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CITY COUNCIL 8-6-01 agendaTHE CITY OF LAKE FOREST COUNCIL AGENDA August 6, 2001 CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Honorable Howard J Kerr, Mayor Samuel J. Henry, Alderman First Ward Roger J. Mohr, Alderman Third Ward Robert T. E. Lansing, Alderman First Ward Timm Reynolds, Alderman Third Ward Michael J. Burns, Second Ward Alderman James J. Cowhey, Jr., Alderman Fourth Ward S. Michael Rummel, Alderman Second Ward Kimberly Moss, Alderman Fourth Ward REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS 1. Comments by Mayor 2. Comments by City Manager A. Presentation by Linda and Bobby Fitzpatrick of a Donation to the Alec Marquez Fund 3. Comments by Council Members OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS CONSENT AGENDA 1. Approval of Minutes from the July 19, 2001 Meeting Recommended Action: Approval of the Consent Agenda as presented. NEW BUSINESS 1. Consideration of a Report and Recommendation from the Plan Commission for Tentative and Final Approval of a 6-lot Subdivision for Property Located at 1725 S. Telegraph Road and a Recommendation for an engineering study on the creek located to the south and east of the Serena Woods site. (Serena Woods Subdivision) PRESENTED BY DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CATHERINE CZERNIAK (615-4299) On June 13, 2001, the Plan Commission held a public hearing to consider a request for tentative and final approval of the six lot Serena Woods Subdivision. The property is owned by Rocco DeFilippis of Legacy Homes. This 10-acre parcel is located on the east side of Telegraph Road, south of Old Mill Road, and north of the Everett Farm development. A proposal for subdivision of this property was initiated in 1997, but was later withdrawn when the property was purchased for development with a single family residence. The residence was never built, and subdivision is once again proposed for the site. In January 2001, Mr. DeFilippis presented his subdivision proposal to the Plan Commission. At that time, the Commission, and many neighboring property owners, raised concerns about drainage impacts from the subdivision on surrounding properties. Based on the preliminary engineering work completed at that time, assurances could not be provided to the neighbors regarding drainage. As a result, the Plan Commission did not take action on the proposed subdivision at that time. Instead, the Commission directed the petitioner to complete the engineering studies necessary to allow the City Engineer to assure the Plan Commission and neighboring property owners that there would be no increase in storm water on neighboring properties as a result of this subdivision. Upon completion of the necessary studies, a revised plan was considered by the Plan Commission on June 13th. At that meeting, City engineering staff confirmed that the subdivision, as reconfigured, would not increase drainage on neighboring properties and could possibly result in a minor improvement. The Plan Commission supported the proposed subdivision but continued to have concerns about broader drainage issues in the area. The Commission also was concerned with the significant portion of the lots in the Serena Woods subdivision that would be encumbered by drainage easements and wetlands under the proposed plan. During the Plan Commission meeting, a compromise was reached that placed most of the drainage easement areas, wetlands and the retention pond on an out lot, rather than on the developable parcels. As a result, the parcels are less than the 60,000 square foot minimum, however, the out lot is larger than 60,000 square feet and provides the area necessary to address drainage issues and provides an open space amenity to both residents of the new subdivision and to neighboring property owners. The Plan Commission voted unanimously to recommend tentative and final approval of the subdivision, as reconfigured, to the City Council. The Plan Commission also voted unanimously to recommend to the City Council that a study of the creek located south and east of the Serena Woods be undertaken by the City. As noted above, in reviewing this subdivision, the Commission became aware of broader drainage concerns in this area. In particular, the question of whether straightening the alignment of the existing creek would improve drainage in the area was raised. Before a decision can be made on the appropriateness or effectiveness of reconfiguring the creek, a study is needed to evaluate the current condition of the creek and the downstream impacts of any changes. Recommended Action: Approve a motion granting tentative and final approval of the Serena Woods 6-lot Subdivision as recommended by the Plan Commission. Direct engineering staff to include a study of the existing drainage ditch in the upcoming budget for Council consideration in the context of the other projects proposed. 2. Award of Contract for Landscape Restoration Services to Landscape Concepts for the Grove Cultural Campus PRESENTED BY ASSISTANT TO THE CITY MANAGER CHRIS MARTIN (615-4281) The renovation of Dickinson, the demolition of Grainger and the installation of various site improvements including a water main, roads and parking lots, necessitates that repairs be made to the landscape at the Grove Cultural Campus. Staff sought bids to: final grade, weed, seed, and mulch, the former site of Grainger Hall approximately 50,000 square feet, the areas adjacent to Bennett and Dickinson Halls, and along the roadways, parking areas and islands. Staff received two bids for this project and recommends award to the low bidder Landscape Concepts. A site plan and other materials are provided starting on page 28. The budget for landscape restoration is $30,000. Regarding the long-term plan for the Campus, staff is preparing an RFP for a landscape design competition that will be discussed with the Council at a later date. Landscape Concepts $21,830 Zieter Landscaping Inc. $34,545 Recommended Action: Approval of a contract with Landscape Concepts of Grayslake of $21,830 for landscape restoration services. 3. Approval of a Resolution Authorizing a Public Hearing to Consider the Exchange of Certain Property PRESENTED BY CITY ATTORNEY VICTOR FILIPPINI In connection with the City's review of its relationship with the Ragdale Foundation, examinations of the Ragdale Property were undertaken to identify and confirm the full extent of that property. In the course of those examinations, the City discovered that a driveway and turn-around area serving a garage at the northeast corner of the Ragdale Property extended beyond the boundaries of an existing easement across the southerly eleven feet of the property located at 1272 Green Bay Road. In the course of the negotiations of the Restated and Amended Ragdale Agreement and the Ragdale Special Use Permit, Mrs. Hart (the owner of 1272 Green Bay Road) suggested that a transfer of land between her property and the Ragdale Property may be desirable to eliminate the encroachment of the driveway and turn-around. In return, Mrs. Hart asked if the City might relinquish its rights to the rest of the easement on her property. Based on a preliminary review of the current uses of the easement, it appears that the Ragdale Property itself does not need the easement for ingress and egress west of the driveway and turn-around area for the garage. The City Staff believes that the proposed exchange will benefit the City by clarifying its rights for the existing driveway and turn-around. Also, because the easement is otherwise not required for ingress and egress to the Ragdale Property, the City seems to risk little from the exchange. Under Illinois law, however, the City cannot enter into a formal agreement for the proposed property exchange unless certain procedures are followed, including the authorization and holding of a public hearing. The City Council has before it a resolution to authorize a public hearing on the proposed exchange of easement rights for the transfer of title to a portion of the 1272 Green Bay Road property. Approval of the resolution will not bind the City to complete the exchange; the Council would have to take a separate action specifically for that purpose. Recommended Action: Approval of the resolution. APPROVAL OF AUTHORIZED INVOICES AND PAYROLLS During the month of July, the following amounts were disbursed from the Cashier’s Account: GENERAL FUND, IMRF, & CAPITAL IMPROVE. WATER TOTALS INVOICES 761,799.54 85,671.80 847,471.34 PAYROLL 940,622.81 114,837.97 1,055,460.78 TOTALS 1,702,422.35 200,509.77 1,902,932.12 AUTHORIZATION OF TREASURER’S WARRANTS TO MEET EXPENSES OF AUGUST, 2001 The motion to authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign such warrants as may be necessary to meet the August, 2001 audited accounts. ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION EXECUTIVE SESSION ADJOURNMENT Office of the City Manager August 3, 2001 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. 6 August 6, 2001 Agenda Page 2