CITY COUNCIL 10-20-08 council agendaTHE CITY OF LAKE FOREST
COUNCIL AGENDA
Monday, October 20, 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
A. Introduction of New Chinese Teachers by Dr. Harry Griffith, Superintendent of School District 115
2. Comments by City Manager 7:45 p.m.
3. Comments by Council Members 7:50 p.m.
4. Council Committee Reports
A. Finance Committee Report
PRESENTED BY FINANCE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
ALD. DAVID GRUMHAUS
1. Resolution Authorizing the Approval of an Identity Theft Prevention Policy
The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions (FACT) Act of 2003 requires that creditors implement policies and procedures to detect, prevent, and mitigate the impact of identity theft.
In late 2007, the FTC and federal banking agencies issued their final rules and guidelines to implement this law which has a mandatory compliance date of November 1, 2008.
The City is considered a creditor under the law as water and sewer services are provided by the City before a customer pays for them. A copy of the resolution adopting the new policy
is attached beginning on page 5.
Recommended Action: Approval of a resolution authorizing an Identity theft prevention policy.
2. Consideration of the FY08 Treasurer’s Report
Pursuant to Illinois State Statute, a Treasurer’s Report must be filed with the City Clerk, the County Clerk, and published within a Lake Forest newspaper within six months after the
end of each fiscal year. The report will be published in the October 30, 2008 edition of the Lake Forester. It is attached beginning on page 15 for your consideration.
Recommended Action: Acknowledge receipt of the FY08 Treasurer’s Report.
OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
CONSENT AGENDA 7:55 p.m.
1. Approval of the Minutes from the October 6, 2008 City Council Meeting
A copy of the minutes is attached beginning on page 24.
Recommended Action: Approval of the Consent Agenda as presented.
ORDINANCES 8:00 p.m.
1. Consideration of an Ordinance Amending Article IX of Chapter 37 of the
Lake Forest City Code Regarding Construction of Facilities in the
Public Rights-Of-Way (First Reading, and Final Approval)
PRESENTED BY CITY ATTORNEY VICTOR FILIPPINI
During the negotiations relating to the cable franchise agreement, there has been discussion for the need to amend Section 37-107 of the City Code regarding the closing or vacation of
a public right-of-way. The draft ordinance prepared by the City Attorney beginning on page 32 would add a new subsection requiring a utility to remove its facilities from the public
right-of-way at its own cost and expense if the public right-of-way becomes closed to utilities or vacated, or if ownership of the land under the affected public right-of-way is transferred
to a party other than the City. It also outlines parameters in the case that a vacation or transfer of a public right-of-way occurs for the benefit of any private person.
Recommended Action: Waive first reading, and if desired by the City Council, grant final approval to an ordinance amending Chapter 37 of the City Code relating to public rights-of way.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Recommendation from the Transportation Advisory Committee for 8:10 p.m.
the Forest Green Transit Study
PRESENTED BY ASST. CITY MANAGER CARINA WALTERS (847-615-4281)
At its May 19, 2008 City Council meeting a resolution was passed allowing the execution of a technical assistance grant under the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA). The approval
of the resolution allows the RTA to provide financial assistance of 80% and the City providing 20% of the matching funds authorizing the transit study.
The Regional Technical Assistance Program (RTAP) grant will allow the City to embark on a City Wide Transit study that will transport employees to and from the train stations to their
respective places of employment, assist CROYA, seniors to move throughout the community, reduce traffic congestion, improve our economic stability and support a Council initiative of
being Green.
Since May staff created a Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) composed of stakeholders within the community including Lake Forest Hospital, Lake Forest College, Conway Business Park,
Lake Forest Academy, School District 67 & 115, Lake Forest Place, residents, Pace, Metra and the RTA. A Request for Proposal was disseminated and interviews were conducted for potential
consultants on September 11, 2008 and October 2, 2008.
With this, The TAC committee is recommending TranSystems to conduct the study that will ultimately design services that will meet the needs of the stakeholders and residents. TranSystems
is being recommended to undertake this project, based on their qualifications and their successful work on other RTAP projects throughout the region.
In order for the project to commence approval is to be obtained by the City, RTA, and TranSystems. The total not-to-exceed amount is $100,000, which is “in line” with costs incurred
on similar RTAP projects. This contract would be financed through the CIP Fund. The study is anticipated to begin by the end of November 2008.
Recommended Action: Allow the City Manager to enter into a professional service and consulting agreement with TranSystems not to exceed $100,000; upon the approval of the RTA.
2. Consideration of a Request for Reconsideration of the Northwest 8:25 p.m.
Quadrant of the Amberley Woods Property
PRESENTED BY DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
CATHERINE CZERNIAK (847-615-4299)
In April, 2006, the City Council approved the Final Development Plan Ordinance for Amberley Woods, a mixed use development located on 40 acres of property on the south side of Route
60, between Saunders Road and Conway Farms Drive. The Amberley Woods mixed use development, as approved, is made up of three components. The northeast quadrant of the property was
approved for development with two 45-unit condominium buildings, one of which is completed and partially occupied. The southern half of the property was approved for development with
24 single family homes, two of which have been constructed to date. The northwest quadrant of the site was approved for development with two 42,616 square foot boutique office buildings,
related parking and adaptive reuse of the existing historic residence. To date, no development has occurred on the northwest quadrant of the parcel and this portion of the site is on
the market.
City staff was recently contacted by a potential purchaser of the property, Mr. Jack McKinney, President and founder of J.F. McKinney and Associates. As part of his due diligence, Mr.
McKinney has asked whether the City would be willing to reconsider the uses and land plan which were previously approved for this portion of the property. Mr. McKinney proposes to explore
the use of this site for office related retail and service businesses as an alternative to the previously approved boutique office buildings.
This matter is brought before the Council at this time not for any formal Council action, but instead, for the purpose of getting a sense from the Council on whether there is interest
in reopening the discussion regarding the northwest quadrant of the Amberley Woods property, or not. If the Council feels strongly that the approved plan is the appropriate plan for
the site and that no modifications should be considered, it would be appropriate to clearly articulate that sense to staff and potential developers as part of the Council’s discussion
of this agenda item. Any reconsideration of the approved uses and land plan would require review through the normal Plan Commission process including staff review of detailed plans
and studies, presentations before the Commission, public notice and the opportunity for public testimony. Any Plan Commission recommendation for modification to the Final Development
Plan Ordinance that is currently in place for Amberley Woods would be forwarded to the City Council for final consideration consistent with the standard procedures set out in the Code.
In order to allow the City Council to provide an “initial reaction” to the concept of re-opening the discussion of this portion of the Amberley Woods property, staff requested information
from Mr. McKinney on the development concept he hopes to pursue. A copy of the description is included in the Council packet beginning on page 35. It is important to note that to date,
no engineering plans, traffic studies, market studies, landscape plans or architectural drawings have been prepared for this concept. However, it is prudent to assess whether the Council
has any interest in re-opening this issue and considering alternative uses and development plans for the site. This matter is not before the Council for discussion of details or to
pre-determine how the Plan Commission might react to any proposed plan revisions or the questions the Commission might ask. No approval of any changes is implied by this matter being
brought before the Council for information at this time.
In considering the preliminary information presented by Mr. McKinney, staff supports Plan Commission consideration of an alternative plan for the northwest quadrant of the Amberley Woods
development. Some conditions along the Route 60 Corridor have changed since 2006 when the Amberley Woods development received final approval. Significant road improvements are underway
on Route 60 and the Tollway, additional office buildings have been constructed and occupied in Conway Park and at the Opus site, the City’s Municipal Services facility will be completed
and occupied within the next 10 months, development of the City’s new community park on Route 60 is well underway and new residential developments have taken shape in the area. In addition,
it is of interest that although construction has proceeded on other portions of the Amberley Woods development, the northwest quadrant of the property is now back on the market. Although
the Plan Commission reconsideration may result in a determination that the approved plan is appropriate and should not be amended in any way, taking a step back at this point in time
and allowing the opportunity for reconsideration of what will be the best development for this important gateway to Lake Forest is consistent with the City’s long tradition of carefully
planning for the future.
No formal action is requested from the City Council.
ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION
ADJOURNMENT 8:55 p.m.
Office of the City Manager
October 17, 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.
October 20, 2008 Agenda Page 2