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CC_ 2026_02_02_MINUTESThe City of Lake Forest CITY COUNCIL MEETING Proceedings of Monday, February 2, 2026 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: Mayor Tack, Alderman Novit, Alderman Clemens, Alderman Notz, Alderman Powers, Alderman LeVert, Alderman Weber, and Alderman Walther. Absent: Alderman Bothfeld PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited by all those present. REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS COMMENTS BY MAYOR COMMENTS BY CITY MANAGER City Manager Jason Wicha reported that the Police Station construction update will be seen every two months until completion. He introduced Chief of Police John Burke. Chief Burke reviewed December's construction summary for the interior and exterior and shared a video of work completed to date. A. Police Station Construction Update - John Burke, Chief of Police OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS AUDIT COMMITTEE 1. Approval of an Audit Committee Recommendation to Award a Contract with Baker Tilly US LLP to Provide Audit Services for Fiscal Years 2026 through 2028, With an Option to Renew the Agreement for Two Additional Years. Finance Committee Chair Eileen Weber introduced Katie Skibbe, Finance Director. Ms. Skibbe reported that the City’s Fiscal 2025 audit was the fifth year of a five-year contract with Baker Tilly. She went on to explain the Audit Committee's work to date, which included a Request for Proposals (RFP) for auditing services. Based on all information received, the Audit Committee unanimously approved a recommendation for City Council consideration to appoint Baker Tilly as the City’s audit firm and to change the audit manager. Mayor Tack asked if there was anyone from the public who would like to comment. Seeing none, he asked for a motion. COUNCIL ACTION: Approval of an Audit Committee recommendation to award a contract with Baker Tilly US LLP to provide audit services for fiscal years 2026 through 2028, with an option to renew the agreement for two additional years. Proceedings of the February 2, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting Alderman Weber made a motion to approve the Audit Committee recommendation to award a contract with Baker Tilly US LLP to provide audit services for fiscal years 2026 through 2028, with an option to renew the agreement for two additional years, seconded by Alderman Clemens. The following voted “Aye”: Aldermen Novit, Clemens, Notz, Clemens, Powers, LeVert, Weber, and Walther. The following voted “Nay”: none. 7- Ayes, 0-Nays, motion carried. ITEMS FOR OMNIBUS VOTE CONSIDERATION 1. Approval of the Check Register for the Period of December 27th – January 23rd, 2026. 2. Consideration of a Request to Waive the Fidelity Bond Requirement in Connection with Holding the Raffles in the City of Lake Forest for Allendale Women’s Board (Approval by Motion) 3. Approval of a Recommendation from the Public Works Committee to Award a Proposal to Lakeland Larsen Elevator for the Water Plant Elevator Replacement Project in the Amount of $401,330 to Include a 10% Contingency in the Amount of $41,000 for a Total Cost of $442,330 4. Consideration of action items relating to the Waukegan and Westleigh Intersection Project: (1) Approval of a Construction Contingency in the Amount of $148,479 for Invoices to the State of Illinois Department of Transportation; (2) Approval of a Construction Contingency in the Amount of $148,478 to D'Land Construction, LLC 5. Consideration of Ordinances Approving Recommendations from the Building Review Board for 855 Fox Trail Court and 1206 Estate Lane. (First Reading and if Desired by the City Council, Final Approval) 6. Consideration of Ordinances Approving Recommendations from the Plan Commission in Support of Special Use Permits to Authorize a Real Estate Office, Re/Max Premier Luxury Collection, at 280 E. Deerpath, and to Authorize a Dental Clinic, Ross & Durrett Family Dental, at 580 Bank Lane. (If desired by the Council, Waive First Reading and Grant Final Approval of the Ordinances.) CITY COUNCIL ACTION Approve the six (6) 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 Clemens made a motion to approve the six (6) Omnibus items as presented, seconded by Alderman Powers. The following voted “Aye”: Aldermen Novit, Clemens, Notz, Powers, LeVert, 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. Consideration of Ordinance to Amend Chapter 78 of the City Code, Parking and Loading Schedules (first reading), to modify parking regulations in the Central Business District and implement new technology solutions for permit management and parking enforcement. Proceedings of the February 2, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting Keri Kaup, Assistant to the City Manager, reported on the CBD Committee’s goals and milestones. Ms. Kaup gave detailed information about the recommended Permit Management Vendor ParkLync, the recommended Parking Enforcement Vendor Minuteman, and asked the Council for direction to start looking into valet regulations. A detailed map was shared depicting parking areas in various lots. Updates were shared related to Gorton employee parking and the 30-minute parking removal from City Hall. Permit management was reviewed along with license plate reader enforcement. Ms. Kaup shared current rates and revenues, noting that no further reduction is recommended for employee permits. Valet regulation was discussed in relation to safety concerns. Ms. Kaup shared the next steps to include a communications campaign with a GIS interactive map that would go into effect in May 2026. The City Council had a lengthy discussion on license plate readers 30 -minute parking in several lots, parking on both sides of the street, 90-minute spaces, and parking in the Quarta lot. Signage was discussed at length, including the advantages of permits and high school student parking. 30-minute zones at Deerpath & Western, along with Gorton and the Library. Staff was asked to modify time limits to be 6:30 am to 6:30 pm, Data use after implementation, 15-minute spots, and color-coded asphalt. After the discussion, Mayor Tack asked if there was consensus among City Council members to take all items under Council action as an omnibus. Mayor Tack then read the items and asked for a motion. COUNCIL ACTION: 1) Approve the zones depicted in the map provided titled “Central Business District Parking Zones” and grant first reading of the Ordinance amending Chapter 78 of the City Code related to Parking and Loading Schedules. 2) Authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Minuteman Security and Life Safety in the amount of $48,712.78 for year one plus $6,267.10 for ongoing annual maintenance for a total of $54,979.88 for parking enforcement software. 3) Authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with ParkLync in the amount of $4,776 for permit management software. 4) Approve the recommendation to maintain the current CBD parking permit costs for businesses, residents, and non-residents. 5) Approve a recommendation to establish a valet regulation and direct staff to begin drafting an ordinance for future City Council consideration. Alderman Novit made a motion to approve the five (5) Omnibus items as presented, seconded by Alderman Powers. The following voted “Aye”: Aldermen Novit, Clemens, Notz, Powers, LeVert, Weber, and Walther. The following voted “Nay”: none. 7-Ayes, 0-Nays, motion carried. 2. Consideration of an Ordinance approving a Fee Schedule Adjusting Water Rates for FY2027 (First Reading) Katie Skibbe, Finance Director, reported that the City’s Water & Sanitary Sewer Fund is an enterprise fund and does not receive property tax revenue or other General Fund support. Enterprise funds are used by governments for services that are intended to be fully self-supporting. All costs of providing water and sewer services, including daily operations, capital improvements, and debt service, must be funded through water rates, not taxes. As a result, the financial health of the Water & Sewer Fund depends on appropriate rate setting, customer usage, and long-term infrastructure planning to ensure revenues are sufficient to meet both current and future obligations. Proceedings of the February 2, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting Michael Thomas, Director of Public Works, gave an overview of the water utility system, which consists of 166 linear miles of water mains, 139 miles of sanitary sewer, 5 sanitary lift stations, a booster station, a water tower, a water treatment plant, and various pieces of capital equipment. The entire water and sewer system is maintained and replaced through the yearly capital budget. The average age of the City’s water mains is 53 years. Based on field experience and industry standards, the service life of the water main infrastructure is 75-100 years. Over the next 20 years, it is estimated that 20 percent of the water mains will reach the end of their useful life. As the first iterations of infrastructure replacement have come due, the City is planning to engage in an extensive study of the system and develop a replacement program Ms. Skibbe reported that the City’s current water rate methodology is based on a rolling five-year average of water consumption and a blended rate structure that includes both fixed and variable charges, with a target of maintaining overall revenue at approximately 25% fixed fees and 75% consumption-based charges. She stated that over the past five years, the Water Fund has experienced significant increases in operating expenses. Water treatment chemical costs have doubled, utility costs have increased by approximately 22%, and salaries and benefits have increased by 14%. During this same period, water revenues have remained relatively flat, increasing pressure on the fund’s long-term sustainability. The FY27 Budget proposes an increase of $242,361 in Operating Expenses and $375,000 in additional capital funds for transmission watermain testing and a booster station improvement study, for a total of $617,361. The additional capital requests were added following a water main break this fall that resulted in a City-wide boil order. These studies will help identify long-term system replacement needs, assess system risks, and develop strategies to guide future capital investments and funding decisions. To fund these additional costs, staff are proposing a 6.75% increase in water and sewer rates. This recommendation is intended to ensure that increased operating expenses and the costs of long-term infrastructure studies can be funded without reducing planned investments previously included in the Capital Improvement Plan. The proposed rates are summarized below: FY26 FY27 Proposed FY27 % Incr Water Fixed Quarterly Rates: Consumption Charges: Sewer Fixed Quarterly Rates: Proceedings of the February 2, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting 6" and above meter 100.00 106.75 6.75% Consumption Charges: Gallons based on 3 Winter Months 1.16 1.24 6.75% Customer impacts will vary based on water use. Low-usage customers are expected to see an increase of approximately $35 per year, medium-usage customers about $110 per year, and high-usage customers approximately $350 per year. For context, each 1% increase in City water and sewer rates generates roughly $92,000 in additional annual revenue. Overall, the proposed rate adjustment is intended to maintain the financial stability of the Water & Sanitary Sewer Fund while initiating a comprehensive water rate study and development of a 20-year financial pro forma. These efforts will help ensure rates cover the full cost of service, support necessary infrastructure investments, and guide long-term financial planning. The results of these studies will drive more substantive discussions this fall regarding the future structure and funding of the Water & Sanitary Sewer Fund. The City Council discussed the percentage of irrigation use, Enterprise Funds Debt Service not counted against the Debt Service Cap, Debt Service within the Water Fund, Water treatment, watermain replacement, and a positive proactive approach by doing studies. Mayor Tack asked if there was anyone from the public who would like to comment. Seeing none, he asked for a motion. COUNCIL ACTION: Grant first reading of the proposed Ordinance (page 81). Alderman Weber made a motion to Grant first reading of the proposed Ordinance, seconded by Alderman Walther. The following voted “Aye”: Aldermen Novit, Clemens, Notz, Powers, LeVert, Weber, and Walther. The following voted “Nay”: none. 7-Ayes, 0-Nays, motion carried. NEW BUSINESS ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION/COMMENTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mayor Tack asked for a motion to adjourn. Alderman Novit made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Notz. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote at 7:45 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.