Lake County Gazette

Lake Forest City Council met Monday, Feb. 6.

Here are the minutes as provided by Lake Forest:

The City of Lake Forest

CITY COUNCIL

Proceedings of the Monday, February 6, 2017

City Council Meeting - City Council Chambers, 6:30 p.m.

CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Honorable Mayor Schoenheider called the meeting to order at 6:35 pm, and City Clerk Margaret Boyer called the roll of Council members.

Present: Honorable Mayor Schoenheider, Alderman Waldeck, Alderman Beidler, Alderman Pantaloon, Alderman Newman, Alderman Reisenberg, Alderman Moreno and Alderman Buschmann.

Absent: Alderman Tack.

Also present were: Robert Kiely Jr., City Manager; Catherine Czerniak, Director of Community Development, Elizabeth Holleb, Finance Director; Victor Filippini, City Attorney; Susan Banks, Communications Manager; Michael Thomas, Director of Public Works; Karl Walldorf, Chief of Police; Pete Siebert, Acting Fire Chief; Mike Strong, Assistant to the City Manager along with other members of City Staff.

There were approximately 75 persons present in the Council Chamber.

CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL 6:30 pm

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited by all those present in the Chamber.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS

COMMENTS BY MAYOR

A. Announcement of the Sixth Recipient of The Lawrence R. Temple Distinguished Public Service Award

-Deborah Stride Saran

Mayor Schoenheider announced the 2017 recipient of The Lawrence R. Temple Distinguished Public Service Award, Deborah Stride Saran. He gave a brief background of the award, and introduced the Chairman of the Award Committee, James Cowhey.

Chairman Cowhey read the Award, thanked Ms. Saran for her outstanding service to the City, and thanked the members of the Temple Award Committee. Mayor Schoenheider expressed his personal thanks to Ms. Saran and invited her to say a few words. Photographs were taken and Ms. Saran received a standing ovation by the audience recognizing her volunteer commitment and philanthropic service to The City of Lake Forest.

B. 2017-2018 Board & Commission Appointments

PARKS & RECREATION BOARD

NAME OF MEMBER APPOINT/REAPPOINT WARD

Melanie Walsh Appoint to fulfill term of Scott Herman 

COUNCIL ACTION: Approve the Mayors Appointment

Alderman Newman made a motion to approve the Mayors Appointment, seconded by Alderman Waldeck.

Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.

Proceedings of the Monday, February 6, 2017

Regular City Council Meeting

C. Approval of a Resolution of Appreciation for Retiring Member of Board & Commission as follows:

BOARD, COMMISSION OR COMMITTEE NAME OF MEMBER(S)

PARKS & RECREATION BOARD Scott Herman

COUNCIL ACTION: Approval of Resolution

Alderman Pandaleon made a motion to approve the Resolution of Appreciation, seconded by Alderman

Buschmann. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.

COMMENTS BY CITY MANAGER

A. Annual Community Goals and Priorities

-Robert Kiely Jr., City Manager

City Manager Robert Kiely outlined the Community Goals and Priority Goals of The City of Lake Forest for 2017.

a) Community Goals

i. Clarity of Expectations

ii. Filtering the Noise

iii. Deliberate Mindfulness

iv. Financial Acumen

b) Priority goals

i. Community Marketing Campaign

ii. North Western Avenue Streetscape Improvements

iii. Deerpath Golf Course Improvements

iv. Commuter Rail Service

v. Parks Master Plans

The City Council held discussion on the State of Illinois budget and timetable and how it would potentially affect the City’s budget, with particular attention drawn to Public Safety Pensions. The City’s Core and Elective Services were also discussed.

B. Update on McCormick Ravine Project

-Chuck Myers, Superintendent of Parks & Forestry

-John Sentell, President of Open Lands

-Ryan London, Preservation Programs Director, Open Lands

Mr. Kiely introduced Chuck Myers, Superintendent of Parks & Forestry and John Sentell, President of Lake Forest Open Lands Association, who gave an update, presentation and a drone’s view of the McCormick Ravine Project.

C. Update on New Developments and Construction Activity in the City of Lake Forest

- Catherine Czerniak, Director of Community Development

Mr. Kiely introduced Catherine Czerniak, Director of Community Development, who gave an update of new developments and construction activity in Lake Forest. The City Council had discussion on the large amount of commercial and private real estate investment in the community.

FINANCE COMMITTEE

1. Approval of The City of Lake Forest Investment Policy

Finance Director Elizabeth Holleb reviewed the current policy (adopted in 2004) and the proposed policy that reflects changes in State Statute and current best practices. The City Council had discussion on the topic.

Mayor Schoenheider asked if there was anyone from the public who wanted to comment on the topic.

Seeing none. He asked for a motion.

COUNCIL ACTION: Approval of the Investment Policy

Alderman Pandaleon made a motion to approve the Investment Policy, seconded by Alderman Beidler. The following voted “Aye”: Aldermen Waldeck, Beidler, Pandaleon, Newman, Reisenberg, Moreno and Buschmann. The following voted “Nay”: None. 7- Ayes, 0 Nays, motion carried

MARKETING COMMITTEE

1. Update of the City’s Marketing Campaign

-Prue Beidler, Chairman

Alderman Beidler presented an update of the Marketing Campaign underway and unveiled the marketing campaign theme of “Welcome Home”. The City Council offered suggestions and Mayor Schoenheider thanked Alderman Beidler and the Committee for their work.

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

ITEMS FOR OMNIBUS VOTE CONSIDERATION

1. Approval of the January 17, 2017 City Council Meeting Minutes

2. Approval of Check Register for Period December 23, 2016- January 27, 2017

3. Approval of Huntington Bank as an Authorized Depository

4. Approval of Employee Leasing Agreement with GovTempsUSA for the Purpose of Filling the Fire Marshal Position

5. Consideration of an Ordinance Amending Chapter 159.042 of the City Code, as

Recommended by the Zoning Board of Appeals. (Final Approval)

6. Consideration of an Ordinance Approving a Recommendation from the Zoning Board of Appeals. (First Reading, and if Desired by the City Council, Final Approval)

7. Approval of a payment of $18,153.60 to GeWalt Hamilton & Associates Inc. in accordance with the revised Local Agency Agreement received from IDOT.

8. Approval of an Illinois Department of Transportation Resolution Appropriating $1,300,000 in Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) Funds to be used for the 2017 Street Resurfacing Program ($900,000), North Western Avenue Streetscape Project ($327,000), and the 2017 Long Line Pavement Striping Project ($73,000)

COUNCIL ACTION: Approval of the eight (8) Omnibus items as presented Mayor Schoenheider asked members of the Council if they would like to remove any item or take it separately. The City Council had discussion on item #4. Mayor Schoenheider asked for a motion to approve the eight Omnibus items as presented.

Alderman Waldeck made a motion to eight Omnibus items as presented, seconded by Alderman Moreno.

The following voted “Aye”: Aldermen Waldeck, Beidler, Pandaleon, Newman, Reisenberg, Moreno and Buschmann. The following voted “Nay”: None. 7- 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 AFFECTING CODE AMENDMENTS

1. Consideration of an Ordinance Amending Chapter 159.047 of the City Code, as Recommended by the Plan Commission (First Reading)

Catherine Czerniak, Director of Community Development presented a recommendation from the Plan Commission titled “Planned Developments” and its background. In January, 2015, the City Council approved an Ordinance adopting an updated City Code. Since that time, various Boards and Commissions, City staff and the City Attorney’s office continue to review each chapter of the Code and recommend revisions to:

1) reflect current practices and policies, and

2) to provide clarification, general clean-up of language and reorganization where appropriate.

The Section of the Code dealing with Planned Developments; developments that involve multiple parcels, unified development, shared amenities and common space, was considered by the Plan Commission at a public hearing in January. The provisions of this Section were recently used to support the redevelopment of the City’s former Municipal Services site and will be the tool that will ultimately be used to authorize final approval of the overall McKinley Road redevelopment project.

The proposed amendments to 159.047 include various minor edits, corrections and updates that reflect current practices. The key changes are highlighted below:

 The purpose is expanded to include current community goals.

 Language was added to clarify that “apartment planned developments” include various types of multi-family units, not just rental units.

 Language was added to reflect goals supporting and enhancing the City’s business districts.

The O-1, Office District, is added to the districts in which multi-family planned developments may be located.

 Modifications to reflect that the B-2 district was, several years ago, divided into four separate commercial districts, B-1 through B – 4.

No public testimony was presented on the proposed changes. The Commission voted 6 to 0 to recommend approval of the amendments to the City Council.

Mayor Schoenheider asked if there was anyone from the public who wanted to comment on the topic.

Seeing none. He asked for a motion.

COUNCIL ACTION: Grant first reading of an Ordinance Amending Chapter 159.047 of the City Code as Recommended by the Plan Commission.

Alderman Reisenberg made a motion to grant first reading of an Ordinance Amending Chapter 159.047 of the City Code as Recommended by the Plan Commission, seconded by Alderman Waldeck. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.

NEW BUSINESS

ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business. Alderman Buschmann made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Waldeck. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote at 8:38 p.m.

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.