Lake County Gazette

City of Lake Forest City Council met Nov. 2

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 City Clerk Margaret Boyer 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 2, 2020 City Council meeting is being held remotely. 

Mayor Pandaleon made a brief statement about Halloween and thanked the community for following IDPH and CDC recommended guidelines. 

A. Tree Lighting Update 

- Sally Swarthout, Director of Parks and Recreation 

Sally Swarthout, Director of Parks and Recreation presented a reimagined tree lighting celebration for 2020. She stated that the Friends of Lake Forest Parks & Recreation Foundation have planned an alternative celebration plan to avoid a large gathering in Market Square. In this plan, the trees and lights will still be in market square, however, there will be seven neighborhood parks that will also be decorated with holiday decorations. 

The City Council had discussion about other areas and parks that could potentially participate in the annual tree lighting ceremony. 

Mayor Pandaleon introduced Michael Thomas, Director of Public Works to give a brief update about the Deerpath/Route 41 project. Director Thomas stated that the City is participating in a pre-construction meeting Friday, November 6 with IDOT. Additionally, he explained the construction that would take place and a potential timeline for the project. 

The City Council had lengthy discussion about traffic concerns on Deerpath while completing the construction project. City Manager Wicha stated that communication from the City in relation to this project would be forthcoming.

COMMENTS BY CITY MANAGER

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

FINANCE COMMITTEE 

1. Determination of Non-Binding Estimate of the Amount of Revenue to be generated from Property Taxes for the 2020 Calendar Year in Accordance with the Truth in Taxation Statute and Establishment of a Public Hearing Date for the 2020 Tax Levy (if required) 

Elizabeth Holleb, Finance Director gave a brief presentation of non-binding estimate of the 2020 property tax levy for the City. She explained that the numbers presented today were also discussed at the October 19 Finance Committee stating that under State Statutes, the Council is required to approve a non-binding estimate at least 20 days prior to considering the tax levy.  

COUNCIL ACTION: Determination of a Non-Binding Estimate of the Amount of Revenue to be generated from Property Taxes for the 2020 Calendar Year and establishment of December 7, 2020 as a public hearing date (if required) in Accordance with the Truth in Taxation Statute. 

Mayor Pandaleon asked members of the Council if there were any additional questions or comments. Seeing none he asked for a motion. 

Alderman Morris made a motion to acknowledge the determination of a Non-Binding Estimate of the Amount of Revenue to be generated from Property Taxes for the 2020 Calendar Year and establishment of December 7, 2020 as a public hearing date (if required) in Accordance with the Truth in Taxation Statute, seconded by 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. 

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT 

1. Audit Committee Report and Presentation of the Fiscal Year 2020 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report 

Vince Sparrow, Audit Committee Chairman gave a brief presentation on the work the Committee has conducted on for various Foundations in the City. He gave a breakdown of the overall financial reporting documents created by City staff, and how the Audit Committee discussed the report to ensure the accuracy of the reporting. 

Mr. Sparrow also gave congratulations as the City has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association for forty-one (41) consecutive years. This year’s report will once again be submitted to GFOA for consideration of this award. 

The City Council thanked Chairman Sparrow and the Audit Committee for their work they have done to monitor the financial reports conducted by the City. 

COUNCIL ACTION: Receipt of the audit report for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2020

Mayor Pandaleon asked members of the Council if there were any additional questions or comments. Seeing none he asked for a motion. 

Alderman Morris made a motion to accept receipt of the audit report for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2020, 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. 

ITEMS FOR OMNIBUS VOTE CONSIDERATION

1. Approve the Extension of the Mayor’s Declaration of a Local State of Emergency until the next City Council Meeting 

2. Approval of the October 19, 2020 City Council Meeting Minutes 

3. Approval of the Check Register for the Period of September 26 to October 23, 2020 

4. Approval of the Fourth and Fifth Year of Contract with American Printing Technologies (APT) for Vehicle, Pet and Parking Licenses/Permits Services 

5. Approval of a Memorandum of Understanding Between The City of Lake Forest and Lake County 211 Program to Enhance Information Resources in the Event of Natural Disasters. 

6. Award of contract with Advanced Tree Care, for an amount not to exceed $42,000, as part of the MPI Tree Pruning Services Joint Bid for FY2021. 

7. Approval to Purchase a ProWall Outdoor Ice Rink System for West Park, in the Amount of $49,810. 

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

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

COUNCIL ACTION: Approval of the nine (9) Omnibus items as presented 

Mayor Pandaleon asked members of the Council if they would like to remove any item or take it separately. Seeing none, he asked for a motion. 

Alderman Rummel made a motion to approve the nine (9) Omnibus items as presented, 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. 

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

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business Mayor Pandaleon asked for a motion. Alderman Weber made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Rummel. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote at 7:14 pm. 

https://www.cityoflakeforest.com/assets/1/27/06_______11-2-2020-CC-minutes.pdf