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CITY COUNCIL 12-2-1996THE CITY OF LAKE FOREST COUNCIL AGENDA December 2, 1996 CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Honorable Cornelius B. Waud, Mayor Samuel J. Henry, Alderman First Ward Gail T. Hodges, Alderman Third Ward John A. Andersen, Alderman First Ward Henry T. Chandler, Alderman Third Ward Abigail G. Fassnacht, Alderman Second Ward Mary Ann Pekarek, Alderman Fourth Ward Howard J Kerr, Alderman Second Ward G. Bishop Gallagher, Alderman Fourth Ward REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS 1. Comments by Mayor 2. Comments by the City Manager 3. Comments by Council Members A. Finance Committee Report 1) Consideration of an Ordinance Establishing the Tax Levy for 1996 (First Reading) PRESENTED BY FINANCE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN JERRY HENRY The annual tax levy must be filed with the County Clerk before the last Tuesday in December. The 1996 tax levy was discussed by the Finance Committee at their meeting on November 16, 1996 and will be further reviewed by the Finance Committee on December 2. The tax levy to be approved includes the needs of the City, as well as for the independent and quasi-independent boards (Recreation Board, Library Board and School district 67). A summary of the proposed levies are as follows: 1995 Levy Proposed 1996 Levy Change 1995 - 1996 $ % City General Purposes $11,757,607 $12,098,921 $341,314 2.90% Recreation Board 788,479 821,930 33,451 4.24% Library Board 1,623,338 1,663,921 40,583 2.50% Total City $14,169,424 $14,584,772 $415,348 2.93% School District 67 $14,838,664 $15,584,712 $746,048 5.03% GRAND TOTAL $29,008,088 $30,169,484 $1,161,396 4.00% The proposed tax levy for 1996 reflects a 2.9% increase over the 1995 tax levy extensions for the City, Recreation, and Library operating funds. This increase is in full compliance with the property tax cap limit of a 2.5% increase, plus new growth which is estimated at 1.7% A report reviewing the tax levy for 1996 is attached to your December 2 Finance Committee agenda for your consideration. Recommended Action: First reading approval of the proposed tax levy ordinance for 1996. (Staff contact person: Robert Shaffer 615-4222.) 2) Consideration of Ordinances Relating to Abating 1996 Tax Levies for Various General Obligation Bond Issues (First Reading) PRESENTED BY FINANCE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN JERRY HENRY a) An Ordinance Abating $51,125.00 of the Tax Being Levied in 1996 for the Annual Payment of the Principal and Interest of the 1990 General Obligation Bond Issue ($266,125.00) b) An Ordinance Abating $55,175.00 of the Tax Being Levied in 1996 for the Annual Payment of the Principal and Interest of the 1991-B General Obligation Bond Issue ($350,175.00) c) An Ordinance Abating $77,805.00 of the Tax Being Levied in 1996 for the Annual Payment of the Principal and Interest of the 1992-C General Obligation Bond Issue ($1,307,805.00) d) An Ordinance Abating $17,625.00 of the Total Tax Being Levied in 1996 for the Annual Payment of the Principal and Interest on the 1993A General Obligation Refunding Bond Issue ($557,625.00). These ordinances provide for the abatement of 1996 taxes levied for the various outstanding general obligation bond issues. The tax levies for all bond issues are established and recorded with the County Clerk at the time the bonds are issued. Therefore, in order to reduce the bond tax levies, an abatement ordinance must be approved and filed with the County Clerk before December 31, 1996. A summary of the proposed tax levy abatements are noted below: Bond Issue Original Tax Levy Tax Abatement Net Bond Tax Levy 1990 G.O. Bonds (Gen. Imp.) $266,125.00 $51,125.00 $215,000.00 1991B G.O. Bonds (Gen. Imp.) 350,175.00 55,175.00 295,000.00 1992C G.O. Bonds (Refunding) 1,307,805.00 77,805.00 1,230,000.00 1993A G.O. Bonds (Refunding) 557,625.00 17,625.00 540,000.00 TOTALS $2,481,730.00 $201,730.00 $2,280,000.00 Copies of the abatement ordinances are attached to your December 2 Finance Committee agenda. Recommendation Action: First Reading approval of the ordinances abating tax levies for various general obligation bond issues. (Staff contact person: Robert Shaffer 615-4222.) 3) Consideration of Ordinances Relating to Abating 1996 Tax Levies for Various General Obligation TIF Bond Issues (First Reading) PRESENTED BY FINANCE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN JERRY HENRY a) An Ordinance Abating the Total Tax Being Levied in 1996 for the Annual Payment of the Principal and Interest on the 1992A General Obligation TIF Bond Issue ($187,550.00) b) An Ordinance Abating the Total Tax Being Levied in 1996 for the Annual Payment of the Principal and Interest on the 1993B General Obligation TIF Bond Issue ($698,112.50). c) An Ordinance Abating the Total Tax Being levied in 1996 for the Annual Payment of the Principal and Interest on the 1991A General Obligation TIF Bond Issue ($294,750.00). These ordinances provide for the abatement of 1996 taxes levied for the various outstanding general obligation TIF bond issues. The tax levies for all bond issues are established and recorded with the County Clerk at the time the bonds are issued. Therefore, in order to reduce the bond tax levies, an abatement ordinance must be approved and filed with the County Clerk before December 31, 1996. A summary of the proposed tax levy abatements are noted below: Bond Issue Original Tax Levy Tax Abatement Net Bond Tax Levy 1991A G.O. Bonds (TIF) $294,750.00 $294,750.00 $0 1992A G.O. Bonds (TIF) 187,550.00 187,550.00 0 1993B G.O. Bonds (TIF) 698,112.50 698,112.50 0 TOTALS $1,180,412.50 $1,180,412.50 $0 The abatement of the $1,180,412.50 for the various general obligation bonds for the Tax Increment Financing District will be paid with capitalized interest set aside from bond proceeds as planned at the time the bonds were sold and tax increment collections from the TIF District. Copies of the abatement ordinances are attached to your December 2 Finance Committee agenda. Recommended Action: First Reading approval of the ordinances abating tax levies for various general obligation TIF bond issues. (Staff contact person: Robert Shaffer 615-4222.) PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS ORDINANCES 1. Consideration of a Report and Recommendation from the Zoning Board of Appeals Regarding a Variation from Front Yard Setback Requirements and a Special Use Permit to Allow the Expansion of a Gatehouse and Operation of a Passive Recreation Use Nature Preserve for Property Located at 350 N. Waukegan Road (Open Lands) (Final Approval) PRESENTED BY SENIOR PLANNER, ANDREW M. SUVALSKY (615-4299) Susan Wright and Jim Richter, representing the petitioner, appeared before the Zoning Board of Appeals at its regular meeting on October 28, 1996, to request approval of a variation and a special use permit to allow the expansion of a gate house and the operation of a nature preserve center. The Zoning Board of Appeals reviewed the matter and voted six to one to recommend approval to the requested variation and special use permit, subject to several conditions which are listed in the hearing report and ordinance, attached. At its November 4, 1996 meeting, the City Council reviewed the matter and voted to grant first reading approval of ordinance granting the variation and special use permit. At that meeting the petitioner was instructed to consider and respond to the issues raised by the neighbors at the City Council meeting. Attached beginning on page 8 is the report and recommendation from the Zoning Board of Appeals as well as additional documentation submitted by the petitioner. Recommended Action: Grant final approval of an ordinance granting the variation and special use permit. 2. Consideration of a Report and Recommendation from the Plan Commission Regarding a Request for a Rezoning from R1, Single Family Residence, to GR4, General Residence, and a Special Use Permit for a 22-Unit Planned Development Located at the Northwest Corner of Conway and Waukegan Roads (Santello) (First Reading and Final Approval) PRESENTED BY SENIOR PLANNER, ANDREW M. SUVALSKY (615-4299) Mr. Joe Santello, owner, appeared before the Plan Commission at its regular meetings on September 11 and again on November 13, 1996, to request approval of a rezoning from R1, Single Family Residence, to GR4, General Residence, and a special use permit, to allow a 22-unit planned development for property located at the northwest corner of Conway and Waukegan Roads. The Plan Commission reviewed the matter and voted unanimously to recommend approval of the rezoning and special use permit. Attached beginning on page 56 is the report and recommendation from the Plan Commission. Recommended Action: a) Waive first reading and grant final approval to an ordinance, granting the requested rezoning and; b) Waive first reading and grant final approval of an ordinance granting the special use permit. 3. Consideration of an Ordinance Establishing the Park and Recreation Board (First Reading) PRESENTED BY CITY MANAGER ROBERT R. KIELY, JR. (615-4271) In 1995, the Master Park Plan Committee completed work on a comprehensive park and facility plan for the City. This plan was adopted by the City Council and incorporated into the recent update of the City’s Comprehensive Plan. It identified a number of deficiencies in the City’s parks system and set forth recommendations to address the current and future park and recreational needs. These recommendations have been closely analyzed by the City Council, Recreation Board and staff. To better meet the park and recreational needs of the City, the current administrative structure of the Recreation Department was modified to have the Executive Director of Recreation serve as a department head of the City and report to the City Manager. Recreation Department employees will be employees of The City of Lake Forest and governed by those Personnel Policies and Practices. In addition to bringing alignment on the administrative side, it is important that the governing policies be consistent and unified. To that end, it is recommended that the Recreation Board and the Public Facilities Committee be dissolved and a new seven member Park and Recreation Board be established to report directly to the City Council. Board members would serve five year terms and be appointed by the Mayor with concurrence of the City Council. The board would be advisory to the City Council, submitting any major policy considerations to the City Council for ratification. The board would oversee all park and recreational activities in the City including, but not limited to, the Recreation Center, the beach, the golf course, and all public parks. It would be responsible for not only identifying recreational opportunities but also the method for financing the programming and capital costs. Importantly, this board would be structured consistent with Illinois State Statutes to preserve the existing taxing power provided to the current Recreation Board. The composition of the new board would include members of the two existing boards and interested members of the community. Importantly, board members must represent the entire community and all forms of recreational activities. New board will be recommended at the December 19 Council meeting with the new board taking office in January, 1997. Attached beginning on page 91 is a copy of the proposed ordinance. (Staff contact person: Robert R. Kiely 615-4271.) Recommended Action: First reading approval of an ordinance establishing the Park and Recreation Board. 4. Consideration of an Ordinance Providing for Senior Resources Commission (First Reading) PRESENTED BY CITY MANAGER ROBERT R. KIELY, JR. (615-4271) Section 27-64 of the City Code provides for a Senior Citizens Commission comprised of five members reporting to the Lake Forest Recreation Board. The proposed restructuring of the Recreation Board provided an opportunity to re-evaluate the role and reporting responsibilities of the Senior Commission to best meet the present needs of the senior citizens in Lake Forest and Lake Bluff. It is recommended that the proposed Senior Resources Commission have a greater responsibility and visibility within the community and report directly to the City Council on issues facing senior citizens, much like the advocacy role served by the CROYA commission for youth issues. The ordinance attached beginning on page 93 was drafted by members of the current Senior Citizens Commission and reviewed and approved by the City Attorney and City Manager. Under the proposed ordinance, the senior citizens program manager, Joyce Foster, will report directly to the City Manager. Recommended Action: Approve first reading an ordinance establishing the Senior Resources Commission. (Staff contact person: Robert R. Kiely 615-4271.) UNFINISHED BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS 1. Consideration of a Report and Recommendation from the Plan Commission Regarding a Request for a 41-Lot Subdivision of Property Generally Located in the Southern and Southeastern Portion of Conway Farms, North of Everett Road (Conway Farms Partnership) (Tentative Approval) PRESENTED BY SENIOR PLANNER, ANDREW M. SUVALSKY (615-4299) Mr. Sandy Stuart, President of the Conway Farms Partnership, appeared before the Plan Commission at its regular meeting on November 13, 1996, to request tentative approval of a 41-lot subdivision of the southeastern and southern portions of Conway Farms, north of Everett Road. The Plan Commission reviewed the matter and voted unanimously to recommend approval of the subdivision. Attached beginning on page 96 is the report and recommendation from the Plan Commission. Recommended Action: Grant tentative approval to the subdivision. 2. Consideration of a Request for an Extension of Tentative Approval of the Willow Green Subdivision Located at 915 and 941 W. Everett Road (Ghandi) PRESENTED BY SENIOR PLANNER, ANDREW M. SUVALSKY (615-4299) Dr. Yogesh Gandhi, owner of the property located at 915 and 941 W. Everett Road, has petitioned for an extension of tentative approval of the Willow Green Subdivision. The original tentative approval of this subdivision was granted on December 5, 1994. A one-year extension, which is due to expire on December 4, 1996, was granted in 1995. Although the City does not typically grant extensions beyond one year, the staff believes that the extension should in this case be granted. The current owner, unlike previous applicants for this subdivision, has purchased the property out-right. As owner, rather than contract purchaser, he is committed to picking up where final engineering review was left. The owner has requested a seven month extension which the City Engineer feels is sufficient to finalize all of the engineering review. The staff would see no benefit to requiring the owner, who wishes to proceed with the plan as developed, to return to the tentative approval stage which would require re-hearings before the Plan Commission and the City Council. Given the fact that the petitioner is the first owner, rather than previous contract purchasers, is serious about finalizing the subdivision, and has spent the past four months refurbishing and renovating the existing two houses at 915 and 941 W. Everett Road, the staff would recommend approval of the seven month extension. Therefore, the petitioner would be required to return to City Council with a request for final approval no later than the first meeting in July, scheduled for Monday, July 7. Attached beginning on page 111 is the letter of request from the owner as well as the tentative plat of subdivision. Recommended Action: Grant a seven month extension of tentative approval. OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL OF AUTHORIZED INVOICES AND PAYROLLS During the month of November, the following amounts were disbursed from the Cashier’s Account: Gen. IMRF & Cap. Imp. Water Total Invoices $1,023,436.27 $ 62,031.77 $1,085,468.04 Payroll $ 680,380.35 $ 88,566.44 $ 768,946.79 Totals $1,703,816.62 $150,598.21 $1,854,414.83 AUTHORIZATION OF TREASURER’S WARRANTS TO MEET EXPENSES OF DECEMBER, 1996 The motion to authorize the Mayor and the City Clerk to sign such warrants as may be necessary to meet the December, 1996 audited accounts. ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION EXECUTIVE SESSION TO HEAR PRESENTATION BY LASALLE PARTNERS ON THE ACQUISITION OF THE NORTH SHORE MEMORIAL RESERVE CENTER ADJOURNMENT Office of the City Manager November 27, 1996 The City of Lake Forest is subject to the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Individuals with disabilities who plan to attend this meeting and who require certain accommodations in order to allow them to observe and/or participate in this meeting, or who have questions regarding the accessibility of the meeting or the facilities, are required to contact City Manager Robert R. Kiely, Jr., at (847) 234-2600 promptly to allow the City to make reasonable accommodations for those persons. blue\shell Agenda Memorandum - 12/02/96 Page 7