CITY COUNCIL 2018/02/20 MinutesThe City of Lake Forest
CITY COUNCIL
Proceedings of the Tuesday, February 20, 2018
City Council Meeting - City Council Chambers
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Honorable Mayor Lansing called the meeting to order at 6:31pm, and the
City Clerk, Margaret Boyer called the roll of Council members.
Present: Honorable Mayor Lansing, Alderman Beidler, Alderman Morris, Alderman Rummel, Alderman Tack,
Alderman Reisenberg, Alderman Moreno and Alderman Buschmann.
Absent: Alderman Newman
Also present were: Robert Kiely, Jr., City Manager; Victor Filippini, City Attorney; Catherine Czerniak,
Director of Community Development; Elizabeth Holleb, Director of Finance; Michael Thomas, Director of
Public Works; Pete Siebert, Fire Chief; Sally Swarthout, Director of Parks & Recreation; Susan Banks,
Communication Manager; Karl Walldorf, Chief of Police; DeSha Kalmar, Director of Human Resources; Mike
Strong, Assistant to the City Manager, along with other members of City Staff.
There were approximately 50 persons present in the Council Chamber.
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL 6:31pm
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited by all those present in the Chamber.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS
COMMENTS BY MAYOR
Mayor Lansing acknowledged the ACTION group for sponsoring an informational forum on the proposed
third track at Gorton Community Center and reported that on March 12 at 7pm, there will be forum at the
Glenbrook South High School auditorium for the same purpose. He reported that the City Council expects
the Environmental Assessment to be released in the spring and that the City of Lake Forest can work with
the other affected communities in a response to the Environmental Assessment. Mayor Lansing reiterated
that there is no member of the City Council who is in favor of a third track. He stated that the overarching
issue regarding Lake Forest’s rail corridors is safety and gave an overview of positive train control systems
planned for on all passenger rails and a new grant program (CRISI- Comprehensive Rail Infrastructure and
Safety Improvements) from the Federal Railway Administration.
Alderman Rummel reported that she has been in contact with the League of Women Voters to potentially
host an additional forum on the third track that addresses issues that are exclusive to The City of Lake
Forest. The City Council had discussion on environmental uniqueness to the City, and to understand how
other communities approach the issue.
COMMENTS BY CITY MANAGER
COMMENTS BY CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
A. Report from Special Counsel regarding Practices and Procedures
Proceedings of the Tuesday, February 20, 2018
Regular City Council Meeting-
Alderman Reisenberg reported that the City Council retained Ms. Jeter to conduct a neutral, independent
investigation of the City’s lobbying expenditures, He introduced Ms. Jeter.
Ms. Jeter read her Investigation report. It included an overview of the investigation, background regarding
the City’s structure and governance, applicable Ordinances, City policies regarding the West Train Station
and Amtrak, background regarding the retention of Chambers, Conlon and Hartwell, background regarding
payments to CCH, use of the General Fund Contingency Account, the analysis, findings and
recommendations for City Manager Bob Kiely, former Mayor Don Schoenheider, Mayor Rob Lansing, City
Attorney Vic Filippini and Finance Director Elizabeth Holleb.
Alderman Reisenberg thanked Ms. Jeter for her report and reported that she will be joining the City Council
in executive session later to answer any questions during discussions and deliberations regarding her
recommendations. He stated that as this review is concluded, the City must ensure open communication
and work to rebuild trust with its citizens. He stated that it is time to move forward and collectively focus
attention to matters that have taken a backseat to this inquiry.
Alderman Buschmann addressed the City Council and asked for a motion to reconsider the January 16, 2018
City Council minutes to include revisions he made that included topic summaries of statements of citizens
who addressed the City Council. Alderman Rummel seconded the motion. The City Council consulted the
City Attorney on if it had the authority to change previously approved minutes and any statute
requirements. The City Council continued lengthy discussion that included current policy and practice,
proposed changes to the minutes, options for citizens to write the remarks they plan to speak about and
consideration of policy change at the March 19 City Council meeting.
Alderman Rummel called the question. Mayor Lansing asked Alderman Buschmann to repeat his motion.
Alderman Buschmann made a motion to reconsider the 1/16/2018 City Council meeting minutes that were
approved at the February 5,2018 City Council meeting to include language that he has provided at the next
regular City Council meeting, Alderman Rummel seconded his motion.
On a roll call vote the following voted “Aye”: Aldermen Beidler, Morris, Rummel, and Buschmann. The
following voted “Nay”: Alderman Reisenberg, Tack and Moreno. 4- Ayes, 3 Nays, motion carried. Alderman
Reisenberg recalled his Nay vote on a misunderstanding and voted Aye, resulting in a 5- Ayes, 2 Nays vote,
and motion carried.
OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
The following persons offered their opinions to the City Council:
Linda Remensnyder, 251 King Muir Road, Lake Forest
Amy Francetic, 1322 Deerpath, Lake Forest
David Rose, 1455 White Oak Road, Lake Forest
Rick Cusack, 1126 Pine Oaks Circle, Lake Forest
JoAnn Desmond, 1681 Yale Ct, Lake Forest
Larry Remensnyder, 251 King Muir Road, Lake Forest
Lori Thuente, 524 E Illinois Road/1028 Old Mill Road, Lake Forest
Catherine Richmond, 567 Lexington Dr., Lake Forest
Les Hammar, 634 Academy Woods Dr., Lake Forest
Christine Moulder, 535 Deerpath, Lake Forest
Katheryn Galloway, Meadowood Neighborhood
Diane Fasudo, 1200 Wild Rose, Lake Forest
Proceedings of the Tuesday, February 20, 2018
Regular City Council Meeting-
Alderman Beidler explained how to use The City of Lake Forest website to review City Council meetings and
minutes and videos. Alderman Reisenberg stated that it is the position of the City Council that it is opposed
to the third track and any additional freight train traffic. Alderman Rummel asked to add to the next agenda
that the Lake Forest-Lake Bluff League of Women Voters would like to host a forum on the topic.
City Manager Robert Kiely made a statement to the City. He thanked the Council for its extensive time
commitment to this matter, he apologized for his purchasing procedure oversight and underscored that his
oversight should not reflect poorly on the Finance Department or other City employees. The City Manager
said he is looking forward to working with Alderman Morris in implementing the financial process
improvements previously outlined.
ITEMS FOR OMNIBUS VOTE CONSIDERATION
1. Approval of the February 5, 2018 City Council Meeting Minutes
2. Authorization to Transfer Donation for improvements at Deerpath Golf Course to the Friends
of Lake Forest Parks and Recreation
3. Consideration of an Ordinance Approving a Recommendation from the Building Review
Board. (First Reading and if Desired by the City Council, Final Approval)
4. Award of contract for The City of Lake Forest to Extend MPI Tree Pruning Services for
Additional Tree Pruning in FY18.
COUNCIL ACTION: Approval of the four (4) Omnibus items as presented
Mayor Lansing asked members of the Council if they would like to remove any item or take it separately.
Alderman Buschmann asked that his modifications that were sent separately to the Council, be made to the
minutes. Mayor Lansing again asked if there were any members who would like any other item removed.
Seeing none, Mayor Lansing asked for a motion to approve the four (4) Omnibus items as presented to
include modifications made to the 2/20/18 minutes by Alderman Buschmann.
Alderman Moreno made a motion to approve the four (4) Omnibus items as presented to include
modifications made by Alderman Buschmann, seconded by Alderman Beidler. The following voted “Aye”:
Aldermen Beidler, Morris, Rummel, 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
NEW BUSINESS
1. Approval of a Resolution Reauthorizing Membership in the Lake County Major Crime Task
Force
Mayor Lansing introduced Karl Walldorf, Chief of Police. He stated that endorsement of this item furthers
the mission of the Lake County Major Crime Task Force.
Proceedings of the Tuesday, February 20, 2018
Regular City Council Meeting-
Chief Walldorf reported that the two major changes authorize the Task Force to purchase insurance which,
in the event of civil litigation, will allow for more unified defense among member communities than was
previously possible. The second is the requirement that each community maintain insurance on its own.
The City Council had discussion on the changes, the number of communities with separate insurance, the
work of the Legal Committee in the past in understanding the need to provide further protection and how
the task force works in other counties
Mayor Lansing asked if there was anyone from the public who would like to comment. Seeing none, he
asked for a motion.
COUNCIL ACTION: Approval of a Resolution Reauthorizing Membership in the Lake County Major Crime
Task Force
Alderman Tack made a motion to approve a Resolution Reauthorizing Membership in the Lake County
Major Crime Task Force, seconded by Alderman Reisenberg. The following voted “Aye”: Aldermen Beidler,
Morris, Rummel, Tack, Reisenberg, Moreno and Buschmann. The following voted “Nay”: None. 7- Ayes, 0
Nays, motion carried.
ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION
Mayor Lansing reported that there will be no further business following executive session.
Mayor Lansing asked for a motion to adjourn into executive session.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
1. EXECUTIVE SESSION pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 (c), (1), The City Council will be discussing
personnel, 5 ILCS 120/2 (c), (11), The City Council will be discussing Threatened Litigation and
5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (6) The City Council will be discussing Land Disposition.
Alderman Beidler made a motion to adjourn into executive session pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 (c), (1), The City
Council will be discussing personnel, 5 ILCS 120/2 (c), (11), The City Council will be discussing threatened
litigation and 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (6) The City Council will be discussing land disposition , seconded by Alderman
Moreno. The following voted “Aye”: Aldermen Beidler, Morris, Rummel, Tack, Reisenberg, Moreno and
Buschmann. The following voted “Nay”: None. 7- Ayes, 0 Nays, motion carried.
Adjournment into Executive Session at 8:30 pm
RECONVENE INTO REGULAR SESSION at 11:20pm
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business. Alderman Moreno made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Alderman
Beidler. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote at 11:20 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted
Margaret Boyer, City Clerk
Proceedings of the Tuesday, February 20, 2018
Regular City Council Meeting-
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.