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CC_2025_04_21 MINUTESPLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS COMMENTS BY MAYOR Mayor Tack announced that Maddie Dugan is the Spring Dialogue winner in the Match the Storefront: Then and Now. COMMENTS BY CITY MANAGER OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL Members 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 Goshgarian, Alderman LeVert, Alderman Weber, and Alderman Walther. Absent: None. 1. Environmental Sustainability Committee ESC Update - Alderman Nancy Novit, Chairman Chairman Novit wished everyone a happy Earth Day! She gave an overview of some initiatives that the ESC has promoted and undertaken, including Waste Not Compost, Hefty orange bag recycling, SWALCO, and bottle filling stations at some parks. She also noted that Lake County ranks #7 in textile recycling. Fellow Alderman asked to keep the momentum going. 2. Finance Committee 1. Approval of the Comprehensive Fiscal Plan for FY2026 Diane Hall, Interim Finance Director, reviewed the 7-month operating and capital budget process. She noted minor changes- compensation adjustment for 2026 is now reflected, $150,000 to Fire Station renovation, and the fiscal year-end estimate was revised. She reported that it is more than a budget; it is long-term planning, goal setting, service levels, and integration with the City's Strategic Plan. She reviewed Fund estimates, with revenue and expenses for each fund. Also reviewed was the Capital Improvement Plan for 2026-2030, highlighting 2026 with 46 million in projects. Grant funding was also reviewed. Mayor Tack asked if there was anyone who would like to comment on this item. Seeing none, he asked for a motion. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL AT 6:30 The City of Lake Forest CITY COUNCIL MEETING Proceedings of the Monday, April 21, 2025 City Council Meeting - City Council Chambers 220 E. Deerpath, Lake Forest, IL 60045 ITEMS FOR OMNIBUS VOTE CONSIDERATION Alderman Notz made a motion to approve the Comprehensive Fiscal Plan for FY2026, seconded by Alderman Weber. The following voted “Aye”: Alderman Novit, Clemens, Notz, Powers, Goshgarian, LeVert, Weber, and Walther. The following voted “Nay”: none. 8-Ayes, 0-Nays, motion carried. 2. Consideration of an Ordinance making a Supplemental Appropriation for the Fiscal Year Beginning May 1, 2024 and Ending April 30, 2025 (First Reading, and if Desired by the City Council, Final Approval) Diane Hall, Interim Finance Director, reported that the City reviews all estimates. There were $90,000 in TIF receipts that were over budget, this ordinance legally allows expenditure with approval. Mayor Tack asked if there was anyone who would like to comment on this item. Seeing none, he asked for a motion. Alderman Clemens made a motion to approve an Ordinance making a Supplemental Appropriation for the Fiscal Year Beginning May 1, 2024 and Ending April 30, 2025 (First Reading, and if desired by the City Council, Final Approval), seconded by Alderman Weber. The following voted “Aye”: Alderman Novit, Clemens, Notz, Powers, Goshgarian, LeVert, Weber, and Walther. The following voted “Nay”: none. 8-Ayes, 0-Nays, motion carried. 3. Consideration of an Ordinance amending Chapter 39 of the City Code of Ordinances regarding municipal grocery taxes with the adoption of a 1% grocery tax effective January 1, 2026 (First Reading) Diane Hall, Interim Finance Director, gave an overview of the impact of the 1% grocery tax. May 2024 – General Assembly passed the State’s FY25 Budget and eliminated the 1% statewide grocery tax effective January 1, 2026. 100% of grocery tax collected is passed through to local governments, with no impact on the State’s budget. Staff estimates this action will reduce the City’s annual revenue by $525,000. FY2026 budget assumes the grocery tax is eliminated. She noted that the State provided home rule and non-home rule communities the ability to implement a local grocery tax. The timing of the effectiveness of this ordinance was also reviewed. The City Council had a discussion about what constitutes groceries, maintaining an existing tax, and that the tax collected is still run through the State of Illinois. Alderman Gosharian offered his advice to all City Councils moving forward- to keep the City of Lake Forest the best fiscally managed City. He stated that Lake Forest change is measured in decades. He asked the future Council to be mindful of projects moving forward, he stated that there is nothing wrong with the mundane, and asked for fiscal temperance. Mayor Tack asked if there was anyone who would like to comment on this item. Seeing none, he asked for a motion. Alderman Walther made a motion to approve an Ordinance amending Chapter 39 of the City Code of Ordinances regarding municipal grocery taxes with the adoption of a 1% grocery tax effective January 1, 2026 (First Reading), seconded by Alderman Powers. The following voted “Aye”: Alderman Novit, Clemens, Notz, Powers, Goshgarian, LeVert, Weber, and Walther. The following voted “Nay”: none. 8-Ayes, 0-Nays, motion carried. 1. Approval of the FY26 Personnel Policies and Practices, Administrative Directives, and Pay Plan Changes 2. Consideration of an Ordinance Amending the City of Lake Forest City Code Regarding the Class C- 2 and C-3 Liquor License (First reading and, if appropriate, final approval) 3. Approval of a Professional Services Agreement for Plan Review and City Engineering Services with Gewalt Hamilton Associates, Inc. in an Amount Not to Exceed $45,000, and Authorize the City Manager to Enter Into a One-Year Agreement with Two Additional One-Year Optional Renewals 4. Approval of Structural Engineering Services for 2025 Supplemental Bridge Inspections to Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc., and Authorize the City Manager to Enter Into an Agreement in an Amount Not to Exceed $59,686 5. Approval of a Public Works Committee Recommendation to Purchase of 1,500 Tons of Road Salt from Morton Salt in the Amount of $133,035 for the FY ‘26 Winter 6. Approval of a Purchase for Three Parks Section Mowers in the Amount of $48,326 to Grower Equipment & Supply Co 7. Approval of a Recommendation from the Public Works Committee to Award a Bid Extension for the FY26 Longline Striping Program to High Star Traffic in the Amount of $85,000 8. Authorization of a contractual agreement for Recreation Department Pickleball Instruction to JAM PB LLC not to exceed $125,000 for FY26. COUNCIL ACTION: Approve the eight (8) omnibus items as presented Mayor Tack asked the Council if there were any items to be removed or taken separately. #8 was removed for further discussion. Mayor Tack then asked for a motion on the remaining seven omnibus items as presented. Alderman Weber made a motion to approve the seven (7) Omnibus items as presented, seconded by Alderman Notz. The following voted “Aye”: Alderman Novit, Clemens, Notz, Powers, Goshgarian, LeVert, Weber, and Walther. The following voted “Nay”: none. 8-Ayes, 0-Nays, motion carried. ITEM # 8 REMOVED Authorization of a contractual agreement for Recreation Department Pickleball Instruction to JAM PB LLC, not to exceed $125,000 for FY26. Mayor Tack asked for comment on this item. Mike Wick, Director of Parks & Recreation, reported that the pickleball world in Lake Forest has had explosive growth. He explained further that this is an 80/20 split contract, and there is no liability to the City. City Manager Jason Wicha stated that the purchasing policy states that anything over $75,000 needs City Council approval. With the total number of participants in the program, the contract will exceed that amount. The City Council had discussions on not hiring a coach, youth options, age range of players, program fees, guaranteed rate, fees paid out when received. Mayor Tack asked if there was anyone who would like to comment on this item. Seeing none, he asked for a motion. OLD BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS Alderman Weber made a motion to authorize a contractual agreement for Recreation Department Pickleball Instruction to JAM PB LLC, not to exceed $125,000 for FY26, seconded by Alderman Goshgarian. The following voted “Aye”: Alderman Novit, Clemens, Notz, Powers, Goshgarian, LeVert, Weber, and Walther. The following voted “Nay”: none. 8-Ayes, 0-Nays, motion carried. 1. City Council Consideration and Selection of Operational Year 2 Athletic Field Rental Fees from the Range Approved at the City Council Meeting on December 3, 2023 Anthony Anaszewicz, Athletics Program Manager, gave an overview of how we arrived at this discussion and shared with the Council various park configurations based on schedules. Mike Wick, Director of Parks & Recreation, reviewed metrics from 2024 based on Tier 1 Affiliate Groups, Tier 2 Residential Groups, and Tier 3 Non-Resident, Non-Affiliate Groups, each one with a fund projection, noting no market analysis for affiliates. OF the three models presented, the staff recommended option 2. The City Council had a discussion about evaluating the pricing annually, tournaments, the good partnerships we have with organizations, accruing enough fees for future necessary maintenance, cost escalators, and housing tournaments on a small scale on a trial basis. Mayor Tack asked if there was anyone who would like to comment on this item. Seeing none, he asked for a motion. Alderman Weber made a motion to amend the Athletic Field Rental Fees to Option 2- increase fees by $5.00 per Tier, seconded by Alderman Powers. The following voted “Aye”: Alderman Novit, Clemens, Notz, Powers, Goshgarian, LeVert, Weber, and Walther. The following voted “Nay”: none. 8-Ayes, 0-Nays, motion carried. 1. Consideration of ordinances amending the City of Lake Forest Code Sections 97.020, 97.021, and 97.022 pertaining to the Park and Recreation Board and Section 32.095 pertaining to the Legal Committee. (First Reading by Motion) Mayor Tack stated that citizen volunteers are the lifeblood of our community. As a Council, it is our responsibility to ensure that the talents and time of those in our community who step forward to serve are used in a meaningful way. The volunteer pool is limited, it is important that all who step forward to serve feel they are making a difference. Periodically, the value and role of all City Boards and Commissions are reviewed, and on occasion, it is determined that one or more are less necessary. Based on current community issues, topics that are under discussion, and operational efficiencies, the Mayor recommended to the Council that the City Code be amended to discontinue the Park and Recreation Board and the Legal Committee and, on an ongoing basis, the City Council, both through the creation of a new Council subcommittee and the Council acting as a whole, will continue to provide direction on Park, Recreation, and Legal matters as appropriate. Mayor Tack went on to say he is asking the City Council to disband the Parks and Recreation Board and the Legal Committee using similar logic. Parks and Recreation Board - we do not have a park district, we do not raise our own funds or issue debt. The Parks & Recreation Board is advisory. The Legal Committee was created to review legal fees based on a legal representation change. There is ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION/COMMENTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS Alderman Weber reminded everyone that the Deerpath Streetscape card is in the mail with parking reminders. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mayor Tack asked for a motion to adjourn. Alderman Powers made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Alderman LeVert. The motion was carried not a lot of oversight on this committee; most claims are managed through IRMA. Mayor Tack asked for a discussion on disbanding these committees and allocating caucus volunteers to other boards and commissions where their work will be meaningful. The City Council discussed appreciation for all those who serve on a Board or Commission, cautioning against closing an opportunity to serve, the City's history of special committees, using the recent committee for the Police Station was discussed, and the AdHoc structure's previous successes and that those opportunities will remain. Mayor Tack asked if there was anyone who would like to comment on this item. Seeing none, he asked for the following motions. Alderman Clemens made a motion to approve a motion granting first reading of an Ordinance dissolving the Park and Recreation Board (First Reading), seconded by Alderman Walther. The following voted “Aye”: Alderman Novit, Notz, Powers, Goshgarian, LeVert, Weber, and Walther. The following voted “Nay”: none. 7-Ayes, 0-Nays, motion carried. Alderman Weber made a motion to approve a motion granting first reading of an Ordinance dissolving the Legal Committee (First Reading), seconded by Alderman Powers. The following voted “Aye”: Alderman Novit, Clemens, Notz, Powers, Goshgarian, LeVert, Weber, and Walther. The following voted “Nay”: none. 8-Ayes, 0-Nays, motion carried. 1. EXECUTIVE SESSION Adjournment into Executive Session Reconvene into Regular Session Mayor Tack reported there will be no further business following the Executive Session. Mayor Tack asked for a motion to adjourn into EXECUTIVE SESSION pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (1) The City Council will be discussing specific personnel. Alderman Clemens made a motion to adjourn into executive session pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (1). The City Council will be discussing specific personnel, seconded by Alderman Weber. The following voted “Aye”: Alderman Novit, Clemens, Notz, Powers, Goshgarian, LeVert, Weber, and Walther. The following voted “Nay”: none. 8-Ayes, 0-Nays, motion carried. Adjourn at 8:16 pm Reconvenned at 9:15 pm 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.