CC_2025_09_02 MINUTESThe City of Lake Forest
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING
Proceedings of Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Dickinson Hall
100 E Old Mill Road, 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 Clemens, Alderman Notz, Alderman
Powers, Alderman LeVert, Alderman Bothfeld, and Alderman Walther.
Absent: Alderman Weber.
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
1. Police Station Financing Overview
Katie Skibbe, Finance Director, reported that the bid opening has been extended to September 17.
She reviewed the project financing recommendation of assuming $25 million in construction costs
with $6 million in cash that is made up from FY25 Operating surplus of 3.6m and FY26 drawdown of
reserves of 2.4m, along with issuing General Obligation bonds for the remaining $19 million. Current
debt service capacity was reviewed along with goals of issuing debt that included providing funding
for the renovated Police Station, the lowest cost debt structure, the lowest increase to taxpayers,
and using a phase-in approach when increasing obligation to taxpayers. Financing models were
shared along with overlapping debt projections for the 2025 Bonds. She also shared a bid pricing
sensitivity analysis that ranged from +5%, +10%, and +15% along with -5% and -10%. A potential
Bond issue timeline was shared to include the following: September-October -Review Potential
Bond Financing Model, Parameters Ordinance, and Distribute Preliminary Official Statement.
October–November - Moody’s Rating Call and receive Moody’s Rating. And November – December-
Bond Sale and Closing. Looking forward to future Capital needs, the City would have no debt
capacity until the 2033 Levy. There are healthy reserves for unforeseen expenses. The renovation of
the Fire Station is included in the Capital Budget $8m. Any additional funds needed could come from
the General Fund surplus or reserves. The next large project tentatively may begin in Winter 2027.
The City Council discussed interest rates, the self-imposed tax cap, timing issues of when money is
needed, the drawdown schedule, Federal interest rates, and potentially tying future City Councils’
hands. Additional discussion on Fund Balance reserves requirements, grants, the City’s healthy
reserves, looking to an updated 5-year forecast after bonds are issued, future discussions at the
November capital workshop, comfort level with 2 large transformative projects, the other being a
Recreation Center, and lastly, the reasonable and prudent financing in comparison to other
communities that are doing a similar project at more than twice the cost.
Mayor Tack asked if there was anyone from the public who would like to comment. Seeing none, he
moved to the next item on the agenda.
Proceedings of Tuesday, September 2, 2025
City Council Workshop Meeting
2. Temporary Private Installations in the Market Square Greensward
Catherine Czerniak, Director of Community Development, reported that over the last year, we have
had requests for temporary installations on the Greensward, and a lack of clarity has caused
confusion. She noted that the City of Lake Forest owns the middle of Market Square. After speaking
with the City Attorney and considering the option to say no to any installations, it's suggested that
putting parameters in an Administrative Directive would give staff and potential users parameters.
At the Attorney's suggestion, the directive should be Content Neutral, utilize the already existing
Special Event Permit, speak to Duration of the installation, be limited to a Single User, and define
Installation Limitations and Size. She went on to say that the City cannot regulate the content the
user plans on displaying.
The City Council discussed what the decision-making process would look like if two parties wanted it
for the same day, and how far in advance it can be booked. 30,60, 90 days or years in advance.
Duration to be 4 hours to include setup and tear down, the ability to say no overall, event creep,
insurance requirements security guarantee, access to electric, impact to the Deer Path Art League,
should the City become a partner in that event, there would be no parameters since it would be a
City event, The benign uses of the Greensward, public property use in the courts, not a perfect
solution, protests. This directive won’t affect freedom of speech on public property to include the
use of streets and sidewalks. The City’s ability to regulate the impact of the Greensward by utilizing
the Special Event Permit. What are the time constraints? Can a user have more than one event per
year? Daylight to dusk hours and creating clear expectations for both the City and the user. Ms.
Czerniak stated that we can try this directive for a year and see what may need to be changed.
Mayor Tack asked if there was anyone from the public who would like to comment.
The question of a 4-hour event was asked, and whether we have any existing parameters
Seeing no additional comments, he moved to the next item on the agenda.
3. July 4, 2026 - 250th Celebration Planning
Mike Wick, Director of Parks & Recreation, reported that 2026 marks America’s 250th Birthday, and
to enhance the 4th of July celebration, we need to start planning now. He noted that Friends of Lake
Forest Parks and Recreation currently runs the fireworks event (and the Holiday Tree Lighting). He
gave a background and an overview of the fireworks event that included history of it being a long
standing event in the community, Friends took over in 2007 after the folding of the Lake Forest
Symphony, the Event has been used as a fundraiser for the Friends, the City provided in-kind
donation of labor $30,000 for day of operations and in FY26, the City allocated $70,000 to the
Friends of Lake Forest Park and Recreation to run the fireworks and tree lighting events. He stated
that rather than subsidize those events for the Friends, the Staff proposes allocating the funds to the
Recreation Department to enhance the celebration, and if that occurs, the City should also take back
running the Holiday Tree Lighting Event. Efforts would then be focused on community partnerships
by creating an interdisciplinary staff team to lead the effort, along with convening a resident
volunteer City Manager Advisory Group and creating partnerships with community groups and
businesses. Mr. Wick asked Council to direct staff to begin planning and support redirecting funds
for the future FY 27 budget from Friends Foundation to the Recreation Department.
Proceedings of Tuesday, September 2, 2025
City Council Workshop Meeting
The City Council discussed past Fourth of July events and how it has transformed through the years.
Also, the Friends Foundation was discussed as a 501 3c as a venue for donations to Recreation. The
City Council asked that the Friends share core costs for the event so that they can make an informed
decision on the topic and not include all the added extras. Names for community members would be
solicited for a City Manager Ad Hoc group that may only meet 3 to 4 times with staff executing the
plan. Looking for an affordable community event. City Council asked Mr. Wick to come back with
additional information after hearing from the Friends.
Mayor Tack asked if there was anyone from the public who would like to comment. Seeing none, he
moved to the next item on the agenda.
4. Waveland Park Pavilion
Jim Lockefeer, Assistant Public Works Director, gave background information that included project
design beginning in June 2024, which was then opened up to public input on design, which occurred
in late summer 2024. The cost estimate of $950,000 was developed by the architect in the fall of
2024 for inclusion on the CIP. The design was completed, and the project bid opening was in May
2025. All bids came in over the estimate. The low bid represents a $415,000 overage, including the
10% contingency. Staff did a thorough review to understand the significant budget overage. There
were no unique items that drove the cost in any trade, and the tight bid range confirmed that
contractors understood the project. They also looked at value engineering project options to reduce
the cost. He explained that there are options for the Council to consider: Move forward with project
construction in Spring 2026, utilizing FY26 project savings to cover overage, or Re-budget and
reprioritize the project in a future Fiscal Year.
The City Council discussed replacement vs. renovation, prevailing wage, the cost at length, other
parks, and the standard of the building at them. The footprint, value engineering, commercial
construction, and bringing this to the full City Council for a decision.
Mayor Tack asked if there was anyone from the public who would like to comment.
Diane agreed with the Council's comments and appreciated all of them. Seeing no additional
comments, he moved to the next item on the agenda
5. Ringwood Bridge Design
Byron Kutz, Superintendent of Engineering, gave an overview of the project's need and scope. The
bridge was constructed circa 1913 and rehabilitated in 1989. It is located within a historic district.
The sufficiency rating is lower than federal guidelines, and the Bridge Report recommends full
removal and replacement.
Mr. Kutz went over options for the Project approach. Phase I Design to replicate the existing historic
bridge design (IDOT standards for grant). Note: Phase I design doesn’t include final structural
decisions; final design is in Phase II. And apply for the Construction Grant upon Phase I Completion.
If the grant is successful, continue with Phase II Design, replicating the current structure. If the grant
is not successful, revise the design as needed and construct a locally funded bridge. Project
Timelines were shared for Phase I design. Concurrence among the Council was sought for
proceeding with Phase I Design to replicate the existing historic bridge design in pursuit of an IDOT
grant.
Proceedings of Tuesday, September 2, 2025
City Council Workshop Meeting
The City Council discussed public input and cost differentials, residents not being aware of the delta
and what is at stake, closing the bridge, other cost-effective options that may be available, number
of cars per day, what is included in phase one as it relates to the span of the bridge, public feedback,
and updated standards. There was consensus among the Council to proceed.
Mayor Tack asked if there was anyone from the public who would like to comment. Seeing none, he
moved to the next item on the agenda.
6. Opportunity for Public Comment
None this evening
7. 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 8:36 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Margaret Boyer, City Clerk