CITY COUNCIL 2020/11/02 MinutesThe City of Lake Forest
CITY COUNCIL
Proceedings of the Monday, November 2, 2020
City Council Meeting - City Council Chambers
REMOTE ACCESS MEETING
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 Morris, Alderman Karras, Alderman Rummel, Alderman
Notz, Alderman Preschlack, Alderman Goshgarian, Alderman Buschmann and Alderman Weber.
Absent: none
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS
COMMENTS BY MAYOR
Mayor Pandaleon 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 2, 2020
City Council meeting is being held remotely.
Mayor Pandaleon made a brief statement about Halloween and thanked the community for following IDPH
and CDC recommended guidelines.
A. Tree Lighting Update
- Sally Swarthout, Director of Parks and Recreation
Sally Swarthout, Director of Parks and Recreation presented a reimagined tree lighting celebration for 2020.
She stated that the Friends of Lake Forest Parks & Recreation Foundation have planned an alternative
celebration plan to avoid a large gathering in Market Square. In this plan, the trees and lights will still be in
market square, however, there will be seven neighborhood parks that will also be decorated with holiday
decorations.
The City Council had discussion about other areas and parks that could potentially participate in the annual
tree lighting ceremony.
Mayor Pandaleon introduced Michael Thomas, Director of Public Works to give a brief update about the
Deerpath/Route 41 project. Director Thomas stated that the City is participating in a pre-construction
meeting Friday, November 6 with IDOT. Additionally, he explained the construction that would take place
and a potential timeline for the project.
The City Council had lengthy discussion about traffic concerns on Deerpath while completing the
construction project. City Manager Wicha stated that communication from the City in relation to this project
would be forthcoming.
Proceedings of the Monday, November 2, 2020
Regular City Council Meeting
COMMENTS BY CITY MANAGER
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
1. Determination of Non-Binding Estimate of the Amount of Revenue to be generated from
Property Taxes for the 2020 Calendar Year in Accordance with the Truth in Taxation Statute
and Establishment of a Public Hearing Date for the 2020 Tax Levy (if required)
Elizabeth Holleb, Finance Director gave a brief presentation of non-binding estimate of the 2020 property
tax levy for the City. She explained that the numbers presented today were also discussed at the October 19
Finance Committee stating that under State Statutes, the Council is required to approve a non-binding
estimate at least 20 days prior to considering the tax levy.
COUNCIL ACTION: Determination of a Non-Binding Estimate of the Amount of Revenue to be generated
from Property Taxes for the 2020 Calendar Year and establishment of December 7, 2020 as a public
hearing date (if required) in Accordance with the Truth in Taxation Statute.
Mayor Pandaleon asked members of the Council if there were any additional questions or comments.
Seeing none he asked for a motion.
Alderman Morris made a motion to acknowledge the determination of a Non-Binding Estimate of the
Amount of Revenue to be generated from Property Taxes for the 2020 Calendar Year and establishment of
December 7, 2020 as a public hearing date (if required) in Accordance with the Truth in Taxation Statute,
seconded by 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.
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
1. Audit Committee Report and Presentation of the Fiscal Year 2020 Comprehensive Annual
Financial Report
Vince Sparrow, Audit Committee Chairman gave a brief presentation on the work the Committee has
conducted on for various Foundations in the City. He gave a breakdown of the overall financial reporting
documents created by City staff, and how the Audit Committee discussed the report to ensure the accuracy
of the reporting.
Mr. Sparrow also gave congratulations as the City has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for
Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association for forty-one (41)
consecutive years. This year’s report will once again be submitted to GFOA for consideration of this award.
The City Council thanked Chairman Sparrow and the Audit Committee for their work they have done to
monitor the financial reports conducted by the City.
COUNCIL ACTION: Receipt of the audit report for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2020
Proceedings of the Monday, November 2, 2020
Regular City Council Meeting
Mayor Pandaleon asked members of the Council if there were any additional questions or comments.
Seeing none he asked for a motion.
Alderman Morris made a motion to accept receipt of the audit report for the fiscal year ended April 30,
2020, 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.
ITEMS FOR OMNIBUS VOTE CONSIDERATION
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 October 19, 2020 City Council Meeting Minutes
3. Approval of the Check Register for the Period of September 26 to October 23, 2020
4. Approval of the Fourth and Fifth Year of Contract with American Printing Technologies (APT)
for Vehicle, Pet and Parking Licenses/Permits Services
5. Approval of a Memorandum of Understanding Between The City of Lake Forest and Lake
County 211 Program to Enhance Information Resources in the Event of Natural Disasters.
6. Award of contract with Advanced Tree Care, for an amount not to exceed $42,000, as part of
the MPI Tree Pruning Services Joint Bid for FY2021.
7. Approval to Purchase a ProWall Outdoor Ice Rink System for West Park, in the Amount of
$49,810.
8. Consideration of Ordinance Approving a Recommendation from the Zoning Board of
Appeals. (First Reading, and if Desired by the City Council, Final Approval)
9. Consideration of an Ordinance Approving a Recommendation from the Building Review
Board. (First Reading, and if Desired by the City Council, Final Approval)
COUNCIL ACTION: Approval of the nine (9) Omnibus items as presented
Mayor Pandaleon asked members of the Council if they would like to remove any item or take it separately.
Seeing none, he asked for a motion.
Alderman Rummel made a motion to approve the nine (9) Omnibus items as presented, 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.
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
Proceedings of the Monday, November 2, 2020
Regular City Council Meeting
NEW BUSINESS
ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION/COMMENTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business Mayor Pandaleon asked for a motion. Alderman Weber made a motion to
adjourn, seconded by Alderman Rummel. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote at 7:14 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.