Loading...
CC_2023_11_06_MINUTESThe City of Lake Forest CITY COUNCIL MEETING Proceedings of the Monday, November 6, 2023 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 7:27 p.m., and City Clerk Margaret Boyer called the roll of Council members. Present: Honorable Mayor Tack, Alderman Novit, Alderman Waldeck, Alderman Notz, Alderman Powers, Alderman Preschlack, Alderman Goshgarian, Alderman Weber, and Alderman Walther Absent: none CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited by all. REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS COMMENTS BY MAYOR A. Consideration of Approval of a Donation and Naming Rights Agreement in Relation to the Forest Park Beach Pathway Project Mayor Tack stated as a reminder, engineering design and construction timelines for the Forest Park Beach Pathway Project will be on the agenda for the Capital Budget Workshop next week. Mayor Tack shared the following comments: The City of Lake Forest has a long history of public-private partnerships that have benefited and improved many amenities in our community, including Deerpath Golf Course, Forest Park, Elawa Farm, Market Square, Gorton Center, and Ragdale. With the generosity of our residents, we have undertaken these projects and restored, enhanced, and preserved these City parks and properties for generations to come. The next big project is the construction of the Forest Park Beach Pathway Project. And tonight, we have yet another example of philanthropy – the Moore Family has come forward as the lead donor to make construction of a new pathway from the top of the bluff down to the beach, possible. Like the original boardwalk, the reimagined Forest Park Beach Pathway will make the beach accessible to all and will offer the same magical experience of zig zagging down the bluff while taking in incredible views of Lake Michigan. On behalf of the City Council and the community, thank you for your energy and vision, for your leadership on this project, and for your very generous donation which will serve as the foundation for this project going forward. Following your lead, others in the community have already stepped up to offer their support. In recognition of your generous contribution, the pathway will be named “Rheda’s Way,” in honor of Diana’s mother Rheda Walton. We look forward to meandering down Rheda’s Way later this year once the project is complete. Diania Moore addressed the Council and thanked them for the opportunity. COUNCIL ACTION: Approval of the Agreement Proceedings of the Monday, November 6, 2023 City Council Meeting Mayor Tack asked for a motion. Alderman Novit made a motion to approve the agreement, seconded by Alderman Goshgarian. The following voted “Aye”: Alderman Novit, Waldeck, Notz, Powers, Preschlack, Goshgarian, Weber, and Walther. The following voted “Nay”: none. 8-Ayes, 0-Nays, motion carried. B. Police Department Promotions -Swear in Police Commander Tim Gretz -Swear in Police Commander Conrad Christensen -Swear in Police Commander Ben Grum Police Chief Karl Walldorf introduced each Commander and Mayor Tack swore them in, photos were taken. C. Resolution of Appreciation for retiring employee Mike Whalen Mayor Tack invited Catherine Czerniak, Director of Community Development to read the Resolution of Appreciation. Photos were taken. COUNCIL ACTION: Approve a Resolution of Appreciation for retiring employee Mike Whalen Mayor Tack asked for a motion to Approve a Resolution of Appreciation for retiring employee Mike Whalen. Alderman Powers made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Preschlack. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote. COMMENTS BY CITY MANAGER A. Community Spotlight -Reading Power, Lisa Bulzoni, CEO City Manager Jason Wicha introduced Lisa Bulzoni, CEO at Reading Power. Ms. Bulzoni reported that Reading Power is a local asset that provides individualized, high-dosage, one-to-one tutoring in person during the school day for children in preschool through second grade. Reading Power does this by partnering with schools needing supplemental literacy support, where needs exceed resources. This year, Reading Power is celebrating twenty years of Literacy Success. For more information, please visit readingpower.org City Manager Jason Wicha stated that today started the six-month period on the reconfiguration of Bank Lane, he thanked Matt Brugioni and Catherine Czerniak for all their efforts. He noted the City will begin to gather data from residents and business relating to safety and parking just to name a few. OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL None this evening. COMMITTEE REPORTS AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT 1. Audit Committee Report and Presentation of the Fiscal Year 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report Proceedings of the Monday, November 6, 2023 City Council Meeting Tighe Magnuson, Audit Committee Member reported to the City Council that the audit report for the fiscal year that ended April 30, 2023, the City has received an unmodified opinion on its Fiscal Year 2023 financial statements. He also stated that The City has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for forty-four (44) consecutive years. This year’s report will once again be submitted to GFOA for consideration of this award. Mr. Magnuson went on to share that the Audit Committee met four times in 2023 and gave highlights of those meetings. The City Council thanked Mr. Magnuson and the Committee for their work. COUNCIL ACTION: Receipt of the audit report for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2023. Mayor Tack asked for a motion. Alderman Preschlack made a motion to acknowledge the receipt of the audit report for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2023, seconded by Alderman Weber. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote. ITEMS FOR OMNIBUS VOTE CONSIDERATION 1. Approval of October 16, 2023, City Council Meeting Minutes 2. Approval of the Check Register for the Period of September 23 to October 27, 2023 3. Consideration of Requests to Waive the Fidelity Bond Requirement in Connection with Holding a Raffle in the City of Lake Forest for The Church of St. Mary, School of St. Mary and Lake Forest College Athletics (Approval by Motion) 4. Determination of a Non-Binding Estimate of the Amount of Revenue to be Generated from Property Taxes for the 2023 Calendar Year and Establishment of December 4, 2023 as a Public Hearing Date (if required) in Accordance with the Truth in Taxation Statute 5. Approval of Health Insurance Contract Renewals for Calendar Year 2024 6. Approval of the FY24 Personnel Policies and Practices and Administrative Directives Changes 7. Approval of a Service Contract to Libertyville Tile & Carpet for the Volwiler Hall Carpet & Flooring Replacement Project in the Amount of $40,477 to Include a Project Contingency in the Amount of $5,000, for a Grand Total Amount of $45,477 8. Approval to authorize the City Manager to Award a Contract for Tree Pruning for FY2024 to Advanced Tree Care, for an Amount Not to Exceed $70,000 9. Consideration of an Ordinance Approving a Recommendation from the Building Review Board. (First Reading, and if Desired by the City Council, Final Approval) 10. Consideration of an Ordinance Approving a Recommendation from the Zoning Board of Appeals for 1291 Elm Tree Road. (First Reading, and if Desired by the City Council, Final Approval) COUNCIL ACTION: Approve the ten (10) 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. Proceedings of the Monday, November 6, 2023 City Council Meeting Alderman Walther made a motion to approve the ten (10) Omnibus items as presented, seconded by Alderman Powers. The following voted “Aye”: Alderman Novit, Waldeck, Notz, Powers, Preschlack, Goshgarian, Weber, and Walther. The following voted “Nay”: none. 8-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 None this evening. NEW BUSINESS 1. Consideration of a Recommendation from the Plan Commission in Support of a Special Use Permit for “Tocco – Simple, Fresh Italian” a Restaurant Proposed in Westwood Center, 950 N. Western Avenue. (If desired by the Council, Waive First Reading and Grant Final Approval of the Ordinance.) Catherine Czerniak, Director of Community Development reported that this is a recommendation from the Plan Commission in support of a new restaurant. She shared a list of more than 30 locations to eat local in Lake Forest. Ms. Czerniak went on to explain the Plan Commission role in considerations, that included previous use of space, compatibility, underground parking, deliveries, and trash and co-existing within 150’ of a residential area. She reported that the Commission enthusiastically voted 4 to 0 to recommend approval of a Special Use Permit for Tocco to the City Council. And that the recommendation includes conditions of approval consistent with those previously approved for other restaurants in this development. The City Council had discussion on valet parking, employee parking, noise limits, a balance with the other four restaurants in the Center. Mayor Tack asked if there was anyone from the public who would like to comment. Seeing none, he asked for a motion. COUNCIL ACTION: If determined to be appropriate by the City Council, waive first reading and grant final approval of an Ordinance approving a Special Use Permit for Tocco at Westwood Center, 950 N. Western Avenue in accordance with the Plan Commission’s recommendation. Alderman Webber made a motion to waive first reading and grant final approval of an Ordinance approving a Special Use Permit for Tocco at Westwood Center, 950 N. Western Avenue in accordance with the Plan Commission’s recommendation., seconded by Alderman Notz. The following voted “Aye”: Alderman Novit, Waldeck, Notz, Powers, Preschlack, Goshgarian, Weber, and Walther. The following voted “Nay”: none. 8- Ayes, 0-Nays, motion carried. ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION/COMMENTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS City Council asked that the list of Eat Local be shared. City Manager Wicha reminded the public that the City Council Capital Improvement Budget Workshop will be held Monday, November 13 at 5p.m. at Dickinson Hall Proceedings of the Monday, November 6, 2023 City Council Meeting ADJOURNMENT There being no further business Mayor Tack asked for a motion to adjourn. Alderman Novit made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Weber. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote at 7:34 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.