CITY COUNCIL 5-19-08 council agendaTHE CITY OF LAKE FOREST
COUNCIL AGENDA
Monday, May 19, 2008 7:30 p.m.
City Council Chambers
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL 7:30 p.m.
Honorable S. Michael Rummel, Mayor
David D. Grumhaus, Alderman First Ward Thomas H. Morsch, Jr., Alderman Third Ward
Kent E. Novit, Alderman First Ward Greg C. Hanrahan, Alderman Third Ward
Stuart M. Widman, Alderman Second Ward John A. Looby III, Alderman Fourth Ward
Renard Goltra, Alderman Second Ward Robert T. Palmer, Alderman Fourth Ward
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS 7:30 p.m.
1. Comments by Mayor
2. Comments by City Manager 7:35 p.m.
A. Resolution of Appreciation for Patricia Walsh for 24 Years of Service to
The City of Lake Forest
A copy of the resolution is attached as page 7.
Recommended Action: Approve the resolution as presented.
B. Report from School District Superintendent Harry Griffith
3. Comments by Council Members 7:55 p.m.
4. Council Committee Reports 8:00 p.m.
A. Finance Committee Report
PRESENTED BY FINANCE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
ALDERMAN DAVID GRUMHAUS
1. Request for CROYA Foundation Loan in the Amount of $180,000
The CROYA Foundation has successfully completed the construction of the Student Union. As the community is aware, the facility is an incredible asset to our youth and community in general.
The new facility allows the CROYA organization to further serve our youth with quality programs, events, service projects, etc. The Student Union is a place our youth call their own,
where they can develop as individuals and community members.
Since its grand opening on November 4, 2007, the organization has seen substantial growth in youth meeting attendance, weekend-evening open houses and overall enthusiasm towards the
organization. The Foundation has retired all but $180,000 of the debt remaining on the construction loan as of today. Thus, CROYA is requesting the City provide a 2 year/5% interest
only loan to the Foundation. This will allow us to retire our debt with Lake Forest Bank and Trust and save on interest costs. We have existing pledge receivables and grant commitments
totaling $223,768. These receivables are collectable through 2012; the majority of which ($180,268) come due in the next two years.
Attached as page __ is a copy of the loan agreement and debt reduction schedule.
Recommended Action: Approve the CROYA Foundation loan agreement in the amount of $180,000.
OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
CONSENT AGENDA 8:05 p.m.
1. Approval of the Minutes of the April 24, 2008 Regular Council Meetings
A copy of the minutes is attached beginning on page 13.
2. Resolution Supporting The City Of Chicago’s Bid For the 2016 Olympic And
Paralympic Games
A copy of the resolution is attached beginning on page 31.
3. Special Event Report – New Community Market
Lake Forest residents have a new community market to buy fresh vegetables, fruit, baked goods, homemade items and locally crafted artisan gifts. This initiative is starting due to the
efforts of Susan Kelsey, Economic Development Coordinator. The new “Market on the Square” is the first Saturday of each month and begins Saturday, June 7, 2008, from 8 am – 12 noon.
The market dates are: June 7th, July 5th, August 2nd and September 6th from 8 am to 12 noon. The market will be located on Southgate between Bank Lane and Forest Avenue on historic
Market Square. Residents with bumper crops are invited to donate their goods to share at the market. Surplus products remaining each Saturday will be donated to Shields Township Food
Pantry where they will be given to families in need.
The mission of Market on the Square is to provide a congenial gathering place to trade locally grown and homemade products in an open air setting. Vendors can include local citizens,
organizations and businesses with talents or goods of interest to showcase and to sell. Proceeds will benefit our community spirit as well as our local economy.
The Market on the Square is sponsored by The City of Lake Forest Office of Economic Development. For more information, contact the Market Manager at (847) 613-7005.
It is the staff’s recommendation to approve the road closure of Southgate between Bank Lane and Forest Avenue during the event and waive fees for City services in the amount of $150.00
Recommended Action: Approval of the Consent Agenda as presented.
ORDINANCES 8:10 p.m.
1. Consideration of a Report and Recommendation from the Zoning Board of Appeals to grant a variance from the side yard setback requirements at 827 N. Oakwood (First Reading and, if
desired by the City Council, Final Approval)
PRESENTED BY ASSISTANT PLANNER MEGAN O’NEILL (847-615-4587)
On April 28, 2008, the Zoning Board of Appeals held a public hearing to consider the request for a variance from the R-1 setback regulations to allow construction of a two story addition
at 827 N. Oakwood Avenue. The petitioner’s request will allow an expanded kitchen and eating area off the rear of the house. The existing house is non-conforming with respect to the
10 foot side yard setback requirement and is located approximately 3.5 feet from the north property line. As proposed, the wall of the proposed addition is sited 5 feet from the property
line. Since the setback is measured to the edge of the eave, the actual setback from the property line of the proposed addition is 4 feet 2 inches. The same level of landscape screening
that exists on the site today will be installed after construction of the addition to soften the visual impact of the addition on neighboring properties. There were no objections from
surrounding property owners to this request.
The Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously to recommend approval of the requested variance subject to conditions outlined in the Ordinance. The Ordinance and associated exhibits
are included in the packet beginning on page 33.
Recommendation: Waive first reading and grant final approval of the Ordinance to allow the foundation and wall of the two story addition to be constructed no closer than five feet from
the north property line and the eave to extend no closer than 4 feet 2 inches to the property line.
2. Consideration of an Ordinance Establishing a Special Service Area 8:15 p.m.
for the Barat Woods Development (First Reading, and if Desired by the
City Council, Final Approval)
PRESENTED BY DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
CATHERINE CZERNIAK (847-615-4299)
On April 24, 2008, the City Council approved the Proposing Ordinance for a Special Service Area for the recently approved Barat Woods Development to support District 67 facilities.
As a follow-up to the Council approval of the Proposing Ordinance, the required public notice was published. The Establishing Ordinance for that same Special Service Area is now before
the City Council for public hearing and if desired by the City Council, final approval.
The ordinance, if approved, will take effect 60 days after the close of the public hearing unless the City Clerk receives a petition signed by at least 51% of the electors residing within
the subject area and at least 51% of the owners of record. In this case, no electors currently reside on the property and the owner has agreed to the Special Service Area in discussions
with representatives from District 67.
Since the enactment of an intergovernmental agreement between the City and District 67 in 1996, significant developments including the Middlefork Farm subdivision, Amberley Woods and
Willow Lake Farms have followed the process of establishing Special Service Areas as a mechanism to make payments to the School District’s Facility Development Fund. The amounts of
the payments are based on the density of the developments and the anticipated impacts on public schools. District representatives met with the developer of Barat Woods to discuss the
proposed development and its likely impacts on the School District and have reached agreement on the specifics of the Special Service Area for this development. The City is not involved
in these negotiations, but provides the mechanism for establishing the Special Service Area.
The Establishing Ordinance for the Special Service Area for Barat Woods is included in the Council packet beginning on page 43.
Recommended Action: Waive first reading and grant final approval of the Establishing Ordinance for the Special Service Area for the Barat Woods Development for the purposes of funding
public school facilities.
NEW BUSINESS
1. A Resolution Expressing Support For Acceptance Of A Forest 8:20 p.m.
Green Transit Study Available Through The Regional Transit Authority
(RTAP Grant)
PRESENTED BY ASSISTANT TO THE CITY MANAGER
CARINA WALTERS (847-615-4281)
Over the last 18 months the City Council have been discussing the application for a Regional Technical Assistance Program (RTAP) Grant. This grant opportunity is offered through the
Regional Transit Authority (RTA) providing technical and/or financial support to selected municipalities or governmental agencies for transit planning projects that enhance transit.
In fall of 2007, staff received notification from the RTA that the grant funding was deferred due to the budgetary crisis.
As of January 2008, the RTA received the Mass Transit Funding Reform thus appropriating the grant funding and enabling the City to continue the project. The City will be hiring a consultant
with the advice of the Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) and direction of the City Council to conduct a comprehensive multi-model transit study. TAC is comprised of representatives
of the Business Partners Transportation Committee, School District 67 & 115, Lake Forest College, Lake Forest Hospital, Lake Forest Academy, Lake Forest/ Lake Bluff Chamber of Commerce,
CROYA, Financial Institutions, Pace, Metra, RTA and City residents. TAC has met twice to identify the Scope of the Project which is in the application for the grant beginning on page
55.
A few goals that should be identified following the completion of the City wide transit analysis include:
Convenient & Self Sufficient Transportation System,
Assess the efficiency of Non-Traditional existing Shuttles,
Enhance utilization of Suburban School Bus Operation that will attract and identify student needs to utilize public transportation,
Support the City Council in Green Initiatives,
Aide Employers with Employee Retention, Assist Employees in their daily commute,
And create innovative marketing techniques to attract riders and improve the east/west access.
The next step will be to release an RFP for potential consultants; and a subcommittee of TAC will review the candidates and make a recommendation to the City Council at a future council
meeting.
Recommended Action: Approve the Resolution allowing the RTA to provide financial assistance of 80% and the City providing 20% of the matching funds authorizing the transit study.
2. Consideration of a Resolution Accepting a Donation from The 8:30 p.m.
Negaunee Foundation Pertaining to the Elawa Farm Caretaker’s
Cottage
PRESENTED BY ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER MARCUS PECCIA (847-615-4287)
The Negaunee Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that currently helps support our Wildlife Discovery Center, as well as other organizations such as the Field Museum, has offered
to the City’s Friend’s of the Parks and Recreation Foundation (the “Recreation Foundation”) a very generous donation of $150,000.
The primary purpose of the donation, which will be payable to the Recreation Foundation in quarterly installments over the next three years, with the first year’s payment of $50,000
being paid “up front” to offset Cottage repair and renovation expenses, is to further support and fund Wildlife Discovery Center activities at Elawa Farm.
As part of their donation, The Negaunee Foundation is requiring that the curator of the City’s Wildlife Discovery Center, who at this time is currently Robert Carmichael, reside on campus
in the Elawa Caretaker’s Cottage (the “Cottage”).
The Cottage was previously occupied by a couple that also provided general caretaker services to the Elawa complex until last winter when they moved to another community. At that time,
similar to when the City previously sought a tenant for the Cottage a few years ago, the City solicited all educational organizations and City employees to ascertain if there is any
interest in renting the Cottage and providing general caretaker services.
Although there was interest in the Cottage by several, two offers were initially received; one from Robert Carmichael and The Negaunee Foundation, and the other one withdrew.
The staff recommendation is in support of accepting The Negaunee Foundation’s donation, and in requiring that the Wildlife Discovery Center curator, currently Robert Carmichael, reside
on campus in the Cottage. Additionally, Robert Carmichael, if the City Council is also in support of this Resolution and he moves into the Cottage, is prepared to take on general Elawa
Farm caretaker duties such as nightly security checks and assisting patrons of the Farm with their programs.
A copy of a resolution accepting the donation from the Negaunee Foundation pertaining to the Elawa Farm Caretaker’s Cottage is attached beginning on page 68.
Recommended Action: Approve the resolution accepting a donation from The Negaunee Foundation pertaining to the Elawa Farm Caretaker’s Cottage, and authorize the City Manager to execute
any agreements or documents that may be necessary that relate to this resolution.
3. Discussion on Extending the Authority of Restaurants of Serve 8:40 p.m.
Alcohol to 1:00 a.m.
PRESENTED BY CITY MANAGER ROBERT R. KIELY, JR. (847-615-4271)
Several requests have been received from restaurants asking the City to consider extending the authority of their liquor license to be able to serve until 1:00 a.m. Currently the City’s
liquor code allows restaurants to only serve until midnight. The exception is the country clubs, or Class D licenses, are allowed to serve until 1:00 a.m. Also, the liquor code allows
current liquor holders to apply for a Class S license up to four times per year, which allows them to serve until 1:00 a.m. Several restaurants apply for these licenses every year for
holidays such as News Years Eve, Thanksgiving Eve, and the Friday after Thanksgiving.
Staff is seeking direction on whether the City Council would be supportive of a Code amendment extending the liquor licenses to allow restaurants to serve alcohol until 1:00 a.m. The
Police Department has also discussed this issue and do not feel this will have a high impact on their department.
The current liquor license holders have also been notified of this meeting, and were encouraged to attend.
ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION 8:55 p.m.
MOTION TO ADJOURN INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR PURPOSES OF DISCUSSING PENDING LITIGATION, LAND DISPOSITION, AND LAND ACQUISITION
MOTION TO RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION
ADJOURNMENT
Office of the City Manager
May 16, 2008
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.
May 19, 2008 Agenda Page 2