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CC_2023_12_04_MINUTESThe City of Lake Forest CITY COUNCIL MEETING Proceedings of the Monday, December 4, 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 invited everyone to the Third Annual Saturday Market – with Celebrate the Holidays right around the corner, he asked everyone to mark their calendar and stop by the West Lake Forest Train Station (911 Telegraph Road) on Saturday, December 9 and 16 between 10 am to 2 pm to shop for unique gifts, enjoy specialty foods, and visit with friends and neighbors. A. 2023-2024 Board and Commission Appointments and Reappointments AUDIT NAME OF MEMBER APPOINT/REAPPOINT WARD Joy Larisey APPOINT 4 Brian Durkin APPOINT 2 Tighe Magnuson APPOINT as CHAIR 2 PLAN COMMISSION NAME OF MEMBER APPOINT/REAPPOINT WARD Paul Thomas APPOINT 3 Mayor Tack read the appointments and asked for a motion. COUNCIL ACTION: Approve the Mayor’s Appointments and Reappointments Alderman Preschlack made a motion to Approve the Mayor’s Appointments, seconded by Alderman Powers. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote. COMMENTS BY CITY MANAGER Proceedings of the December 4, 2023 City Council Meeting A. Strategic Plan Update - George Issakoo, Assistant City Manager City Manager Jason Wicha gave a high-level timeline for the strategic plan. Assistant City Manager George Issakoo gave a more detailed overview that included goal areas remaining largely the same and explaining that it is more of a reset than an overhaul. He also gave background on firm selection and reviewed a timeline that begins with a kickoff in February including in person, and on-line focus group sessions with next steps to be determined. B. Replacement Fire Engine - Andy Rick, Deputy Fire Chief Deputy Fire Chief Andy Rick reviewed the lead time and the process of choosing vendors and mirroring the last engine purchase. He gave an overview of the highlights on the new Sutphen Engine, he thanked the Council for their support in obtaining the new apparatus. OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL Student at Lake Forest High School offered two ordinances to the Council that would limit the flavors and the number of sellers of flavored tobacco products. Student at Lake Forest High School offered the Council the LEAD survey results and asked for the prohibition of flavored tobacco products. Mayor Tack thanked the students for sharing their opinions. He noted that while regulatory action isn’t likely at this time, there’s an opportunity for an education campaign that could help encourage peers to avoid flavored tobacco products. He went on to say that if they students are interested, to please connect with City staff, perhaps the team at CROYA, regarding partnering on an educational campaign that can help encourage Lake Forest’s youth to avoid flavored tobacco products. COMMITTEE REPORTS FINANCE COMMITTEE ***PUBLIC HEARING ON THE CITY’S PROPOSED 2023 TAX LEVY ORDINANCE*** OPEN PUBLIC HEARING Mayor Tack asked for a motion to open the public hearing at 6:50 p.m. Alderman Preschlack made a motion to open the public hearing at 6:50 p.m. seconded by Alderman Novit. 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. 1. Consideration of an Ordinance Establishing the 2023 Tax Levy (Final Reading – Public Hearing Required) Elizabeth Holleb, Finance Director reported that this is the fifth time the City Council has seen this item. She went on to highlight the details on the proposed levy as shown in the graphs below. Proceedings of the December 4, 2023 City Council Meeting 2023 Property Tax Levy Average Household Impact Proceedings of the December 4, 2023 City Council Meeting Mayor Tack asked if anyone would like to address the Council. Seeing none, he asked for a motion to close the public hearing at 6:56pm. CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING Alderman Walther made a motion to close the public hearing at 6:56 p.m. 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. Seeing no additional comments, Mayor Tack asked for a motion. COUNCIL ACTION: Conduct a public hearing on the City’s proposed 2023 Tax Levy Ordinance. Upon closing the public hearing, it is recommended that the City Council consider final approval of an Ordinance Establishing the 2023 Tax Levy Alderman Notz made a motion to consider final 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. 1. Gorton Community Center 2024 Budget Presentation Board Chair Andrew Trees thanked The City of Lake Forest for its support over the years while Gorton has experienced growth and continued outreach in the community. Amy Wagliardo, Executive Director spoke to Gorton’s Mission and Vison statements noting that Gorton is working with its 5-year strategic plan noting it will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2024, and 2024 budget assumptions. Bob Scales, City Director on the Gorton Board reviewed goals that were given thoughtful and careful consideration, he also spoke to using the endowment in a conservative manner. The City Council had a discussion on leadership, volunteers to grow the organization, fundraising, private gifts and the new Development Director goals. The Council remarked on the remarkable success of Gorton over the last decade. Mayor Tack asked if anyone would like to address the Council. Seeing none, he asked for a motion. COUNCIL ACTION: It is recommended that the City Council approve the Gorton Community Center 2024 Budget Alderman Weber made a motion to approve the Gorton Community Center 2024 Budget, seconded by Alderman Novit. 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. PARKS & RECREATION BOARD 1. Approval of the proposed Athletic Field Usage Policy which includes an Athletic Field Usage Fee Schedule as recommended by the Parks and Recreation Board. Anthony Anaszewicz, Athletics Program Manager gave an overview of the purpose and goals of the advisory Committee, he highlighted the milestones, and he reviewed the proposed changes to policy in relation to sport field improvement fund, insurance requirements, classification criteria, tiers, affiliate terminology, and nonresident percentages along with the proposed rental fee structures. Proceedings of the December 4, 2023 City Council Meeting Elizabeth Holleb, Finance Director reviewed financial considerations including the philosophical change in the fee structure that it is currently maintenance driven, to what is proposed as rental fee driven- moving to a new fee structure using historical program data and anticipated impacts to each organization that will use the fields and a phased in cost recovery plan. The City Council had lengthy discussion on the tier system, anticipated replacement of the turf, heavy to use areas, demand, community asset, investment of funds reserved, online booking capabilities, and pickleball courts. They also thanked all involved for the efforts on this project. Mayor Tack asked if anyone would like to address the Council. Seeing none, he asked for a motion. COUNCIL ACTION: Approval of the proposed Athletic Field Usage Policy including the proposed Athletic Field Usage Fee Schedule as recommended by the Parks and Recreation Board. Alderman Weber made a motion to approve the proposed Athletic Field Usage Policy including the proposed Athletic Field Usage Fee Schedule as recommended by the Parks and Recreation Board, seconded by Alderman Preschlack. 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 1. Approval of November 20, 2023, City Council Meeting Minutes 2. Approval of the Check Register for the Period of October 28 – November 24, 2023 3. Approval of a Resolution of Appreciation for Retiring Members of Boards and Commissions as follows: Tara Janos, Chairman Stephen Douglass 4. Approval of Ordinances Abating 2023 Tax Levies for Various G.O. Alternate Revenue Bond Issues (Final Reading) 5. Grant Final Approval of an Ordinance approving a Fee Schedule (Final Reading) 6. Approval to Extend the City’s Grant Services Agreement with The Ferguson Group for Grant Research/Writing Services for 2024 7. Authorize the Office of the City Manager to enter into a Contract with The Mejorando Group for Strategic Planning Services in the Amount of $50,000 8. Approval of a Loan Agreement between the City of Lake Forest and Elawa Farm Foundation 9. Approval of an Advance of FY27 Capital Improvement Funding and a Request to Waive the City’s Bidding Process and approve the Purchase of a Replacement Fire Engine by Sutphen, Not to Exceed Amount of $1,200,000 Proceedings of the December 4, 2023 City Council Meeting 10. Approval of an Advance of FY25 Capital Improvement Funding and Approval of Forest Park Boardwalk Project’s Low Bid and Authorize the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with F.H. Paschen in an Amount of $1,735,935; this Includes an Overall 10% Project Contingency. 11. Approval of a Purchase of Five Replacement Sanitation Section Scooters to EJ Equipment in the Amount of $193,000 12. Approval of a Purchase of a Replacement Water & Sewer Section Televising Van to Standard Equipment in the Amount of $250,000 13. Approval of an Advance of FY25 Capital Improvement Funding and Approval of Engineering Services for the Central Business District Infrastructure Evaluation to Kimley-Horn and Authorize the City Manager to Execute an Agreement in the Amount of $293,790 Plus the Remaining $6,210 for Contingency; Total Cost Not to Exceed $300,000 14. Consideration of an Ordinance Approving a Recommendation from the Building Review Board. (First Reading, and if Desired by the City Council, Final Approval) 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 fourteen (14) 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 ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION/COMMENTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS The City Council commended Director Sally Swarthout and Superintendent Chuck Myers for all the work on the Athletic Fields. Mayor Tack wished the community a safe Holiday season. Mayor Tack noted there will be no further business following executive session, he then asked for a motion to adjourn into EXECUTIVE SESSION pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(11), Pending litigation, and (5), Purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body, and (6), Disposition of property and the consideration for the sale or lease of property owned by the Public Body. Alderman Powers made a motion to adjourn into executive session pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(11), Pending litigation, and (5), Purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body, and (6), Disposition of property and the consideration for the sale or lease of property owned by the Public Body, seconded by Alderman Preschlack. 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. Proceedings of the December 4, 2023 City Council Meeting Adjournment into Executive Session at 7:50 pm. Reconvened into Regular Session at 9:13 pm. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business Mayor Tack asked for a motion to adjourn. Alderman Walther made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Weber. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote at 9:14 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.