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CC_2023_11_20_MINUTESThe City of Lake Forest CITY COUNCIL MEETING Proceedings of the Monday, November 20, 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 6:30 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 Mayor Tack recognized the recent winner of “How well do you know lake Forest Towers contest” in the Fall Dialogue. Mayor Tack highlighted a few upcoming events. The 39th Annual Tree lighting ceremony, the opening of the Think Local Pop-Up Shop and the First Look and Ribbon Cutting at the Deerpath Community Park Improvement Project. COMMENTS BY CITY MANAGER None this evening. OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL None this evening. COMMITTEE REPORTS FINANCE COMMITTEE 1. Consideration of an Ordinance Establishing the 2023 Tax Levy (First Reading) Elizabeth Holleb, Finance Director reported that this is the fourth time the Council has seen this item. A summary of the proposed levy is as follows: Proceedings of the Monday, November 20, 2023 City Council Meeting School District #67 levy amounts were not yet available and will be included for final reading on December 4. The proposed tax levy for 2023 reflects a 4.35% increase over the 2022 tax levy extensions for the City and Library operating funds and City pension and debt service funds. This increase is comprised of the 5.00% property tax cap increase on Parks/Recreation and Library levies; debt service bond levies as previously approved by City Council bond Ordinances, subject to abatement for debt paid by alternate revenue sources; increases attributable to new construction; and increases in General Fund and IMRF pension levy of 3.00%. Police and Fire pension costs are determined by an independent actuarial valuation and recommendation by the Pension Subcommittee and reflect no increase over the prior year. The average increase to existing residents ($800,000 home) is projected to be $162 or 3.89%. The City Council had discussion on the tax rate and the representation of an $800,000 home in projecting the average increase. Mayor Tack asked members of the public if there was anyone who would like to comment. Seeing none, he asked for a motion. COUNCIL ACTION: Grant first reading of an Ordinance Establishing the 2023 Tax Levy Alderman Notz made a motion to grant first reading of an Ordinance Establishing the 2023 Tax Levy, seconded by Alderman Weber. 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. 2. Approval of Ordinances Abating 2023 Tax Levies for Various G.O. Alternate Revenue Bond Issues (First Reading) Elizabeth Holleb, Finance Director reported these ordinances are related to abating 2023 debt service property tax levies. The proposed Ordinances provide for the abatement (reduction) of 2023 property taxes levied for the various outstanding general obligation alternate revenue bond issues. These include: an Ordinance Abating a Portion of the Tax being Levied in 2023 for the Annual Payment of the Principal and Interest on the General Obligation Bonds, Series 2015 Bond Issue; an Ordinance Abating the Total Tax being Levied in 2023 for the Annual Payment of the Principal and Interest on the General Obligation Bonds, Series 2017 Bond Issue; and an Ordinance Abating a Portion of the Tax being Levied in 2023 for the Annual Payment of the Principal and Interest on the General Obligation Bonds, Series 2023 Bond Issue Proposed FUND 2023 LEVY 2022 Extension $ CHANGE % CHANGE City General 15,905,862$ 15,304,045$ 601,817$ 3.93% Pension Funds 7,721,256 7,649,944 71,312 0.93% Parks and Recreation 5,873,784 5,594,080 279,704 5.00% Recreation & Parks/Specific Purpose 125,000 125,000 0 0.00% Special Recreation 553,413 527,060 26,353 5.00% Capital Improvements 1,542,169 1,891,019 (348,850) -18.45% Library 4,502,942 4,268,960 233,982 5.48% Library sites 479,639 456,799 22,840 5.00% PTAB/CE Recapture 0 161,995 (161,995) -100.00% Bond Funds 2,762,556 1,843,983 918,573 49.81% TOTAL TAX LEVY - CITY 39,466,621$ 37,822,885$ 1,643,736$ 4.35% Ordinance (exclude Bond Funds)$36,704,065 Proceedings of the Monday, November 20, 2023 City Council Meeting Ms. Holleb provided a summary of the proposed tax levy abatements as provided below: Mayor Tack asked members of the Council and public if there was anyone who would like to comment. Seeing none, he asked for a motion. COUNCIL ACTION: Grant first reading of the Ordinances abating tax levies for various general obligation bond issues. Alderman Walther made a motion to grant first reading of the Ordinances abating tax levies for various general obligation bond issues, 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. 3. Consideration of an Ordinance approving a Fee Schedule (First Reading) Diane Hall, Assistant Finance Director reported as part of the budget process, all departments are asked to review their user fees. And that a comprehensive fee schedule is provided as Exhibit A to the Ordinance approving a fee schedule, which clearly identifies the proposed fee increases highlighted in yellow and the proposed new fees highlighted in orange. Fees highlighted in green are not reflective of changes in existing fees; rather, they are clarifications due to a review of City Code and current practices or the addition of previously approved fees into the Fee Schedule. Ms. Hall added that water rates will be brought forward in January for the Council to consider. Mayor Tack asked members of the Council and public if there was anyone who would like to comment. Seeing none, he asked for a motion. COUNCIL ACTION: Grant first reading of an Ordinance approving a fee schedule. Alderman Preschlack made a motion to grant first reading of the Ordinances approving first reading of a fee schedule, seconded by Alderman Weber. 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. ITEMS FOR OMNIBUS VOTE CONSIDERATION Levy per County TIF TIF Loan*Water Net Levy 2015 627,800.00 (364,062.50)263,737.50 2017 785,852.50 (785,852.50) 0.00 2019 827,462.50 827,462.50 2021 729,100.00 729,100.00 2023 1,271,750.00 (329,494.00)942,256.00 4,241,965.00 (364,062.50) (329,494.00) (785,852.50) 2,762,556.00 1% L/C 4,284,384.65 2,790,181.56 * FY24 transfer from TIF loan repayment to partially abate debt service levy 2023 Debt Service Levy and Abatements Proceedings of the Monday, November 20, 2023 City Council Meeting 1. Approval of November 6, 2023, City Council Meeting Minutes 2. Consideration of a Request to Waive the Fidelity Bond Requirement in Connection with Holding a Raffle in the City of Lake Forest for the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Chamber (Approval by Motion) 3. Approval of a One Year Contract with American Printing Technologies for Processing Vehicle Licenses and Parking Permits in an Amount Not to Exceed $44,000 4. Award of the contract for GIS Services to MGP, Inc. in the not-to-exceed amount of $130,626 for calendar year 2024. 5. Authorization for the Mayor or City Manager to Execute a Grant Agreement Between The City of Lake Forest and The State of Illinois Department of Natural Resources For The Forest Park Boardwalk Project, Subject to Final Review and Approval of the City Attorney COUNCIL ACTION: Approve the five (5) 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 Novit made a motion to approve the five (5) Omnibus items as presented, 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. 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 an Ordinance regarding the Illinois Paid Leave For All Workers Act (First Reading and if Desired by the City Council, Final Approval) Amber Campbell, Director of Human Resources reported that the City would like to exercise its home rule authority to maintain current employee leave benefits to its employees. The passage of the Illinois Paid Leave for All Workers Act would significantly modify the scope of benefits provided, namely the circumstances under which paid leave benefits can be used. The City has determined that applying the Act to City employees on January 1, 2024 will negatively impact governmental operations and place an undue burden on the City’s ability to provide uninterrupted services to the residents of Lake Forest. Ms. Campbell added that the City is currently engaged in a workload analysis as a precursor to reviewing employee benefit levels during the budget process. The City Council had discussion about current policy, Act interpretation, potential negative impacts, positive future impacts, and the ability to build our own policy that would benefit staff, workforce demographics, union input and current contracts. Mayor Tack asked members of the public if there was anyone who would like to comment. Proceedings of the Monday, November 20, 2023 City Council Meeting Diane Ettleman offered her opinion to the Council noting any liability the City may incur by opting out of the Act. Seeing no further public comment, he asked for a motion. COUNCIL ACTION: If determined to be appropriate by the City Council, waive first reading and grant final approval of the Ordinance regarding the Illinois Paid Leave For All Workers Act. Alderman Weber made a motion to waive first reading and grant final approval o of the Ordinance regarding the Illinois Paid Leave For All Workers Act, 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 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.