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CITY COUNCIL 3-2-09 council agendaTHE CITY OF LAKE FOREST COUNCIL AGENDA Monday, March 2, 2009 7:30 p.m. City Hall Council Chambers CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL 7:30 p.m. Honorable S. Michael Rummel, Mayor David D. Grumhaus, Jr., 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. Proclamation of National Athletic Training Month Recommended Action: Approve the Proclamation which is attached beginning on page 6. 2. Comments by City Manager 7:35 p.m. A. Discussion on Implementation of a Testing Program for The City of Lake Forest Severe Weather Alert System PRESENTED BY DEPUTY CHIEF CHRISTOPHER GARRISON (847.615.4237) AND LIEUTENANT ANDREW ALLAN, ESDA COORDINATOR (847.615.4258) In 1993 The City of Lake Forest received a Grant allotting 13 weather alert sirens to be installed in strategic locations within the City boundaries. Each siren is rated to send a clear message in case of a weather emergency within a one-mile radius. Historically the only audible siren testing has been conducted with the unit located at City Hall which is done daily at noon. There have been silent tests performed on the other 12 sirens since the unit’s were installed in 1996. On June 16, 2008 a tornado touched down in a community just west of The City of Lake Forest that caused the tornado sirens in Lake Forest to be activated. Once the sirens were activated by the dispatch center, several calls were received that the system did not work properly. The complaints included a distorted audible message, and the sirens weren’t properly heard. After receiving these comments, the systems were inspected by an outside agency which found one unit to be damaged. Staff believes that education of the sirens’ use is vital, along with weekly or monthly audible testing. The public policy analysis recommends educational public announcements and either weekly or monthly audible siren testing with complete coverage in The City of Lake Forest. The public announcements along with the weekly or monthly testing will ensure that all of the sirens are properly functioning and heard throughout the City. To ensure the tornado siren policy is implemented successfully, the police and fire departments, community involvement, advertising, and education are all needed. The goal is to have March 2, 2009 Agenda Page 2 proper notification to the citizens in the event a tornado has the potential of striking The City of Lake Forest. During the presentation to Council members, staff will also provide information on what’s being done in other communities and recommendations from the ESDA coordinator. Recommended Action: Provide direction to staff to help determine the best course of action on developing a testing program for the City’s weather alert system. 3. Comments by Council Members 4. Council Committee Reports 8:00 p.m. A. Finance Committee Report 1. Consideration of a Resolution Approving a Revolving Credit Agreement with the West Lake Forest TIF District, and Approval of an Ordinance Authorizing a Tax Increment District Credit Agreement with The City of Lake Forest (First Reading and Final Approval) PRESENTED BY FINANCE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN ALD. GRUMHAUS The Citywide fiber optic communications network project includes funding of $1,920,000 from the TIF Fund. If the City were to issue revenue bonds, the rate would be in excess of 5% and the underwriter’s discount along with issuance costs could total as much as $65,000. In order to save the TIF District the issuance costs and provide the City with a fair rate of return, the City can lend the $1,920,000 to the District directly. The City also benefits by not issuing General Obligation bonds for this project. The City’s financial advisor recommends a rate of 5%. The maturity date is December 31, 2011 which is estimated to be the end date of the TIF. Attached beginning on page 7 is the following documents related to this project that require Council consideration and approval: 1) A revolving credit agreement between the City and the TIF District. This is modeled after the City's agreement with Lake Forest Bank & Trust regarding the new MS Facility, albeit in a simplified form. It is the vehicle for having the City loan sums to the TIF District for the fiber optic communications network project (the "Redevelopment Project"). 2) A resolution approving the Revolving Credit Agreement. This is the City's approval of the loan agreement. 3) An ordinance authorizing the issuance of TIF obligations for the Redevelopment Project. This is the TIF District approval of the loan arrangement. March 2, 2009 Agenda Page 3 Recommended Action: Waive first reading, and if desired by the City Council, grant final approval of an ordinance authorizing a $1,920,000 credit agreement by the TIF District for the construction of fiber optic communications network project, and approval of a resolution by the City to enter into the credit agreement. 2. Report from the Lake Forest Real Estate 8:10 p.m. Community Coalition PRESENTED BY ALDERMAN KENT NOVIT At the January 20, 2009 City Council meeting, members from the newly formed Lake Forest Real Estate Community Coalition reported on current issues such as the drop in home sales in the community and efforts that are ongoing to improve the real estate conditions within Lake Forest. Since the meeting, members of the Coalition have been working with Alderman Novit who will give a status report on issues that were raised at the January 20th meeting. OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS CONSENT AGENDA 8:30 p.m. 1. Approval of the February 17, 2009 Minutes of the Regular City Council Meetings A copy is attached beginning on page 24. 2. Consideration of an Ordinance Amending Chapter 39 of the City Code relating to Auditing Procedures Applicable to Franchise Fees (First Reading and Final Approval) Recently in a review of Chapter 39 of the City Code, it was recommended by our city attorney that a few minor changes to our City Code regarding auditing procedures needed to be made. The ordinance beginning on page 28 amends the definition of “City tax” to include fees that are due to the City as a result of a franchise agreement, such as the franchise agreement with Comcast, under which it pays to the City 5% of its gross revenues as franchise fees. By amending the definition, and the other related changes, cable TV and video service providers and other utility companies that are required to pay a franchise fee will be treated on a level playing field and be subject to the auditing procedures that were established by the City in 2000 to conform to the Illinois Taxpayers' Bill of Rights Act. The recommended action is to waive first reading, and if desired by the City Council, grant final approval to an ordinance amending Chapter 39 of the City Code relating to auditing procedures applicable to franchise fees. March 2, 2009 Agenda Page 4 3. Approval of Authorized Invoices and Payrolls During the month of February, the following amounts were disbursed from the Cashier’s Account: GENERAL FUND WATER TOTALS INVOICES $513,981.25 $55,639.45 $569,620.70 PAYROLL $1,224,544.69 $138,152.35 $1,362,697.04 TOTALS $1,738,525.94 $193,791.80 $1,932,317.74 The motion is for the approval of Authorized Invoices and Payrolls for February, 2009. 4. Authorization of Treasurer’s Warrants to Meet Expenses of March, 2009 The motion is to authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign such warrants as may be necessary to meet the March, 2009 audited accounts. Recommended Action: Approval of the Consent Agenda as presented. NEW BUSINESS 1. Consideration of a Resolution Regarding the Fort Sheridan 8:40 p.m. Golf Course PRESENTED BY CITY MANAGER ROBERT R. KIELY, JR. (847-615-4271) On Friday, January 30, 2009 staff attended Lake County Forest Preserve’s Committee of the Whole meeting regarding Fort Sheridan planning; specifically the potential for developing a golf course on this site. Staff will brief City Council on this lengthy meeting and provide an overview of the potential impacts this development could have on our recreation services and community. Attached beginning on page 35 is an article that was prepared after the January 30, 2009 meeting by Anne Flanigan Bassi of Highland Park as well as the LCFPD 1994 correspondence to Congressman John Porter that requested his support in securing the property on their behalf. Separately attached is the Econmic Impact report prepared by Pellucid in February, 2008, for the four adjoining community park districts. The full LCFPD Powerpoint presentation “Project History and Potential Next Steps” and their “Golf Course Feasibility Study” can also be reviewed on their website at www.LCFPD.org. The Park and Recreation Board discussed this topic at their February 10, 2009 meeting and have requested that City Council pass a resolution indicating they do not support the development of a golf course at this site. If a golf course is built at Fort Sheridan, it will have a significant negative impact on Deerpath Golf Course. The extent of impact will vary depending on the type of golf course (very high-end versus mid-range public play) that they build. March 2, 2009 Agenda Page 5 There are also many concerns and questions about this development project that the LCFPD will have to address (economic viability, impact on their golf courses and local community courses, funding options and fee philosophy) to name a few. If the Council chooses to do so, attached beginning on page 31 is the Resolution of Concern regarding the development of the Fort Sheridan Golf Course. Recommended Action: Approval of the Resolution of Concern regarding the Lake County Forest Preserve District Development of a Golf Course on the Fort Sheridan Property. ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION ADJOURNMENT 9:00 p.m. Office of the City Manager February 26, 2009 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.