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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. Proceedings of the May 18, 2015 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. Proceedings of the May 18, 2015 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 Proceedings of the May 18, 2015 Regular City Council Meeting 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 Proceedings of the May 18, 2015 Regular City Council Meeting 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 Proceedings of the May 18, 2015 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.