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CC_2023_09_18_MINUTESThe City of Lake Forest CITY COUNCIL MEETING Proceedings of the Monday, September 18, 2023 City Council Meeting – City Council Chambers 220 E Deerpath, Lake Forest, IL 60045 CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Mayor Tack called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m., and City Clerk Margaret Boyer called the roll of Council members. Present: Mayor Tack, Alderman Novit, Alderman Waldeck, Alderman Notz, Alderman Powers, Alderman Preschlack, Alderman Goshgarian, Alderman Weber, and Alderman Walther Absent: Alderman Goshgarian CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited by all. REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS COMMENTS BY MAYOR Mayor Tack thanked members of the community for attending the recently successful “Coffee in the Parks” with the Alderman. COMMENTS BY CITY MANAGER A. Community Spotlights -The American Legion, McKinlock Post No. 264 - Jim Holmes - Post Commander, Lake Forest American Legion Post No. 264 -Tom Marks - President of The American Legion, McKinlock Foundation City Manager Jason Wicha introduced both Jim Holmes, Post Commander and Tom Marks, President of the American Legion McKinlock Foundation. Mr. Marks invited the City Council along with the community to the Monument Dedication at Veterans Park on Sunday, September 24 at 1:00 pm. Jim Holmes presented the City with a check for repayment of a promissory note in conjunction with the monument. City Manager Wicha thanked all those involved in bringing this project forward and congratulated the Legion on all the efforts. OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS ITEMS FOR OMNIBUS VOTE CONSIDERATION 1. Approval of September 5, 2023, City Council Meeting Minutes Proceedings of the Monday, September 18, 2023 City Council Meeting 2. Waive the Bidding Process and Authorize the Office of the City Manager to enter into a Contract for Consulting Services with Baker Tilly US, LLP to Conduct an Organizational Workload Analysis for the amount of $60,000 3. Replace Existing Section 152.30 of the City Code with the Lake County Watershed Development Ordinance as Approved by the County of Lake on July 11, 2023 with its Adoption by Reference COUNCIL ACTION: Approve the three (3) omnibus items as presented Mayor Tack asked members of the City Council if there were any items that they would like removed or taken separately. Seeing none, he asked for a motion. Alderman Notz made a motion to approve the three (3) Omnibus items as amended, seconded by Alderman Preschlack. The following voted “Aye”: Alderman Novit, Waldeck, Notz, Powers, Preschlack, 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, Recommended Action and a Staff Contact as it relates to the Omnibus items can be found on the agenda. OLD BUSINESS 1. Consideration of a Resolution Directing Conversion of Bank Lane from Deerpath to Illinois Road, to One Way south along with Reconfiguration of the On Street parking as a Limited Time Trial. (Approve by motion.) Catherine Czerniak, Director of Community Development stated that the City Council approved an updated chapter of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan relating to the Central Business District at its August meeting. As part of that approval, the Council identified priorities for the short term and the next three to five years. The Council provided specific direction to focus on opportunities to enhance Bank Lane as a pedestrian corridor. The concept of converting Bank Lane, between Deerpath and Illinois Road to one way south came up several times during the almost year long discussion of the Central Business District. A real time pilot project will offer valuable insights into whether the one-way concept could offer benefits from safety, aesthetic, pedestrian experience, and business opportunity perspectives. This initiative will position the City well to plan for the future of Bank Lane. Ms. Czerniak noted, any future permanent change would come back to the City Council via Ordinance. Ms. Czerniak reviewed the steps that would be taken in facilitating this pilot project include but not limited to communications with residents, businesses, signage, and curb stops to avoid vehicles parking in the diagonal parking spaces from overhanging the sidewalk. The City Council had lengthy discussion on the Bank Lane parking structure, potential redevelopment, traffic impact on Deerpath, a survey and data collection. Mayor Tack noted this is an experiential study, meaning living and working with it to get a feel. Mayor Tack asked if there were any members of the public who would like to comment. Rommy Lopat offered her opinion to the City Council on how the planning should be done for this project and that it will inconvenience the town. Proceedings of the Monday, September 18, 2023 City Council Meeting Mayor Tack asked if there were any other members of the public who would like to comment. Seeing none, he asked for a motion. COUNCIL ACTION: Approve a Resolution by motion directing the conversion of Bank Lane, between Deerpath and Illinois Road, to one way south and reconfiguration of the parking to diagonal spaces along the west side of the street. Alderman Preschlack made a motion to approve a Resolution by motion directing the conversion of Bank Lane, between Deerpath and Illinois Road, to one way south and reconfiguration of the parking to diagonal spaces along the west side of the street, seconded by Alderman Powers. The following voted “Aye”: Alderman Novit, Waldeck, Notz, Powers, Preschlack, Weber and Walther. The following voted “Nay”: none. 7-Ayes, 0-Nays, motion carried. NEW BUSINESS 1. Consideration of a new Ordinance, Chapter 79, prohibiting the use of Recreational Powered Scooters in the Central Business District (First Reading and, if appropriate, final approval). Karl Walldorf, Chief of Police introduced the changes to Chapter 11 and the creation of Chapter 79, which will prohibit the use of Recreational Powered Devices in the Central Business District and allow members of the police department to enforce violations of said Ordinance. He also stated that the ordinance was flexible enough to apply to a wide array of current and future devices. The City Council had lengthy discussion that included the topics of pedestrian safety, Police, SRO, School and Parent education, boundaries, signage, licensing, the bike path, enforcement, statistical data on accidents or lack thereof, helmets and issuance of tickets. Mayor Tack then asked if there were any members of the public who would like to comment. Jeff Page offered his comments to the City Council on how many scooters he recorded in the Central Business District and offered an ordinance proposing no bikes and larger signs. Katie Manley offered her opinion to the City Council on the divide in the community stating kids need education and asked what is the City doing to educate. Rommy Lopat offered her opinion to the City Council on previously licensing bikes, and an education campaign. Mayor Tack noted that the issues of scooters has been a priority since day one. The City has taken great effort to educate and sign the central business district. Everyone’s safety is an issue at hand. This item will be heard for first reading only this evening. Mayor Tack asked if there were any other members of the public who would like to comment. Seeing none, he asked for a motion. COUNCIL ACTION: If deemed appropriate by the City Council, waive the first reading of an Ordinance amending Chapter 11, titled "City Administrative Hearing System," and creating Chapter 79, titled "Recreational Powered Devices," of the City Code, and grant final approval. Proceedings of the Monday, September 18, 2023 City Council Meeting Alderman Notz made a motion to approve first reading of an Ordinance amending Chapter 11, titled "City Administrative Hearing System," and creating Chapter 79, titled "Recreational Powered Devices," of the City Code, seconded by Alderman Weber. The following voted “Aye”: Alderman Novit, Waldeck, Notz, Powers, Preschlack, Weber and Walther. The following voted “Nay”: none. 7-Ayes, 0-Nays, motion carried. ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION/COMMENTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS Alderman Waldeck noted that Lake Forest College ranked # 27 in the Wall Street Journal. Alderman Powers asked the community to help [kindly] educated the children who are riding their scooters in the Business District. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business Mayor Tack asked for a motion to adjourn. Alderman Walther made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Novit. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote at 7:31 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Margaret Boyer, City Clerk 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.