CITY COUNCIL 2017/03/06 MinutesThe City of Lake Forest
CITY COUNCIL
Proceedings of the Monday, March 3, 2017
City Council Meeting - City Council Chambers, 6:30 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Honorable Mayor Schoenheider called the meeting to order at 6:31 pm,
and City Clerk Margaret Boyer called the roll of Council members.
Present: Honorable Mayor Schoenheider, Alderman Waldeck, Alderman Pandaleon, Alderman Newman,
Alderman Tack, Alderman Reisenberg, Alderman Moreno and Alderman Buschmann.
Absent: Alderman Beidler
Also present were: Robert Kiely Jr., City Manager; Catherine Czerniak, Director of Community Development,
Elizabeth Holleb, Director of Finance; Robert Pickrell, City Attorney; Susan Banks, Communications
Manager; Michael Thomas, Director of Public Works; Karl Walldorf, Chief of Police; Pete Siebert, Acting Fire
Chief; Mike Strong, Assistant to the City Manager along with other members of City Staff.
There were approximately 100 persons present in the Council Chamber.
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL 6:31 pm
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited by all those present in the Chamber.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS
COMMENTS BY MAYOR
A. Resolution of Appreciation for retiring Fire Marshall, Robert Serkowski
Mayor Schoenheider read the Resolution and photos were taken. Mr. Serkowski expressed his thanks to the
Council, staff, and residents for the opportunity to work in Lake Forest.
COUNCIL ACTION: Approve the Resolution
Alderman Moreno made a motion to approve the Resolution, seconded by Alderman Pandaleon. Motion
carried unanimously by voice vote.
B. Swear in Police Commander Dwight Davis
Mayor Schoenheider swore in new Police Commander Dwight Davis, whose wife pinned his police badge on
his uniform. Photos were taken. Police Chief Karl Walldorf gave background on Commander Davis’s history
with the Lake Forest Police Department.
C. Approval of an Ordinance Amending Chapter 111 (“Alcoholic Beverages”) of the City
Code Relating to “Sip and Shop” and “Bring Your Own Beverage” Liquor Licenses (Waive
First Reading and Grant Final Approval)
The City Attorney provided background on the three types of licensing proposed in amending the
Ordinance, stating that the City has been approached by various businesses and other entities seeking
approvals for new types of liquor licenses, including one for a “Sip and Shop” type of license at Sunset Foods
and one for a “Bring Your Own Beverage” type of license for establishments that do not hold a liquor license
Proceedings of the Monday, March 6, 2017
Regular City Council Meeting
to allow customers to bring in their own beer and wine. This ordinance would also allow the City’s liquor
regulations to permit one day BYOB licenses on City property. The City Council had discussion on corkage
fees, time restrictions and the Chamber.
Mayor Schoenheider introduced John Cortesi of Sunset Foods who gave a brief overview of the store’s
improvements. Under Section 30-42 of the City Code, the Council's two-reading rule for ordinances cannot
be waived when setting fees. However through the City’s home rule powers, the City Council can disregard
its own procedural rules when relative to urgency, as in this case, for a business which is applying for the
“bring your own beverage” (BYOB) License.
COMMENTS BY CITY MANAGER
City Manager Robert Kiely stated that Education is one of the four cornerstones in the community, and he
was pleased to have both District 67 & 115 at the meeting to present to the City Council.
A. Community Spotlights
1. Lake Forest Elementary School District 67
-Mike Borkowski, President, Board of Education
2. Lake Forest High School District 115
-Mike Simeck, Superintendent
-Reese Marcusson, President, Board of Education
The City Council was given an update of what is happening in both school districts, as well as the states of
their financial positions. The City Council had discussion on these topics and Mayor Schoenheider echoed
the City Manager’s comment that Education is an important component of the City’s four cornerstones and
that he appreciates the schools’ continuing commitment to quality education for our children.
3. LEAD Speak Up! Prevention Coalition
-Andy Duran, Executive Director
Mr. Duran was absent. This presentation will be seen at a future City Council date.
COMMENTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS
There were no additional comments.
OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
There were no comments from the audience members.
ITEMS FOR OMNIBUS VOTE CONSIDERATION
1. Approval of the February 21, 2017 City Council Meeting Minutes
2. Check Register for Period January 28- February 24, 2017
3. Award of Contract for the West Fork Drive and Hackberry Lane Drainage Improvements
4. Request Approval to Participate in Lake County’s Road Salt Renewal Year Contract for Winter
2017/2018
Proceedings of the Monday, March 6, 2017
Regular City Council Meeting
5. Award of Bid for the Replacement of the Street Sweeper for the Streets Section Included in
the F.Y. 2018 Capital Equipment Budget
6. Award of Bid for the Replacement of a ½-Ton Pick-Up Truck for the Streets Section Included
in the F.Y. 2018 Capital Equipment Budget
7. Award of Bid for the Replacement of a ¾-Ton Pick-Up Truck for the Building Maintenance
Section Included in the F.Y. 2018 Capital Equipment Budget
COUNCIL ACTION: Approval of the seven (7) Omnibus items as presented
Mayor Schoenheider asked members of the Council if they would like to remove any item or take it
separately. Mayor Schoenheider asked for a motion to approve the seven Omnibus items as presented.
Alderman Tack made a motion to approve the seven Omnibus items as presented, seconded by Alderman
Pandaleon. The following voted “Aye”: Aldermen Waldeck, Pandaleon, Newman, Tack, Reisenberg, Moreno
and Buschmann. The following voted “Nay”: None. 7- Ayes, 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 AFFECTING CODE AMENDMENTS
NEW BUSINESS
ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION
1. Discussion Relating to Proposed Improvements on the Milwaukee District North Line
associated with the Chicago-Milwaukee Hiawatha Service Environmental Assessment
Mayor Schoenheider stated that the City Council is grateful for the community engagement on the topic,
that the Council understands that this issue is complicated and impactful to the City on many levels. Mayor
Schoenheider reported that there will be no action on this item, no public comment taken. He directed the
City Council to discuss the issue only and try to determine what the City’s next steps will be and how the
City Council can support the community going forward
City Manager Robert Kiely provided background to date on the status of the draft Environmental
Assessment being prepared by the Federal Railroad Administration with respect to the City of Lake Forest
input and that of its residents. He stated that he is told the process is proceeding but the Federal Railroad
Authority’s findings have been delayed due to the complexity of the issue. Mr. Kiely recapped the FRA’s
approval process and added that the City has specifically asked for statistics relating to freight train noise
and vibrations. A great deal of discussion occurred amongst members of the City Council, and many
questions were asked that included construction timeline, ownership, control of the freight trains, an
Amtrak stop, the proposed underpass, freight train noise and vibration, and next steps of the FRA (Federal
Railway Authority), Metra and Amtrak.
Mayor Schoenheider reported that he has spoken with Congressman Brad Schneider and been in contact
with Senator Duckworth’s office, remarking that Senator Duckworth serves on the Commerce Committee,
which controls the U.S. railways. At the conclusion of the discussion, Mayor Schoenheider stated that the
Proceedings of the Monday, March 6, 2017
Regular City Council Meeting
City Council and staff will continue to ask local and national legislators questions and try to get answers for
concerned residents. He stated that he is grateful for all the resident input and appreciative of the depth of
City Council discussion.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business. Alderman Pandaleon made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Alderman
Moreno. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote at 8:36 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted
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.