FINANCE COMMITTEE 2011/05/16 Minutes
The City of Lake Forest
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Proceedings of the May 16, 2011 Meeting
6:30 p.m. – City Hall Council Chambers
I. Call to Order and Roll Call
Chairman Pandaleon called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Present: Mayor Cowhey,
Chairman Pandaleon, Aldermen Novit, Waldeck, Moore, Morsch, Palmer and Adelman.
Absent: Alderman Schoenheider. Quorum present. There were two people present in the
audience.
Staff present: Robert Kiely, Jr., City Manager; Kathleen Reinertsen, Finance Director; Louise
Breckan, Assistant Finance Director; Mary Van Arsdale, Director of Parks and Recreation;
Michael Thomas, Director of Public Works; Ramesh Kanapareddy, City Surveyor and Engineer;
Carina Walters, Assistant City Manager; Diane Hall, Senior Accountant and Marlo Del Percio,
City Attorney.
II. Consideration of Minutes from the Finance Committee Meeting Held on April 18, 2011
Alderman Palmer made a motion to approve the minutes from the Finance Committee
meeting held on April 18, 2011. The motion was seconded by Alderman Novit. The motion
carried unanimously by voice vote.
III. Opposition to the Reduction of Income Tax Distribution to The City of Lake Forest
Mr. Robert Kiely, City Manager stated due to the financial crisis of the State of Illinois, one idea
being discussed in Springfield is to reduce the amount of income tax distributed to
municipalities. He stated that this is not state money. The State agreed to act as the collection
agency for the revenue on behalf of local governments, and in exchange, local governments
agreed to not impose their own local income tax. He stated that income tax revenue in the
City’s FY2012 Budget was reduced by ten percent, but the City will need to watch the budget
closely and cut expenses if the income tax revenue is reduced by more than ten percent.
Numerous local governments are passing resolutions such as the one being presented at
tonight’s meeting. He stated that we should know at the end of May what the State’s decision
will be regarding the income tax revenue.
Alderman Palmer moved, seconded by Alderman Morsch to approve the resolution which
opposes the reduction of income tax distribution to The City of Lake Forest. The motion carried
unanimously by voice vote.
IV. Review of the Proposed Recycling Cart Program
Mr. Michael Thomas, Director of Public Works presented a power point reviewing the proposed
implementation of a recycling cart program. He reviewed last fall’s Recycling Survey results
and the plan to outfit all single family homes with a 65 gallon cart over the next two calendar
years. He stated that he applied for a $100,000 state grant and the grant is anticipated to be
awarded by June 1. For the first calendar year, interested households will sign up for a cart via
the website beginning in July 2011 with delivery of the carts beginning in September 2011. He
stated that upon the receipt of their new cart, residents can keep their existing bins or the City
will recycle them.
V. Approval of Naming Rights Policy for Parks and Recreation Facilities
Ms. Mary Van Arsdale, Director of Parks and Recreation stated that staff is requesting
approving the Parks and Recreation Naming Rights Policy in order to establish a policy that
outlines consistent procedures and criteria for naming or renaming a park, recreation facility
and major park amenity. She stated that she recognizes the sensitivity to this policy and
currently there is no proposal before the Parks and Recreation Board. This policy has been
approved by the Parks and Recreation Board and was reviewed by the City’s attorney. She
stated that City Manager Kiely and she hosted a feedback meeting with representatives from
a variety of City foundations. The general consensus from the attendees was that the policy
was thorough and one they would recommend implementing. Mr. Bob Taylor, member of the
Finance Committee Meeting
Minutes – May 16, 2011
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Parks and Recreation Board added this policy would be opening up the door for large
endowment opportunities. He believes that Highland Park has received millions of dollars.
After a lengthy discussion, Mr. Kiely recommended to the committee that staff rework the
policy as a resolution in order to capture the spirit of this issue. The resolution would have broad
parameters based on what was discussed at the meeting.
Alderman Palmer moved, seconded by Alderman Novit to have staff prepare a resolution for
their review. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
VI. Opportunity for the Public to Address the Finance Committee: None.
VII. Other Business: None.
VIII. Adjournment
There being no further business, Alderman Palmer moved, seconded by Alderman Morsch to
adjourn the meeting at 7:28 p.m. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
Respectfully submitted,
Louise Breckan
Assistant Finance Director