City of Lake Forest City Council met Sept. 3.
Here is 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 to the City Manager Mike Strong called the roll of Council members.
Present: Honorable Mayor Pandaleon, Alderman Beidler, Alderman Morris, Alderman Newman, Alderman Preschlack, Alderman Goshgarian, and Alderman Buschmann.
Absent: Alderman Rummel, Alderman Moreno
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited by all those present in the Chambers.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS
COMMENTS BY MAYOR
Mayor Pandaleon asked all to join him in congratulating Elizabeth Holleb, Finance Director, for her recent peer-selected nomination to serve on the Illinois Government Finance Officers Association (IGFOA) Executive Board. Elizabeth’s nomination is a testament to her reputation within the profession, and a reflection of her contributions to our organization.
Mayor Pandaleon also thanked the Parks & Recreation Staff on behalf of the City Council for all their efforts to keep order as the repairs were made to the North Beach Access Road.
A. 2019-2020 Board and Commission Appointments/Reappointments
COUNCIL ACTION: Approve the Mayor’s Appointments and Reappointments
Alderman Buschmann made a motion to approve the Mayor’s appointment, seconded by Alderman Beidler.
Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
B. 2019 Property Assessments and Appeals
- Elizabeth Holleb, Finance Director
Finance Director Elizabeth Holleb, gave a brief overview of the process that residents could take if they would like to appeal their property assessment. Courtesy information is available on The City of Lake Forest web site.
COMMENTS BY CITY MANAGER
A. Fire Department Annual Report
-Pete Siebert, Fire Chief
Fire Chief Pete Siebert reviewed the Fire Department’s achievements over the past year while summarizing the activity of the Department that will advance the overall capabilities of the Department.
B. Update on Hughes Gateway/North Beach Access Road
- Sally Swarthout, Director of Parks & Recreation and
- Michael Thomas, Director of Public Works
Director of Public Works, Michael Thomas reported on recently completed work, and reported that the project is on schedule. He invited the public to the Dedication of the Hughes Gateway on Saturday, September 14, 2019 at 10 am.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
FINANCE COMMITTEE
1. Approval of a Pension Subcommittee Recommendation to Revise the City’s Pension Funding Policy to Reduce the Interest Rate Assumption from 7.0% to 6.75% for Police and Fire Pension Plans
Alderman James Morris, Finance Committee Chairman reported that the Pension Subcommittee recommends City Council approval of a revision to the City’s Pension Funding Policy defining the manner in which the City funds long-term costs of pension benefits. The specific recommendation is to reduce the interest rate assumption for the City’s police and fire pension plans from 7.0% to 6.75%.
The City Council had lengthy discussion on pension funding history, fixed income required by the State of Illinois and City Council direction the City’s actuary to modify the mortality table, salary increase and payroll growth assumptions for the 4/30/17 actuarial valuations of the police and fire pension funds.
Mayor Pandaleon asked if there was anyone from the public who wanted to comment. Seeing none, he asked for a motion.
COUNCIL ACTION: Approval of a Pension Subcommittee Recommendation to Revise the City’s Pension Funding Policy to Reduce the Interest Rate Assumption from 7.0% to 6.75% for Police and Fire Pension Plans (page 16).
Alderman Newman made a motion of approval of a Pension Subcommittee Recommendation to Revise the City’s Pension Funding Policy to Reduce the Interest Rate Assumption from 7.0% to 6.75% for Police and Fire Pension Plans, seconded by Alderman Buschmann. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
ITEMS FOR OMNIBUS VOTE CONSIDERATION
1. Approval of the August 5, 2019 City Council Meeting Minutes
2. Approval of the Check Register for the Period of July 27 – August 23, 2019
3. Consideration of an Ordinance Approving a Recommendation from the Building Review Board. (First Reading and if Desired by the City Council, Final Approval)
4. Award of Bid for the Gorton Community Center Roof Replacement Project to DCG Roofing Solutions Inc. in the amount of $109,840.00 with a contingency of 5% or $5,492.00
5. Consideration of a Recommendation from Staff to Authorize the City Manager to Enter into a Professional Services Contract with Teska Associates Inc. for Continued Support for the Comprehensive Plan Update.
COUNCIL ACTION: Approval of the five (5) Omnibus items as presented
Mayor Pandaleon asked members of the Council if they would like to remove any item or take it separately. Hearing none, Mayor Pandaleon asked for a motion to approve the five (5) Omnibus items as presented.
Alderman Preschlack made a motion to approve the five (5) Omnibus items as presented, seconded by Alderman Newman. The following voted “Aye”: Alderman Beidler, Morris, Newman, Preschlack, Goshgarian, and Buschmann. The following voted “Nay”: None. 6-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
1. Consideration of a Recommendation from the Zoning Board of Appeals in Support of Variances for the IDOT Deerpath/Route 41 Pump Station Replacement Project. (First Reading, and if Desired by the City Council, Final Approval)
Director of Community Development Catherine Czerniak reported on the recommendation from the Zoning Board of Appeals. The requested zoning setback variances will allow two utility buildings which will house a pump and generator to be located in the far northwest corner of the IDOT parcel, a request for variances to support the long anticipated IDOT pump station replacement project. The project is intended to significantly reduce or eliminate flooding during and after heavy rainstorms on Deerpath under the viaduct at Route 41.
Other improvements will occur as part of the project, unrelated to the variances recommended by the Zoning Board of Appeals. Separate turn lanes will be added under Route 41, eliminating the existing shared left turn lane; there will be a turn lane for southbound traffic on to Route 41, and a turn lane for northbound traffic. Each lane will be long enough to accommodate some stacking of cars. The sidewalks will be shifted closer to the bridge abutments, slightly away from the edge of the roadway.
The City Council had discussion on budgeted maintenance once the project is complete, life expectancy of the pump, parcel transfer to The City of Lake Forest, improved left turn lanes and the route of pumped water.
Mayor Pandaleon asked if there was anyone from the public who wanted to comment. Seeing none, he asked for a motion.
COUNCIL ACTION: If determined to be appropriate by the City Council, waive first reading and grant final approval of the Ordinance approving the petition in accordance with the Zoning Board of Appeals’ recommendation.
Alderman Newman made a motion to waive first reading and grant final approval of the Ordinance approving the petition in accordance with the Zoning Board of Appeals’ recommendation, seconded by Alderman Preschlack. The following voted “Aye”: Alderman Beidler, Morris, Newman, Preschlack, Goshgarian, and Buschmann. The following voted “Nay”: None. 6-Ayes, 0 Nays, motion carried.
2. Consideration of a Recommendation from the Plan Commission in Support of Adoption of an Update to the Comprehensive Plan as it Relates to the Waukegan Road/Settler’s Square Business District and Surrounding Area. (First reading of an Ordinance)
Director of Community Development Catherine Czerniak reported on a recommendation from the Plan Commission in support of adoption of the first phase of an update to the City’s Comprehensive Plan. The review and update continues the City’s long tradition of careful and comprehensive long term planning. Ms. Czerniak reported that the review and update process for Waukegan Road/Setter’s Square Business District and surrounding area offered numerous opportunities for public input and involvement through workshops, small group discussions and public forums in addition to formal public hearings before the Plan Commission.
The following Action Steps were recommended as an immediate follow up to the adoption of the update for the Waukegan Road/Settler’s Square and surrounding area section of the Plan as recommended by the Commission.
Direct the Plan Commission and City staff to undertake a review and recommend updates to the B- 1, Neighborhood Commercial District, to align this portion of the Zoning Code closely with the vision and desired outcomes as described in the Comprehensive Plan update.
Direct City staff from various departments to pursue opportunities to increase the visibility of crosswalks in the Waukegan Road/Settler’s Square Business District and surrounding area.
Direct staff to continue efforts to plan and encourage community events in the Waukegan/Everett/Telegraph Road area.
Ms. Czerniak noted that any expenditure related to implementation would be considered through a separate and appropriate review process.
Mayor Pandaleon asked if there was anyone from the public who wanted to comment. Seeing none, he asked for a motion.
COUNCIL ACTION: Grant first reading of an Ordinance updating the City’s Comprehensive Plan as it relates to the Waukegan Road/Settler’s Square Business District and surrounding area.
Alderman Beidler made a motion to Grant first reading of an Ordinance updating the City’s Comprehensive Plan as it relates to the Waukegan Road/Settler’s Square Business District and surrounding area, seconded by Alderman Buschmann. The following voted “Aye”: Alderman Beidler, Morris, Newman, Preschlack, Goshgarian, and Buschmann. The following voted “Nay”: None. 6-Ayes, 0 Nays, motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION/COMMENTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Council member Newman announced that his house is under contract and anticipates moving from the Second Ward.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business Mayor Pandaleon asked for a motion. Alderman Newman made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Goshgarian. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote at 8:33 pm.
https://www.cityoflakeforest.com/assets/1/27/07_______9-3-2019_CC_Minutes.pdf
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