City of Lake Forest City Council met June 21.
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
A. Resolution of Gratitude to the Children of Margaret and Augustin Hart A copy of the resolution can be found on page 14.
COUNCIL ACTION: Resolution of Gratitude to the Children of Margaret and Augustin Hart
2. COMMENTS BY CITY MANAGER
A. “Spirit of CROYA” Margot Martino Essay Contest Winner
- Todd Nahigian, CROYA Manager
B. Development Update
-Catherine Czerniak, Director of Community Development
3. OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL
4. COMMITTEE REPORTS
FINANCE COMMITTEE
1. Consideration of the Annual Appropriation Ordinance for FY2023 and Approval of Rollovers (First Reading)
PRESENTED BY: Diane Hall, Assistant Finance Director (847) 810-3614
PURPOSE AND ACTION REQUESTED: Staff requests approving the first reading of the FY2023 appropriation ordinance and rollovers.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION: While the annual municipal budget represents the City’s financial plan for expenditures over the course of the fiscal year, the annual Appropriation Ordinance is the formal legal mechanism by which the City Council authorizes the actual expenditures of funds budgeted in the annual budget. It appropriates specific sums of money by object and purpose of expenditures. State statutes require the passage of an Appropriation Ordinance by the end of July, which must be filed with the County Clerk within 30 days of approval.
There are some differences between the budget and Appropriation Ordinance. The Appropriation Ordinance includes the Library, which was not included in the budget approved at the April 18, 2022 City Council meeting. The Library expenses are approved by the Library Board. Debt service payments are included in the budget, but are excluded from the Appropriation Ordinance. The ordinances approving the bond issues serve as the legal authorization for these annual expenditures.
The Appropriation Ordinance provides for a 10% “contingency” above the budgeted expenditures. Each separate fund includes an item labeled “contingency” with an appropriate sum equivalent to 10% of the total funds budgeted. This practice has been followed for many years and has worked very efficiently, while still providing for City Council control over budgeted expenditures. It is important to note that the City Council and City staff follow the adopted budget as its spending guideline, not the Appropriation Ordinance. Without the contingency, the City Council would have to pass further modifications to the Appropriation Ordinance to cover any unforeseen expenditures exceeding the budget throughout the year.
In order to provide more accurate and efficient accounting and budgeting of City funds, an annual rollover of funds is requested. This eliminates both under and over budgeting of funds in the new fiscal year. The items on the attached rollover list (page 15) consist of projects that were appropriated in FY2022 and will not be completed until FY2023. The list is preliminary at this stage as FY2022 invoices are still being paid, but will be finalized for final reading in July. The appropriation ordinance presented for first reading excludes the rollover amounts.
School District 67 does not recognize the Appropriation Ordinance in their budgeting or auditing standards. However, due to the fact they are a special charter district, their budget must be included in the City’s Appropriation Ordinance. School District 67 numbers are estimates and subject to change, but are not available until second and final reading of the Ordinance.
Exhibit A of the Appropriations Ordinance is included to address requirements of the Illinois Pension Code and Illinois Administrative Code.
PROJECT REVIEW/RECOMMENDATIONS:
| Reviewed | Date | Comments |
| City Council | April 18, 2022 | Adoption of FY23 Comprehensive Fiscal Plan |
COUNCIL ACTION: Approve first reading of the FY2023 Appropriation Ordinance (page 19). A copy of the ordinance is available for review by the public in the City Clerk’s office. A public hearing will be conducted on July 18, 2022 in conjunction with second reading of the ordinance.
5. ITEMS FOR OMNIBUS VOTE CONSIDERATION
1. Approval of June 6, 2022, City Council Meeting Minutes
A copy of the minutes can be found beginning on page 30.
COUNCIL ACTION: Approval of June 6 ,2022, City Council Meeting Minutes
2. Approval of the Check Register for the Period of April 23 – May 31, 2022
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.
COUNCIL ACTION: Approval of the Check Register for the Period of April 23 – May 31, 2022
3. Approval of an Agreement Authorizing Membership in the NORTAF Burglary Task Force
STAFF CONTACT: Karl Walldorf, Chief of Police (847.810.3803)
PURPOSE AND ACTION REQUESTED: Staff requests City Council to consider a resolution authorizing membership in the North Regional Major Crime Task Force. A copy of the agreement can be found beginning on page 33.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION: The North Regional Major Crimes Task Force (NORTAF) was formed in 1997 by twelve north shore communities to serve as a specialized unit to investigate major crimes, including homicides and non-parental kidnappings. Since then, NORTAF has added two additional teams to its portfolio, the Major Crash Assistance Team and the Burglary Task Force.
The NORTAF Burglary Task Force allows members to jointly investigate burglaries across all of its members' jurisdictions, sharing intelligence, evidence, staffing, and expertise. In addition, the task force looks for burglary patterns affecting member communities that may involve the same individuals or groups and develops collective strategies for arresting those offenders.
Several of our peer agencies in Lake County have significantly benefited from joining the Burglary Task Force since 2020, including Highland Park and Deerfield. In addition, our detectives have worked informally with the task force in recent years, including sharing intelligence about the arrest of a Lake Forest burglary suspect in 2021.
COUNCIL ACTION: Approval of an Agreement Authorizing Membership in the NORTAF Burglary Task Force
4. Acknowledgement of Termination of the 3-year bid Awarded to First Student and Approval of Award a One-Year Contract to First Student for Recreation Department Program and CROYA Bussing Services
STAFF CONTACT: Anthony Anaszewicz, Athletics Program Manager (847-810-3945)
PURPOSE AND ACTION REQUESTED: Staff requests to terminate the 3-year bid awarded by City Council to First Student on April 4, 2022 and then award a one-year contract for Recreation Department programming and CROYA bussing services in FY23 to First Student.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION: On April 4, 2022, City Council awarded a 3-year term of services to First Student for Recreation Department programing and CROYA bussing services. Due to unforeseen circumstances regarding staffing and fuel costs, First Student can no longer honor the pricing set forth in their initial 3-year bid.
Staff recommends terminating the 3-year bid awarded to First Student and then award First Student a 1-year contract for services in FY23. Proposed costs will be higher than originally anticipated but will still be well below the bid received from Positive Connection. Camp programming relies on bus services to help provide a robust camp experience for the community. Approval of the new pricing is essential as our camp season begins June 20th, 2022. In February of 2023, staff will go back to bid for a three year contract for Recreation programming and CROYA services.
Below is a chart representing original and estimated costs, along with price submitted by Positive Connection as part of the bid process in February of 2022.
| COMPANY | Recreation
Original | Recreation
Proposed | CROYA
Original | CROYA
Proposed |
| First Student | $ 24,087 | $ 34,672 | $ 5,890 | $ 8,835 |
| Positive Connection | $ 59,955 | $ 59,995 | $ 9,987.50 | $ 9,987.50 |
Has City staff obtained competitive pricing for proposed goods/services? Yes
Below is an estimated summary of Project budget:
| FY2023 Funding Source | Amount
Budgeted | Amount
Requested | Budgeted?
Y/N |
| Recreation Operating Budget | $ 25,890 | $ 34,627 | Y |
| CROYA Operating Budget | $ 10,000 | $ 8,835 | Y |
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 in an amount not to exceed $45,000.
Staff Contact: Catherine J. Czerniak,
Director of Community Development (810-3504)
PURPOSE AND ACTION REQUESTED: Council authorization is requested to allow staff to enter into a contract with Teska Associates, Inc. related to the next phase of the update of the City’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION: Funding for professional services to support the Comprehensive Plan update was approved as part of the Community Development Department budget.
Teska Associates, Inc. was previously engaged to provide support for the second phase of the Comprehensive Plan update which focused on the Route 60 Corridor. That work is now complete. The Comprehensive Plan update was paused during the pandemic due to the limited opportunities to engage the public in discussions and workshops face to face. The support offered by Teska Associates, Inc. in the past, in the areas of research, conducting interviews and focus groups, leading sessions and walking tours of the Working Group, summarizing public input and presenting key ideas to the Working Group, preparing graphics, drafting language, and advising staff has proven to be valuable in moving the update process forward. This same support will be provided by Teska Associates, Inc. for the next phase of the update which will focus on the Central Business District and surrounding areas.
The draft update to the Comprehensive Plan as it relates to the Central Business District is expected to be forwarded to the Plan Commission for formal review and a public hearing in September/October 2022 after the City Manager’s Working Group completes its work. A continuation of Teska’s professional services contract is requested to build upon the momentum established to date and to provide continuity as the update moves forward.
BUDGET/FISCAL IMPACT: Continuing to engage Teska Associates, Inc. takes advantage of a long term relationship and the consultant’s familiarity with Lake Forest overall and specifically, the Central Business District, development trends, challenges and opportunities in the City. The contract now before the City Council continues the phased approach to the Comprehensive Plan update allowing the process to evolve as necessary to respond to input received along the way and opportunities that arise.
| FY2023 Funding Source | Amount
Budgeted | Amount
Requested | Budgeted
Y/N |
| General Fund
#101-3401-435-35-10 | $100,000 | Not to Exceed $45,000 | Yes |
Administrative Directive 3-5, Section 6.1I – Existing Relationship
COUNCIL ACTION: Authorize the City Manager to enter into a professional services contract with Teska Associates, Inc. for continued support for the Comprehensive Plan update in an amount not to exceed $45,000.
6. Consideration of a request to Waive Permit Fees for the Roof Replacement at the City’s Public Safety Building Located at 255 W. Deerpath. (Approval by Motion)
STAFF CONTACT: Catherine Czerniak
Director of Community Development (810-3504)
PURPOSE AND ACTION REQUESTED: A waiver of permit fees is requested for a City building consistent with past practices.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION: The City routinely waives permit fees for construction projects on City owned property. A permit was recently applied for to replace the roof on the City’s Public Safety Building. The permit fee totals $5,786.36.
Per Administrative Directive 3-7, the waiver of fees in excess of $5,000 require approval by the City Council.
BUDGET/FISCAL IMPACT: The budget impact is neutral. The permit fees, if assessed, would be paid out of one City fund and deposited into another City fund.
| Project | Permit Fees | Amount of Fee Waiver
Requested |
| Roof Replacement – Public Safety Building | $5,786.36 | $5,786.36 |
7. Consideration of an Ordinance Approving a Recommendation from the Building Review Board. (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 recommendation from the Building Review Board is presented to the City Council for consideration as part of the Omnibus Agenda.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION: 745 Broadsmoore Drive – The Building Review Board recommended approval of a new single family residence on a vacant lot in the Whitehall Meadows Subdivision. No public testimony was presented to the Board on this petition. (Board vote: 5 - 1, approved)
The Ordinance approving the petition as recommended by the Building Review Board, with key exhibits attached, is included in the Council packet beginning on page 40. The Ordinance, complete with all exhibits, is 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 Ordinance approving the petition in accordance with the Building Review Board’s recommendation.
8. Consideration of a Recommendation from the Zoning Board of Appeals in Support of Amendments to the Special Use Permit for Elawa Farm at 1401 Middlefork Drive. (First Reading of an Ordinance and, if Desired by the City Council, Final Approval)
STAFF CONTACT: Catherine Czerniak,
Director of Community Development (810-3504)
PURPOSE AND ACTION REQUESTED: The Council is asked to consider a recommendation from the Zoning Board of Appeals in support of minor amendments to the Special Use Permit under which Elawa Farm operates. The amendment was requested by the Elawa Farm Foundation
primarily to allow improvements to limited areas of the garden to increase accessibility for those with limited mobility who attend classes, programs and camps at Elawa.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
Elawa Farm, a community facility, operates under a Special Use Permit because it is a non residential use located on residentially zoned property. The Elawa Farm Foundation’s plans to create an “Enabling Garden” in one section of the Elawa Farm Garden triggered this request. The planned improvements are intended to facilitate access to garden based experiences and education for people with limited mobility and include improved pathways, raised garden beds and a small pergola to provide shade. The proposed improvements are detailed on the site plan attached to the Ordinance which is included in the Council packet beginning on page 51. Two additional amendments to the Special Use Permit, both of which have been under discussion for some time, also received support from the Zoning Board of Appeals.
1) Permit the chicken coop in the southern portion of the Garden as an ongoing use. (Currently, the chicken coop is authorized only as a temporary, pilot program. 2) Refine the language relating to amplified sound for events wholly within the Hay Barn.
Zoning Board of Appeals’ Review
The Board conducted a public hearing on this petition at the May 9, 2022, meeting. The Board heard a presentation from Laura Calvert, Executive Director of the Elawa Farm Foundation and heard public testimony. The Board determined that the proposed minor amendments furthered the mission of Elawa Farm and will not directly contribute to increased use of the Farm, but instead, will enhance the experience for those participating in programs, classes and camps already established at the site. The Board stated appreciation for the Foundation’s movement away from large, private rental events to community based educational programs and activities.
The Board heard testimony in support of the proposed amendments and also heard some concerns about the overall level of activity in the area resulting from the combination of the various users of Elawa Farm, the adjacent Forest Preserve, the City park, and the residential neighborhood. The Board concluded that the amendments requested as carefully crafted, will not result in an increase to the overall level of activity in the area and on May 23, 2022, voted 5 to 0 to recommend approval of the petition to the City Council.
The Zoning Board of Appeals’ report is included in the Council packet beginning on page 63 to provide additional background and detail on the Board’s deliberations.
COUNCIL ACTION:
If desired by the Council, waive first reading and grant final approval of an Ordinance amending the Special Use Permit for Elawa Farm at 1401 Middlefork Drive as recommended by the Zoning Board of Appeals and as detailed in the Ordinance
COUNCIL ACTION: Approval of the eight (8) omnibus items as presented.
6. OLD BUSINESS
7. NEW BUSINESS
1. Consideration of Various Actions Related to Sophia Steak, a New Restaurant Proposed at 181 E. Laurel Avenue.
⮚ A Recommendation from the Plan Commission in Support of a Special Use Permit. (First reading and if appropriate final approval)
⮚ Consideration of an Amendment to the City Code, Section 111.037, Number of Liquor Licenses, as it Pertains to Class C-1 and Class C-3 Licenses. (First reading and if appropriate final approval)
⮚ A Recommendation from the Plan Commission to Direct the Commission to review, and if appropriate recommend amendments to the Zoning Code as it relates to outdoor speakers and amplified sound outside restaurants. (Motion)
PRESENTED BY:
Catherine Czerniak, Director of Community Development (810-3504)
Margaret Boyer, City Clerk (810-3674)
PURPOSE AND ACTION REQUESTED: Council consideration is requested of various approvals necessary to allow Sophia Steak to locate and operate in space formerly occupied by other restaurants.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
Special Use Permit
Ballyhoo Hospitality proposes to open Sophia Steak Lake Forest in an existing multi-tenant commercial building located on the southwest corner of Western and Laurel Avenues.
Ballyhoo is an experienced restauranteur with proven success in operating unique neighborhood oriented restaurants in several Chicago neighborhoods, and in another North Shore community. As noted above, the proposed site for the new Lake Forest location was previously occupied by The Grille on Laurel and later, by MLG. The building offers a patio fronting on Western Avenue, across from the railroad tracks, and is located steps away from the recently completed apartments, condominiums and single family homes in Kelmscott Park as well as other well established residential developments.
The City Code classifies restaurants located within 150’ of residential zoning districts as special uses and therefore, a public hearing on this matter was conducted by the Plan Commission. Restaurants located further away from residential properties are permitted outright, no public review process is required.
Public testimony was presented to the Commission on this petition by residents of the Regents Row, a rowhouse development located to the south of the commercial building in which the new restaurant hopes to open. The residents expressed support for the restaurant overall, but voices concern about the potential for negative impacts. The primary concerns focused on the hours of operation of the patio, the potential for outdoor speakers, unauthorized parking on Regents Row property, and cooking odors. The Commission addressed the parking through a condition included in the recommendation. The Commission discussed, but decided not to recommend limiting the hours during which the patio could be used after hearing an appeal for flexibility from representatives of Sophia Steak who explained that they would like to be able to welcome customers who may want to dine later on one of the limited summer evenings that draw people outside. The Commission noted that the City Code currently prohibits outdoor speakers.
After deliberation, the Commission voted 5 to 1 to recommend approval of a Special Use Permit to authorize Sophia Steak Lake Forest to the City Council subject to conditions as detailed in the Ordinance included in the Council’s packet beginning on page 69. The Plan Commission’s report is also included in the Council packet beginning on page 80, for additional information.
Liquor License
The Liquor Commissioner has received a request from Sophia Steak Lake Forest for a C-1 liquor license (general restaurant liquor license) and an add-on C-3 liquor license to allow outdoor service.
As the Council is aware, the issuance of liquor licenses is under the purview of the City’s Liquor Commissioner and the Mayor serves in that role. However, the City Code only authorizes a specific number of liquor licenses and, historically, this number coincides with the current number of licenses issued.
When new requests for liquor licenses are submitted, and after review by the Liquor Commissioner and a determination that the Issuance of a license is appropriate, the matter is brought to the City Council for consideration of an amendment to the Liquor Code to increase the number of available licenses. In this case, the number of C-1 and C-3 liquor licenses will each be increased by one to accommodate Sophia Steak Lake Forest’s request. The proposed ordinance increasing the number of Class C-1 and C-3 liquor licenses can be found beginning on page 84.
BUDGET/FISCAL IMPACT: The fiscal impact of adding licenses in the C-1 and C-3 categories is positive generating both liquor license revenues and sales tax.
Plan Commission Recommendation to Authorize Review of Code Provision
As noted above, during the discussion of the request from Sophia Steak Lake Forest for a Special Use Permit it was discussed that currently, the Performance Standards in the Zoning Code for restaurants states, “No loud speakers or amplification of sound is permitted outside the building.”
The Commission heard a request from the Sophia Steak representatives that low volume background music is common on patios at many other restaurants. As a follow up, the Commission forwarded a recommendation to the City Council that the complete prohibition in the Code be reconsidered. This work would be conducted by the Plan Commission in collaboration with staff if so directed by the Council. This limited study would likely include surveying regulations in other communities, talking with local businesses and, any consideration of a Code amendment, will include a public hearing before the Plan Commission before a recommendation to amend or not amend is forwarded to the City Council.
COUNCIL ACTION:
If determined to be appropriate by the City Council, waive first reading and grant final approval of an Ordinance approving a Special Use Permit for Sophia Steak at 181 E. Laurel Avenue in accordance with the Plan Commission’s recommendation.
AND
If determined to be appropriate by the City Council, waive first reading and grant final approval of an Ordinance approving an amendment to Section 111.037, Number of Liquor Licenses, as it Pertains to Class C-1 and Class C-3 Licenses.
AND
Direct the Plan Commission to review, evaluate and if determined to be appropriate, conduct a public hearing on a possible amendment to the Zoning Code as it relates to outdoor speakers and amplified sound outside restaurants. The Commission is directed to forward a recommendation to the City Council at the conclusion of the consideration.
8. ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION/ COMMENTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS
9. ADJOURNMENT
https://cms9files.revize.com/cityoflakeforestil/Document_center/Agendas%20and%20Minutes/City%20Council/2022/Agendas/CC%202022%2006%2021.pdf
Alerts Sign-up