City of Lake Forest City Council met March 2
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The City Clerk asked the Council for a motion to appoint Alderman Notz as Mayor Pro-Tem. Alderman Weber made a motion, seconded by Alderman Novit. All in favor. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Honorable Mayor Pro-Tem Notz called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m., and City Clerk Margaret Boyer called the roll of Council members.
Present: Mayor Pro-Tem Notz, Alderman Novit, Alderman Clemens, Alderman Powers, Alderman LeVert, Alderman Bothfeld, Alderman Weber, and Alderman Walther.
Absent: None
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited by all those present.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS
1. COMMENTS BY MAYOR
A. Resolution of Appreciation for Retiring Refuse Collector, Raymond Spetz
Mayor Pro-Tem Notz read a Resolution of Appreciation and asked for a motion. Photos were taken.
COUNCIL ACTION: Approval of the Resolution of Appreciation
Alderman Weber made a motion to approve of the Resolution of Appreciation, seconded by Alderman Novit. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
Mr. Spetz expressed his gratitude for working for the City of Lake Forest and he thanked City Council and the residents.
2. COMMENTS BY CITY MANAGER
A. Griffith-Woodland Storm Sewer Improvement Project Overview
– Byron Kutz, Superintendent of Engineering
City Manager, Jason Wicha, asked Superintendent of Engineering to provide a high-level overview of the scope of work being done for the Griffith-Woodland Storm Sewer Improvement Project.
Byron Kutz, Superintended of Engineering, provided a summary of the scope of work being done. The City is focused on storm sewer replacements and upsizing pipes throughout the City. This includes full-depth resurfacing and sidewalk repairs from storms. The total budget for this improvement is $425,000, a combined budget of FY 26/27. The work is scheduled to begin during Spring Break in March, and extends through late May. This item is part of this evening’s Omnibus
Mayor Tack rejoined the meeting and asked if there was anyone from the public who would like to comment.
There were none.
City Manager reminded the community about the City’s Operating Budget Workshop on Monday, March 9, at Dickinson Hall at 6:00pm.
3. OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL
None.
4. COMMITTEE REPORTS
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE
1. Consideration of an Ordinance Prohibiting the Use of Coal Tar Sealant Products in the City of Lake Forest (First Reading)
– Keri Kaup, Assistant to the City Manager
Keri Kaup, Assistant to the City Manager, presented an ordinance prohibiting the use of coal tar sealant products within the City. She explained what coal tar is and what it contains. Sealant erodes overtime, and an alternative is asphalt based sealant. Many towns already have prohibitions on coal tar sealant products. The ordinance prohibits the application of coal tar sealant on any public or private property, responsible party is the person applying the product, and a fine of $750.
City Council had discussions on the chemical smell, duller finish, and who sells coal tar.
Mayor Tack asked if there was anyone from the public who would like to comment.
Former Alderman Melanie Rummel spoke on behalf of the League of Women Voters of Lake Forest and Lake Bluff. She spoke on the League’s support of the adoption of the ordinance prohibiting the use of coal tarsealants. She thanked the ESC for their efforts in support of clean environmental practices.
Mayor Tack asked again if there was anyone else from the public who would like to comment. Seeing none, he asked for a motion.
COUNCIL ACTION: Grant first reading of an ordinance amending the City Code to add a new subsection 95.196 titled “Coal Tar Sealant Prohibition” to prohibit the use of coal tar sealant products within the City
Alderman Novit made a motion to grant first reading of an ordinance amending the City Code to add a new subsection 95.196 titled “Coal Tar Sealant Prohibition” to prohibit the use of coal tar sealant products within the City, seconded by Alderman LeVert. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote. 8-Ayes, 0-Nays, motion carried.
ITEMS FOR OMNIBUS VOTE CONSIDERATION
1. Approval of February 17, 2026, City Council Meeting Minutes- (Correction of a scrivener’s error in the roll call vote for executive session) (Alderman Walther was absent)
2. Approval of the Check Register for the Period of January 24 – February 20, 2026.
3. Approval of the Purchase of Replacement Computers for all City Departments, Not to Exceed the Amount of $78,911
4. Approval to Purchase the Verkada Access Control System for the Municipal Services Building from Modern Media Technologies in the Amount of $113,300.
5. Approval to Purchase Two Replacement Police Department CSO Vehicles to Kayser Ford Lincoln in the Amount of $70,750
6. Approval of a Recommendation from the Public Works Committee to Authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Sundance Lawncare for City-Wide Grounds Maintenance Services in the Horticulture FY2027 Budget, for an Amount Not to Exceed $214,900.
7. Award the Low Bid for the Griffith-Woodland Storm Sewer Improvement Project to Maneval Construction and Authorize the City Manager to Execute an Agreement in the Amount of $372,150 and a 10% Contingency in the Amount of $37,215 for a Total Project Cost of $409,365
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 seven (7) omnibus items as presented.
Alderman LeVert made a motion to approve the seven (7) omnibus items as presented, seconded by Alderman Novit. 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
None.
7. NEW BUSINESS
None.
8. ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION/COMMENTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Mayor Tack asked Council members if there were any additional items for discussion. Alderman Powers gave a public service announcement to the residents to lock your car doors. Alderman Walther stated there will be an Open House on Thursday, March 5th, from5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the Lake Forest Fire Station regarding the Waukegan and Westleigh Rd Construction Project.
1. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mayor Tack stated there will be no further business following executive session. He asked for a motion to adjourn into executive session pursuant to pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (1).The City Council will be discussing specific personnel.
Alderman Weber made a motion to adjourn into executive session pursuant to pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (1)
The City Council will be discussing specific personnel, seconded by Alderman Notz. 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.
Adjournment into Executive Session 7:06 p.m.
Reconvene into Regular Session 7:40 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mayor Tack asked for a motion to adjourn. Alderman LeVert made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Powers. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote at 7:41 p.m.
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