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CC_2026_04_20_MINUTESThe City of Lake Forest CITY COUNCIL MEETING Proceedings of Monday, April 20, 2026 6:30 pm 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 Bothfeld, Alderman Weber, and Alderman Walther. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited by all those present. REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS 1. COMMENTS BY MAYOR Mayor Tack outlined the new parking program, set to begin Friday, May 1. For more information, parkers can visit the website and view the new interactive map at www.cityoflakeforest.com/CBDParking. Michael Thomas, Director of Public Works, stated there were no issues to report on the City’s storm sewer performance since the recent rainfall that exceeded seven (7) inches. He reminded Council that the City has invested $20 - $30 million for storm-sewer improvements over the last six years. 2. COMMENTS BY CITY MANAGER A. Design Services Agreement for Water Distribution System Analysis Overview - Jim Lockefeer, Assistant Director of Public Works Jim Lockefeer, Assistant Director of Public Works, provided a high-level summary of Omnibus Item #6: Approval of a Design Services Agreement to Strand Associates for the Water Distribution System Analysis. Mr. Lockefeer reviewed the water distribution system and an overview of the analysis to be completed later this year. 3. OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL Diane spoke about Illinois House Bill 1429, thanked Alderman Weber, Sanitation, Public Works, and Police, and shared she’s enjoying the new Police App. Mayor Tack asked if there was anyone else from the public who would like to comment. There was none. 4. COMMITTEE REPORTS CIVIC BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE 1. Civic Beautification Committee Report - Chairman, Alderman Weber Alderman Weber, gave an overview of notable accomplishments of the Civic Beautification Committee from the last six years, including Deerpath Streetscape, Deerpath 41 Corridor, City Hall Landscape, Westleigh Road Pump Station, Gorton Center Upper Parking Lot, and Arbor Day Tree Seedlings. City Council congratulated Alderman Weber on a productive term. FINANCE COMMITTEE 1. Approval of the Comprehensive Fiscal Plan for FY2027 Proceedings of the April 20, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting Alderman Weber, Finance Committee Chairman, introduced for final approval the Comprehensive Fiscal Plan for FY2027 and the approval of an additional FY26 transfer out of the General Fund as directed by the City Council in the amount of $6.85 million to partially fund the Police Station Project and one-Time Expenditures. Finance Director, Katie Skibbe, provided information regarding the Comprehensive Fiscal plan for FY2027. She provided a summary of the document including integration with the strategic plan, long term planning, the general fund, and overall revenue and expenses. The FY2027 budget totals $125.6 million in revenues and $130.6 million in expenses, with the difference funded from reserves held in excess of fund balance policy minimums; the General Fund is balanced at $45.4 million. The 5-year Capital Improvement Program totals $78.3 million across nine categories, with approximately 13 percent covered by grants. The General Fund maintains a 70 percent reserve target, and the budget's development reflects the City's longstanding conservative budgeting approach. Director Skibbe also gave an overview of the request to transfer $6.85 million from the General Fund, reflecting higher-than-projected operating surpluses in FY2025 and FY2026. Of this amount, $2.64 million completes the City Council's previously committed $6 million contribution to reduce debt service on the Police Station project, and the remaining $2.36 million will be held in the Capital Improvement Fund for future projects to be designated by City Council at a later date. 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 the Comprehensive Fiscal Plan for FY2027. Alderman Weber made a motion to approve of the Comprehensive Fiscal Plan for FY2027, seconded by Alderman Walther. Aldermen Novit, Clemens, Notz, Powers, LeVert, Bothfeld, Weber, and Walther. The following voted “Nay”: none. 8-Ayes, 0-Nays, motion carried by roll call vote. 2. Approval of an additional FY2026 Transfer out of the General Fund as directed by the City Council in the Amount of $6.85 Million to Partially Fund the Police Station Project and One- Time Expenditures. Katie Skibbe, Finance Director, stated staff recommended that the FY2026 million surplus be transferred to the capital improvement fund, for the new Police Station Facility and one-time expenditures. 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 additional FY2026 Transfer out of the General Fund as directed by the City Council in the Amount of $6.85 Million to Partially Fund the Police Station Project and One-Time Expenditures. Alderman Weber made a motion to approve of an additional FY2026 Transfer out of the General Fund as directed by the City Council in the Amount of $6.85 Million to Partially Fund the Police Station Project and One-Time Expenditures, seconded by Alderman Powers. Aldermen Novit, Clemens, Notz, Powers, LeVert, Bothfeld, Weber, and Walther. The following voted “Nay”: none. 8-Ayes, 0-Nays, motion carried by roll call vote. ITEMS FOR OMNIBUS VOTE CONSIDERATION 1. Approval of April 6, 2026, City Council Meeting Minutes Proceedings of the April 20, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting 2. Approval of an Arbor Day Proclamation 3. Consideration of an amendment to Ordinance 2026-06, Exhibit B only, of Chapter 78 of the City Code related to Parking and Loading Schedules. (First Reading and if Desired by the City Council, Final Approval) 4. Approval of the FY2027 Personnel Policies and Practices, Administrative Directives, and Pay Plan 5. Approval of a One-Year Contract for Recreation Department Program Busing Services to First Student, in the amount of $116,504.00 6. Approval of a Design Services Agreement to Strand Associates for the Water Distribution System Analysis in the Amount of $229,500, to Include a 5% Contingency for a Grand Total Amount of $241,000 7. Approval of Structural Engineering Services for the 2026 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 $59,800 8. Approval of Construction-Inspection Staffing Assistance to Gewalt Hamilton Associates, Inc., and Authorize the City Manager to Execute an Agreement in the Amount Not-to-Exceed $42,750 9. Approval of a Purchase of a Replacement Sanitation Section Scooter to Russo Equipment in the Amount of $41,000 10. Approval of the Purchase of a Replacement Medium-Duty Utility Truck for the Horticulture and Landscaping Section from Sutton Ford (Chassis) in the Amount of $70,000 and Henderson Products (Hook Lift) in the Amount of $65,000, for a Total Cost of $135,000 11. Approval of the Purchase of a 2026 Transit-350 High Roof Cargo Van for the Fire Department from Currie Motors in the Amount of $62,000, and Red Line Works (Outfitting) in the Amount of $35,000, for a Total Cost of $97,000 12. Consideration of a Recommendation from Staff to Authorize the City Manager to Enter into a Professional Services Contract with Teska Associates, Inc. for the Final Phase of the Update to the Comprehensive Land Use Plan in an Amount not to Exceed the Previously Budgeted Amount of $55,000. Mayor Tack asked if anyone would like an item removed or taken separately. Seeing none, he asked for a motion. CITY COUNCIL ACTION Approve the twelve (12) omnibus items as presented. Alderman Clemens made a motion to approve the twelve (12) omnibus items as presented, seconded by Alderman Levert. The following voted “Aye”: Aldermen Novit, Clemens, Notz, Powers, LeVert, Bothfeld, Weber, and Walther. The following voted “Nay”: none. 8-Ayes, 0-Nays, motion carried. 6. OLD BUSINESS 7. NEW BUSINESS Proceedings of the April 20, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting 8. ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION/COMMENTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS Alderman Weber took the opportunity to thank Corey Wierema for his co-chairmanship of the Civic Beautification Committee, as well as the City Forester, Kelly Bougher, and Horticulture expert Miguel Camarena for their contributions throughout her tenure. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mayor Tack asked for a motion to adjourn. Alderman Clemens made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Weber. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote at 7:41 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.