preservation Foundation, stated that the Foundation has been
giving awards to homeowners since 1991. He gave a brief overview of each criteria and presented
the Preservation, Reconstruction, Restoration, Rehabilitation and Infill categories award winners.
Mayor Schoenheider accepted the award for Infill on behalf of The City of Lake Forest for the City
entrance signage. Mr. Miller thanked the City Manager for recognizing the Preservation
Foundation’s impact within the City. Mayor Schoenheider added that Catherine Czerniak and staff
play a key role in preservation within the community.
COMMENTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS
SUMMARY OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MEETING
Discussion of the City's Review Process
-Jack Reisenberg, Alderman, Third Ward
Alderman Reisenberg reported that recently he and the Members from the Building Review Board,
Zoning Board of Appeals, Plan Commission and Historic Preservation Commission held a
Community Engagement Meeting to review the City’s Community Development review process on
March 12. Alderman Reisenberg reported that the attendees included architects, builders,
developers, landscape architects, managers of each local real estate office, and members of the
Preservation Foundation.
Alderman Reisenberg stated that the discussion centered on the following four questions:
1. How has the Community Development process worked for you?
2. Are there processes used in other communities that LF should consider?
3. What ideas do you have for change?
4. What should not be changed?
Mr. Reisenberg reported that overall, the Board and Commission process works well, particularly
when strong, well-developed projects are presented. Also, there seemed to be unanimity that
the process, design standards, and requirements were necessary in helping to maintain the
character and quality of Lake Forest. Additionally, there were some concerns that with reduced
staff, particularly in busy seasons, there can be longer review times, less assistance with project
design, and less time available for hands on staff support. Lastly, there was a desire for continued
updating of the construction codes, which is in progress.
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Regular City Council Meeting
Mr. Reisenberg added as a follow up to the Forum, several action steps have occurred and are
being taken. Specifically, staff will:
• Share this summary with the Boards and Commissions.
• Provide monthly updates to City Council on the turnaround time for building permits.
• Research “peer review” processes used in other communities in an effort to provide
support for architects and designers at the front end of the process.
• Invite assistance from the LF Preservation Foundation to help provide information and
raise awareness in the community of the role of good design in streamlining the review
process and direct the Boards and Commissions to continually explore ways to streamline
and clarify the process.
The City Council held a brief discussion on demolition. Alderman Reisenberg added that he was
very pleased with the results and the communications in the meeting.
Mayor Schoenheider announced that he has asked the staff to look into regulations for the use of
drones within the community.
Alderman Waldeck and Beidler announced the 1st Ward meeting at the Gorton Center on
Wednesday, May 20 at 7pm.
OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
None
ITEMS FOR OMNIBUS VOTE CONSIDERATION
1. Approval of the May 4, 2015 City Council meeting Minutes first and second session
2. Approval of a Resolution of Appreciation for the CROYA 2014-2015 Executive Committee
3. Approval of The Intergovernmental Mutual Fire Protection Agreement with the Libertyville
Fire Department for reciprocal services for Fire and Emergency Medical Calls
4. Request to award a one-year contract to grant consulting firm Administrative Consulting
Specialists to help identify, obtain and maintain City grants.
5. Approval of Benefit Consulting Services to be provided in Fiscal Year 2016 by Wright Benefit
Strategies
6. Consideration of Ordinances Approving Recommendations from the Building Review Board.
(First Reading and if Desired by the City Council, Final Approval)
7. Consideration of an Ordinance Approving a Recommendation from the Historic Preservation
Commission. (First Reading and if Desired by the City Council, Final Approval)
8. Approval to purchase new Digital Orthoimagery for GIS mapping
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9. Approval of GIS Consortium Service Provider Contract
10. Award of Lake Forest portion of the 2015 Joint Concrete Sidewalk and Curb Replacement
Contract.
COUNCIL ACTION: Approve the ten (10) Omnibus items as presented.
The City Council had discussion on item # 7. Catherine Czerniak, Director of Community
Development, reported that the since the plans were modified, the Ordinance corrects the
previous number relating to bulk. Mayor Schoenheider asked members of the Council if they
would like to remove any item or take separately. Seeing no request, he asked for a motion to
approve the ten Omnibus items with a scrivener’s error correction in the minutes.
Alderman Reisenberg made a motion to approve the Omnibus items as presented, seconded by
Alderman Tack. The following voted “Yea”: Aldermen Beidler, Waldeck, Newman, Tack,
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
NEW BUSINESS
1. Consideration of a Memorandum of Understanding between The City of Lake Forest and Lake
Forest Open Lands Association relating to an exchange of property within the City
City Manager, Robert Kiely Jr., reported Lake Forest Open Lands Association (LFOLA) has
approached the City of Lake Forest (City) to open discussions about a possible exchange (SWAP) of
properties. The exchange would involve the City owned property of McCormick Preserve and
Open Lands Park and a one quarter acre parcel of the Elawa Farm garden. Mr. Kiely introduced
John Sentell, President of Lake Forest Open Lands, who reported that the City and LFOLA have
enjoyed a successful ongoing public/private partnership that has enhanced the quality of life in
the community by preserving open space, creating conservation-based developments, enacting
positive open space zoning policies, and partnering on numerous open space and environmental
initiatives.
Mr. Sentell reported that the City possesses the skills and resources to own, manage, and improve
public parks and specialized public open spaces within City boundaries to maximize beauty,
function, and usefulness for the enjoyment and economic benefit residents. LFOLA possesses the
special expertise, financial resources, and organizational mission to manage and restore some of
the most rare and valued natural areas and public nature preserves within the City. Mr. Sentell
gave the examples of Lake Forest’s natural areas such as Middlefork Savanna, Shaw Prairie, and
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Haffner Meadow, all areas recognized and dedicated by the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission
as deserving the highest level of protection and recognition in the State of Illinois.
Mr. Sentell reported that the proposed exchange would benefit the residents of Lake Forest by
aligning each property with the entity most able to preserve, enhance and maintain them on a
long-term basis. At the same time, the opportunity for residents to use and enjoy the properties
would continue, including McCormick Day Camp, with the additional benefits of natural resource
improvements.
Mr. Sentell reported that the City and LFOLA are currently engaged in discussions with the United
States Army Corp of Engineers pertaining to participation in the Great Lakes Fishery and
Ecosystem Restoration Program (GLFER). As part of this, LFOLA intends to commit the substantial
financial resources necessary to meet the cost and management requirements, and both parties
to jointly agree to engage in an intensive restoration of McCormick Ravine as part of the Army
Corps of Engineers' federally-funded GLFER program.
The City Council had discussion of the impact of the land exchange and the consensus of the
Council was agreement that it was a good idea. Mayor Schoenheider asked if there was anyone
from the Public who wanted to comment on the topic. Seeing none, he asked for a motion.
COUNCIL ACTION: Approve the proposed Memorandum of Understanding relating to an exchange
of properties involving McCormick Nature Preserve, Open Lands Park and a portion of property at
Elawa Farm, and direct the City manager and the City Attorney to proceed with preparation of the
legal documents to effectuate the exchange.
Alderman Tack made a motion to approve the proposed Memorandum of Understanding relating
to an exchange of properties involving McCormick Nature Preserve, Open Lands Park and a
portion of property at Elawa Farm, and direct the City manager and the City Attorney to proceed
with preparation of the legal documents to effectuate the exchange, seconded by Alderman
Moreno. The following voted “Yea”: Aldermen Beidler, Waldeck, Newman, Tack, Reisenberg,
Adelman and Moreno. The following voted “Nay”: None. 7 Yeas, 0 Nays, motion carried.
ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION
Alderman Moreno stated that she was honored to serve as the City’s liaison to the CROYA Board
and feels that CROYA is a key component to the community, offering a safe environment where
children can learn and grow together.
Alderman Beidler, liaison to the Senior Resource Commission, welcomed Patty Jenkins as the new
Manager of Dickinson Hall.
ADJOURNMENT
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Regular City Council Meeting
There being no further business. Alderman Reisenberg made a motion to adjourn, seconded by
Alderman Waldeck. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote at 7:35 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.