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CITY COUNCIL 2020/10/05 MinutesThe City of Lake Forest CITY COUNCIL Proceedings of the Monday, October 5, 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 by all those present. 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 October 5, 2020 City Council meeting is being held remotely. Mayor Pandaleon reported on early voting dates and times. A. Deerpath Golf Course Update - Vince Juarez, Regional Operations Executive and Jason Petree, General Manager Mayor Pandaleon introduced Vince Juarez to give a brief presentation on the operations of the Golf Course. Mr. Juarez introduced Jason Petree, the new General Manager at the Deerpath Golf Course. Mr. Juarez and Mr. Petree reported that the update on the golf course would include the COVID-19 industry impact, Illinois golf procedures and the budgetary impact of the pandemic. Mr. Juarez gave some brief background on the closure of the golf course and the different phases of reopening for the course. He gave a financial comparison to the previous fiscal year, and gave a more detailed explanation of specific timelines, however, he stated that overall, the golf course would see a budgetary increase from 2019. Mr. Petree explained that the Net Promoter Score (NPS) number are up by 9.5 points and further explained the impacts to business at the Golf Course. The City Council had discussion on any debt service and cost difference from the golf course. The City Council thanked Vince Juarez for his work in making the golf course a success this past year and welcomed Mr. Petree. B. COVID 19 Financial Impact Update - Elizabeth Holleb, Finance Director Proceedings of the Monday, October 5, 2020 Regular City Council Meeting Finance Director, Elizabeth Holleb gave an update on the impact of COVID-19 on City finances. She stated that the City is still performing well, ahead of the amended budget projections. Ms. Holleb discussed in depth the Park and Recreation Fund explaining how it was split into one, Parks and Forestry and two, Recreation programs. She stated that because of the deferred payment of income tax, as implemented by Lake County, these numbers will not show true findings until November. She stated that the financials of this fund are running comparable to last fiscal year, even with the significant loss of funding due to COVID- 19. Ms. Holleb gave a brief overview of the Deerpath Golf Course fund, which was discussed in more depth in the previous presentation. She concluded her presentation by summarizing City-wide revenue indicators that were adjusted due to COVID-19. The City Council had lengthy discussion about the CARES act and the processes of applying for and receiving funds, based on the structure of the City’s local government. Finance Director, Elizabeth Holleb explained the difference between communities that may have separate districts, and how this impacts fund allocation. The City Council thanked Director Holleb for the work the Finance Department has done to ensure the success of the City during COVID-19. C. Local Business Support - Catherine Czerniak, Director of Community Development Mayor Pandaleon introduced Cathy Czerniak, Director of Community Development. She gave an overview of the resolution on the omnibus portion of the agenda, identifying ways to help assist local businesses during COVID-19. Ms. Czerniak laid out a potential proposal to offer an incentive to all sales tax producing businesses. She explained this would be an individualized assistance plan to determine what types of expenses would qualify for businesses. This could include cost sharing for COVID-19 related items and annual license fees being decreased or waived. She emphasized that the local businesses have an opportunity to be creative moving forward should they choose to apply for support. The City Council thanked City Staff for the effort they have put forth to work with local businesses. The City Council had additional discussion about the time limit as stated in the resolution. Ms. Czerniak stated that the funds were allocated to be spent in the current fiscal year and the program would not exceed the amount of $500,000. To this extent, the program will either end once the fiscal year ends, or until all the funds are awarded to businesses. COMMENTS BY CITY MANAGER A. Community Spotlight - Lake Forest Preservation Foundation - Laura Luce, Chair of Preservation Awards City Manager Jason Wicha introduced the Lake Forest Preservation Foundation who showed a brief video recognizing the annual award winning historic preservation properties by the Foundation. The City Council thanked the Foundation for the work they have done for the community. B. Department Spotlight - Sally Swarthout, Director of Parks and Recreation City Manager Jason Wicha introduced a brief video showcasing the Lake Forest Parks and Recreation Department and its programing. Proceedings of the Monday, October 5, 2020 Regular City Council Meeting The City Council thanked the Parks and Recreation Department for their flexibility and the work they have done to continue programming in the City. City Manager Jason Wicha reminded residents of the Ward meeting taking place on Wednesday October 7th at 7 p.m. via Zoom. 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 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 September 8, 2020 City Council Meeting Minutes 3. Approval of the September 21, 2020 City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes 4. Approval of the Check Register for the Period of August 29 to September 25, 2020 5. Approval of a Resolution of Sympathy for Appreciation for Retired Employee Harold “Hal” Robson 6. Consideration of a Resolution Providing Additional Support to Local Businesses During the COVID-19 Pandemic (Approval by Motion) 7. Approval of the Purchase of Computer Workstations, Laptops, Hybrid Tablets, and Rugged Tablets for All City Departments 8. Award of Proposal to Cyril Regan Heating, Inc. for the Senior Center HVAC Replacement Project in the Amount of $155,380.00 with a 10% or $15,538 Contingency 9. Award of Proposal to A & A Sprinkler Company, Inc. for a Three-Year Fire Sprinkler Inspection & Maintenance Agreement in the amount of $43,133.28 10. Authorize the City Manager to Enter into a One Year Agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation for the Plowing and Salting of Route 43 (Rte. 176-Rte. 22) and Route 60 (Rte. 41-Field Drive) for the Winter of 2020/2021 11. 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 eleven (11) Omnibus items as presented Mayor Pandaleon asked members of the Council if they would like to remove any other item or take it separately. Seeing none, he asked for a motion. Proceedings of the Monday, October 5, 2020 Regular City Council Meeting Alderman Rummel made a motion to approve the eleven (11) omnibus items seconded by Alderman Morris. 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 1. Consideration of a Recommendation from the Plan Commission in Support of a Special Use Permit for Donati’s Pizza/Jefe’s Tacos, a Casual Restaurant in the Existing Building at Westwood Center, 950 N. Western Avenue. (If desired by the Council, Waive First Reading and Grant Final Approval of the Ordinance.) Mayor Pandaleon introduced Community Development Director, Cathy Czerniak to give a brief presentation of a unanimous recommendation from the Plan Commission. Ms. Czerniak gave background on the building and its history of tenants as well as its restoration. She explained this potential tenant’s business model, and what their business focus is planned to be. Focusing more on delivery and stageing vehicles in this location. COUNCIL ACTION: Approval of a Recommendation from the Plan Commission in Support of a Special Use Permit for Donati’s Pizza/Jefe’s Tacos, a Casual Restaurant in the Existing Building at Westwood Center, 950 N. Western Avenue. Alderman Notz made a motion of approval of a Recommendation from the Plan Commission in Support of a Special Use Permit for Donati’s Pizza/Jefe’s Tacos, a Casual Restaurant in the Existing Building at Westwood Center, 950 N. Western Avenue, 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. NEW BUSINESS ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION/COMMENTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS The City Council had discussion on the reopening of South Park. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business Mayor Pandaleon asked for a motion. Alderman Rummel made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Notz. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote at 8:18 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.