City of Lake Forest City Council Met June 7.
Here is the agenda provided by the council:
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL 6:30 p.m.
Honorable Mayor, George Pandaleon
James E. Morris, Alderman First Ward Jim Preschlack, Alderman Third Ward Jennifer Karras, Alderman First Ward Ara Goshgarian, Alderman Third Ward Melanie Rummel, Alderman Second Ward Raymond Buschmann, Alderman Fourth Ward Edward U. Notz, Jr., Alderman Second Ward Eileen Looby Weber, Alderman Fourth Ward
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS
| 1. COMMENTS BY MAYOR |
| NAME OF MEMBER | APPOINT/REAPPOINT | WARD |
| Kate Leech | Appoint | 4 |
| Kristen Lee | Appoint | 3 |
| NAME OF MEMBER | APPOINT/REAPPOINT | WARD |
| Jay Trees | Reappoint | 4 |
| Robert Engstrom | Reappoint | 4 |
| NAME OF MEMBER | APPOINT/REAPPOINT | WARD |
| Patrick Lindemann | Reappoint | 1 |
| James Carey | Reappoint | 4 |
COUNCIL ACTION: Approve the Mayors Appointments and Reappointments B. Lake Forest Day Proclamation
A copy of the Proclamation can be found on page 17.
COUNCIL ACTION: Approve the Lake Forest Day Proclamation
C. Lake Forest Day Update
- Ed Geraghty, Commander, American Legion Post 264 and Lake Forest Day Chairman
| 2. COMMENTS BY CITY MANAGER |
- Pete Siebert, Fire Chief
| 3. OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL |
| 4. COMMITTEE REPORTS |
| 5. ITEMS FOR OMNIBUS VOTE CONSIDERATION |
STAFF CONTACT, Jason Wicha, City Manager
PURPOSE AND ACTION REQUESTED: It is requested that the City Council extend the Declaration to the next City Council meeting.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION: Over the past months, the U.S. Government and the State of Illinois have issued multiple orders declaring a state of emergency over the country and the State of Illinois in order to address the impact of the global pandemic from COVID-19. In order to address the impact this pandemic has had on the City of Lake Forest, Mayor Pandaleon exercised his authority to issue a Declaration of a Local State of Emergency on Saturday, April 4, 2020. At its April 6, 2020, City Council meeting, the City Council extended the Declaration to the next City Council meeting which was May 17, 2021.
In order to ensure that the emergency powers authorized by the local declaration remain in effect where necessary, the Mayor is asking the City Council to further extend the Declaration of a Local State of Emergency until the next City Council meeting that takes place after June 7, 2021.
REVIEW/RECOMMENDATIONS: Following the Mayor exercising his authority to issue a Declaration of a Local State of Emergency on April 2, 2020. The City Council Approved the Mayor's Declaration on the following dates; 4/6/2020, 4/20/2020, 5/4/2020, 5/18/2020, 6/1/2020, 6/15/2020, 7/20/2020, 8/3/2020, 9/8/2020, 10/5/2020, 10/19/2020, 11/2/2020, 11/16/2020,12/7/2020, 1/19/2021, 2/1/2021, 2/16/2021, 3/1/2021, 3/15/202, 4/5/2021, 4/19/2021, 5/3/2021, and May 17, 2021.
BUDGET/FISCAL IMPACT: N/A
COUNCIL ACTION: Approve the extension of the Mayor’s Declaration of a Local State of Emergency until the next City Council Meeting
2. Approval of May 17, 2021, City Council Meeting Minutes
A copy of the minutes can be found beginning on page 18
COUNCIL ACTION: Approval of May 17, 2021, City Council Meeting Minutes.
3. Approval of a Resolution of Appreciation for Retiring Members of Boards and Commissions as follows:
| BOARD, COMMISSION OR COMMITTEE | NAME OF MEMBERS(S) |
| CROYA | Jennifer Riley and Jennifer Durburg |
COUNCIL ACTION: Approve the Resolution of Appreciation
4. Approval of the Check Register for the Period of April 24 – May 21, 2021
STAFF CONTACT: Elizabeth Holleb, Finance Director (847-810-3612)
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION: City Code Section 38.02 sets forth payment procedures of the City. The Director of Finance is to prepare a monthly summary of all warrants to be drawn on the City treasury for the payment of all sums due from the City (including all warrants relating to payroll and invoice payments) by fund and shall prepare a detailed list of invoice payments which denotes the person to whom the warrant is payable. The warrant list detail of invoice payments shall be presented for review to the Chairperson of the City Council Finance Committee for review and recommendation. All items on the warrant list detail recommended for payment by the Finance Committee Chairperson shall be presented in summary form to the City Council for approval or ratification. Any member of the City Council shall, upon request to the City Manager or Director of Finance, receive a copy of the warrant list detail as recommended by the Finance Committee Chairperson. The City Council may approve the warrant list as so recommended by the Finance Committee Chairperson by a concurrence of the majority of the City Council as recorded through a roll call vote.
The Council action requested is to ratify the payments as summarized below. The associated payroll and invoice payments have been released during the check register period noted.
Following is the summary of warrants as recommended by the Finance Committee Chairperson:
Check Register for April 24 - May 21, 2021
Fund Invoice Payroll Total
101 General 671,828 1,762,158 2,433,986
501 Water & Sewer 119,968 209,290 329,258
220 Parks & Recreation 171,927 433,366 605,293
311 Capital Improvements 180,696 0 180,696
202 Motor Fuel Tax 0 0 0
230 Cemetery 66,629 32,960 99,589
210 Senior Resources 27,547 31,265 58,812
510 Deerpath Golf Course 18,532 3,833 22,365
601 Fleet 118,556 60,312 178,868
416 - 433 Debt Funds 0 0 0 248 Housing Trust 4,800 0 4,800
201 Park & Public Land 0 0 0
All other Funds 666,820 202,971 869,791
$2,047,304 $2,736,153 $4,783,457
The subtotal “All other Funds” includes medical/dental plan expenses totaling $447,073.
COUNCIL ACTION: Approval of the Check Register for the Period of April 24 – May 21, 2021
5. Approval of Benistar as a Vendor for the City’s Medicare Supplement and Part D Drug Coverage for Over-age Retirees and Spouses
STAFF CONTACT: Amber Campbell, Director of Human Resources (847-810-3532)
PURPOSE AND ACTION REQUESTED Staff is recommending retaining Benistar as our vendor for the City’s Medicare Supplement and Part D drug coverage for over-age retirees and spouses.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION: State Statute requires that the City allow retirees and their qualifying dependents to remain on the City’s health insurance. In 2017, we removed Medicare-eligible retirees from our self-funded insurance and entered into a contract with Benistar, an administration firm sponsoring employer group insurance trusts for retiree coverage. Coverage is provided through The Hartford for Medicare Supplement coverage. Part D prescription coverage is through Express Scripts Employer Group Waiver Plan, a type of employer-based retiree coverage eligible to receive Part D subsidies provided by the federal government. The City’s self-funded plan is not eligible to receive the subsidy.
The City’s health plan liability for retiree health insurance (OPEB Liability) reduced due to no longer providing these benefits through the City’s self-funded program.
| Monthly Premium Rate | 2021 Benistar sample Age 70* |
| Single Over 65 | $348.27 |
| Single and Spouse Over 65 | $696.54 |
BUDGET/FISCAL IMPACT: Recommendations based on renewal quotes:
There is no budget or fiscal impact from this arrangement. The retirees are billed and pay the full premium, which is collected by the City and then paid to Benistar. Funds are passed through the City, but because the City issues a check to Benistar, they should be approved by City Council.
Has City staff obtained competitive pricing for proposed goods/services? No If no, indicate the specific exception or waiver requested: Administrative Directive 3-5, Section 6.1 I – Existing Relationship
COUNCIL ACTION: Approval of Benistar as a Vendor for the City’s Medicare Supplement and Part D Drug Coverage for Over-age Retirees and Spouses
6. Consideration of an Ordinance Amending the City of Lake Forest City Code Regarding the Class K Liquor License (First reading and if appropriate final approval)
STAFF CONTACT: Margaret Boyer, City Clerk, 847-810-3674
PURPOSE AND ACTION REQUESTED: At the direction of the City’s Liquor Commissioner, Staff is requesting consideration of an Ordinance amending the City’s Liquor Code to allow for the Class K liquor license to serve alcoholic liquor instead of beer and wine only.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION: The Liquor Commissioner has received a request from Kemper Sports Management to serve alcoholic liquors at Forest Park Beach. Kemper operates at Forest Park Beach under a Class K liquor license. The Class K liquor license is specific to liquor sales at Forest Park Beach, and does not permit the sale of alcohol at any other location within the City. Kemper is the only Class K liquor licensee, as the City Code only allows for one Class K liquor license.
Currently, the Class K liquor license only allows for the sale of beer and wine for consumption at Forest Park Beach. The proposed ordinance amends the Class K License category to allow for the sale of alcoholic liquors at Forest Park Beach instead of beer and wine only. The proposed ordinance can be found beginning on page 26.
BUDGET/FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact on liquor license revenues by allowing the Class K license to serve alcoholic liquor.
COUNCIL ACTION: Consideration of an Ordinance Amending the City of Lake Forest City Code Regarding the Class K Liquor License (First reading and if appropriate final approval)
7. Consideration of Ordinances Approving Recommendations from the Zoning Board of Appeals. (First Reading, and if Desired by the City Council, Final Approval)
STAFF CONTACT: Catherine Czerniak,
Director of Community Development (810-3504)
PURPOSE AND ACTION REQUESTED: The following recommendations from the Zoning Board of Appeals are presented to the City Council for consideration as part of the Omnibus Agenda.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
1100 Inverlieth Road – The Zoning Board of Appeals recommended approval of a variance to allow construction of a one-car garage addition partially within the rear yard setback. No public testimony was presented on this petition. (Board vote: 6-0, approved)
494 Oakwood Avenue – The Zoning Board of Appeals recommended approval of a variance to allow a portion of a rear screen porch addition to encroach into the side yard setback to the same extent as the existing residence. No public testimony was presented on this petition. (Board vote: 6-0, approved)
The Ordinances approving the petitions as recommended by the Zoning Board of Appeals, with key exhibits attached, are included in the Council packet beginning on page 29. The Ordinances, complete with all exhibits, are available for review in the Community Development Department.
COUNCIL ACTION: If determined to be appropriate by the City Council, waive first reading and grant final approval of the Ordinances approving the petitions in accordance with the Zoning Board of Appeals’ recommendations.
COUNCIL ACTION: Approval of the seven (7) omnibus items as presented.
| 6. OLD BUSINESS |
PRESENTED BY: Catherine Czerniak,
Director of Community Development (810-3504)
PURPOSE AND ACTION REQUESTED: As directed by the City Council at the May 17, 2021 meeting, Code amendments and operating parameters related to mobile food vendors (“food trucks”) are presented to the City Council for consideration and, if desired, action.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
At the last meeting, the City Council directed staff to develop a pilot program to allow food trucks to operate in Lake Forest in a limited capacity. In summary, the Council offered the following comments and direction:
⮚ Food trucks provide a diversity in food offerings and can add a festive character and vitality to the community.
⮚ The presence of food trucks in the community should be balanced with the desire of the Council to continue to support local restaurants and food stores.
⮚ Develop a pilot program to allow food trucks to operate in the community in some capacity this summer. The provisions should include a sunset date to assure an evaluation of the pilot program at the end of the year.
A pilot program is detailed below and is presented to the Council for discussion, public input and, if desired by the Council, action. If approved by the City Council, the pilot program would go into effect immediately. The pilot program includes three components: 1) an Ordinance adopting interim amendments to various sections of the Code which are required in order to allow food trucks in any capacity in light of the current prohibition in the Code on food trucks, 2) an Ordinance establishing a fee for food trucks that are not associated with local food establishments already holding a health license issued by the City and 3) operating regulations and requirements.
Code Amendments
Amendments are proposed to Sections 113.21, Permits and Licenses; 117.05, Sales from Vehicles; and 117.20, Transient Merchants and Itinerant Vendors, to clarify that the provisions in those sections during the pilot program, will not apply to food trucks and food truck operators. New Sections, 120.01 through 120.03 are proposed to specifically address food trucks including definitions, permit and fee requirements and operations. The Ordinance reflecting the proposed amendments is included in the Council’s packet beginning on page 46.
Permit Fee
An administrative permit processing and inspection fee of $100.00 is recommended with a waiver of the fee for local restaurants and food stores that already hold an annual City of Lake Forest health license. The Ordinance reflecting the proposed fee is included in the Council’s packet beginning on page 51.
Operating Regulations and Requirements
Given the “pilot” nature of the food truck program and the Council’s direction to have this program in place this summer, rather than incorporate more detailed language into the Code at this time pertaining to food truck regulations, staff proposes to detail the regulations through an Administrative Directive. This approach will allow staff to react quickly to make minor adjustments to the regulations if the need arises during this trial period.
The following requirements and regulations are proposed for incorporation into the Administrative Directive.
⮚ A permit is required to operate a food truck in Lake Forest on public property and on public rights-of-way. An application for a seasonal food truck permit must be filed with the City’s Community Development Department on a form provided by the City. A permit covers up to three different vehicles owned by a single business. The following information must accompany a food truck permit application. • Owner contact information.
• Vehicle description and license number if applicable.
• A copy of a current Lake County Health License.
• Proof of insurance.
• Tax ID number.
• Processing fee.
⮚ A maximum of 15 food truck permits will be available during the pilot program.
⮚ Once a permit is obtained, food trucks will be authorized to participate in special community events by invitation of the organizers and operate on public property and public rights-of-way. (Special event organizers will be required to identify participating food truck operators and provide site plans reflecting food truck locations as part of the event application process.)
⮚ A food truck may only serve alcohol after obtaining a one-day liquor license from the City consistent with the current Code provisions.
Other Communities
Since the last Council meeting, staff researched how other communities address food trucks and obtained information from 20 other communities in the region, primarily communities along the North Shore and northwest suburbs. In summary, most communities regulate food trucks fairly tightly. None of the communities contacted broadly permit food trucks to operate on public rights-of-way or on public property on a frequent basis. However, several communities permit food trucks at special community events and block parties with a seasonal or single event permit. Other communities only allow food trucks on private properties, for private events. All communities that allow food trucks require some type of a license or permit to be obtained, some per event and others offer seasonal permits.
Many communities that were contacted noted that discussions are ongoing about how best to support local restaurants and food stores while at the same time, encourage food trucks as a way to add interest and something new to the community. Many communities waive fees for local restaurants and food stores that have both a bricks and mortar location in the community and a mobile presence at special events.
Summary of Recommendation
The pilot program as presented is not perfect and likely leaves some issues unresolved. Rolling this program out this year will provide the opportunity to evaluate the community’s interest in food trucks, the interest from food truck vendors in coming to Lake Forest and to consider the feedback we hear from local restaurants and food stores. The data we gather this summer and next fall should position the City well in determining how best to move forward with this concept in early 2022.
COUNCIL ACTION: If desired by the Council, grant first reading and final approval to two Ordinances:
1) An Ordinance approving amendments to Sections 113.21, 117.05, 117.20(B) and the addition of new Sections 120.01 through 120.03, all with a sunset clause of December 31, 2021 to assure review and if determined to be appropriate by the City Council, establishment of ongoing provisions for food trucks.
2) An Ordinance establishing a permit fee for Food Trucks.
AND
Direct the City Manager to establish Administrative Directives establishing operating regulations for food trucks generally in accordance with those outlined above, with a sunset date of December 31, 2021 to allow for review as noted above.
| 7. NEW BUSINESS |
| 8. ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION/ COMMENTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS |
| 9. ADJOURNMENT |
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