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CC_2023_02_06_MINUTESThe City of Lake Forest CITY COUNCIL MEETING Proceedings of the Monday, February, 6 2023 City Council Meeting - City Council Chambers 220 E Deerpath, Lake Forest, IL 60045 CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Mayor Pandaleon called the meeting to order at 6:33p.m, and City Clerk Margaret Boyer called the roll of Council members. Present: Alderman Morris, Alderman Novit, Alderman Rummel, Alderman Notz, Alderman Preschlack, Alderman Goshgarian, Alderman Buschmann, Alderman Weber Absent: none CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited. REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS COMMENTS BY MAYOR Mayor Pandaleon made a statement regarding notification of individuals that speak during public comment during public hearings, stating State Senator Julie Morrison and the City Attorney, Julie Tappendorf, are now working to develop a change in language. Mayor Pandaleon reported that Metra has begun work on the universal crossover switch at the West Side Train Station, noting the Metra More pilot program’s success. He read a letter co-signed by himself, State Senator Julie Morrison, Representative Bob Morgan, President and CEO of Lake County Partners Kevin Considine, and Lake County Board Member Paras Parekh, supporting a long-term reverse commute schedule. A. 2023-2024 Board and Commission Appointments and Reappointments Board of Trustees Fire Pension Fund NAME OF MEMBER APPOINT/REAPPOINT WARD Gerard Toohey Jr. Appoint 3 Historic Preservation Commission NAME OF MEMBER APPOINT/REAPPOINT WARD Leif Soderberg Appoint 1 Legal Committee NAME OF MEMBER APPOINT/REAPPOINT WARD Elizabeth “Joy” Guscott-Mueller Appoint from Interim to Chair 3 Proceedings of the Monday, February 6, 2023 City Council Meeting COUNCIL ACTION: Approve the Mayor’s 2023-2024 Board and Commission Appointments and Reappointments Alderman Preschlack made a motion to approve the Mayor’s Appointments and Reappointments, seconded by Alderman Weber. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote. COMMENTS BY CITY MANAGER A. Community Spotlight - Dr. Matthew Montgomery, Superintendent to Lake Forest School Districts 67 & 115 City Manager Jason Wicha introduced Dr. Matthew Montgomery, Superintendent to Lake Forest School Districts 67 & 115. Dr. Montgomery, who has been in his role almost two (2) years, gave a detailed overview of the District 115 Facilities Bond Referendum, highlighting its purpose, a summary of its makeup, the benefits, and also the financial implications. Dr. Montgomery noted that District 115 recently became a National Blue Ribbon School, meaning the School District is in the top 20 of the State, and maintains a school-average GPA of 3.0 or higher. Dr. Montgomery also stated that his purpose is to share the facts on the bond referendum, not to ask for a vote either for or against. Dr. Montgomery noted that fifty-two (52%) of the $105.7 million bond will be put towards infrastructure planning, while the other forty-eight (48%) will be utilized for instructional space upgrades, namely developing ADA accessibility, and expanding classrooms, none of the money will be used for staffing and wages. The City Council asked clarifying questions including the school district’s operating budget, public and private partnerships, debt incursion, student relocation, the cost bond per student, and preemptive measures. Mayor Pandaleon noted that while City of Lake Forest enjoys having the lowest tax rates, the schools receive a very small portion of the tax bill. OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL Mayor Pandaleon then asked if there was anyone who would like to address the Council. Ari Marck offered his opinion to the Council regarding the closing of the Wildlife Discovery Center noting how much the center enhanced his life. Sharone Marck offered her opinion to the City Council regarding the closing of the Wildlife Discovery Center, noting disappointment in the closure. ITEMS FOR OMNIBUS VOTE CONSIDERATION 1. Approval of January 17, City Council Meeting Minutes 2. Approval of the Check Register for the Period of January 1 – January 27, 2023 3. Approval of a Public Works Committee Recommendation of an Award of Bid to Scandroli Construction for Forest Park Beach Cranes Replacement Project in the Amount of $427,604, to Include a 5% Contingency in the Amount of @21,380, for the Grand Total Amount of $448,984 and the Advancement of Fiscal Year 2024 Funding in the Amount of $240,000. Proceedings of the Monday, February 6, 2023 City Council Meeting 4. Award of Purchase for the Replacement of an Aerial Bucket Truck for the Forestry Section Included in the FY2024 and FY2025 Capital Equipment Budget to the Sourcewell Cooperative’s Low Bidder, Terex Utilities Inc., in the Amount of $370,609. 5. Award Vermeet Midwest an Additional $30,200 to Complete the Purchase for the Replacement of a Log Chipper for the Forestry Department, for the Revised Total Amount of $214,178. 6. Approval of a Change Order to the Agreement with Mag Construction to provide the concrete foundation for the monument, donor board and flagpole for the Veterans Park Improvement Project in the Amount of $33,406. COUNCIL ACTION: Approve the six (6) omnibus items as presented. Mayor Pandaleon asked members of the Council if they would like to remove any item or take it separately. Seeing none, he asked for a motion. Alderman Goshgarian made a motion to approve the six (6) Omnibus items as presented, seconded by Alderman Notz. The following voted “Aye”: Alderman Morris, Novit, Rummel, Notz, Preschlack, Goshgarian, Buschmann, and Weber. The following voted “Nay”: none. 8-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. Deerpath Park Athletic Field Improvements – Programming Overview and Revenue Projections City Manager Jason Wicha iterated the purpose of discussion being consensus, noting anticipation of reviewing construction bids and comparison of other impacted parks in Lake Forest due to the project in later anticipated discussions. Mayor Pandaleon then introduced Anthony Anaszewicz, Program Manager, and Elizabeth Holleb, Finance Director, to give a presentation on the updates to the Deerpath Park Athletic Field. Program Manager Anthony Anaszewicz reported that the focus of this update is a review of the programming analysis that was completed and an overview of the revenue analysis and forecast under various fee structures. He noted throughout the development of programming, revenue analysis was conducted based on an hourly rental structure. He also explained definitions in relations to sports that will utilize the athletic field throughout the year. Lastly, he noted key findings relevant to discussion, noting an above average population under the age of 25, expansion possibilities from other Lake Forest parks, and a reduction in maintenance costs due to Deerpath Community Park absorbing existing programming. Elizabeth Holleb, Finance Director reported the revenue analysis looked at the current maintenance-driven revenue structure and projected revenues using an hourly rate structure. In addition, staff analyzed revenue impact on current recreation programming. In this case, rather than an hourly rate structure, staff projected a per participant increase to forecast revenue. Combined, this analysis yielded forecasts of incremental revenue under various fee scenarios. Additionally noted was the programming analysis identified and additional program hours that will be left over after accounting for current levels of programming and estimates for absorbed additional programming from other parks. The available hours would create an opportunity for additional revenue from new programs and additional field rentals. Proceedings of the Monday, February 6, 2023 City Council Meeting The City Council had lengthy discussion on various topics related to the athletic field that included future costs, cost recovery, maintenance, user fees, users, field utilization, demographic data, programming and maintenance benefits, field inventory, operating hours, field configurations rental revenues among other topics. Mayor Pandaleon offered the opportunity for public comment. Alexandra Potter offered her opinion to the Council noting noise, traffic and if there is a need for a concession stand. Mary Matthews offered he opinion to the Council noting floodplain and asking the Council to reconsider this project and go with natural grass improvements. COUNCIL ACTION: No formal Council action is requested at this time. However, direction is requested regarding what extent additional revenue should pay for future maintenance/replacement of the turf fields. City Council’s broad direction will be provided to the Park Board, who will evaluate options and recommend a specific Usage Policy and Fee Structure for future City Council consideration. Through discussion, the City Council gave direction to the Park Board to evaluate options and recommend a specific usage policy and fee structure that will be presented to the City Council at a future date. ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION/COMMENTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS ADJOURNMENT There being no further business Mayor Pandaleon asked for a motion. Alderman Goshgarian made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Weber. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote at 9:11 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.