CITY COUNCIL 2021/05/03 MinutesThe City of Lake Forest
CITY COUNCIL
Proceedings of the Monday, May 3, 2021
City Council Meeting - City Council Chambers
REMOTE ACCESS MEETING
CALL FOR ORGANIZATION OF THE 2021-2022 LAKE FOREST CITY COUNCIL
At 6:30 pm. City Clerk Margaret Boyer called for the Organization of the 2021-2022 City Council
CITY CLERK MARGARET BOYER ADMINISTERS THE OATH OF OFFICE TO:
Mayor Elect—George A. Pandaleon
First Ward Alderman-Elect - - James E. Morris
Second Ward Alderman-Elect - - Melanie K. Rummel
Third Ward Alderman-Elect - - Ara C. Goshgarian
Fourth Ward Alderman-Elect - - Raymond P. Buschmann
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Honorable Mayor Pandaleon called the meeting to order at 6:35 pm, and
City Clerk Margaret Boyer called the roll of Council members.
Present: Honorable Mayor Pandaleon, Alderman Morris, Alderman Karras, Alderman Rummel, Alderman
Preschlack, Alderman Goshgarian, Alderman Buschmann, and Alderman Weber.
Absent: Alderman Notz.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited.
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 May 3, 2021, City
Council meeting is being held remotely.
Honorable Mayor, George Pandaleon
James E. Morris, Alderman First Ward Jim Preschlack, Alderman Third Ward
Jennifer Karras, Alderman First Ward Ara Goshgarian, Alderman Third Ward
Melanie Rummel, Alderman Second Ward Raymond Buschmann, Alderman Fourth Ward
Edward U. Notz, Jr., Alderman Second Ward Eileen Looby Weber, Alderman Fourth Ward
ELECTION AND APPOINTMENT OF CITY OFFICERS
Mayor Pandaleon made the following appointments:
1. ELECTION BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND APPOINTMENTS BY THE MAYOR AS REQUIRED BY
CHARTER AND CITY CODE
City Treasurer Elizabeth Holleb
City Supervisor Jason Wicha
City Marshal & Collector Karl Walldorf
Proceedings of the Monday, May 3, 2021
Regular City Council Meeting
City Attorney Julie Tappendorf
City Clerk Margaret Boyer
City Surveyor and Engineer Gewalt Hamilton Associates
COUNCIL ACTION: Approve the Mayor’s Appointments
Alderman Morris made a motion to approve the Mayor's appointments, seconded by Alderman Weber. The
following voted “Aye”: Alderman Morris, Karras, Rummel, Preschlack, Goshgarian, Buschmann and Weber.
The following voted “Nay”: None. 7-Ayes, 0 Nays, motion carried.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS
COMMENTS BY MAYOR
A. Proclamation Declaring May as Mental Health Awareness Month
Mayor Pandaleon read the Proclamation declaring May as Mental Health Awareness Month.
COUNCIL ACTION: Approval of a Proclamation Declaring May as Mental Health Awareness Month
Alderman Goshgarian made a motion to approve the proclamation Declaring May as Mental Health
Awareness Month, seconded by Alderman Karras. The following voted “Aye”: Alderman Morris, Karras,
Rummel, Preschlack, Goshgarian, Buschmann and Weber. The following voted “Nay”: None. 7-Ayes, 0
Nays, motion carried.
Molly Sarver, representing the non-profit Paws for Patrick, made a statement to the City Council.
The City Council thanked the group for the work they have done throughout the community to support
mental health awareness.
B. 2021-2022 Board and Commission Appointments and Reappointments
BUILDING REVIEW BOARD
NAME OF MEMBER APPOINT/REAPPOINT WARD
Timothy Franzen APPOINT 1
Scott Renken APPOINT 1
James Diamond REAPPOINT AS CHAIR 3
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
NAME OF MEMBER APPOINT/REAPPOINT WARD
Maureen Grinnell APPOINT 3
Proceedings of the Monday, May 3, 2021
Regular City Council Meeting
PLAN COMMISSION
NAME OF MEMBER APPOINT/REAPPOINT WARD
John Dixon APPOINT AS CHAIR 1
Louis Pickus APPOINT 2
Mark Pasquesi APPOINT 4
Barrett Davie APPOINT 2
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
NAME OF MEMBER APPOINT/REAPPOINT WARD
Mike Sieman APPOINT AS CHAIR 3
Ari Bass APPOINT 2
COUNCIL ACTION: Approve the Mayors Appointments and Reappointments
Alderman Rummel made a motion to approve the Mayor's Appointments and Reappointments, seconded by
Alderman Weber. The following voted “Aye”: Alderman Morris, Karras, Rummel, Preschlack, Goshgarian,
Buschmann and Weber. The following voted “Nay”: None. 7-Ayes, 0 Nays, motion carried.
C. Announcement of City Council Committee Appointments
Mayor Pandaleon gave a brief overview of Committee Appointments and that the list would be available on
the City’s website, and the last page of these minutes.
Mayor Pandaleon made a brief statement recognizing the Lake Forest High School district 115, which was
named the 7th best high school in the State of Illinois by US News and World Report. The high school
previously ranked 18th in 2020.
COMMENTS BY CITY MANAGER
City Manager, Jason Wicha, introduced Finance Director, Elizabeth Holleb to provide an update regarding
the FY 2021 Real Estate Transfer Tax Data. Ms. Holleb gave an in depth presentation displaying the last four
fiscal years in comparison to the current year. She stated that the City completed the fiscal year with 663
residential transfers, which far outpaced the last five year totals. Additionally, she noted the FY 2021
revenue totaled $2.735 million, which exceeded the budget estimate by $1.8 million, due to the adjusted
estimates as the budget was passed during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the assumption
concluded a negative impact on this fund.
The City Council had a discussion regarding the real estate market in surrounding communities.
Ms. Holleb explained they had conducted a survey and neighboring communities have not seen the same
growth, however, some communities do not have a real estate transfer tax, which makes it difficult to
collect this data.
OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Proceedings of the Monday, May 3, 2021
Regular City Council Meeting
Members of the public can provide public comment by calling 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 April 19, 2021, City Council Meeting Minutes
3. Approval of a Resolution of Appreciation for Retiring Members of Boards and Commissions
as follows:
BOARD, COMMISSION OR COMMITTEE NAME OF MEMBERS(S)
BUILDING REVIEW BOARD James Sykora, Chris Bires
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Carol Gayle
PLAN COMMISSION Chair Rosemary Kehr, Monica Artman-Ruggles, and
Michael Freeman
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS Mark Pasquesi
4. Approval of the Regularly Scheduled Meetings of the Lake Forest City Council for the year
2022
5. Approval of the Check Register for the Period of March 20 – April 23, 2021
6. Approval of a Recommendation from the Public Works Committee to Award the Lake Forest
portion of the Municipal Partnership Initiative (MPI) 2021 Joint Sewer Lining Project contract
Low Bid to Hoerr Construction in the Not-To-Exceed Budgeted Amount of $175,000.
7. Approval of a Recommendation from the Public Works Committee to Award the Lake Forest
portion of the Municipal Partnership Initiative (MPI) 2021 Concrete Curb and Sidewalk
Replacement Project to Schroeder and Schroeder, Inc. for a Not-to-Exceed Amount of
$75,000.
8. Approval of a Recommendation from the Public Works Committee to Award the 2021 Valve
Replacement Project Low Bid to Aqua Contractors in the amount of $300,000.
9. Approval to authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Mariani Landscape for
Cemetery Grounds Maintenance Services, for an Amount Not to Exceed $42,900.
10. Approval of a Recommendation from the Public Works Committee and the Parks &
Recreation Board to Award South Park Parking Lot Design Services to Hitchcock Design
Proceedings of the Monday, May 3, 2021
Regular City Council Meeting
Group in the Amount of $38,105, plus 10% Contingency in the Amount of $3,895, for a Total
of $42,000.
11. Approval to Purchase an Intelligent One Field Marking Paint Robot for the Parks Section from
Turf Tank in the Amount of $43,500.
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 item or take it separately.
The City Council had an additional discussion on item #3
Mayor Pandaleon again 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 eleven (11) Omnibus items as presented, seconded by
Alderman Morris. The following voted “Aye”: Alderman Morris, Karras, Rummel, Preschlack, Goshgarian,
Buschmann and Weber. 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
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION/COMMENTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business Mayor Pandaleon asked for a motion. Alderman Morris made a motion to
adjourn, seconded by Alderman Karras. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote at 7:15 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.