CC_2024_06_03_AGENDATHE CITY OF LAKE FOREST
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
Monday, June 3, 2024
220 E. Deerpath
Lake Forest, IL 60045
City Clerk will ask for a motion to appoint Alderman Goshgarian as Mayor Pro-Tem
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL 6:30 pm
Honorable Mayor, Stanford R. Tack
Nancy Novit, Alderman First Ward Ara Goshgarian, Alderman Third Ward
Peter Clemens, Alderman First Ward Alice LeVert, Alderman Third Ward
Edward U. Notz, Jr., Alderman Second Ward Eileen Looby Weber, Alderman Fourth Ward
John Powers, Alderman Second Ward Richard Walther, Alderman Fourth Ward
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS
1.COMMENTS BY MAYOR
A.Lake Forest Preservation Foundation Annual Preservation Awards
-Marcy Kerr, Executive Director
2.COMMENTS BY CITY MANAGER
A.Community Spotlight
-Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital
Seamus Collins, President, Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital and
Jeffrey Kopin, MD, Senior Vice President & Chief Medical Officer,
Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital
3.OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL
4.COMMITTEE REPORTS
5.ITEMS FOR OMNIBUS VOTE CONSIDERATION
1.Approval of the May 20, 2024, City Council Meeting Minutes
A copy of the minutes can be found beginning on page 15.
COUNCIL ACTION: Approval of the May 20, 2024, City Council Meeting Minutes
1
Monday, June 3, 2024, City Council Agenda
2. Approval of the Check Register for the Period of April 27 – May 24, 2024
STAFF CONTACT: Elizabeth Holleb, Finance Director (847-810-3612)
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION: City Code Section 38.02 sets forth payment procedures of the
City. The Director of Finance is to prepare a monthly summary of all warrants to be drawn on
the City treasury for the payment of all sums due from the City (including all warrants relating
to payroll and invoice payments) by fund and shall prepare a detailed list of invoice payments
which denotes the person to whom the warrant is payable. The warrant list detail of invoice
payments shall be presented for review to the Chairperson of the City Council Finance
Committee for review and recommendation. All items on the warrant list detail
recommended for payment by the Finance Committee Chairperson shall be presented in
summary form to the City Council for approval or ratification. Any member of the City Council
shall, upon request to the City Manager or Director of Finance, receive a copy of the warrant
list detail as recommended by the Finance Committee Chairperson. The City Council may
approve the warrant list as so recommended by the Finance Committee Chairperson by a
concurrence of the majority of the City Council as recorded through a roll call vote.
The Council action requested is to ratify the payments as summarized below. The associated
payroll and invoice payments have been released during the check register period noted.
Following is the summary of warrants as recommended by the Finance Committee
Chairperson:
The amount denoted as “All other Funds” includes $552,189 in medical/dental plan expenses.
COUNCIL ACTION: Approval of the Check Register for the Period of April 27 – May 24, 2024
Fund Invoice Payroll Total
101 General 816,231 2,050,148 2,866,379
501 Water & Sewer 154,526 224,748 379,274
220 Parks & Recreation 298,414 487,551 785,965
311 Capital Improvements 272,508 272,508
202 Motor Fuel Tax 54,036 54,036
230 Cemetery 101,262 57,992 159,254
210 Senior Resources 19,242 34,269 53,510
510 Deerpath Golf Course 144,848 571 145,419
601 Fleet 138,799 67,593 206,392
416 - 434 Debt Funds 0
248 Housing Trust 0
201 Park & Public Land 27,513 27,513
All other Funds 906,383 231,491 1,137,874
$2,933,761 $3,154,362 $6,088,123
Check Register for April 27 - May 24, 2024
2
Monday, June 3, 2024, City Council Agenda
3.Approval to extend the City’s Office Supplies Contract with Warehouse Direct
through May 31, 2025 as determined by the Suburban Purchasing Cooperative of the
Northwest Municipal Conference.
STAFF CONTACT: Jamese Scott, Staff Accountant (847-810-3618)
PURPOSE AND ACTION REQUESTED: Staff recommends City Council authorization to extend the
current contract with Warehouse Direct for City office supply purchases pursuant to a contract
granted by the Suburban Purchasing Cooperative (SPC) of the Northwest Municipal
Conference.
PROJECT REVIEW/RECOMMENDATIONS:
Reviewed Date Comments
City Council 5/15/23 Approved extension through 5/31/24
consistent with the SPC extension.
consistent with the SPC extension.
consistent with the SPC extension.
consistent with the SPC extension.
consistent with the SPC extension.
consistent with the SPC extension.
Warehouse Direct.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION: In September 2013, the City Council approved a contract with
Warehouse Direct for City office supply purchases. This contract was approved pursuant to a
contract awarded by the Suburban Purchasing Cooperative (SPC) of the Northwest Municipal
Conference. Since that time, the City Council has approved several extensions of the
contract consistent with actions by the SPC, as noted above. As an active SPC participant,
staff is seeking authorization to extend the contract through May 31, 2025 consistent with a
recent announcement by the SPC (page 20).
This joint purchasing initiative allows the City to benefit from competitive bid and discounted
pricing without having to designate Warehouse Direct as an exclusive provider. Should
3
Monday, June 3, 2024, City Council Agenda
departments find more advantageous savings through another source for a particular item,
they may purchase from other suppliers.
BUDGET/FISCAL IMPACT: Office supplies are paid directly from department operating budgets
and this action has no immediate fiscal impact. Office supply costs are included within
individual operating budgets. The estimated total of purchases for FY2025 is $45,000.
COUNCIL ACTION: Approval to extend the City’s Office Supplies Contract with Warehouse
Direct through May 31, 2025, as determined by the Suburban Purchasing Cooperative of the
Northwest Municipal Conference.
4.Approval of a Recommendation from the Public Works Committee to Award a
Three-Year Professional Services Agreement to Eco Clean Maintenance to Provide
Janitorial Services at City Facilities in the Amount of $665,562
STAFF CONTACT: Jim Lockefeer, Assistant Director of Public Works (810-3542)
PURPOSE AND ACTION REQUESTED: The Public Works Committee and City staff requests City
Council award a three-year professional services agreement to Eco Clean Maintenance to
provide janitorial services at City facilities in the amount of $665,562.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION: The City’s janitorial services agreement includes general/nightly
janitorial building cleaning tasks at thirteen City buildings. The agreement includes detailed
cleaning tasks, frequencies, and schedules at the thirteen facilities that range from once-a-
week cleanings at the Water Plant to seven days a week at the Public Safety Building. All
building janitorial services are provided during the evening hours at every facility within the
agreement. The agreement also contains twice a year machine floor cleanings at each of the
thirteen buildings.
In June of 2019 City Council approved a three-year agreement with a firm to provide general
janitorial and twice a year floor cleaning services at City buildings. The City’s current extension
of the original agreement approved by City Council will end June 30, 2024. Included as part of
that original 2019 three-year agreement approval, the City had the option to enter into two,
one-year extensions with the approved firm based on performance and proposed price
increases. In June of 2022 and 2023, City Council approved of an additional one-year service
agreement extensions. Over the course of the original three-year agreement and the two,
one-year extensions, a City staff “Janitorial Building Coordinator Group”, met quarterly with the
current janitorial firm contract service provider to continually review performance. This
Janitorial Building Coordinator group contains City staff representatives from six of the
larger/public facing facilities within the agreement. This group will continue to meet quarterly
to review contract performance.
PROJECT REVIEW/RECOMMENDATIONS:
Reviewed Date Comments
Public Works Committee 5/20/24
4
Monday, June 3, 2024, City Council Agenda
BUDGET/FISCAL IMPACT: On April 9, 2024, City staff initiated a Request for Proposal (RFP)
process seeking proposals from qualified firms for janitorial services. On April 17, 2024, a
mandatory pre-proposal meeting was held with interested firms that included tours of all
thirteen City buildings within the contract. On April 30, 2024, the public RFP process closed and
in total, eight proposals were received as outlined below.
Has City staff obtained competitive pricing for proposed goods/services? Yes.
*Did not attend mandatory pre-proposal meeting
Staff first focused on a review of the low proposal received from Vega Building Maintenance.
Vega Building Maintenance did not provide floor cleaning pricing in the correct format as
outlined within the RFP. Additionally, reference checks did not come back entirely favorable.
Staff then focused on the next low proposal received from Eco Clean Maintenance Inc. Eco
Clean Maintenance completed all requested pricing documents as outlined within the RFP.
Additionally, all reference checks came back very positive and favorable.
Following the detailed review of Eco Clean’s proposal and reference checks, City staff met
with the owners of Eco Clean Maintenance and one of their janitorial crew supervisors to learn
about their firm. Eco Clean was established in 2008 and employes approximately 100
employees. They hold many municipal contracts that include City, Village, and County
facilities. They also hold private commercial contracts. Additionally, Eco Clean provided
information regarding their customer service approach, organizational structure, and cleaning
crew supervision and oversite. Staff was very comfortable with all the information presented in
the meeting.
Below is an estimated summary of Project budget:
$221,854 $221,854 Y
The three-year contract amount totals $665,562. This total represents an annual contractual
amount of $221,854. As with the 2019 agreement, the City will have the option to enter into
two, one-year extensions with Eco Clean Maintenance based on performance and any
Firm Name Janitorial Floor Cleaning Three-Year
Eco Clean Maintenance Inc. $575,532 $90,030 $665,562
5
Monday, June 3, 2024, City Council Agenda
proposed price increases. If awarded, the base three-year agreement would span July 2024
through June 2027.
COUNCIL ACTION: Approval of a Recommendation from the Public Works Committee to
Award a Three-Year Professional Services Agreement to Eco Clean Maintenance to Provide
Janitorial Services at City Facilities in the Amount of $665,562
5.Award of a Three-Year Contract to Patriot Pavement Maintenance, Inc., for the
Crack Sealing Project and Authorize the City Manager to Execute an Agreement
in an Amount Not to Exceed $35,000 per Year
STAFF CONTACT: Byron Kutz, P.E., Superintendent of Engineering (810-3555)
PURPOSE AND ACTION REQUESTED: The Public Works Committee and staff request City Council
approval of the Crack Sealing Project with Patriot Pavement Maintenance Inc. for the MPI
Crack Sealing Project. This is for a three-year contract with the option for two additional
consecutive one-year terms.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION: Cracks in pavements allow moisture to penetrate the surface
causing premature pavement material failure. To minimize the water infiltrating the pavement
base, crack sealing with a hot sealant is required. Crack sealing is a practical and cost-
effective measure and is an essential part of a good pavement maintenance program.
City staff have previously briefed the City Council on MPI, a program that takes advantage of
economies of scale, for securing low bid prices, among neighboring municipalities who bid
similar projects each year. This year, the City will again join forces with other communities in
the MPI Crack Sealing contract. In 2024, the City plans to do approximately 20,000 feet of
crack sealing. Historically, the City crack seals between 20,000-30,000 feet annually depending
on budget and pricing.
The terms of the MPI are that the Contract shall be in effect for three years and renewed up to
two additional consecutive one-year terms, upon the mutual written consent of the City and
Contractor. The Contractor's pricing will increase at a minimum of 2% and a maximum of 4% in
the optional renewals allowed by this bid unless written requests for price revisions after the first
year period are submitted at least sixty (60) days in advance of the annual contract period for
each Municipality.
PROJECT REVIEW/RECOMMENDATIONS:
Reviewed Date Comments
Public Works Committee 5/6/2024 Council Approval
BUDGET/FISCAL IMPACT: Bids for the 2024 Crack Sealing Project were received and opened by
the MPI on February 19, 2024, with a total of two bids received.
6
Monday, June 3, 2024, City Council Agenda
This year a ‘dustless’ product will be utilized that will reduce the environmental risk to the
construction-workers and adjacent properties. Work on this project is expected to be
completed in the summer months with a project duration of less than a week. Engineering staff
will provide daily oversight and inspections of the crack sealing. The City’s website, under
“Construction Updates”, will also provide details of the work schedule.
Has City staff obtained competitive pricing for proposed goods/services? Yes
The following is a summary of the two bids received:
The MPI opened the bids on February 19, 2024.
Maintenance Construction,
$1.58 $2.75
$1.38 $2.58
$2.50 $3.20
$2.90 $4.95
This is a unit-price contract in which the contractor is only paid for the actual quantity of work
performed.
The low bidder, Patriot Paving Maintenance, recently completed crack filling in the City to the
satisfaction of Staff.
Below is an estimated summary of project budget by funding source:
FY 2025 Funding Source
$35,000 $35,000 Y
COUNCIL ACTION: Award of a Three-Year Contract to Patriot Pavement Maintenance, Inc.,
for the Crack Sealing Project and Authorize the City Manager to Execute an Agreement in an
Amount Not to Exceed $35,000 per Year
6.Approval of Amendments to the February 5, 2024 Illinois Department of
Transportation Resolution Appropriating $266,487 in Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) Funds and
$752,516 in Rebuild Illinois (RBI) Funds to be used for the 2024 Annual Pavement
Resurfacing Program
STAFF CONTACT: Byron Kutz, P.E., Superintendent of Engineering (810-3555)
PURPOSE AND ACTION REQUESTED: This is an amendment to the Illinois Department of
Transportation resolutions appropriated by the City Council on February 5, 2024, in order to
exactly differentiate between the MFT and RBI funds being utilized. The Illinois Highway Code
7
Monday, June 3, 2024, City Council Agenda
requires each municipality to submit a City Council Resolution appropriating MFT funds and
Rebuild Illinois Funds for local street maintenance projects. Staff requests amended approval
of resolutions appropriating $266,487 in Motor Fuel Tax Funds and $752,516 in Rebuild Illinois
Funds, for a total of $1,019,003. An additional $19,003 of RBI is currently associated with
contingency for the Lake Woodbine Bridge Phase II design. As RBI funds must be obligated by
no later than July 1st, 2025, staff recommends also authorizing the $19,003 for resurfacing to
ensure these funds will be utilized in case unspent on the separate Lake Woodbine Phase II
design project. If the additional $19,003 of RBI funds are utilized for resurfacing it would result in
a deduction of $19,003 MFT still maintaining a total resurfacing project cost of $1,000,000.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION: This resolution is necessary in fulfilling IDOT’s requirements for the
use of Motor Fuel Tax, as well as Rebuild Illinois funds. The City Council originally approved the
Illinois Department of Transportation resolution for the 2024 Annual Pavement Resurfacing
Program on February 5, 2024 in the amount of $1,000,000 MFT funds. As MFT and RBI funding is
managed slightly differently financially, per coordination with IDOT staff it has been deemed
necessary to amend these resolutions to exactly match the MFT and RBI funding sources being
utilized. Therefore, Staff requests amended approval of resolutions appropriating $266,487 in
Motor Fuel Tax Funds and $752,516 in Rebuild Illinois Funds.
Regarding the MFT funding, this fund is derived from a tax on the privilege of operating motor
vehicles upon public highways and of operating recreational watercraft upon the waters of
this State, based on the consumption of motor fuel. The motor fuel taxes that are deposited in
the Illinois MFT Fund are: (a). 45.0 cents per gallon (b). 53 cents per gallon on diesel fuel. The
Department of Transportation allocates these monies according to the provisions outlined in
the MFT fund distribution statue, 35 ILCS 505/8 and initiates the process for distribution of motor
fuel tax to the counties, townships, and municipalities. Each month a warrant is issued to each
municipal treasurer in the amount of the municipality’s share of Motor Fuel Tax Fund collected
for the preceding month. Monthly distributions are posted on the department’s website.
Regarding the RBI funding, according to the May 1, 2020, Circular Letter- The Illinois
Department of Transportation (IDOT) was authorized to implement a $1.5 billion grant program
using proceeds from general obligation (transportation, series A) bonds authorized in the
Rebuild Illinois capital program to provide Local Public Agencies (LPAs) with the funds for
capital projects. Grants are allotted among LPAs based on the regular Motor Fuel tax formula.
The money for Rebuild Illinois grants comes from proceeds of general obligation bonds
authorized pursuant to subsection (a) of Section 4 of the General Obligation Bond Act (30 ILCS
330/4). IDOT is authorized to use these funds to make grants “for planning, engineering,
acquisition, construction, reconstruction, development, improvement, extension, and all
construction-related expenses of the public infrastructure and other transportation
improvement projects.” Funds received from these Rebuild Illinois grants must be deposited
into the LPA’s MFT account. However, grant funds are separately accounted for, and
expenditures must be in accordance with purposes authorized in subsection (a) of Section 4 of
the General Obligation Bond Act.
8
Monday, June 3, 2024, City Council Agenda
PROJECT REVIEW/RECOMMENDATIONS:
Reviewed Date Comments
Public Works Committee 5/20/24 Amendments to the 2/5/2024 IDOT
Appropriation Resolutions
City Council 4/15/24 to Schroeder Asphalt
City Council 2/5/2024 $1,000,000 MFT Funds for Resurfacing
Finance Committee 11/13/2023 Resurfacing
BUDGET/FISCAL IMPACT: This resolution will re-initiate the process with IDOT to authorize the use
of MFT and RBI funds for the City’s 2024 Annual Pavement Resurfacing Program. To date, the
City has received Rebuild Illinois Bond funds of approximately $1,270,000. All allocated Rebuild
Illinois bond funds must be obligated by no later than July 1st, 2025, which coincides with the
end of the Rebuild Illinois Capital Program. Therefore, staff recommends authorizing an
additional $19,003 of RBI for resurfacing in case this $19,003 which is currently allocated as
contingency for the Lake Woodbine Phase II design is unspent and can be utilized for
resurfacing instead. If the additional $19,003 of RBI funds are utilized for resurfacing it would
result in a deduction of $19,003 MFT still maintaining a total resurfacing project cost of
$1,000,000.
Below is an estimated summary of the MFT and RBI dollars being requested:
FY 2025 Funding Source
202-3703-439.76-72 (MFT)$266,487 $266,487 Y
202-3703-439.76-72 (RBI)$752,516 $752,516 Y
Has City staff obtained competitive pricing for proposed goods/services? N/A.
COUNCIL ACTION: Approval of Amendments to the February 5, 2024 Illinois Department of
Transportation Resolution Appropriating $266,487 in Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) Funds and $752,516 in
Rebuild Illinois (RBI) Funds to be used for the 2024 Annual Pavement Resurfacing Program
7.Approval of a Resolution adopting the North Branch Chicago River & Lake Michigan
Watershed-Based Plans
STAFF CONTACT: Byron Kutz, Superintendent of Engineering (810-3555)
PURPOSE AND ACTION REQUESTED: Public Works Committee recommends approval of a
resolution adopting the North Branch Chicago River & Lake Michigan Watershed-Based Plans.
9
Monday, June 3, 2024, City Council Agenda
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION: The North Branch Chicago River Watershed Workgroup (NBWW) is
a voluntary, dues-paying organization with a mission to bring together a diverse coalition of
stakeholders to work to improve water quality in the North Branch of the Chicago River
watershed, in a cost-effective manner to meet Illinois EPA National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES) permit requirements. The Lake Michigan Watershed Workgroup is a
voluntary organization that currently does not require the payment of dues to be a member.
Lake County Stormwater Management Commission (SMC) has updated the 2008 Watershed-
Based Plan for the North Branch Chicago River Watershed. In 2018, SMC was awarded an
Illinois EPA Section 319 grant to complete the 10-year watershed-based plan update to
maintain consistency with Illinois EPA and Clean Water Act guidance regulations. The
watershed-based plan includes projects that improve water quality and are eligible for grant
funding through the Clean Water Act. The North Branch Chicago River Watershed-Based Plan
was approved by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (August 2022), the Lake County
Stormwater Management Commission (June 2023) and Lake County Board (Sept. 2023).
The North Branch Chicago River Watershed planning area covers 26 municipalities, 11
townships, 4 drainage districts and 94 square miles with northern and southern boundaries
roughly extending from Illinois Route 132 in the City of Waukegan in Lake County south to
Dempster Street in Morton Grove in Cook County. It is formed from three tributary streams: the
17-mile Skokie River, the 24-mile Middle Fork, and the 14-mile West Fork.
The Lake County Stormwater Management Commission (SMC) is also developing a
Watershed-Based Plan for the Lake Michigan Watershed. Projects that improve water quality
and are identified in watershed-based plans are eligible for grant funding through the Clean
Water Act and Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Lake County Stormwater Management
Commission took the lead to develop a watershed-based plan for the Lake Michigan
Watershed Planning Area. The purpose of this effort was to reduce the impacts of flooding,
protect and enhance natural resources, maintain “green” and “grey” infrastructure and
increase awareness of watershed issues and opportunities. Funding for this plan was provided,
in part, by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency through Section 319 of the Clean Water
Act, and the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission. The Lake Michigan
Watershed-Based Plan is an “umbrella” plan developed by SMC, in that it includes and
updates three previous plans for smaller sub-watersheds within the planning area: Kellogg
Creek, Dead River and Waukegan River, and completes planning for the remaining sub-
watershed areas, Pettibone Creek and Bluff/Ravine, with no previous watershed plans.
The Lake Michigan Watershed in Lake County comprises approximately 57 square miles
including 12 municipalities and 7 townships, about 11% of the total area of the County. From
north to south, Green Bay Road generally marks the drainage divide between the Lake
Michigan watershed to the east and the Mississippi River watershed to the west. In Lake
County, the Lake Michigan watershed is characterized by numerous small streams that flow
through over 40 relatively steep-sided ravines into Lake Michigan.
In general, a)the watershed-based plans can be used as a guide to restore watershed lakes,
streams, and wetlands to a healthy condition while reducing the impacts of water pollution
and flood damage on watershed residents and providing opportunities for watershed
stakeholders to have a significant role in the process b) approval or adoption of the plans
does NOT make its implementation compulsory. All actions and recommendations in the
10
Monday, June 3, 2024, City Council Agenda
plans are VOLUNTARY c) the watershed-based plans provide community and stakeholder
organizations eligibility for grant funding to implement projects and programs recommended
in the plan. Each municipality that adopts the plan may implement the action
recommendations of the watershed-based plans that apply to them as resources (staff time
and funding) become available.
PROJECT REVIEW/RECOMMENDATIONS:
Reviewed Date Comments
Public Works Committee 5/20/2024 Reviewed & Recommended Adoption
Beginning on page 22 of your packet is the North Branch Chicago River & Lake Michigan
Watershed-Based Plans Executive Summary and Resolution.
COUNCIL ACTION: Approval of a Resolution adopting the North Branch Chicago River & Lake
Michigan Watershed-Based Plans
8.Award of Proposal to Alpha Paintworks, Inc. for Fire Hydrant Painting Services
Contract included in the FY2025-2027 Operating Capital Budget for the sum of
$55,800.
STAFF CONTACT: Dan Martin, Superintendent of Public Works (810-3561)
PURPOSE AND ACTION REQUESTED: The Public Works Committee and City staff are requesting
approval to award a contract to Alpha Maintenance & Service, Inc. for fire hydrant painting
services. The annual services are typically done during the late summer or early fall seasons.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION: There are 1,400 City owned fire hydrants on the water distribution
system to provide fire protection to homes and businesses throughout the community. On an
annual basis, the Water & Sewer Section inspects and flushes each hydrant to ensure they are
operating properly. Additional preventative maintenance is the annual fire hydrant painting
program which includes sandblasting the hydrant to bare metal, applying one coat of primer
and one coat of red exterior paint. Fire hydrants are recoated approximately every seven
years in order to prevent the paint coating from failing between painting cycles. The 1,400
hydrants are divided into 7 service zones with 200 hydrants in each zone. The table below
shows the contract cost for each year.
Item Description Cost per
Unit Quantity Total
Year 1 - Fire Hydrant
Painting $90.00 200 $18,000.00
$93.00 200 $18,600.00
$96.00 200 $19,200.00
11
Monday, June 3, 2024, City Council Agenda
PROJECT REVIEW/RECOMMENDATIONS:
Reviewed Date Comments
Public Works Committee 5/20/24
BUDGET/FISCAL IMPACT: Staff joined the Municipal Partnership Initiative (MPI) to bid the fire
hydrant painting work. MPI is a program that takes advantage of economies of scale by
securing low bid prices among neighboring municipalities who bid similar projects each year.
The City, along with ten other communities developed a new three year joint Request for
Proposal for Fire Hydrant Sandblasting and Painting services to begin in 2024.
Has City staff obtained competitive pricing for proposed goods/services? Yes
The following table shows the bids received from the February 2024 bid opening:
Alpha Maintenance & Service Inc $55,800.00 (3 Years)
The apparent low bidder, Read Feather Group did not complete the proper bid
documentation, therefore their proposal was rejected. Reference checks were done on the
next lowest bid received, BP&T Construction, and the responses were not favorable. Based on
this unfavorable feedback from the references, the MPI group rejected this bid and move
forward to the next lowest bidder. Alpha Maintenance & Service, Inc. was the lowest
responsive bidder. They have previously performed services for the City and other
participating MPI communities, and all have been satisfied with their level of service and
performance.
Staff is recommending that City Council approve a three-year agreement with the option to
renew for an additional one year extension for two years upon agreement by both parties
after three years, each additional year could have a possible negotiated increase equal to or
less than a determined C.P.I.
Below is an estimated summary of Project budget:
FY2025 Funding Source
$55,800.00 $18,000.00 Y
12
Monday, June 3, 2024, City Council Agenda
COUNCIL ACTION: Award of Proposal to Alpha Maintenance & Service, Inc. for Fire Hydrant
Painting Services Contract included in the FY2025-2027 Operating Capital Budget for the sum
of $55,800.
COUNCIL ACTION: Approve the eight (8) omnibus items as presented
6. OLD BUSINESS
7.NEW BUSINESS
8.ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION/ COMMENTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS
9.ADJOURNMENT
A copy of the Decision Making Parameters is included with this agenda following this page.
Office of the City Manager May 29, 2024
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 Jason Wicha, at (847) 234-2600 promptly to allow the City to make
reasonable accommodations for those persons.
13
^Qtu^^
C^'NA<WA£BT-<^
^.Scie^^t^wS^'X.
§.. ^..,,.e-..^
f-l&ff"^
THE CITY OF LAKE FOREST
DECISION-MAKING PARAMETERS FOR CITY COUNCIL,
AND APPOINTED BOARDS & COMMISSIONS
Adopted June 18, 2018
The City of Lake Forest Mission Statement:
"Be the best-managed, fiscally-responsible and appealing community and promote a community
spirit of trust, respect and citizen involvement. "
The Lake Forest City Council, with the advice and recommendations of its appointed advisory
Boards and Commissions, Lake Forest Citizens, and City Staff, is responsible for policy
formulation and approval. Implementation of adopted strategy, policy, budgets, and other
directives of Council is the responsibility of City Staff, led by the City Manager and Senior
Staff. The Mayor and Aldermen, and appointed members of Boards and Commissions should
address matters in a timely, deliberate, objective and process-driven manner, making decisions
guided by the City of Lake Forest Strategic and Comprehensive Plans, the City's Codes,
policies and procedures, and the following parameters:
. Motions and votes should comprise what is in the best long-term interests of all Lake
Forest citizens, measured in decades, being mindful of proven precedents and new
precedents that may be created.
. All points of view should be listened to and considered in making decisions with the
long-term benefit to Lake Forest's general public welfare being the highest priority.
. Fundmg decisions should support effectiveness and economy in providing services
and programs, while mindful of the number ofcidzens benefittmg from such
expenditures.
. New initiatives should be quantified, qualified, and evaluated for their long-tenn merit
and overall fiscal unpact and other consequences to the community.
. Decision makers should be proactive and timely in addressing sto-ategic planning
initiatives, external forces not under control of the City, and other opportunities and
challenges to the community.
Community trust in, and support of, government is fostered by maintaining the integrity of these
decision-making parameters.
The City of Lake Forest 's Decision-Making Parameters shall be reviewed by the City Council on an
annual basis and shall be included on all agendas of the City Council and Boards and Commissions.
14
The City of Lake Forest
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Proceedings of the Monday, May 20, 2024
City Council Meeting – City Council Chambers
220 E Deerpath, Lake Forest, IL 60045
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Honorable Mayor Tack called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m., and City
Clerk Margaret Boyer called the roll of Council members.
Present: Honorable Mayor Tack, Alderman Novit, Alderman Clemens, Alderman Powers, Alderman Goshgarin,
Alderman LeVert, Alderman Weber, and Alderman Walther.
Absent: Alderman Notz.
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited by all.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS
COMMENTS BY MAYOR
A.Resolution of Appreciation for Retired Chief of Police Karl Walldorf
COUNCIL ACTION: Approve the Resolution of Appreciation
Alderman Weber made a motion to approve the resolution of appreciation, seconded by Alderman
Goshgarian. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
B.2024-2025 Board & Commission Appointments and Reappointments
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD
NAME OF MEMBER APPOINT/REAPPOINT WARD
John Norkus APPOINT 1
COUNCIL ACTION: Approve the Mayor’s Appointments and Reappointments
Alderman Powers made a motion to approve the Mayor’s appointment, seconded by Alderman Walther.
Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
COMMENTS BY CITY MANAGER
A.Annual Emerging Artists Awards
-Morgan Adams, Executive Director at Deer Path Art League
Morgan Adams, Executive Director at Deer Path Art League introduced each artist and photos were taken.
B.Bank Lane- Streetscape Enhancement Plan
-Catherine Czerniak, Director of Community Development
15
Proceedings of the Monday, May 20, 2024
City Council Meeting
Catherine Czerniak, Director of Community Development reported on the goal of the Bank Lane Streetscape
Enhancement Plan RFP was to develop a plan and timeline for enhancements to Bank Lane to create a
distinctive and welcoming walkable corridor. Establish a process, conduct the necessary studies, allocate
funding and provide opportunities for public input. Encourage private investment by leading through public
investment in infrastructure along this corridor. Ms. Czerniak added that the updated Comprehensive Land
Use Plan identifies Bank Lane as an opportunity area and as a priority. Both The Lakota Group and Thomas
Engineering are playing critical roles in the Deerpath Streetscape project and have proven to be responsive,
sensitive to the character of the community, and creative in addressing challenges. Ms. Czerniak reported that
the intersection of Deerpath and Bank Lane is a prominent feature of the Central Business District coordinated
planning for this gateway is essential, Community engagement of various stakeholders is a focus of the
proposal presented by Lakota/Thomas including design charette exercises, public workshops, and online input
opportunities. Importantly, the proposal builds on the work done and discussions had during the recent
update to the Central Business District Chapter, while a tight timeline is presented to maintain momentum
and interest throughout the planning process and to assure coordination with related projects. And lastly,
both firms have a proven track record of working collaboratively and openly with Lake Forest staff and
residents on design projects in the past.
OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL
None this evening
COMMITTEE REPORTS
PUBLIC WORKS
1. Field Court and Spring Lane Watermain Replacement and Valve Repairs
- Byron Kutz, P.E., Superintendent of Engineering
Byron Kutz, P.E., Superintendent of Engineering reported that the project involves two locations with the first
replacing an existing break-prone 12” watermain located on Field Court just north of Route 60. The second
location is on Spring Lane to connect the 8” watermains between Lake Road and Mayflower Road which
previously were ‘dead end’ mains on each side; connecting these mains helps avoid any water quality issues.
Also included with the project is the Valve Repairs project consisting of seven valves throughout the City to be
replaced. Bidding and awarding projects of this similar work-type together provides economies of scale. A
timeline was shared.
2. McClory Bike Path Resurfacing Project
- Byron Kutz, P.E., Superintendent of Engineering
Byron Kutz, P.E., Superintendent of Engineering stated that resurfacing the city owned McClory bike path from
Illinois to Ryan was budgeted for FY25. The tentative schedule is work starting after school is out for the
summer approximately June 10 with an anticipated completion date prior to the July 4 holiday. The bike path
will be completely closed during construction for safety, with a signed detour via Westleigh-Sheridan-College.
A letter will be sent to residents and businesses within the limits of the project two weeks prior to start of
construction. The City’s website, under “Construction Updates”, will also provide details on the construction
schedule.
ITEMS FOR OMNIBUS VOTE CONSIDERATION
1. Approval of the April 15, 2024, City Council Meeting Minutes
2. Approval of April 29, 2024, Special City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes
16
Proceedings of the Monday, May 20, 2024
City Council Meeting
3. Approval of the May 6, 2024, First Session City Council Meeting Minutes
4. Approval of the May 6, 2024, Second Session City Council Meeting Minutes
5. Consideration of a Request to Waive the Fidelity Bond Requirement in Connection with
Holding a Raffle in the City of Lake Forest for McKinlock Post 264
6. Approve a One-Year Extension to an Existing Contract with Vogue Printers for Dialogue
Newsletter Printing Services in the amount of $26,076 and a 5.0% contingency in the amount
of $1,304 for a grand total of $27,380.
7. Authorization for the City Manager to Execute a Grant Agreement Between The City of Lake
Forest and The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for the Purchase
of Used Police Vehicles, Subject to Final Review and Approval of the City Attorney
8. Approval of a Change Order for Additional Construction Services to Efraim Carlson & Sons for
the Deerpath Golf Course restoration project in the Amount of $10,330.02
9. Authorize the Police Department to purchase FY25 subscription costs from Motorola Solutions
associated with the STARCOM21 Communications Network for $26,322.00 plus a 10%
contingency for a total of 28,956.00.
10. Approval of a Public Works Committee Recommendation to Purchase of 1,920 Tons of Road
Salt from Morton Salt in the Amount of $162,183 for the FY ‘25 Winter
11. Award the Low Bid for the Field Court and Spring Lane Watermain Replacement and Valve
Repairs Project to C. Szabo Contracting, Inc., and Authorize the City Manager to Execute an
Agreement in the Amount of $990,238 and a Contingency in the Amount of $39,762 for a Total
Project Cost of $1,030,000
12. Approval of a First-Year Renewal with Schroeder & Schroeder, Inc., for the 2024 Concrete
Street, Curbs, and Sidewalk Replacement Project, and Authorize the City Manager to Execute
an Agreement in the Amount Not to Exceed $235,000.
13. Award of the Low Bid for the McClory Bike Path Resurfacing project to Maneval Construction,
and Authorize the City Manager to Execute an Agreement in the Amount of $347,189 as well as
Approving a Contingency in the Amount of $16,610 for a Total Cost of $363,799
14. Consideration of a recommendation from staff to authorize the City Manager to enter into a
contract for planning and design services to support development and preparations for
implementation of a Streetscape Enhancement Plan for Bank Lane with The Lakota Group and
Thomas Engineering in an amount not to exceed $65,250.
15. Consideration of a Waiver of Permit Fees Related to the Garden Initiative Project at the History
Center of Lake Forest – Lake Bluff. (Approval by Motion)
16. Consideration of a Waiver of Permit Fees Related to the Construction of a New Boardwalk
Extending from the Forest Park Tableland to the Forest Park Beach. (Approval by Motion)
17. Consideration of Ordinances Approving Recommendations from the Building Review Board for
1015 S. Waukegan Road, 1400 Oak Knoll Drive and 980 Mellody Road (First Reading, and if
Desired by the City Council, Final Approval)
17
Proceedings of the Monday, May 20, 2024
City Council Meeting
18. Consideration of Ordinances Approving Recommendations from the Zoning Board of Appeals
for 872 Northmoor Road and 285 Rose Terrace. (First Reading, and if Desired by the City
Council, Final Approval)
19. Consideration of a Recommendation from the Plan Commission in Support of an Ordinance
Approving an Updated City of Lake Forest Official Zoning Map. (First Reading, and if desired by
the City Council, Final Approval)
COUNCIL ACTION: Approve the nineteen (19) omnibus items as presented
Alderman Powers made a motion to approve the nineteen (19) Omnibus items as presented, seconded by
Alderman Weber. The following voted “Aye”: Alderman Novit, Clemens, Powers, Goshgarian, LeVert, Weber,
and Walther. The following voted “Nay”: none. 7-Ayes, 0-Nays, motion carried.
Information such as Purpose and Action Requested, Background/Discussion, Budget/Fiscal Impact, Council
Action and a Staff Contact as it relates to the Omnibus items can be found on the agenda.
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION/COMMENTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS
1. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mayor Tack Asked for a motion to adjourn into EXECUTIVE SESSION pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(2), The City
Council will be discussing Collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their
representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of Employees.
Alderman Novit made a motion to adjourn into EXECUTIVE SESSION pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(2), The City
Council will be discussing Collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their
representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of Employees, seconded
by Alderman Weber. The following voted “Aye”: Alderman Novit, Clemens, Powers, Goshgarian, LeVert,
Weber, and Walther. The following voted “Nay”: none. 7-Ayes, 0-Nays, motion carried.
Adjournment into Executive Session at 7:23 pm
Reconvene into Regular Session at 8:21 pm
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business Mayor Tack asked for a motion to adjourn. Alderman Weber made a motion
to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Preschlack. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote at 8:22 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Margaret Boyer, City Clerk
18
Proceedings of the Monday, May 20, 2024
City Council Meeting
A video of the City Council meeting is available for viewing at the Lake Forest Library and on file in the Clerk’s
office at City Hall. You can also view it on the website by visiting www.cityoflakeforest.com. Click on I Want To,
then click on View, then choose Archived Meetings Videos.
19
20
21
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY • December 2021
Lake Michigan Watershed-Based Plan
22
W ater is elemental to
our lives. Plants and
animals, including
humans, are largely composed
of water, and generally require
clean water to survive. Our
communities, food systems,
energy sources, and countless
products that we consume
everyday are dependent
upon water. Despite this
dependence, water is often
taken for granted until it negatively affects us, usually
due to short supply, inundation, or pollution.
This watershed-based plan is important because
it specifically addresses water-related issues in
communities within the Lake Michigan Watershed
Planning Area. Clean and abundant water,
healthy streams, the integrity of Lake Michigan
along with its coastal habitats and beaches, and
safety from flooding and coastal hazards are
important to residents and business and therefore
play a significant role in the quality of life, health
and economic vitality of our communities. Clean
and healthy watersheds are assets that make
communities more desirable for residents and
businesses; however, flooding can damage property
and result in local economic impacts. Lake Michigan
is a destination for watershed residents as well
as tourists and provides potable water for nearly
all residents and businesses
in the planning area and
millions of others in the region
and beyond. The lake and
associated coastal habitats
support a unique array of plants
and animals. Streams, ravines,
wetlands and other water
resources support a variety of
water-dependent species are
are critical to local ecosystems.
Water does not
generally flow according to political boundaries.
Consequently, we recognize the watershed as
the appropriate scale to address most water
resource issues, which often involve multiple
political jurisdictions. The Lake Michigan watershed
planning process brought together numerous
watershed stakeholders to provide input towards the
management and enhancement of water resources
in the planning area.
This watershed-based plan utilizes the most
up-to-date sources of information available as
well as historical data to provide a comprehensive
summary of existing watershed conditions and
trends. It recommends actions stakeholders can
take to protect resources that are in good condition
and restore those that have been degraded. As a
resident, landowner, business or community official,
you make a difference.
INTRODUCTION:Why a Watershed-based Plan?
Your actions help to:
• keep water in streams, wetlands
and Lake Michigan
• reduce the impacts of flooding
• protect and enhance natural
resources
• maintain “green” and “grey”
infrastructure
• increase awareness of watershed
issues and opportunities
Lake Michigan Watershed Planning Area Goals
Six goals were developed for watershed plan recommendations and are related to:
1) stream, ravine and coastal restoration and management; 2) flood risk, flood damage and
stormwater management; 3) natural resources and habitat; 4) watershed education and
communication; 5) water quality; and 6) watershed coordination and partnerships.
2 3
W A T E R S H E D
Infiltration
Groundwater
River
Dam
Wetland
Overland
flow
Precipitation A watershed is the area of land
drained by a river, stream, or other
body of water. If rain or snowmelt
is not intercepted by vegetation
or does not infiltrate into the
soil, it may flow over the
land to a low spot in
the landscape, often
a body of water or
wetland.
The land
area above
a given point on a
waterbody (river, stream,
lake, wetland) that contributes
overland flow or surface runoff to
that point is considered the watershed.
What’s a Watershed?
23
Des Plaines River WatershedLocation
Lake County Stormwater Management Commission, 2020
_
Lake Michigan Water
_
Lake Michigan
I
N
D
I
A
N
A
I
L
L
I
N
O
I
S
W I SC O N S IN
I L L I N O IS
0 10 20 305Miles
N
Chicago
Gary
Evanston
Waukegan
Skokie
Wheaton
Naperville
Joliet
Milwaukee
Racine
Kenosha
Kellogg Creek
Dead River
Waukegan River
Pettibone Creek
Bluff/Ravine
Subwatersheds:
Lake
Michigan
De
s
P
l
a
i
n
e
s
R
i
v
e
r
Waukegan
Winthrop
Harbor
Zion
Beach
Park
NorthChicago
Lake Forest
Highland Park
Lake Cook Rd
0 1 2 3 6
Miles
N
Initial
watershed-
based plan
Watershed-
based plan
update
KEY
AT A GLANCE:Lake Michigan Watershed Planning Area T he natural landscape of the planning
area was formed by the retreat of
a continental ice sheet more than
10,000 years ago and geological processes
that have occurred since. This resulted in
the low moraine ridge at the watershed
divide, erosion of ravines and coastal bluffs,
and formation of the dune-swale coastal
plain that give shape to the water resources
and natural communities we see in the
watershed today. The planning area has
a diverse mix of land uses with relatively
large areas of natural and recreational
open space interspersed with residential
neighborhoods, commercial districts, and
employment centers. The coastal wetland
complex extending from Waukegan into
Wisconsin has been designated as a
wetland of international importance under
the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
This coastal wetland is part of a larger
“ecological complex” of more than
30,000 acres extending from Waukegan
to Kenosha, Wisconsin. The natural areas
within store and cleanse stormwater,
provide habitat for an array of plants and
wildlife, including a high density of State
Threatened and Endangered species, and
offer myriad recreational opportunities.
More than 2.8 million people visit Adeline
Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park each
year. More than 7,000 acres are protected
or preserved in parks and open spaces in
the planning area.
THE PLANNING AREA:A SPECIAL PLACE
L ake Michigan Watershed-Based Plan covers 57
square miles in Lake and Cook Counties in Illinois
and Kenosha County in Wisconsin. This planning
area is part of the much larger Lake Michigan watershed,
which covers 67,900 square miles in Illinois, Wisconsin,
Michigan and Indiana and is part of the Great Lakes/St.
Lawrence River Basin. The planning area is divided into
5 smaller “subwatersheds”: Kellogg Creek, Dead River,
Waukegan River, Pettibone Creek and Bluff/Ravine.
What’s in the planning area:
Open space
Natural open space areas
are comprised largely of
water resources, prairies,
savannas, and woodlands Residential Agriculture
Transportation/
utility/waste
facilities
Commercial, industrial, government/institutional, and office/research
parks together encompass about 10% of total watershed area but
may have significant impacts on water resources, particularly where
these uses are geographically concentrated.
34%35%3%19% 10%
The Lake Michigan Watershed-Based Plan is
an “umbrella” plan developed by SMC, in
that it includes and updates three previous
plans for smaller subwatersheds within
the planning area: Kellogg Creek, Dead
River and Waukegan River, and completes
planning for the remaining subwatershed
areas with no previous watershed plans.
Lake Michigan
Watershed
Planning Area
The entire Lake
Michigan Basin is
67,900 sq. miles
4 5
81
miles of rivers and streams
1
Great Lake
3,600
acres of wetlands
The Land
180,000
approximate population in 2020
12
municipalities
7
townships
The People
24
Specific watershed stressors include:
• Nutrients, chloride, metals, and sedimentation/siltation are likely causes of impairment in
streams. Bacteria is a major cause of Lake Michigan beach impairment.
• Erosion degrades water quality and aquatic habitat. Coastal erosion damages or
threatens property, infrastructure and high quality natural resources.
• Data indicate high chloride levels in some streams but more monitoring is needed to
determine the true extent of the issue.
• There are hundreds of flood-prone structures. Many structures affected by floods in 2017,
as well as other flood events before or after, are outside of mapped flood hazard areas.
• Both traditional and “green” stormwater infrastructure may be insufficient for runoff
volume or need repair.
• About half of the wetland acreage in the planning area has been lost since European
settlement. Due to the largely developed character of the planning area, opportunities
for wetland restoration are limited, particularly south of Waukegan.
• Stakeholders are generally unaware of the watershed stressors or do not have the
experience or resources necessary to take action.
• More collaboration among jurisdictions is needed to address many of the watershed
problems and take advantage of watershed opportunities.
OUR FINDINGS: A System Under Stress
M any streams and Lake Michigan
shoreline segments in the planning
area are impaired by nutrients,
sediment, metals, chloride, bacteria, and
other forms of pollution. Pollution enters water
bodies through stormwater runoff from urban
and agricultural lands; from the surrounding
landscape and from erosion of upland soils
and streambanks. Some pollutants are likely
legacy materials that are present in stream
sediments from activities that occurred during
past development of the watershed.
Fish and aquatic invertebrates found in
rivers and streams indicate degraded water
quality and aquatic habitat. Lake Michigan
beaches are listed as impaired due to
occasionally or persistently high levels of fecal
coliform bacteria present during swimming
season. Waukegan Harbor was designated
an Area of Concern in 1987 and has been
undergoing environmental remediation for
more than 25 years. Five of six of its beneficial
uses have been restored from impairment
over the last decade, but fish consumption
advisories remain in effect.
Record flooding in the region in July of
2017 was accompanied by urban flooding
in many areas outside of mapped flood
hazard areas. Intense rainfall overwhelms
older or undersized infrastructure. Wetland
coverage is greatly reduced from its former
extent and due to the developed nature of
much of the watershed planning area, it is
unlikely that large swaths of former wetlands
can be restored. The capacity of wetlands
to provide benefits such as flood water
storage, uptake or retention of pollutants
such as nutrients and sediment, and
provision of baseflow to lakes and streams is
correspondingly reduced.
Along Bull Creek, clockwise from top left:
Flooding in 2011; a field meeting; houses
that were ultimately removed due to the
risk posed by bluff erosion along the creek.
ARE YOU A WATERSHED STAKEHOLDER?
Watershed stakeholders that
contributed to the planning process
include municipalities, townships,
county agencies, wastewater
treatment plant representatives, and
the broader community of homeowner
associations, businesses, non-profit
organizations, institutions, and
residents living, working or
providing interest in the
planning area.
T he amount of impervious surface in the planning
area is projected to increase in the northern half
of the planning area. Increased imperviousness of
the landscape results in a greater volume of stormwater
runoff that must be detained or infiltrated in order to avoid
an increase in downstream flood elevations. Additionally,
impervious surfaces such as roads and parking lots are
linked to urban pollutants such as chloride and polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). If severe weather events
such as those that resulted in the July 2017 flood become
more frequent in the future, flooding in urban areas
and along floodplains will be exacerbated. Similarly,
more severe weather events, higher annual rainfall and
more erratic weather patterns will lead to increased
erosion of streams and ravines. The high water levels
of Lake Michigan recorded during development of
the watershed-based plan are destructive to property,
infrastructure and high-quality natural areas and may
become more common in the future.
WHAT’S AT RISK IN THE PLANNING AREA?
6 7
Stressors
25
The Lake Michigan Watershed-Based Plan
was completed following guidance from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency. Funding for this plan was provided, in part, by the Illinois
Environmental Protection Agency through Section 319 of the Clean Water Act, the Illinois Coastal
Management Program and the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission.
10 in 10
TEN ACTIONS FOR STAKEHOLDERS TO TAKE IN THE NEXT TEN YEARS
Adopt the watershed-based plan and
implement high priority actions and/
or projects, including the allocation of
funding for project implementation and
maintenance.
Determine a lead watershed
organization to guide watershed
plan implementation, implement the
education and outreach strategy,
provide technical assistance to
watershed stakeholders, and coordinate
multi-partner projects.
Municipalities and counties work
collaboratively and proactively to
mitigate flood problem areas.
Utilize low-impact development and
stormwater best management practices
in new development and retrofit/
maintain existing development to
reduce and filter stormwater runoff from
impervious areas.
Restore wetlands wherever possible, as
opportunities are extremely limited in
the planning area.
Stabilize the worst “severe” eroding
streambanks using techniques that
provide water quality and aquatic
habitat benefits.
Develop and implement a watershed
monitoring strategy to provide
a more complete temporal and
geographic picture of water quality
in the planning area.
Reduce the amount of chloride
in runoff by implementing winter
maintenance “de-icing” best
practices and providing educational
trainings and materials.
Perform sanitary surveys and develop
and implement management plans
at beaches to reduce the number of
closures due to bacteria levels.
Protect coastal resources including
property, infrastructure and natural
areas from damage resulting from
periodic high Lake Michigan water
levels.
1
3
5
2
4
6
7
8
9
10
Take Action!
Main cover photo Lake County Stormwater Management Commission. Other photos by John Mazurek or courtesy of
Lake County Stormwater Management Commission and Lake County Department of Transportation 26
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY • December 2021
North BranchChicago River
Watershed-Based Plan
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY • December 2021
27
W ater is elemental to
our lives. Plants and
animals, including
humans, are largely composed
of water, and generally require
clean water to survive. Our
communities, food systems,
energy sources, and countless
products that we consume
everyday are dependent
upon water. Despite this
dependence, water is often
taken for granted until it negatively affects us,
usually due to short supply, inundation, or pollution.
This watershed-based plan is important because
it specifi cally addresses water-related issues in
communities within the North Branch Chicago River
Watershed Planning Area. Clean and abundant
water, healthy streams and lakes, and safety from
fl ooding are important to residents and business and
therefore play a signifi cant role in the quality of life,
health and economic vitality of our communities.
Clean and healthy watersheds are assets that
make communities more desirable for residents
and businesses; however, fl ooding can damage
property and result in local economic impacts.
Lakes and rivers in the planning area provide
recreational destinations for watershed residents as
well as tourists and are a highly visible indicator of
watershed health.
Water does not generally
fl ow according to political
boundaries. Consequently,
we recognize the watershed
as the appropriate scale to
address most water resource
issues, which often involve
multiple political jurisdictions.
The North Branch Chicago River
watershed planning process
brought together numerous
watershed stakeholders to
provide input towards the management and
enhancement of water resources in the planning
area.
During this planning process, critical fl ood
problem area data was obtained from watershed
stakeholders, as well as a comprehensive water
quality monitoring effort conducted on watershed
streams through the North Branch Chicago River
Watershed Workgroup (NBWW).
This watershed-based plan utilizes the most
up-to-date sources of information available as
well as historical data to provide a comprehensive
summary of existing watershed conditions and
trends. It recommends actions stakeholders can
take to protect resources that are in good condition
and restore those that have been degraded. As a
resident, landowner, business or community offi cial,
you make a difference.
INTRODUCTION:Why a Watershed-based Plan?
Your actions help to:
• keep water in our rivers, streams,
lakes and wetlands clean
• reduce the impacts of fl ooding
• protect and enhance natural
resources
• maintain “green” and “grey”
infrastructure
• increase awareness of watershed
issues and opportunities
W A T E R S H E D
Infiltration
Groundwater
River
Dam
WWWWW AAAA TTTT EEEE RRRR SSSS HHH
Precipitation
A watershed is the area of land
drained by a river, stream, or other
body of water. If rain or snowmelt
is not intercepted by vegetation
or does not infi ltrate into the
soil, it may fl ow over the
land to a low spot in
the landscape, often
a body of water or
wetland.
The land
area above
a given point on a
waterbody (river, stream,
lake, wetland) that contributes
overland fl ow or surface runoff to
that point is considered the watershed.
We All Live “Downstream”
The North Branch Chicago River Watershed-Based Plan supplies direction and targets resources
for watershed improvement projects. The plan serves as a blueprint for improving water quality,
reducing fl ood damage, and protecting natural resources - and for preventing existing watershed
problems from worsening with future land development. While the North Branch Chicago River will
probably never be restored to its pre-settlement condition, opportunities for restoring wetlands,
naturalizing the riverbanks, reducing runoff and pollutant loads to the river and reestablishing a
riparian corridor abound in the watershed. Recreational trails and greenways will connect people
to the river, making it a focal point rather than being hidden in a “back alley”. A healthy river will
improve the quality of life for all watershed residents.
The North Branch Chicago River Watershed-Based plan also includes a signifi cant public outreach
and education component to reach watershed residents and communities. In addition to bringing
watershed awareness to residents, communities will also work together on a cooperative basis and
combine their resources with county, state, federal and private technical and fi nancial assistance,
as well as, cost-share funds to complete a number of the recommended watershed improvement
projects and programs. The bottom line is residents and communities of the watershed need to work
together to successfully protect and restore the North Branch Chicago River watershed.
2 3
What’s a Watershed?
28
AT A GLANCE:North Branch Chicago River Watershed Planning Area
T he North Branch Chicago River Watershed-Based Plan
covers 95 square miles in Lake and Cook Counties in Illinois.
This planning area is part of the much larger Chicago River
watershed, which covers 270 square miles in northeastern Illinois
and is part of the Illinois and Mississippi River Basins. The planning
area is divided into four smaller “subwatersheds”: the West Fork
North Branch Chicago River, Middle Fork North Branch Chicago
River, Skokie River and the North Branch Chicago River.
What’s in the planning area:
Lake
Michigan
WISCONSIN
ILLINOIS
ILLINOIS INDIANA010 155
Miles
Chicago
Gary
Waukegan
Evanston
Transportation/
utility/waste
facilities
Open space
Natural open space areas
are comprised largely of
water resources, prairies,
savannas, and woodlands
Other
Residential
Commercial, industrial, government/institutional, and offi ce/research
parks together encompass 14.7% of total watershed area but may
have signifi cant impacts on water resources, particularly where these
uses are geographically concentrated.
36.3%29.1% 16.2% 14.7%3.7 a
T he natural landscape of the planning area
was formed by the retreat of a continental
ice sheet more than 10,000 years ago
and geological processes that have occurred
since. Its retreat resulted in the deposition of
moraines and till plains that give shape to the
water resources and natural communities we see
in the watershed today. The planning area has
a diverse mix of land uses with relatively large
areas of natural and recreational open space
interspersed with residential neighborhoods,
commercial districts, and employment centers.
There are approximately 5,069 acres of
Forest Preserve, 1,581 acres of Nature Preserve
and 2,226 acres of parks and open space in
the watershed planning area. The natural areas
within store and cleanse stormwater, provide
habitat for an array of plants and wildlife,
including a high density of State Threatened
and Endangered species, and offer myriad
recreational opportunities. These natural areas
store and cleanse stormwater, provide important
habitat for an array of plants and wildlife, and
offer a myriad of recreational opportunities.
Every year, more than one million people
visit the Chicago Botanic Garden’s 27 gardens
and four natural areas, uniquely situated on 385
acres on and around nine islands, with six miles of
lake shoreline. The Garden also has a renowned
Bonsai Collection.
MAP ABOVE: The North Branch Chicago River watershed originates in Lake County, Illinois as three tributaries with its
headwaters located south east of Routes 131 and 132 in Waukegan; the Middle Fork, which rises a quarter mile south of
the Route 120 and Tri-State Tollway (I-94) intersection in Waukegan; and the West Fork, which fl ows out of a series of ponds
northwest of Everett Road and the Tri-State Tollway in Mettawa. From their origins in Lake County, these tributaries fl ow south
into Cook County where they converge to form the mainstem of the North Branch Chicago River (NBCR).
THE PLANNING AREA:A SPECIAL PLACE
N. Bra
n
c
h
N. Bra
n
c
h
N. Bra
n
c
h
N. Bra
n
c
h
N. Bra
n
c
h
N. Bra
n
c
h
N. Bra
n
c
hChica
g
o
R
.
Chica
g
o
R
.
Chica
g
o
R
.
Chica
g
o
R
.
Chica
g
o
R
.
Chica
g
o
R
.
Chica
g
o
R
.
Chica
g
o
R
.
Chica
g
o
R
.
Chica
g
o
R
.
Chica
g
o
R
.
Chica
g
o
R
.
Chica
g
o
R
.
Chica
g
o
R
.
No
r
t
h
S
h
o
r
e
No
r
t
h
S
h
o
r
e
No
r
t
h
S
h
o
r
e
Ch
a
n
n
e
l
Ch
a
n
n
e
l
Ch
a
n
n
e
l
Skokie River
Middle Fork
West Fork
North Branch
Chicago River
Evanston
NBCR
Subwatersheds:
Waukegan
De
s
P
l
a
i
n
e
s
R
i
v
e
r
Lake
Michigan
North Branch
Chicago River
Watershed
Planning Area
KEY
0 1 2 3 6
Miles
The NBCR
Watershed is
95 sq. miles
ChicagoChicago
Chicago River
Watershed is
250 sq. miles
North Branch
Chicago River
Watershed is
95 sq. miles
4 5
80.6
miles of rivers and streams
10
assessed lakes
2,440
acres of wetlands
The Land
204,279
approximate population in 2015
26
municipalities
11
townships
The People 4
drainage districts
29
Specifi c watershed stressors include:
• Nutrients, chloride, organic enrichment (low dissolved oxygen), metals, and
sedimentation/siltation are major causes of impairment in the river tributaries and
mainstem. Nutrients and bacteria are major causes of water quality impairment in lakes.
• Erosion degrades water quality and aquatic habitat.
• Monitoring data indicates chloride levels are steadily rising in rivers, streams and lakes.
• There are hundreds of fl ood-prone structures. Many structures affected by fl oods in 2017,
as well as other fl ood events before or after, are outside of mapped fl ood hazard areas.
• Both traditional and “green” stormwater infrastructure may be insuffi cient for runoff
volume or need repair.
• More than half of the wetland acreage in the planning area has been lost since
European settlement. Due to the largely developed character of the planning area,
opportunities for wetland restoration are limited.
• Stakeholders are generally unaware of the watershed stressors or do not have the
experience or resources necessary to take action.
• More collaboration among jurisdictions is needed to address many of the watershed
problems and take advantage of watershed opportunities.
OUR FINDINGS:A System Under Stress
M any rivers and lakes in the planning area are impaired by nutrients,
sediments, metals, chloride, bacteria, and other forms of pollution.
Pollution enters water bodies through stormwater runoff and wastewater
from the surrounding landscape and from erosion of upland soils and streambanks.
Some pollutants are likely legacy materials that are present in stream sediments
from activities that occurred during past development of the watershed.
Fish and aquatic invertebrates found in rivers and streams indicate degraded
water quality and aquatic habitat. Rivers and lakes have high levels of nutrients,
which can result in algae blooms. These algae blooms can produce harmful
effects to people and aquatic life, limit recreational activities, and reduce
aesthetic quality.
Record fl ooding in the region July of 2017 was accompanied by urban
fl ooding in many areas outside of mapped fl ood hazard areas. Intense rainfall
overwhelms older or undersized infrastructure. Wetland coverage is greatly
reduced from its former extent and due to the developed nature of much of the
watershed planning area, it is unlikely that large swaths of former wetlands can be
restored. The capacity of wetlands to provide benefi ts such as fl ood water storage,
uptake or retention of pollutants such as nutrients and sediment, and provision of
basefl ow to lakes and streams is correspondingly reduced.
Clockwise from top left: NBWW Water Quality Sampling;
Glenview West Fork Steambank Stabilization Project;
Riparian Lake Shoreline Buffer at the Chicago Botanic
Garden; 2021 Chicago River Day Clean up in the
Middle Fork.
ARE YOU A WATERSHED STAKEHOLDER?
Watershed stakeholders that
contributed to the planning process
include municipalities, townships,
county agencies, wastewater
treatment plant representatives, and
the broader community of homeowner
associations, businesses, non-profi t
organizations, institutions, and
residents living, working or
providing interest in the
planning area.
T he North Branch Chicago River Watershed
Planning Area is largely developed and it is
projected that the impervious surface will
increase in the future. Increased imperviousness of the
landscape results in a greater volume of stormwater
runoff that must be detained or infi ltrated in order to
avoid an increase in downstream fl ood elevations.
Additionally, impervious surfaces such as roads and
parking lots are linked to urban pollutants such as
chloride and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
(PAHs), which are considered major causes associated
with aquatic life impairments in the watershed
planning area. If severe weather events such as those
that resulted in the July 2017 fl ood become more
frequent in the future, fl ooding in urban areas and
along fl oodplains will be exacerbated.Similarly, more
severe weather events, higher annual rainfall and
more erratic weather patterns will lead to increased
erosion of streams.
WHAT’S AT RISK IN THE PLANNING AREA?
6 7
Stressors
30
The North Branch Chicago River Watershed-Based Plan
was completed following guidance from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency. Funding for this plan was provided, in part, by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
through Section 319 of the Clean Water Act and the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission.
10 in 10
TEN ACTIONS FOR STAKEHOLDERS TO TAKE IN THE NEXT TEN YEARS
Adopt the watershed-based plan and
implement high priority actions and/
or projects, including the allocation
of funding for project implementation
and maintenance.
Determine a lead watershed
organization to guide watershed
plan implementation, implement the
education and outreach strategy,
provide technical assistance to
watershed stakeholders, and
coordinate multi-partner projects.
Municipalities and counties work
collaboratively and proactively to
mitigate fl ood problem areas.
Utilize low-impact development
and stormwater best management
practices in new development and
retrofi t/maintain existing development
to reduce and fi lter stormwater runoff
from impervious areas.
Restore wetlands, wherever possible, as
opportunities are extremely limited in
the planning area.
Stabilize the worst “severe” eroding
streambanks and lake shorelines
using techniques that provide water
quality and aquatic habitat benefi ts.
Continue watershed water quality
monitoring to provide a more
complete temporal and geographic
picture of water quality in the
planning area.
Reduce the amount of chloride
in runoff by implementing best
practices for winter maintenance
and providing educational trainings
and materials.
Reduce phosphorus and fecal
coliform loads in runoff through best
management practices, projects,
and programs.
Use the results of watershed
monitoring programs to strategically
target projects, develop programs,
and update this watershed plan.
1
3
5
2
4
6
7
8
9
10
Take Action!
Photos courtesy of Lake County Stormwater Management Commission
31
THE CITY OF LAKE FOREST
RESOLUTION No. 2024-_____
RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE LAKE MICHIGAN AND
NORTH BRANCH CHICAGO RIVER WATERSHED-BASED PLANS
WHEREAS, the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission and watershed
stakeholders have been working since 2018 to revise and update the comprehensive watershed
plans to include the Lake Michigan Watershed-Based Plan and North Branch Chicago River
Watershed-Based Plan, hereinafter referred to as “Watershed-Based Plans”; and
WHEREAS, the Watershed-Based Plans were developed through a series of 10 watershed
planning meetings and 18 focused discussion meetings with the cooperative effort of numerous
stakeholders representing different watershed entities, ranging from individual homeowners &
homeowner associations, consulting companies, businesses, large landowners and non-profit
environmental organizations to local government, county, state and federal agencies that
attended meetings during the planning process; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of the Watershed-Based Plans is to identify opportunities for
watershed communities to integrate multi-objective watershed management in community
decisions and activities; and
WHEREAS, a second purpose of the Watershed-Based Plans is to improve degraded
conditions in the watershed by implementing best management practices and programs to
retrofit existing problem areas and prevent future problems from occurring; and
32
WHEREAS, the adoption of the Watershed-Based Plans will guide the successful
implementation of a series of individual site-specific projects and watershed-wide programmatic
actions to: improve water quality, reduce flood damage potential, protect and enhance natural
resources including the watershed’s lakes, streams and wetlands; and in addition, will provide
watershed education and recreation opportunities and improve community cooperation and
participation in watershed improvement activities; and
WHEREAS, all public hearing and meeting requirements have been met in the preparation of
the Watershed-Based Plans including the required public review and comment period prior to
Stormwater Management Commission and Lake County approval of the Watershed-Based
Plans; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF LAKE FOREST, COUNTY OF LAKE, STATE OF ILLINOIS, as follows:
Section 1. Recitals. The foregoing recitals are incorporated in, and made a part of, this
Resolution by this reference as findings of the City Council of The City of Lake Forest.
Section 2. Adoption.
a. The City Council hereby adopts the Watershed-Based Plans for Lake and Cook
County, Illinois and authorizes the Mayor and City Clerk to execute and attest the
Agreement on behalf of the City.
33
Section 3. Effective Date. This Resolution shall be in full force and effect upon the
passage and approval.
PASSED THIS day of 2024.
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
APPROVED THIS day of 2024.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
34