Loading...
CITY COUNCIL 2015/02/02 MinutesThe City of Lake Forest CITY COUNCIL Proceedings of the February 2, 2015 City Council Meeting - City Council Chambers CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: 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 Pandaleon, Alderman Moore, Alderman Tack and Alderman Adelman. Absent: Alderman Waldeck, Alderman Resisenberg and Alderman Moreno. Also present were: Bob Kiely, City Manager, Robert Pickrell, City Attorney; Carina Walters, Assistant City Manager; Susan Banks, Communications Manager; Catherine Czerniak, Director of Community Development; Michael Thomas, Director of Public Works, James Held, Chief of Police, Kevin Issel, Deputy Fire Chief. There were approximately 30 present in the audience. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance. REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS COMMENTS BY MAYOR Mayor Schoenheider thanked Michael Thomas and staff for their efforts in keeping ahead of clearing the snow during the blizzard. A. Resolution of Appreciation for Robert Henderson COUNCIL ACTION: Approve the Resolution Mayor Schoenheider read the Resolution. Alderman Moore made a motion to approve the Resolution, seconded by Alderman Adelman. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Mr. Henderson stated that it was a pleasure and an honor to serve The City of Lake Forest for the last twenty-five years. B. Swear in Police Officer William Wright Mayor Schoenheider swore in Officer Wright. COMMENTS BY CITY MANAGER A. Middlefork Savannah Award -Mike Rummel and Ann Maine, Lake County Board Representatives Proceedings of the January 20, 2015 Regular City Council Meeting City Manager, Robert Kiely introduced former Mayor Mike Rummel and Ann Maine, both Lake County Board Representatives. Mr. Rummel reported that the County is currently working on 911 dispatching, co-op salt purchases and is looking to start an initiative with communities to resolve drainage issues. Mr. Rummel stated that the Forest Preserve has received news from the Army Corp of Engineers that the GLFR Project was approved and the City Council would soon be seeing more information on the project. Work continues on the Middlefork Bridge and the Middlefork Greenway project is on the horizon. Mr. Rummel then introduced Ann Maine. Ms. Maine gave a brief overview of the planned Everett Road bicycle trail expansion, creating a Master Plan for Ft. Sheridan. The Middlefork Savannah Award is a Chicago Wilderness Platinum for Excellence in Ecological Restoration for Conservation Leadership and exemplary use of Best Management Practices in Natural Resource Restoration. Ms. Maine thanked the City for being such a great partner in preservation. City Manager Robert Kiely added that this is a very timely issue as one of the 2015 goals is to reconnect residents with the many outdoor destinations that are in our own backyard. B. Electric Aggregation Update -Carina Walters, Assistant City Manager City Manager Robert Kiely stated that this item will be brought back to the Feb 17 City Council meeting. Mr. Kiely then introduced Michael Thomas, Director of Public Works who gave an overview of the blizzard and the City’s response. COMMENTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS A. Property and Public Land Committee 1. Purchase of Real Estate from Lake Forest College relating to the Central Business District (CBD) Train Station Parking Carina Walters, Assistant City Manager, reported that the Property and Public Land Committee (PPL) recommends the purchase of portions of the CBD train station parking lots owned by Lake Forest College. Ms. Walters reported that the City of Lake Forest, Lake Forest College and Union Pacific each own a portion of the Union Pacific North Lot, Union Pacific South Lot, North Shore Lot and McKinley Parking Lots. In 1992 The City of Lake Forest entered into a lease agreement with Lake Forest College for those spaces owned by the College that the City uses for commuter parking spaces. The agreement stated the City would pay the College a portion of the revenues collected from parking fees. In 2007 the lease expired. Ms. Walters reported that in 2010 the College approached the City to begin discussions regarding the potential renegotiation of the lease; however, discussions were put on hold by the College. In 2011, the discussions resumed; however, due to the unclear ownership of parcels both parties agreed to complete an ALTA Survey in order to identify the property boundaries and then to complete an appraisal. Proceedings of the January 20, 2015 Regular City Council Meeting Ms. Walters added that in 2013 and 2014 the City solidified a contract with Zip Cars, applied for a CMAP grant to install a bike shelter and within the last eight months, the City received a $1 million dollar grant to separate the bike path from vehicular traffic at the East Train Station. In May the City received an appraisal from RECI, they completed the assessment on behalf of the College indicating the property was worth $2,040,000. A purchase price was negotiated to $1,787,500 and the payoff breakdown is as follows: Purchase Price: $1,787,500 From Paid Parking Fund (at closing) $957,420 Pay to Seller (July 2015) $173,360 Pay to Seller (July 2016) $173,360 Johnson Science Building Permit fee* $310,000 Pay to Seller (July 2017)* $173,360 *Estimated figure based on final calculation made at time of building permit submittal and “True- Up” of balance to be paid. The City Council had discussion about the lease the overall total cost, where the funding would come from and best land use. City Manager Robert Kiely stated that the money would come from fees already collected from the paid parking fund that has been rolled into the general fund, and the balance would come from the CIP in future years. The money collected in the paid parking fund had to be used for a parking related purchase. City Manager Robert Kiely added that the City was in a position to lose control of the spaces. Mayor Schoenheider asked if there was anyone from the Public who wanted to comment on the matter, seeing none, he asked for a motion to approve a Resolution to approve a contract for the acquisition of parking lot properties from Lake Forest College. COUNCIL ACTION: Approval of the Purchase of Real Estate from Lake Forest College relating to the Central Business District (CBD) Train Station Parking Alderman Pandaleon made a motion to approve a resolution to approve a contract for the acquisition of parking lot properties from Lake Forest College, seconded by Alderman Beidler. The following voted “Yea”: Aldermen Beidler, Pandaleon, Moore, Tack and Adelman. The following voted “Nay”: None. 5 Yeas, 0 Nays, motion carried. B. Public Works Committee 1. Consideration and Approval to accelerate funding for the Emerald Ash Borer Program and Approval to Continue Existing Contracts for Additional FY 15 Ash Tree and Stump Removals Chuck Myers, Superintendent of Parks, Cemetery & Forestry, reported that the Forestry Section has expended its FY 15 funding of $200,000 for the removal of over 800 infested ash trees, leaving an additional 1,263 ash trees identified for removal. Due to the unmitigated number of trees still standing, the Forestry section is requesting an additional $160,000 be allocated from the Capital Proceedings of the January 20, 2015 Regular City Council Meeting Fund 311 to the current FY 15 Capital Fund 311 for Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) removals. This would allow Forestry to work with contractors to remove the entire amount of tagged trees quickly, which would help mitigate the threat that dead and dying ash trees pose to the community. Mr. Myers reported that the funding for the annual tree and stump removal contract is budgeted in the Capital Fund 311. Exhibited below are two options of the Capital Fund 311 relating to EAB. Exhibit 1 shows the accelerated version of Capital Fund 311 over the next five years. Exhibit 2 shows the current projected budget for Capital Fund 311for the same duration. Most notable is the City’s capacity to reduce the potential vulnerabilities associated with EAB in a timelier and managed approach in addition to reducing the overall capital expenses for EAB by $180,000. Exhibit 1 – Modified (Accelerated) Plan FY 15 FY 16 FY 17 FY 18 FY 19 FY 20 Total Tree Replacement $60,000 $100,000 $150,000 $150,000 $150,000 $610,000 EAB Removals $160,000 $190,000 $50,000 $50,000 $50,000 $50,000 $550,000 EAB Treatments $40,000 $15,000 $25,000 0 0 $80,000 TOTAL $160,000 $290,000 $165,000 $225,000 $200,000 $200,000 $1,240,000 Exhibit 2 – Original Plan FY 16 FY 17 FY 18 FY 19 FY 20 Total Tree Replacement $60,000 $100,000 $150,000 $150,000 $150,000 $610,000 EAB Removals $200,000 $200,000 $150,000 $50,000 $50,000 $650,000 EAB Treatments $40,000 $20,000 $40,000 $20,000 $40,000 $160,000 TOTAL $300,000 $320,000 $340,000 $220,000 $240,000 $1,420,000 On February 27, 2014, staff received five bids for the tree and stump removals for FY 15 as detailed below. The Park Board and City Council approved the contracts with the three lowest bidders. Trees 6”-15.9” Approx. 3,100 in. Trees 16”-29.9” Approx. 1,600 in. Trees over 30” Approx. 400 in. Clean Cut Tree Service $12.40 $23.05 $39.40 Kinnucan Tree Experts $20.50 $23.00 $24.50 Lucas Landscaping and Design $19.50 $29.75 $35.00 Tree’s R Us $18.99 $30.45 $37.00 Nels Johnson Tree Experts $20.50 $32.00 $37.00 *Prices are based on per inch of tree diameter to include stump removal and restoration Proceedings of the January 20, 2015 Regular City Council Meeting The contractors successfully completed the work that was scheduled for FY 15 and with the approved $200,000 from Capital Fund 311. Based on the successful results of the FY 15 removals and the potential risk of the remaining 1,263 tagged trees, staff is recommending the continuation of existing contracts with Clean Cut Tree Service, Kinnucan Tree Experts and Lucas Landscaping and Design for additional FY 15 ash tree and stump removals. FY 15 Funding Source Amount Budgeted Amount Requested Budgeted? Y/N Capital Fund 311 $ 0* $ 160,000 N * The $200,000 that was originally budgeted for FY 15 has been expended and the $160,000 is in addition to the original amount. COUNCIL ACTION: By motion, approve to authorize an additional $160,000 for the City’s FY 15 accelerated EAB Eradication Program to be performed pursuant to the approved FY 15 tree removal contracts, which additional sums are germane to the original contracts and are being authorized to advance the best interest of the City and its residents. Mayor Schoenheider asked if there was anyone from the Public who wanted to comment on the matter, seeing none he asked for a motion. Alderman Beidler made a motion to approve to authorize an additional $160,000 for the City’s FY 15 accelerated EAB Eradication Program to be performed pursuant to the approved FY 15 tree removal contracts, which additional sums are germane to the original contracts and are being authorized to advance the best interest of the City and its residents, seconded by Alderman Moore. The following voted “Yea”: Aldermen Beidler, Pandaleon, Moore, Tack and Adelman. The following voted “Nay”: None. 5 Yeas, 0 Nays, motion carried. OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS Paul Hamman, 511 Beverley offered his opinion on TIF districts. ITEMS FOR OMNIBUS VOTE CONSIDERATION 1. Approval of the January 20, 2015 City Council meeting Minutes 2. Check Register for December 27, 2014- January 23, 2015 3. Resolution of Appreciation for Mark Ventling, Gorton Board Member 4. Resolution of Sympathy for former Water Plant Operator, Fred Roscher 5. Ratify a Letter of Understanding between the City of Lake Forest and School Districts 67 and 115 in which the City of Lake Forest agrees to provide qualified School Resource Officers to the High School and District 67 while the school districts will absorb 67.79% (33.90% per district) of the cost of the most senior SRO. Proceedings of the January 20, 2015 Regular City Council Meeting COUNCIL ACTION: Approve the five (5) Omnibus items as presented. 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 five Omnibus items. Alderman Moore made a motion to approve the Omnibus items with a scrivener’s error in the minutes, seconded by Alderman Adelman. The following voted “Yea”: Aldermen Beidler, Pandaleon, Moore, Tack and Adelman. The following voted “Nay”: None. 5 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 ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION None. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business. Alderman Reisenberg made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Tack. 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.