CITY COUNCIL 2019/11/18 MinutesThe City of Lake Forest
CITY COUNCIL
Proceedings of the Monday, November 18, 2019
City Council Meeting - City Council Chambers
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Honorable Mayor Pandaleon called the meeting to order at 6:30pm, and
the City Clerk Margaret Boyer called the roll of Council members.
Present: Honorable Mayor Pandaleon, Alderman Beidler, Alderman Morris, Alderman Newman, Alderman
Rummel, Alderman Preschlack, Alderman Goshgarian, Alderman Moreno and Alderman Buschmann.
Absent: none
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited by all those present in the Chambers.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS
COMMENTS BY MAYOR
Mayor Pandaleon acknowledged Cub Scout Pack 148 in attendance. He also reported on a number of
seasonal activities for families to participate in over the holidays. He reported that the information is
available on a number of websites including the Lake Forest Lake Bluff Chamber of Commerce and The City
of Lake Forest website.
A. Children’s Grief Awareness Day, Thursday, November 21
Mayor Pandaleon read the proclamation and presented it to Natalie Juarez of Rainbows for all Children,
photos were taken.
B. Lake Forest Garden Club Check Presentation
- Loren Dixon, President, Lake Forest Garden Club
Mayor Pandaleon introduced Lake Forest Garden Club President Loren Dixon. Ms. Dixon gave a presentation
of the Garden Clubs work to date. She presented the Mayor with a check for $110.000 to fund a Citywide
Recycling Education Campaign. Photos were taken.
COMMENTS BY CITY MANAGER
A. Community Spotlight
US CENSUS- Catherine Czerniak, Director of Community Development
City Manager Jason Wicha introduced Director of Community Development, Catherine Czerniak. Ms.
Czerniak reported that the Census is a guide to future planning. She introduced Michelle Friedrich, who
provided detailed information concerning the 2020 Census that included a timeline of actions to include
“Educate, Encourage and Engage” of residents. Detailed information can be found on the City of Lake Forest
website.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
FINANCE COMMITTEE
1. Consideration of an Ordinance Establishing the 2019 Tax Levy (First Reading)
Proceedings of the Monday, November 18, 2019
Regular City Council Meeting
Elizabeth Holleb, Finance Director, reported that the tax levy has been discussed in various capacities over
several meetings. Ms. Holleb reviewed spreadsheets related to the proposed tax levy for 2019. They
included: 1) the tax levy limitations under the tax cap; 2) the tax levy distributed by fund without new
growth and allowances distributed; 3) the tax levy by fund with new growth and allowances distributed; and
4) an explanation of the tax increase to an average homeowner which is an average increase to existing
residents ($800,000 home) is projected to be $130 or 3.82%
A summary of the proposed levy is as follows:
The City Council had discussion on Bond Funds and the anomaly of CIP having a line item in the levy.
Mayor Pandaleon asked if anyone from the public would like to comment on this item. Seeing none, he
asked for a motion.
COUNCIL ACTION: Grant first reading of an Ordinance Establishing the 2019 Tax Levy (page 17).
Alderman Preschlack made a motion to grant first reading of an Ordinance Establishing the 2019 Tax Levy,
seconded by Alderman Goshgarian. The following voted “Aye”: Alderman Beidler, Morris, Notz, Rummel,
Preschlack, Goshgarian, Moreno and Buschmann. The following voted “Nay”: None. 8-Ayes, 0 Nays, motion
carried.
2. Consideration of an Ordinance approving a Fee Schedule and Ordinances adopting new fees
(First Reading)
Elizabeth Holleb, Finance Director, reported this item was discussed in the CIP Workshop on November 12.
She gave a summary review of the comprehensive fee schedule, noting that proposed fee increases are
highlighted in yellow and the proposed new fees highlighted in orange. Ms. Holleb noted that fees related
to the Water Utility Fund are not yet incorporated into the proposed fee schedule and will be considered by
the City Council Finance Committee in January.
The City Council had discussion on how fees are developed and benchmarked.
Proposed
FUND 2019 LEVY 2018 Extension $ CHANGE % CHANGE
City General 14,343,735$ 13,870,423$ 473,312$ 3.41%
Pension Funds 6,307,357 5,541,293 766,064 13.82%
Fire Pension PA 93-0689 103,759 91,348 12,411 13.59%
Recreation 1,460,324 1,433,095 27,229 1.90%
Parks 3,250,399 3,189,793 60,606 1.90%
Recreation & Parks/Specific Purpose 125,000 125,000 0 0.00%
Special Recreation 483,856 474,834 9,022 1.90%
Capital Improvements 1,538,000 1,730,225 (192,225)-11.11%
Library 3,863,741 3,762,716 101,025 2.68%
Library sites 419,329 411,510 7,819 1.90%
Bond Funds 1,901,821 1,669,665 232,156 13.90%
TOTAL TAX LEVY - CITY 33,797,321$ 32,299,902$ 1,497,419$ 4.64%
School District 67- ESTIMATED -$ - -$
GRAND TOTAL 33,797,321 32,299,902 1,497,419$ 4.64%
Ordinance (exclude Bond Funds)$31,895,500
Proceedings of the Monday, November 18, 2019
Regular City Council Meeting
Mayor Pandaleon asked if anyone from the public would like to comment on this item. Seeing none, he
asked for a motion.
.
COUNCIL ACTION: Grant first reading to the proposed ordinances.
Alderman Preschlack made a motion to grant first reading to the proposed ordinances, seconded by
Alderman Goshgarian. The following voted “Aye”: Alderman Beidler, Morris, Notz, Rummel, Preschlack,
Goshgarian, Moreno and Buschmann. The following voted “Nay”: None. 8-Ayes, 0 Nays, motion carried.
3. Consideration of an Ordinance Providing for the issuance of not to exceed $19,500,000
General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2019, for the purpose of refunding certain
outstanding general obligation bonds of the City, providing for the levy and collection of a
direct annual tax sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on said bonds, authorizing and
directing the execution of an escrow agreement in connection with the issuance of said
bonds, and authorizing the sale of said bonds to the winning bidder thereof.
Elizabeth Holleb, Finance Director, reported that this item was discussed at the October 21 Finance
Committee meeting. Ms. Holleb reported that the City regularly monitors bond market conditions to assess
opportunities to refund, or refinance, existing debt obligations and achieve a savings through lower interest
rates. A preliminary official statement, which has been submitted to Moody’s Investors Service with a
request for a rating. A rating review was conducted on November 11 and a decision is anticipated on or
before November 22.
Based on current bond market conditions, staff is recommending that the City proceed with a refunding in
December while noting the parameters that set the guidelines for refunding. Ms. Holleb reported the
interest rate on the refunding bond issue will be determined at the online bid auction scheduled for
December 4.
The City Council had discussion regarding proposed refunding issue, including schedule and projected
savings.
Mayor Pandaleon asked if anyone from the public would like to comment on this item. Seeing none, he
asked for a motion.
COUNCIL ACTION: Approval of first reading of the bond ordinance (page130). An online bid will occur on
Wednesday, December 4. At the December 2 City Council meeting, a final bond ordinance will be
presented for City Council consideration that will set forth the parameters under which a bid received on
December 4 would be approved allowing for the closing of the bond issue on December 19. If no bid
submitted on December 4 meets the parameters of the bond ordinance approved on December 2, the
bids would be rejected and the bond issue would not proceed.
Alderman Morris made a motion to grant first reading of the bond ordinance, seconded by Alderman
Preschlack. The following voted “Aye”: Alderman Beidler, Morris, Notz, Rummel, Preschlack, Goshgarian,
Moreno and Buschmann. The following voted “Nay”: None. 8-Ayes, 0 Nays, motion carried.
OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Proceedings of the Monday, November 18, 2019
Regular City Council Meeting
ITEMS FOR OMNIBUS VOTE CONSIDERATION
1. Approval of the November 4, 2019 City Council Meeting Minutes
2. Acceptance of a check in the amount of $ 110.000 granting a Waiver of Procedures and
Approval of All City Expenditures to Execute the Citywide Recycling Education Campaign
Grant as Outlined in the Lake Forest Garden Club’s Request for Proposal in the Amount of
$110,000
3. Award of Proposal to Midwest Power Industries, Inc. for a Three Year Generator
Maintenance Contract in the amount of $53,400.00
4. Approval of a First Addendum to the License Agreement Between the City of Lake Forest and
the Music Institute of Chicago to occupy a portion of Volwiler Hall at 40 E. Old Mill Road
5. Consideration of an Ordinance Approving a Recommendation from the Historic Preservation
Commission. (First Reading and if Desired by the City Council, Final Approval)
COUNCIL ACTION: Approval of the five (5) Omnibus items as presented
Mayor Pandaleon asked members of the Council if they would like to remove any item or take it separately.
The City Council had discussion on item #2. Mayor Pandaleon asked again if any member of the Council
would like to remove any item or take it separately. Hearing none, Mayor Pandaleon asked for a motion to
approve the five (5) Omnibus items as presented.
Alderman Rummel made a motion to approve the five omnibus items as presented, seconded by Alderman
Preschlack. The following voted “Aye”: Alderman Beidler, Morris, Notz, Rummel, Preschlack, Goshgarian,
Moreno and Buschmann. The following voted “Nay”: None. 8-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
ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION/COMMENTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS
1. EXECUTIVE SESSION pursuant to 5ILCS 120/2 (c) (11), The City Council will be discussing
threatened or pending litigation.
Alderman Rummel made a motion to adjourn into executive session pursuant to 5ILCS 120/2 (c) (11), The
City Council will be discussing threatened or pending litigation, seconded by Alderman Beidler. The following
voted “Aye”: Alderman Beidler, Morris, Notz, Rummel, Preschlack, Goshgarian, Moreno and Buschmann.
The following voted “Nay”: None. 8-Ayes, 0 Nays, motion carried.
Adjournment into Executive Session at 7:30pm
Proceedings of the Monday, November 18, 2019
Regular City Council Meeting
Reconvene into Regular Session 8:38pm
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business Mayor Pandaleon asked for a motion. Alderman Beidler made a motion to
adjourn, seconded by Alderman Buschmann. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote at 8:39pm.
Respectfully Submitted
Margaret Boyer, 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.