CC_2025_05_19 MINUTESThe City of Lake Forest
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Proceedings of the Monday, May 19, 2025
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 630 p.m., and City Clerk
Margaret Boyer called the roll of Council members.
Present: Honorable Mayor Tack, Alderman Clemens, Alderman Notz, Alderman Powers, Alderman LeVert,
Alderman Bothfeld, Alderman Weber and Alderman Walther.
Absent: Alderman Novit
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited by all those present.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS
COMMENTS BY MAYOR
A. Resolution of Appreciation for Retired Chief Water Plant Operator John C. Gulledge
Mayor Tack read the resolution, and photos were taken.
COUNCIL ACTION: Approve the Resolution of Appreciation
Alderman LeVert made a motion to approve the Resolution of Appreciation, seconded by Alderman Powers.
The motion passed unanimously by voice vote.
2025-2026 Board and Commission Appointments and Reappointments
AUDIT
NAME OF MEMBER APPOINT/REAPPOINT WARD
Joy Larisey REAPPOINT 4
Robert Nowlin REAPPOINT 4
BUILDING REVIEW BOARD
NAME OF MEMBER APPOINT/REAPPOINT WARD
John Looby III REAPPOINT AS CHAIR 1- additional
term
4
Justin Stamer REAPPOINT 2
Eric Lohmueller REAPPOINT 2
Scott Renken REAPPOINT 1
Sarah Lamphere APPOINT TO OWN TERM 3
Chris Collins APPOINT 1
CEMETERY
Proceedings of the May 19, 2025
Second Session City Council Meeting
NAME OF MEMBER APPOINT/REAPPOINT WARD
John Anderson REAPPOINT AS CHAIR 1- additional
term
1
Robert Wayne REAPPOINT 3
Lowell Dixon REAPPOINT 1
GORTON BOARD
NAME OF MEMBER APPOINT/REAPPOINT WARD
Bob Scales REAPPOINT n/a
Michael Slover REAPPOINT n/a
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
NAME OF MEMBER APPOINT/REAPPOINT WARD
Lloyd Culbertson APPOINT AS CHAIR 4
Leif Soderberg REAPPOINT 1
Tina Dann-Fenwick REAPPOINT 4
John Norkus APPOINT 1
CROYA
NAME OF MEMBER APPOINT/REAPPOINT WARD
Julie Crouch REAPPOINT LFHS REP
Kate Leech REAPPOINT 4
Kristen Lee REAPPOINT 3
LIBRARY
NAME OF MEMBER APPOINT/REAPPOINT WARD
Josh Jackson REAPPOINT 1
Robert Shaw REAPPOINT 4
PLAN COMMISSION
NAME OF MEMBER APPOINT/REAPPOINT WARD
Mark Pasquesi APPOINT AS CHAIR 4
Proceedings of the May 19, 2025
Second Session City Council Meeting
Louis Pickus REAPPOINT 2
Barrett Davie REAPPOINT 2
Paul Thomas REAPPOINT 3
David Hunt APPOINT 1
SENIOR RESOURCE COMMISSION
NAME OF MEMBER APPOINT/REAPPOINT WARD
Jean Manning REAPPOINT 3
Dennis Herman REAPPOINT 4
Mark Dewart REAPPOINT LB
Charlie Notaras APPOINT 1
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
NAME OF MEMBER APPOINT/REAPPOINT WARD
Ari Bass REAPPOINT AS CHAIR 2
Mike Adams REAPPOINT 3
Jeff Giannelli APPOINT TO OWN TERM 3
Fred Brewer APPOINT 3
Jan Gibson APPOINT 3
BOARD OF POLICE AND FIRE COMMISSIONERS
Nancy Taubensee REAPPOINT n/a
Richard Price REAPPOINT n/a
BOARD OF TRUSTEES POLICE PENSION FUND
John Sonnier APPOINT n/a
HOUSING TRUST FUND
Don Schoenheider REAPPOINT n/a
Charles King REAPPOINT n/a
Proceedings of the May 19, 2025
Second Session City Council Meeting
COUNCIL ACTION: Approve the Mayor's Appointments and Reappointments
Alderman Clemens made a motion to approve the Mayor’s appointments and reappointments, seconded by
Alderman Walther. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote.
COMMENTS BY CITY MANAGER
City Manager Wicha welcomed Jennifer Turner, Executive Director of Emerging Artists.
A. Community Spotlight
Deer Path Art League - Emerging Artists
- Jennifer Turner, Executive Director
Artists in attendance received the award from the Mayor, photos were taken.
OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL
Robert Metz offered his opinion to the Council about a coach. Mr. Metz also gave a handout to the City
Council.
City Manager Jason Wicha stated the City of Lake Forest takes accusations very seriously. This incident was
investigated, and the matter is closed at this time.
Diane offered her compliments to the Police regarding a dog issue.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
ITEMS FOR OMNIBUS VOTE CONSIDERATION
1. Approval of Monday, May 5, 2025, City Council Meeting Minutes, First and Second Session.
With the notation that “City Council Action “ was missing from the minutes.
2. Approval of a Resolution of Appreciation for Retiring Members of Boards and Commissions
3. Approval for the purchase of a Zoll X series cardiac monitor, with an extended warranty, in an
amount not to exceed $54,793.14, and authorization to dispose of City property with a value of
$5,832.00.
4. Award of a Five-Year Contract with Veolia for Technical Support Service included in the FY2026
– FY2030 Operating Budget for the sum of $119,950
5. Award of Proposal to Thelen Materials, LLC. for a Five-Year Compost Center Transferring
Agreement included in the FY2026 – FY2030 Operating Budgets for the Sum of $545,000
6. Award of Bid to Midwest Power Industry Inc for Elevated Tank Generator Replacement Project
in the amount of $54,403, to include a 10% or $5,440 contingency for a total cost of $59,843
7. Award of a One-Year Extension of the City’s Contract with Xylem Dewatering Solutions Doing
Business As Wachs Water Services for Valve Exercising Service included in the Operating
Capital Budget for the sum of $22,828
8. Approval of a Three-Year Contract with M.E. Simpson Company, Inc. for Leak Detection Service
Contract included in the FY2026 –FY2028 Operating Capital Budget for the Sum of $148,750
Proceedings of the May 19, 2025
Second Session City Council Meeting
9. Approval of a Third Year Renewal with Hoerr Construction, Inc. for the 2025 Sewer Lining
Program, and Authorize the City Manager to Execute an Agreement in the Amount Not to
Exceed $639,031
10. Approve to purchase 3 safety boats from Racine Riverside Marine in the amount of $68,001.00
for the Recreation Department Sailing Program from the FY26 Capital Improvement Program.
11. Approval of an Illinois Department of Transportation Resolution Appropriating $109,144 in
Rebuild Illinois Funds (RBI) Funds to be used for Phase I Design Engineering Services of the
Ringwood Bridge Project
12. Consideration of a Waiver of the Plan Review and Permit Fees for Interior Alterations at Deer
Path Middle School, 95 W. Deerpath, in the Amount of $16,889.50. (Approval by Motion)
13. Consideration of Ordinances Approving Recommendations from the Building Review Board for
172 Atteridge Road, 360 Butler Drive and 1425 Telegraph Road. (First Reading and if Desired
by the City Council, Final Approval)
14. Consideration of an Ordinance Approving a Recommendation from the Historic Preservation
Commission in Support of Granting a Building Scale Variance for Additions and a Pool Cabana
at 1360 Elm Tree Road. (First Reading and if Desired by the City Council, Final Approval)
15. Consideration of Ordinances Approving Recommendations from the Zoning Board of Appeals
for 1360 Elm Tree Road, 1510 Willow Street, 270 Overlook Drive, and 587-589 Ivy Court. (First
Reading, and if Desired by the City Council, Final Approval)
16. Consideration of an Amendment to the Lake Forest Code relating to Service Regulations. (First
Reading and if Desired by the City Council, Final Approval)
COUNCIL ACTION: Approve the sixteen (16) omnibus items as presented
Mayor Tack asked if anyone would like an item removed or taken separately. Seeing none, he asked for a
motion.
Alderman Powers made a motion to approve the sixteen (16) Omnibus items as presented, seconded by
Alderman Weber. The following voted “Aye”: Alderman Clemens, Notz, Powers, LeVert, Bothfeld, Weber and
Walther. The following voted “Nay”: none. 7-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
1. Award of Contracts for Bank Lane Streetscape Construction
Below is a summary of the overview that Byron Kutz, Superintendent of Engineering offered the City Council.
Based on the Comprehensive Land Use Plan and direction from the City Council the full removal and
reconstruction. The Project will be coordinated with adjacent Deerpath construction and has an estimated
construction duration: June 9 – October 31, 2025, with a FY2026 budget of $1,700,000. He reviewed the work
hour option considerations that included a hybrid option and shared the bid results. He further broke down
the costs based on Base Project Construction, Contingency (which excluded project allowance), and Inspection
costs.
Proceedings of the May 19, 2025
Second Session City Council Meeting
Members of the City Council had a lengthy discussion on the options, the narrow width of Bank Lane and
accessibility, access to businesses, safety being a key component, with 100 workdays, 20 may be in the
evening, type of work done in the night, using the same contractor, and appreciation of staff work for options
with economic elements.
Mayor Tack asked if there was anyone from the public who would like to comment.
The following offered their comments to the City Council
The Director of Operations at LeColonial preferred more evening work.
Sarah at LeColonial also preferred night work and appreciates the constant communication.
Diane asked about the length of time of the project.
Mayor Tack stated that we are doing all that we can to mitigate for local businesses.
Mayor Tack again asked if there was anyone from the public who would like to comment. Seeing none, he
asked for a motion.
COUNCIL ACTION: Award of the Low Bid for the Bank Lane Streetscape Project for Day/Night-Work Hybrid
to D'Land Construction, LLC. and Authorize the City Manager to Execute an Agreement in the Amount of
$1,486,267 and a Contingency in the Amount of $146,127 for a Total Project Cost of $1,632,394. Also,
Approval of Part-Time Construction Inspection Services for the Bank Lane Streetscape Project to Thomas
Engineering Group and Authorize the City Manager to Execute an Agreement in the Amount Not to Exceed
$50,000.
Alderman Walther made a motion to award of the Low Bid for the Bank Lane Streetscape Project for
Day/Night-Work Hybrid to D'Land Construction, LLC. and Authorize the City Manager to Execute an Agreement
in the Amount of $1,486,267 and a Contingency in the Amount of $146,127 for a Total Project Cost of
$1,632,394. Also, Approval of Part-Time Construction Inspection Services for the Bank Lane Streetscape
Project to Thomas Engineering Group and authorize the City Manager to execute an Agreement in the Amount
Not to Exceed $50,000, seconded by Alderman Powers. The following voted “Aye”: Alderman Clemens, Notz,
Powers, LeVert, Bothfeld, Weber and Walther. The following voted “Nay”: none. 7-Ayes, 0-Nays, motion
carried.
NEW BUSINESS
Compliments to the Police Department on the complaints about e-bikes and youth, and managing the new
law.
ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION/COMMENTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mayor Tack asked for a motion to adjourn. Alderman Clemens made a
motion to adjourn, seconded by Alderman LeVert. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote at 7:35 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.