FINANCE COMMITTEE 2013/02/19 Minutes
The City of Lake Forest
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Proceedings of the February 19, 2013 Meeting
6:30 p. m. – City Hall Council Chambers
I. Call to Order and Roll Call
Chairman Pandaleon called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. Present: Chairman Pandaleon,
Acting Mayor Schoenheider, Aldermen Novit, Waldeck, Moore, Tack, Reisenberg, Palmer and
Adelman. Quorum present. There were approximately 12 people in the audience.
Staff present: Robert Kiely, Jr., City Manager; Elizabeth Holleb, Finance Director; Diane Hall,
Assistant Finance Director; Michael Thomas, Director of Public Works; Cathy Czerniak, Director
of Community Development; Dan Martin, Superintendent of Public Works
II. Consideration of Minutes from the Finance Committee Meeting Held on January 22, 2013.
Alderman Adelman made a motion to approve the minutes from the Finance Committee
meeting held on January 22, 2013. The motion was seconded by Alderman Moore. The
motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
III. Core and Elective Service Analysis (FY14 Budget Discussion Item)
Ms. Elizabeth Holleb, Finance Director reviewed the proposed changes to the City’s 2013 Core
and Elective Service Analysis to be included in the FY14 budget document. She stated the
proposed changes are indicated in red. A majority of the changes are realignment of duties.
The Committee discussed there are not many more services that can be changed to Elective.
The Committee concurred with the changes as presented. The revised list will be included in
the budget document.
IV. Water Rate Recommendation (FY14 Budget Discussion Item)
Ms. Holleb stated following the discussion at the January 22nd Finance Committee meeting,
staff is recommending a 3% increase for the FY14 water rate. This increase is in line with the
November budget meeting. She reviewed the projected impact of the increase on single and
family households. She reviewed the annual water rate survey, which includes additional
communities this year as well as a designation of those communities that also have a fixed rate
along with consumption fees.
Following discussion, Alderman Adelman moved with the noted change, and seconded by
Alderman Moore to approve the proposed 3% water rate increase adjustment. The motion
carried unanimously by voice vote. This item will be brought to the City Council for approval at
a later date.
V. Private Activity Bond Volume Cap
Ms. Holleb explained the State allocates its volume cap to communities each year in order to
issue Private Activity bonds. She explained developers can request to use the City’s capacity
to issue bonds at a lower interest rate. She explained the bonds do not affect the City’s ability
to issue debt. She stated that most communities share is not large enough to fund larger
projects.
She stated that the City has not received requests to utilize the available 2013 cap. She
explained Lake County Partners is a clearinghouse utilized to consolidate unused community
volume cap to disperse for larger projects. The Village of Buffalo Grove has agreed to act as
the Community to receive the transfers.
Following discussion, Alderman Novit moved, and seconded by Alderman Palmer to approve
the transfer of the City’s 2013 volume cap allocation to the Village of Buffalo Grove for the
Finance Committee Meeting
Minutes – February 19, 2013
Lake County Clearinghouse. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. The required
resolution will be brought to City Council for approval prior to May 1, 2013 to meet the State’s
deadline for action pertaining to 2013 volume cap allocated to home-rule communities.
VI. Other Business
1) The Committee discussed the number of Real Estate Transfer Tax transactions are up, but
the revenue is slow to improve.
2) The Committee discussed dividing the budget materials over a number of meetings is
very helpful, but do not want to lose anything. A recap of items discussed would be very
beneficial. The March 18 budget meeting will be scheduled for 5:00 p.m., but will likely
start a few minutes after that to accommodate the train schedule.
3) Michael Thomas, Public Works Director explained City staff has initiated a Sanitation study
and will be comparing two communities that collect in house and two communities that
contract for sanitation services. Also included will be looking at going to once a week
collection. He stated a Community Forum will be held on June 20th at the Gorton
Community Center to gather Community input.
The Committee discussed providing do’s and don’ts to the residents regarding recycling
and to discuss with the local businesses using recyclable materials for carry out that
qualifies for City collection.
VII. Opportunity for the Public to Address the Finance Committee: None
Mr. Kiely stated that Ms. Holleb would be attending the Village of Mettawa Board meeting to
request state sales tax revenue from the Oasis in the estimated amount of $300,000. An error
has occurred by the state of the reporting of the businesses located at the Oasis. The City and
the Village of Mettawa are working with the state to better track businesses to avoid errors in
the future.
The Committee discussed the upcoming monthly Community Forums to be held at the Gorton
Community Center. The purpose of the meetings is to gather information and to report back
to the City Council.
The Committee discussed the request from the Shell Station for a liquor license. This topic to be
discussed at tonight’s City Council meeting.
VIII. Adjournment
There being no further business, Alderman Palmer moved, seconded by Alderman Moore to
adjourn the meeting at 7:30 p.m. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
Respectfully Submitted,
Diane Hall
Assistant Finance Director