City of Lake Forest City Council Met Feb. 1.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Honorable Mayor Pandaleon called the meeting to order at 6:39pm, 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 commented on the successful snow removal from the previous weekend.
| COMMENTS BY CITY MANAGER |
City Manager Jason Wicha gave a brief update on the new City website, which was launched last week. He gave a brief demonstration of the website, highlighting an improved layout for mobile use, and overall usability. He added this is still a beta website, and if any issues are identified, to reach out to staff to offer feedback, or for help navigating the website. Additionally, he gave a brief presentation and demonstration of the new City application stating that it will launch in the Apple and Android app stores at the end of the week.
| OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS |
| COMMITTEE REPORTS |
1. Elawa Lease Agreement
- Property and Public Lands Chair, Ara Goshgarian
Alderman Goshgarian gave a brief update to the City Council explaining the proposed Lease Agreement between the City and Elawa Farm Foundation. He explained how this agreement will support the long term relationship between the two parties over the years.
The City Council thanked all members involved in the negotiations and process for updating the agreement. Additionally, there was discussion regarding the lease rate, and how it was determined.
Elawa Farm Foundation Board President, Marina Puryear offered her comments thanking the City Council, and City Staff for their support and collaboration throughout the lease agreement process.
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE
1. Request to Conduct a Public Hearing to Consider Amendments to the City of Lake Forest’s Plan of Operation and Governance for its Electricity Aggregation Program
Alderman Rummel provided brief background to the City Council regarding electricity aggregation. She explained the potential opportunities for residents to engage in and utilize renewable energy sources with the assistance of the City.
COUNCIL ACTION: Conduct a Public Hearing to Consider Amendments to the City of Lake Forest’s Plan of Operation and Governance for its Electricity Aggregation Program and open the Public Hearing.
Alderman Karras made a motion to conduct a Public Hearing to Consider Amendments to the City of Lake Forest’s Plan of Operation and Governance for its Electricity Aggregation Program and open the Public Hearing, 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.
*** OPEN PUBLIC HEARING ***
The Public Hearing opened at 7:14pm
Assistant City Manager, Mike Strong presented background regarding municipal aggregation, and explained that the City had previously engaged in an aggregation program. Recently, the City has engaged in a new municipal aggregation program, which would provide cost savings to the City to purchase renewable energy credits. This offers the opportunity to reduce their carbon footprint, without an increased cost in energy supply.
The City Council had lengthy discussion regarding the difference between community solar credits, and the electricity aggregation program, and which residents qualify for the different programs. It was further clarified that community solar credit program savings are accrued by the resident, whereas the electricity aggregation program savings are accrued by the City.
Rommy Lopat offered comments to the City Council.
Teresa Caringello offered comments to the City Council.
There was additional discussion to work on a stronger communication campaign with residents regarding eligibility for the different programs.
Plan of Operations and Governance for Municipal Aggregation Program
COUNCIL ACTION: Close the Public Hearing
Alderman Rummel made a motion to close the Public Hearing, 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.
*** CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING ***
The public Hearing closed at 8:22 pm
AUDIT COMMITTEE
1. Approval of an Audit Committee Recommendation to Award a Contract with Baker Tilly US LLP to Provide Audit Services for Fiscal Years 2021 through 2023, With an Option to Renew the Agreement for Two Additional Years.
Alderman Morris thanked Finance Director, Elizabeth Holleb, Assistant Director, Diane Hall and the Finance Department for their work, conducting an RFP process, and eventually the Audit Committee for recommending the contract with Baker Tilly. Ms. Holleb explained in further depth the process of interviewing each company that submitted a proposal with the assistance of the Audit Committee. Mayor Pandaleon stated that the fact that Lake Forest has an Audit committee is rather unusual in most city governments.
COUNCIL ACTION: Approve of an Audit Committee recommendation to award a contract with Baker Tilly US LLP to provide audit services for fiscal years 2021 through 2023, with an option to renew the agreement for two additional years
Alderman Rummel made a motion to approve the Audit Committee recommendation to award a contract with Baker Tilly US LLP to provide audit services for fiscal years 2021 through 2023, with an option to renew the agreement for two additional years, 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.
| ITEMS FOR OMNIBUS VOTE CONSIDERATION |
2. Approval of the January 19, 2021 City Council Meeting Minutes
3. Approval of the Check Register for the Period of January 1 to January 22, 2021
4. Consideration of an Ordinance Adopting the Fifth Supplement (S-5) to the Code of Ordinances for the City of Lake Forest Incorporating Recent Code Amendments into the Official City Code. (Waive first reading and grant final approval)
5. Approval of a Recommendation from the Property and Public Lands Committee to Approve a New Lease Agreement between The City of Lake Forest and Elawa Farm Foundation
6. Consideration of an Ordinance Amending the City of Lake Forest Liquor Code, to increase the number of Licenses available in Classes A-1, C- 2 and C-3. (First reading and if appropriate final approval)
7. Approval to Purchase One Replacement Marked Police Vehicle Included in the FY2022 Capital Equipment Budget to the Suburban Purchasing Cooperative’s Low Bidder, Currie Motors, in the Amount of $36,487
8. Award of Bid for the Replacement of a Fire Department Administrative Vehicle Included in the FY2022 Capital Equipment Budget to the Suburban Purchasing Cooperative’s Low Bidder, Currie Motors, in the Amount of $43,890
9. Award of a Bid for the Purchase of a Pull-Behind Top Dresser Included in the FY2022 Capital Equipment Budget, to the National Sourcewell Low Bidder JW Turf in the Amount of $36,893
10. Approval to Purchase a Replacement Fairway Mower for the Golf Course Section to Reinders, Inc. in the Amount of $46,520, Included in the FY 2022 Capital Equipment Budget
11. Consideration of Ordinance Approving a Recommendation from the Zoning Board of Appeals. (First Reading, and if Desired by the City Council, Final Approval)
COUNCIL ACTION: Approval of the eleven (11) 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 additional discussion on item #4, #6 and #8. Mayor Pandaleon again 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 Goshgarian made a motion to approve the eleven (11) 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 |
Alderman Morris stated that he has an investment in one of the buildings and is recusing himself from discussion and voting on the matter. Mayor Pandaleon asked City Attorney Tappendorf to offer legal perspective on Alderman Morris’s statement. Ms. Tappendorf clarified that there is not a legal or statutory conflict of interest, however each elected official can make the determination to step out of a matter.
Director of Community Development, Catherine Czerniak reported that this recommendation comes from the Plan Commission on the McKinley Multi-family Planned Development. Ms. Czerniak stated the she will explain what is before the City Council and provide background and review options before the City Council to take action on.
Ms. Czerniak reported that what is before the City Council this evening comes out of the fifth in a series of Plan Commission meetings on the Phase Three of the McKinley Road Redevelopment. The Plan Commission after hearing considerable public testimony and considerable deliberation, had a motion placed on the table to approve the zone change and the Plat of consolidation. That motion failed with two ayes, and three nays. Ms. Czerniak noted that the Plan commission did not forward recommendation on the entirety of the petition to the City Council, only a recommendation on the zone change and the plat. She stated that there was no vote taken on the Special Use Permit. Ms. Czerniak reported no changes are proposed to the boundaries of the historic district.
Ms. Czerniak reviewed the process overall to date, noting that in 2016 the Plan Commission deliberated and ultimately recommended approval of a Master Plan for the area, which the City Council approved in 2017. The Master Plan envisioned three phases of development. Phase One of the project was the Condominium building that was approved in 2017. Once it was recognized that there was significant interest in the condominiums at that location, the City reached out to developers and began negotiations about the incorporation of all of the City property into the development. The Property and Public Lands Committee was very involved in these discussions and ultimately the City Council authorized the Mayor and the City Clerk to enter into a Purchase Sale Agreement, the agreement was executed in 2018. Subsequent to that in 2019, Phase Two, the second building which is now being completed was approved. Then in June 2019 the Plan Commission began consideration of Phase Three of the project. Ms. Czerniak reviewed the zoning districts with in the project.
Ms. Czerniak then reviewed the options for City Council action. Accept the Plan Commissions Recommendation - deny the Zone Change, overturn the Plan Commissions recommendation or Overturn the Plan Commission’s recommendation and approve the zone change, or Remand the matter for reconsideration by Plan Commission with direction.
Mayor Pandaleon asked for clarification on the legality regarding rezoning standards. Ms. Czerniak reported that the City Code has specific criteria which must be considered for a zone change and noted that the code criteria align closely with the LaSalle/Sinclair standards used by the Courts.
Members of the City Council offered their opinion and asked clarifying questions. The City Council had lengthy discussion regarding the options presented to be considered by the City Council.
Mayor Pandaleon explained that the action taken by the City Council today was not the final decision on this matter, explaining the process the Plan Commission would have to go through in the future.
Mayor Pandaleon asked if there was anyone from the public who wanted to address the Council.
Mayor Pandaleon recognized the following persons.
Regina Lind offered comments to the City Council
Jeff Torosian offered comments to the City Council
Lesley Lardino offered comments to the City Council
Anna Block offered comments to the City Council
Courtney McGovern offered comments to the City Council
Todd Curry offered comments to the City Council
Sally Downey offered comments to the City Council
Maggie Coleman offered comments to the City Council
Tom Swarthout offered comments to the City Council
Rommy Lopat offered comments to the City Council
Theresa Caringello offered comments to the City Council
Tim Newman offered comments to the City Council
After public comment, City Council members gave lengthy remarks regarding the three options presented. Mayor Pandaleon asked Ms. Czerniak to read a portion of the resolution for the City Council. After further discussion by the City Council and City Attorney, Alderman Preschlack made a motion to add language to the resolution that would be presented to the Plan Commission on the option to remand.
COUNCIL ACTION: Three options for Council consideration are offered below.
1. Accept the Plan Commission’s recommendation and by motion vote to deny the requested zone change and approval of the plat of consolidation and direct staff to prepare findings in support of the denial for Council consideration and final action at the next meeting.
OR
2. Overturn the Plan Commission’s recommendation and by motion vote to approve the requested zone change and plat of consolidation contingent upon receiving a recommendation from the Plan Commission on the entirety of the development including the Special Use Permit to allow the Council to take action as determined to be appropriate on the final phase of the McKinley Road Planned Development.
OR
3. Remand this matter back to the Plan Commission by a motion approving a Resolution directing the Commission to complete a review of the third phase of the development in its entirety including consideration of the zone change, plat of consolidation and a Special Use Permit.
Alderman Preschlack made a motion to remand the matter back to the Plan Commission and pass the resolution with the addition of language direction to the Plan Commission to put forward the best possible project that provides the best possible transition and include detailed findings of whether or not the applicable findings are satisfied, seconded by Alderman Rummel. The following voted “Aye”: Alderman Morris, Karras, Rummel, Notz, Preschlack, Goshgarian, Buschmann and Weber. The following voted “Nay”: None. 7-Ayes, 0 Nays, 1 Abstention, motion carried.
| NEW BUSINESS |
| ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION/COMMENTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS |
| ADJOURNMENT |
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