Lake County Gazette

City of Lake Forest City Council met Feb. 16.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Honorable Mayor Pandaleon called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm, 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 February 16, 2021 City Council meeting is being held remotely.

Mayor Pandaleon made a statement honoring former Mayor and friend, Frank Waldeck who served as Mayor from 1978 – 1981. He offered the Council’s sympathies to the Waldeck Family. He stated that a Resolution of Sympathy will be heard at the next City Council meeting.

Mayor Pandaleon updated the City Council on the Larry Temple Public Service award, stating the Committee has made adjustments to the nominating period and award presentation. The Committee is currently accepting nominations through August 1, 2021, with a tentative award presentation planned for City Council in either late September or early October 2021. Nomination forms are available on the City of Lake Forest website, or at the front counter at City Hall.

A. COVID 19 Financial Impact Update

- Elizabeth Holleb, Finance Director

Mayor Pandaleon introduced Finance Director, Elizabeth Holleb to give a COVID-19 financial impact update. Ms. Holleb gave a brief presentation updating the City Council on current financial trends due to COVID-19. She explained that the City is continuing to outperform the conservative estimates that were made as adjustments to the FY2021 budget. Ms. Holleb highlighted the Municipal Sales Tax Revenue, Income Tax Revenue, Park and Recreation Fund, and the Deerpath Golf Course Fund. Ms. Holleb stated that the Real Estate Transfers have dropped out slightly, as expected during the winter, however, the FY2021 Real Estate Transfer Tax has far exceeded the previous four fiscal years.

COMMENTS BY CITY MANAGER

City Manager, Jason Wicha made a brief statement about the increased amount of snow the City has seen over the past few days, and stated that crews are seeking public assistance to clear snow off of fire hydrants. He thanked any residents in advance if they were willing to assist the City in the short term.

Additionally, he reported that there is a Special City Council Workshop scheduled for Tuesday, February 23, at 6 p.m.

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

ENVIROMENTAL 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 (Second of Two Hearings)

Alderman Rummel made a brief statement regarding municipal power supply contracts and electricity aggregation, and how it will positively impact qualified residents, and the overall community.

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 Preschlack 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 Rummel. 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 6:50pm

Assistant City Manager, Mike Strong gave a brief update to the City Council reviewing questions asked during the previous public hearing. He explained how the City has had success with a previous aggregation program when engaged in the program in 2012-2017. Additionally, he discussed the difference between Community Solar and Electricity Aggregation, and residents that could qualify for the separate program options. He stated that the purpose of tonight is not to engage in a contract, but to permit staff to be more flexible and seek out more competitive pricing, that the current plan of governance does not allow. He stated the approval to the Plan of Operations and Governance is on the omnibus agenda this evening.

The City Council had discussion regarding the review process of vendor proposals.

Additionally, there was discussion regarding messaging to residents, when this program is available, and how they can find out if they are qualified to engage in the aggregation program.

Plan of Operations and Governance for Municipal Aggregation Program

COUNCIL ACTION: Close the Public Hearing

Alderman Morris made a motion to close the Public Hearing, seconded by Alderman Weber. 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 7:11 pm

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 February 1, 2021 City Council Meeting Minutes

3. Approval of a Recommendation from the Parks and Recreation Board to Authorize the City Manager to Enter into a Contract with Landscape Concepts Management for City-Wide Grounds Maintenance Services, for an Amount Not-to-Exceed $174,359

4. Approval of a Recommendation from the Parks and Recreation Board to Authorize the City Manager to enter into a Contract with Mariani Landscape for Grounds Maintenance Services at Forest Park in the Parks FY2022 Budget, for an Amount Not-to-Exceed $41,911

5. Approval of a Parks & Recreation Board Recommendation for Annual Tree Purchasing in the Forestry FY2022 Budget

6. Approval of a Recommendation from the Public Works Committee to Approve the Deerpath Water Main Replacement Design Services for a Replacement Watermain, from Ahwahnee Lane to Golf Lane, to Baxter & Woodman Consulting Engineers in the Not-to-Exceed Amount of $39,000

7. Approval of a Recommendation from the Public Works Committee to Approve Design Services for the Replacement of Both the Illinois and Woodland Pedestrian Bridges to Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. in the Not-to-Exceed Amount of $46,570

8. Approval to Renew the Intergovernmental Program Agreement between the City of Lake Forest and the Lake Bluff Park District

9. Approval of an Ordinance Amending Chapter 97 of The Lake Forest City Code to Add Provisions Regarding Commercial Activities at City parks and Recreational Properties and Facilities

10. Waive First Reading and Grant Final Approval of an Ordinance Adopting an Amended Plan of Operation and Governance for the City’s Municipal Aggregation Program

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 #3 and #4.

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.

COUNCIL ACTION: Approval of the ten (10) Omnibus items as presented

Alderman Preschlack made a motion to approve the ten (10) Omnibus items as presented, seconded by Alderman Rummel. 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

The City Council thanked the Public Works Department for the excellent work they did with snow removal.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business Mayor Pandaleon asked for a motion. Alderman Rummel made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Weber. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote at 7:28 pm.

https://cms9files.revize.com/cityoflakeforestil/Document_center/Agendas%20and%20Minutes/City%20Council/2021/Minutes/City-Council-Minutes-2021-02-16.pdf