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CITY COUNCIL 3-19-98THE CITY OF LAKE FOREST COUNCIL AGENDA March 19, 1998 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 Howard J Kerr, Alderman Second Ward Mary Ann Pekarek, Alderman Fourth Ward Thomas J. Tropp, 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 PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS APPROVAL OF MINUTES Recommended Action: Approval of the minutes of the March 2,1998 Council meeting attached beginning on page 5. NEW BUSINESS 1. Consideration of a Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Memorandum of Intent Between The City of Lake Forest and the United States Army and the Introduction of Federal Legislation PRESENTED BY CITY MANAGER ROBERT R. KIELY, JR (615-4271) For more than five years, The City of Lake Forest has been looking at ways to address long-term space needs for its Municipal Services complex, now located at Laurel and Western Avenues. The Municipal Services facility represents a significant component of the City operations, encompassing Parks, Forestry, Public Works, Finance and Community Development operations. With full buildout of the City potentially only seven to twelve years away, the City Council and City staff have been looking for the most appropriate and economical location for its Municipal Services complex. One site that the City has been actively exploring has been the 14-acre Army Reserve site at the northwest quadrant of the Fort Sheridan property. This possibility was incorporated into the City’s 1993 Comprehensive Plan update and following the passage of the Simon legislation in February 1996, the City engaged LaSalle Partners to examine the economics of a possible relocation. Discussions between the City and Army intensified during 1997, culminating with an understanding that the City would consider paying $2.5 to $3 million for the 14-acre site. Any further discussions between the Army and City and studies on the feasibility of the City’s relocation to the subject site is predicated on the execution of a non-binding Memorandum of Intent between the City and US Army and the introduction of Federal legislation to legally permit any transfer of property. On January 8, 1998, the City held a public meeting to review the need for expansion of the existing Municipal Services facility; explored various options, including their advantages and disadvantages; and addressed neighbor concerns regarding any proposed relocation to the Fort Sheridan property. At the conclusion of the January 8 meeting, the City Council asked that the staff evaluate additional options to those discussed at the meeting (Fort Sheridan, the Laurel Avenue expansion, Route 60 relocation, Grove School relocation), including the impact of privatizing sanitation services and the establishment of a satellite facility at the Route 60 site. With the assistance of architect Alan Rosenzweig, staff has prepared some additional site plans and cost estimates which will be reviewed in detail at the meeting. Importantly, each site has certain advantages and disadvantages and should not be completely ruled out at this time. While staff still believes that the Fort Sheridan relocation plan is a very viable option, based upon our experience and knowledge of the closing of Fort Sheridan, we would suggest that the City keep as many options open as possible. Consequently, the recommendation is to keep the Fort Sheridan option open by passage of the proposed resolution and continue to evaluate any other potential options selected by the City Council. This evaluation could either be conducted by the City Council or a separate planning committee appointed by the Mayor and City Council. The critical decision date would arrive some time in late 1998, when and if federal legislation were approved and the evaluation of each option has been completed. Attached beginning on page 9 is a copy of the resolution, MOI, legislation and miscellaneous information on the requested new options. Recommended Action: Approve the resolution authorizing the execution of the Memorandum of Intent between The City of Lake Forest and the US Army and introduction of federal legislation to permit a transfer to occur. The decision whether to have the City Council act as a review committee or establish a separate planning committee is its prerogative. 2. Award of Contract for the 1998 Tree Planting Program PRESENTED BY ADMINISTRATIVE INTERN DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, FORESTRY AND PUBLIC WORKS CHRISTOPHER CLARK(615-4216) On February 24, 1998, the City received bids from seven contractors for the 1998 Spring Tree Planting Program. The City requested bids for both the purchase and planting of trees on City parkways and in City parks. In order to receive the best prices, trees were selected for purchase and installation from two of the contractor proposals. A total of 116 parkway trees will be planted as part of this season's proposed planting. After this planting, 50 parkway trees will remain on the Forestry Section's list for the Fall 1998 program. All resident cost-share tree planting requests received since last fall and prior to this bidding will be met with this planting contract. The total cost of the 1998 Spring Tree Planting Program is $26,769.00. This is within the FY99 budgeted amount for this expense. Recommendation: On the basis of the low bids and favorable references, it is recommended that Spring 1998 Tree Planting Program contracts be awarded to each of the following contractors: The Bristol Group $19,846.00 Bristol, WI Mitch's Green Thumb $6,923.00 Grayslake, IL (The bid tabulation by tree species and vendor is not provided in this packet, but is available upon request). ORDINANCES 1. Consideration of an Ordinance Vacating a Portion of 33’ of Right-of-Way Dedicated Per the Teich Subdivision PRESENTED BY DIR. OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CHUCK CROOK (615-4207) The Teich Subdivision which was recorded in 1965 included along the south property line the dedication to the City of 33’ right-of-way. Apparently in 1965 the City was thinking that we may wish to extend a fully dedicated public street west from Ridge Road in this location. However, for various reasons that road has never been developed. Further based on the subdivisions both to the north and south it can never take place. Since the City has no present or future use for this right-of-way, it is recommended that the right-of-way be vacated and the land be returned to the owners of the property from which it came (the properties to the north) consistent with state laws. Those include three property owners, Mr. Paul Zelisko, Mr. Jay Trees and Mr. Charlie Mills. Recommended Action: Based on the above the staff recommends that the right-of-way be vacated to the three property owners listed and they pay to the City $10 for the vacation of this right-of-way. Requires a super majority or 3/4 vote of the City Council. 2. Consideration of an Ordinance Amending Chapter 39, “Taxation” of the Lake Forest City Code, 1971, as Amended, Imposing a Hotel Room Tax PRESENTED BY CITY MANAGER ROBERT R. KIELY, JR, (615-4271) State statute allows municipalities to impose a tax on the gross receipts from the rental of hotel rooms. The tax of up to 5% of gross receipts must be expended by the City to promote tourism and conventions within the City, or otherwise attract nonresident or overnight visitors to the City. With a new hotel being planned for Conway Park, City staff has reviewed this potential revenue source and eligible expenses. Staff estimates that a 5% hotel tax would generate approximately $293,825 in revenue, or approximately $60,000 per 1% of hotel tax imposed. The Finance Committee considered this matter at its March 2, 1998 budget meeting, and directed that an ordinance imposing the tax be forwarded to the City Council for consideration. The proposed ordinance imposing a 5% hotel room tax is attached in the packet beginning on page 34. Recommended Action: Grant first reading approval to the ordinance as proposed. 3. Consideration of an Ordinance Adding Portions of Everett Road to the Municipal Street System of The City of Lake Forest (Waive First Reading, Grant Final Approval) PRESENTED BY CITY MANAGER ROBERT R. KIELY, JR, (615-4271) At its January 5, 1998 meeting, the City Council and the County of Lake entered into an agreement for the transfer of jurisdiction of a portion of Everett Road to the Municipal Street System. Sate law requires that, for the action to take effect, an ordinance be passed. Therefore, attached as page 36 in the packet is an ordinance adding Everett Road, from a point 2,193 feet west of the centerline of Estate Lane to Illinois Route 43, to the Municipal Street System of the City of Lake Forest. Recommended Action: Waive first reading, grant second and final approval to the ordinance as proposed. OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION EXECUTIVE SESSION ADJOURNMENT Office of the City Manager March 13, 1998 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. Agenda Memorandum - 03/13/98 Page 4