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CITY COUNCIL 2020/11/16 MinutesThe City of Lake Forest CITY COUNCIL Proceedings of the Monday, November 16, 2020 City Council Meeting - City Council Chambers REMOTE ACCESS MEETING CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: The City Clerk asked for a motion to appoint Alderman Morris as Mayor Pro Tem. Alderman Rummel made a motion to appoint Alderman Morris as Mayor Pro Tem, seconded by Alderman Preschlack. The following voted “Aye”: Alderman Morris, Karras, Rummel, Notz, Preschlack, Goshgarian, Buschmann and Weber. The following voted “Nay”: None. 8-Ayes, 0 Nays, motion carried. Morris called the meeting to order at 6:30pm Present: Alderman Morris, Alderman Karras, Alderman Rummel, Alderman Notz, Alderman Preschlack, Alderman Goshgarian, Alderman Buschmann and Alderman Weber. Absent: Honorable Mayor Pandaleon CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited. REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS COMMENTS BY MAYOR Mayor Pro Tem Morris made the following statement as required by the Open Meetings Act. In accordance with state statute, Mayor Pandaleon has made a determination that it was not practical or prudent to schedule an in-person City Council meeting because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is why this November 16, 2020 City Council meeting is being held remotely. A. Marketing Committee Initiatives - Alderman Jennifer Karras, Marketing Committee Chair Alderman Karras gave a brief presentation and update on marketing initiatives and goals. She reviewed the initial steps conducted to establish a Marketing Committee and other campaigns being discussed amongst the Committee members. Alderman Karras discussed one of the Committees main initiatives, opening a pop-up shop in the central businesses district, with a planned opening on Friday November 27. She stated that the pop-up shop will generate additional foot traffic near the shopping district, as well as featuring 14 non-profit organizations to increase their visibility and sell branded merchandise. Alderman Karras summarized the next phase for the Committee to continue to promote Lake Forest. The City Council had discussion on print and social media advertisements as well as the budgetary impacts and goals of the Committee. Additionally, the City Council had discussion on the use of different social media platforms. B. COVID 19 Financial Impact Update - Elizabeth Holleb, Finance Director Finance Director, Elizabeth Holleb gave a brief financial impact update of the COVID-19 Pandemic on City finances. She gave an overview of the key items the Finance Department has been watching including the municipal sales tax and income tax revenue. Director Holleb concluded that the current projections have Proceedings of the Monday, November 16, 2020 Regular City Council Meeting exceeded previous expectations that were in the amended FY21 budget. She reviewed additional Funds that were impacted including the Parks and Recreation Fund, the Deerpath Golf course Fund, and the Capital Improvement Fund. Director Holleb summarized City-wide key revenue indicators stating that everything was trending positively, excluding recreation program fees, due to the lack of spring and summer programming and the motor fuel tax, which was not adjusted in the FY21 budget. Additionally, Director Holleb presented an update on the Local Business Grant Program stating that there are currently 22 applicants. The City Council had discussion on the influx of applicants for the Local Business Grant Program. Director Holleb explained that the City conducted a mailing the second week of October to businesses eligible for the grant program. Director of Community Development, Catherine Czerniak gave a brief overview of partnerships the City has engaged in with business owners. Mayor Pro Tem Morris made a brief announcement in regards to Lake Forest resident, Cindy Barber, who was selected as the Brigade Commander at the United States Naval Academy. The City Council extended their congratulations the Barber family. COMMENTS BY CITY MANAGER A. Website/Mobile Application Update - Mike Strong, Assistant City Manager - Jim Shaw, Director of Innovation and Technology City Manager, Jason Wicha introduced Director of Innovation and Technology, Jim Shaw to update the City Council on the status of the mobile application and Assistant City Manager, Mike Strong to give an update on the website redesign project. Director Shaw gave a demonstration of the application and its features and functionality. The City Council had discussion on the personnel support to keep information up to date. Assistant City Manager, Mike Strong gave a preview of the new website design and explained new functionality that would be available on the new web page. City Manager, Jason Wicha introduced Director of Public Works, Michael Thomas to give an update on the Deerpath/Route 41 project. Director Thomas gave a brief overview of the preconstruction meeting with IDOT stating that activity at the site would begin soon. He stated that once IDOT has a final construction timeline, they will share details with the City Council and Lake Forest residents. The City Council had discussion on signage requirements to make residents and visitors aware of the ongoing construction. OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS Members of the public can provide public comment by calling into the following number during the meeting: 847-810-3643 COMMITTEE REPORTS FINANCE COMMITTEE Proceedings of the Monday, November 16, 2020 Regular City Council Meeting 1. Consideration of an Ordinance Establishing the 2020 Tax Levy (First Reading) Finance Director, Elizabeth Holleb gave a presentation summarizing the schedule for the 2020 Property Tax Levy. She gave a detailed explanation, provided by the Lake County Assessor’s Office, describing changes in different revenues and expenditures. Director Holleb explained how the 2020 property tax levy will impact pension contributions and the projected impact on an average household in the City. The City Council thanked Director Holleb for presenting additional information regarding overlapping taxing districts to get their projected tax levies. COUNCIL ACTION: Grant first reading of an Ordinance Establishing the 2020 Tax Levy Alderman Goshgarian made a motion to grant first reading of an Ordinance Establishing the 2020 Tax Levy, seconded by Alderman Weber. The following voted “Aye”: Alderman Morris, Karras, Rummel, Notz, Preschlack, Goshgarian, Buschmann and Weber. The following voted “Nay”: None. 8-Ayes, 0 Nays, motion carried. 2. Approval of Ordinances Abating 2020 Tax Levies for Various G.O. Alternate Revenue Bond Issues (First Reading) Finance Director, Elizabeth Holleb gave a presentation summarizing the 2020 Debt Service Levy and Abatements, explaining how the County arrives at the amount of property taxes levied on the City’s behalf to pay the debt service. She stated the specific revenue sources intended to pay the debt service on a portion of the bonds, which gets the City to the net Levy. COUNCIL ACTION: Grant first reading of the Ordinances abating tax levies for various general Alderman Rummel made a motion to grant first reading of the Ordinances abating tax levies for various general, seconded by Alderman Preschlack. The following voted “Aye”: Alderman Morris, Karras, Rummel, Notz, Preschlack, Goshgarian, Buschmann and Weber. The following voted “Nay”: None. 8-Ayes, 0 Nays, motion carried. 3. Consideration of an Ordinance approving a Fee Schedule and Ordinances adopting new fees (First Reading) Assistant Finance Director, Diane Hall gave a brief presentation summarizing proposed changes, adopting new fees, and adjusting current fees. Finance Director, Elizabeth Holleb gave further clarification on the water rate fees, upon request of the Council. The City Council had discussion on property tax increases for commercial versus residential water usage. 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 Morris, Karras, Rummel, Notz, Preschlack, Goshgarian, Buschmann and Weber. The following voted “Nay”: None. 8-Ayes, 0 Nays, motion carried. ITEMS FOR OMNIBUS VOTE CONSIDERATION Proceedings of the Monday, November 16, 2020 Regular City Council Meeting 1. Approve the Extension of the Mayor’s Declaration of a Local State of Emergency until the next City Council Meeting 2. Approval of the November 2, 2020 City Council Meeting Minutes 3. Consideration of an Ordinance Amending the City of Lake Forest Liquor Code, to increase the number of Licenses available in Class C-1. (First reading and if appropriate final approval) 4. Consideration of a Staff Recommendation to Award a Proposal to Imperial Surveillance Inc., for the purchase of two security camera surveillance systems for the East and West Metra Train Stations in the amount of $44,928.00 with a ten percent (10%) or $4,492.00 contingency. 5. Consideration of an Ordinance Approving a Recommendation from the Historic Preservation Commission. (First Reading and if Desired by the City Council, Final Approval) 6. Request City Council Approval to Purchase a New Police Vehicle, Replacing an Existing Unit that was Involved in an Accident and Determined to be a Total Loss, to Currie Motors in the Amount of $33,802 COUNCIL ACTION: Approval of the six (6) Omnibus items as presented Mayor Pro Tem Morris asked members of the Council if they would like to remove any item or take it separately. The City Council had discussion on item #3, item #4 and item #6. Mayor Pro Tem Morris again asked members of the Council if they would like to remove any item or hear it separately. Seeing none, he asked for a motion to approve the six items as presented. Alderman Preschlack made a motion to approve the six (6) Omnibus items as presented, seconded by Alderman Rummel. The following voted “Aye”: Alderman Morris, Karras, Rummel, Notz, Preschlack, Goshgarian, Buschmann and Weber. 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 OLD BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION/COMMENTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS Alderman Rummel made a brief statement to encourage members of the Council, and members of the public to enroll in the Community Solar Program. She stated additional information could be found on the City’s website under “green energy initiative” or sign up directly at Mc2energyservices.com/il/community- solar. Proceedings of the Monday, November 16, 2020 Regular City Council Meeting ADJOURNMENT There being no further business Mayor Pro Tem asked for a motion. Alderman Rummel made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Preschlack. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote at 8:36 pm. 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.