Lake County Gazette

City of Lake Forest City Council met Nov. 1.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Honorable Mayor Pandaleon called the meeting to order at 6:30pm, and the Assistant City Manager Mike Strong called the roll of Council members.

Present: Honorable Mayor Pandaleon, Alderman Morris, Alderman Karras, Alderman Rummel, Alderman Notz, Alderman Preschlack, Alderman Goshgarian, Alderman Buschmann and Alderman Weber.

Absent: none

CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS

COMMENTS BY MAYOR

Mayor Pandaleon made the following statement as required by the Open Meetings Act. In accordance with state statute, Mayor Pandaleon has made a determination that it was not practical or prudent to schedule an in-person City Council meeting because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is why this November 1, 2021 City Council meeting is being held remotely.

A. 2021-2022 Board and Commission Appointments and Reappointments

SENIOR RESOURCES COMMISSION

NAME OF MEMBER	APPOINT/REAPPOINT	WARD
Mark Dewart	APPOINT	LB

COUNCIL ACTION: Approve the Mayors Appointments and Reappointments

Alderman Preschlack made a motion to approve the Mayor's Appointments and Reappointments, seconded by Alderman Weber. The following voted “Aye”: Alderman Morris, Karras, Rummel, Notz, Preschlack, Goshgarian, Buschmann and Weber. The following voted “Nay”: None. 8-Ayes, 0 Nays, motion carried.

COMMENTS BY CITY MANAGER

City Manager, Jason Wicha, introduced Communications Manager, Dana Olson, to provide an update regarding The Dialogue newsletter Redesign. Ms. Olson explained how the layout has changed, to refresh the look and feel, as well as creating a “dialogue” between the City and residents. Additionally, she stated that there will be a survey available to provide feedback on the Dialogue.

The City Council congratulated Ms. Olson, and the Marketing Committee for completing the redesign process.

OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS

Members of the public can provide public comment by calling into the following number during the meeting: 847-810-3643

COMMITTEE REPORTS

AUDIT COMMITTEE

1. Audit Committee Report and Presentation of the Fiscal Year 2021 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report

Audit Committee Chairman, Vine Sparrow, provided a brief background regarding the Audit Committee and the work they conduct. The Comprehensive Annual Financial Report has been reviewed by the Audit Committee with Baker Tilly, the City’s independent audit firm, and has been accepted by the Audit Committee and reported to findings, or changes to the document.

In addition, Mr. Sparrow reported The City has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association for forty-two (42) consecutive years. He provided detailed information regarding the various funds within the document, and how the City saw an increase in revenues, and a decrease in expenditures.

The City Council thanked Chairmen Sparrow and his team for the transparency and quality of reporting of the financial documents presented.

COUNCIL ACTION: Receipt of the audit report for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2021.

Alderman Morris made a motion to acknowledge the receipt of the audit report for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2021, seconded by Alderman Preschlack. The following voted “Aye”: Alderman Morris, Karras, Rummel, Notz, Preschlack, Goshgarian, Buschmann and Weber. The following voted “Nay”: None. 8-Ayes, 0 Nays, motion carried.

FINANCE COMMITTEE

1. Determination of Non-Binding Estimate of the Amount of Revenue to be generated from Property Taxes for the 2021 Calendar Year in Accordance with the Truth in Taxation Statute and Establishment of a Public Hearing Date for the 2021 Tax Levy (if required)

Finance Director, Elizabeth Holleb explained that under the Truth in Taxation Act, the City Council is required to determine the estimated amount of money to be raised by taxation twenty (20) days prior to the adoption of the annual tax levy. Additionally, Ms. Holleb stated that this is the second of five meetings where this item will be presented to the City Council. The estimate is preliminary and was presented at the October 18, Finance Committee meeting which was broken down into the Aggregate Levy and the Debt Service Levy.

Ms. Holleb requested approval of the non-binding estimate, and establish December 6, 2021 as the public hearing date, if required.

COUNCIL ACTION: Determination of a Non-Binding Estimate of the Amount of Revenue to be generated from Property Taxes for the 2021 Calendar Year and establishment of December 6, 2021 as a public hearing date (if required) in Accordance with the Truth in Taxation Statute.

Alderman Morris made a motion of determination of a Non-Binding Estimate of the Amount of Revenue to be generated from Property Taxes for the 2021 Calendar Year and establishment of December 6, 2021 as a public hearing date (if required) in Accordance with the Truth in Taxation Statute, seconded by Alderman Karras. The following voted “Aye”: Alderman Morris, Karras, Rummel, Notz, Preschlack, Goshgarian, Buschmann and Weber. The following voted “Nay”: None. 8-Ayes, 0 Nays, motion carried.

ITEMS FOR OMNIBUS VOTE CONSIDERATION

1. Approval of October 18, 2021, City Council Meeting Minutes

2. Approval of the Check Register for the Period of September 25 – October 22, 2021

3. Approval of a Resolution of Appreciation for Retiring Members of Boards and Commissions as follows:

BOARD, COMMISSION OR COMMITTEE	NAME OF MEMBERS(S)
SENIOR RESOURCE COMMISSION	Ed Richardson- Lake Bluff

COUNCIL ACTION: Approval of the three (3) omnibus items as presented.

Mayor Pandaleon asked members of the Council if they would like to remove any item or take it separately. The City Council had discussion regarding item #1.

After further discussion, he asked for a motion. Alderman Preschlack made a motion to approve the three (3) Omnibus items as presented, seconded by Alderman Notz. The following voted “Aye”: Alderman Morris, Karras, Rummel, Notz, Preschlack, Goshgarian, Buschmann and Weber. The following voted “Nay”: None. 8-Ayes, 0 Nays, motion carried.

Information such as Purpose and Action Requested, Background/Discussion, Budget/Fiscal Impact, Recommended Action and a Staff Contact as it relates to the Omnibus items can be found on the agenda.

ORDINANCES

OLD BUSINESS

NEW BUSINESS

ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION/COMMENTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS

Mayor Pandaleon stated that there will be no additional City business following the adjournment into Executive Session

1. EXECUTIVE SESSION pursuant to 5ILCS 120/2 (c) (11), The City Council will be discussing pending and actually filed litigation.

Alderman Rummel made a motion to adjourn into executive session pursuant to 5ILCS 120/2 (c) (11), seconded by Alderman Morris. The following voted “Aye”: Alderman Morris, Karras, Rummel, Notz, Preschlack, Goshgarian, Buschmann and Weber. The following voted “Nay”: None. 8-Ayes, 0 Nays, motion carried.

Adjourn into Executive Session at 7:07 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business Mayor Pandaleon asked for a motion. Alderman Goshgarian made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Morris. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote at 9:40 pm.

https://cms9files.revize.com/cityoflakeforestil/Document_center/Agendas%20and%20Minutes/City%20Council/2021/Minutes/06%20%20%20%20%20%20%20City-Council-Minutes-2021-11-01.pdf