City of Lake Forest City Council met Aug. 7.
Here is the agenda provided by the council:
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL 6:30 p.m.
Honorable Mayor, Stanford R. Tack
Nancy Novit, Alderman First Ward
Jim Preschlack, Alderman Third Ward
Joseph R. Waldeck, Alderman First Ward
Ara Goshgarian, Alderman Third Ward
Edward U. Notz, Jr., Alderman Second Ward
Eileen Looby Weber, Alderman Fourth Ward
John Powers, Alderman Second Ward
Richard Walther, Alderman Fourth Ward
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS
| 1. COMMENTS BY MAYOR |
A. Police Department Promotion
- Karl Walldorf, Chief of Police
1. Swear in Deputy Chief Kevin Zelk
| 2. COMMENTS BY CITY MANAGER |
A. Community Spotlight
- Lake Forest Music Institute
B. Overview: Central Business District - Implementation Priorities
- Catherine Czerniak, Director of Community Development
3. OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL
4. COMMITTEE REPORTS
5. ITEMS FOR OMNIBUS VOTE CONSIDERATION
1. Approval of June 17, 2023, City Council Meeting Minutes
A copy of the minutes can be found beginning on page 10.
COUNCIL ACTION: Approval of June 17, 2023, City Council Meeting Minutes
2. Approval of the Check Register for the Period of June 24 to July 28, 2023 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 June 24- July 28, 2023
Fund Invoice Payroll Total
101 General 682,690 1,886,393 2,569,083
501 Water & Sewer 309,843 203,016 512,859
220 Parks & Recreation 258,262 603,065 861,327
311 Capital Improvements 2,092,374 2,092,374
202 Motor Fuel Tax 258 258
230 Cemetery 324,617 43,357 367,974
210 Senior Resources 15,728 31,412 47,140
510 Deerpath Golf Course 88,003 2,545 90,548
601 Fleet 122,790 61,208 183,998
416 - 434 Debt Funds 3,699 3,699 248 Housing Trust 0
201 Park & Public Land 9,000 9,000
All other Funds 1,059,359 195,567 1,254,926
$4,966,623 $3,026,562 $7,993,185
The amount reported as “All other Funds” includes $405,835 in Library expenses and $486,456 in medical/dental plan expenses.
COUNCIL ACTION: Approval of the Check Register for the Period of June 24 to July 28, 2023
3. Approval to Purchase the Verkada Security Camera System from Modern Media Technologies in the Amount of $50,085, and Structured Cabling from Graybar in the Amount of $14,800
STAFF CONTACT: Jim Shaw, Director of Innovation and Technology (847-810-3590) Joseph Gabanski, Assistant Director of Innovation and Technology (847-810-3591)
PURPOSE AND ACTION REQUESTED: Staff requests approval to expend capital funds for a Security Camera System for the Recreation Center.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION: This authorization would allow for continuation of an upgraded centralized Security Camera System and associated hardware for the Recreation Center building. With this implementation, activities within coverage zones would be documented and available for department stakeholders and Police in real time and on-demand. This cloud-based system provides granular access and 30-days of historical video. The system also provides real-time notification with robust search and analytical capabilities compliant with the Illinois (740 ILCS 14/) Biometric Information Privacy Act.
While the Recreation Center has existing security cameras in place, staff have challenges in usability, sub-par video quality compared to today’s standards, and difficulty in obtaining replacement analog video hardware. This fiscal year’s project is part of an envisioned multi year initiative that would consolidate discontinuous security camera systems currently in place and expand to City locations that have little to no coverage. Most City sites including parks are included in the plan and locations have been prioritized based on department feedback regarding level of need.
PROJECT REVIEW/RECOMMENDATIONS:
| Milestone | Date | Comments |
| RFP Issuance | 09/30/2022 | |
| Vendor Proposals Submitted | 10/19/2022 | Fourteen Vendors Submitted Proposals. Received & Reviewed |
| System Demonstrations | 11/04/2022- 11/14/2022 | Review & Recommendation by City Selection Committee |
| Project Phase 1 | 3/20/2023 | Approved by City Council |
BUDGET/FISCAL IMPACT: On September 30, 2022, a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a citywide security camera solution was released by the City, published in the Lake County News Sun, and posted on the City’s website. On October 19, 2022, the City received fourteen system proposals. A selection committee, comprised of department representatives, reviewed, and evaluated the responses based on the ability to fulfill identified needs, vendor qualifications, references, and proposed cost. Vendors were selected as finalists and provided a demonstration of their proposed system.
Based on the City selection committee’s scoring of demonstrations, staff’s recommended vendor is Modern Media Technologies for the Verkada Security Camera system. Modern Media is being recommended due to their product offering, quality of workmanship previously performed, understanding of our environment, and cost. The vendor has successfully completed audio/visual work for the City at Municipal Services, City Hall, Dickinson Hall, the Recreation Center/CROYA, and the Water Plant. They also come highly recommended by the Lake Forest School System being their vendor for AV and Security Camera systems. Modern Media is locally based out of Lake Bluff.
City staff has performed extensive walkthroughs of all City sites with the vendor to confirm camera coverage and most appropriate types of hardware. This included verification to ensure that the specific scope of the hardware proposed, implementation, training, and on going services is right-sized for the City.
Has City staff obtained competitive pricing for proposed goods/services? Yes
Furthermore, the installation of the cameras in the identified locations will require re-cabling as all existing cameras will be converted from analog to digital ethernet. As part of this phase of the project costs, staff is requesting to expend funds to Graybar as the Omnia Partners bid award winner for structured cabling, cable terminators, and minor peripherals in an amount of $14,800.
The requested purchase is being made via the joint purchase co-operative, Omnia Partners, who coordinates and maintains lead agency solicited contracts on behalf of local government entities nationwide. Per Section 6.1D of the City’s Purchasing Directive, purchases can be made via a variety of governmental joint purchasing programs. Numerous pieces of equipment are bid nationally, and such bids conform to all requirements of the Illinois State bidding laws.
Has City staff obtained competitive pricing for proposed goods/services? No Specific Exception Requested: Administrative Directive 3-5, Section 6.1D –Government Joint Purchase.
| FY2024 Funding Source | Amount
Budgeted | Amount
Requested | Budgeted?
Y/N |
| IT Capital
311-1303-466.66-13 | $72,000 | $64,885 | Y |
This project was identified as a FY24 capital project funded via the Capital Improvements Fund and the process to date coincides with the IT Long Range Plan.
COUNCIL ACTION: Approval to Purchase the Verkada Security Camera System from Modern Media Technologies in the Amount of $50,085, and Structured Cabling from Graybar in the Amount of $14,800
4. Consideration of Ordinances Approving Recommendations 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 recommendations from the Building Review Board are presented to the City Council for consideration as part of the Omnibus Agenda.
BACKGROUND:
107 S. Ridge Road – The Building Review Board considered a request for approval of a new residence on a vacant lot. No public testimony was presented on this petition. (Board vote: 5-0, approved)
1021 Prairie Avenue – The Building Review Board considered a request for approval of a building scale variance for a sunroom addition at the rear of the house. No public testimony was presented on this petition. (Board vote: 7-0, approved)
1371 Edgewood Road – The Building Review Board considered a request for approval of a new residence on a vacant lot. No public testimony was presented on this petition. (Board vote: 5-0, approved)
Amberley Woods Courtyard Homes
The Building Review Board considered requests from McNaughton Development for modifications to previously approved plans for new residences in the Amberley Woods development. Testimony was offered by several neighbors expressing concern about continued changes to the previously approved plans and specifically to the proposal to addition of a third, front facing garage bay. Concerns were also expressed about drainage in general in the area. The Board recommended approval of the majority of the changes requested with some refinement and the elimination of the third garage bay as further detailed below.
1845 Amberley Court – The Building Review Board considered a request for approval of modifications including the addition of a single story sunroom at the rear of the house, modifications to the roof form to accommodate a third bedroom on the second floor, the addition of a dormer, and the addition of French doors and windows on the rear elevation. The Board indicated support for all of the requested changes subject to refinement of the dormer to align with the existing dormers in size and placement. (Board vote: 7-0, approved)
1935 Amberley Court – The Building Review Board considered a request for approval of modifications including changes to the detail of the eave returns, the addition of a third front facing garage bay, the addition of a window and modifications to the windows on a projecting bay. The Board indicated support for all of the requested changes with the exception of the addition of a third garage bay. The motion as approved by the Board does not include approval the third garage bay. (Board vote: 7-0, approved)
2015 Amberley Court – The Building Review Board considered a request for approval of modifications including expansion of the family room into an open porch with a triple window and French door, the addition of a single story sunroom at the rear of the house, relocation of a chimney, and extension of the roof form and addition of a double window to accommodate an additional bedroom on the second floor. The Board indicated support for all of the requested changes. (Board vote: 7-0, approved)
Ordinances approving the petitions as recommended by the Building Review Board, with key exhibits attached, are included in the Council packet beginning on page 15. 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 Building Review Board’s recommendations.
5. Consideration of Final Approval of an Ordinance Adopting an Updated Chapter of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan as it Relates to the Central Business District AND Consideration of a Motion Establishing Priorities for Implementation: 1) Infrastructure, 2) Bank Lane Enhancement, and 3) Inner Ring – Pro -active Planning. (Final Approval of Ordinance and Approval of a Motion Establishing Priorities)
PRESENTED BY: Catherine J. Czerniak,
Director of Community Development (847-810-3504)
PURPOSE AND ACTION REQUESTED: As a follow up to the almost year long process of community engagement and deliberations by the Central Business District Adhoc Working Group and the Plan Commission, an updated chapter to the Comprehensive Land Use Plan focusing on the Central Business District is presented to the Council for final action and direction on implementation priorities.
BACKGROUND
On July 17th the City Council heard a presentation, invited public comment and voted unanimously to approve first reading of an ordinance approving the updated Central Business District chapter. This planning process continues the City’s tradition of careful and comprehensive long term planning.
Central Business District Process and Recommendations
The review and update process for the Central Business District chapter offered numerous opportunities for public input and involvement. A Working Group served as advisory to City staff and the City’s consultant, Teska Associates, in the development of early drafts of the chapter. Public input opportunities included individual interviews, focus groups, an online poll and comment map, a community workshop, and a public hearing before the Plan Commission over the course of two meetings. Because of the importance of the Central Business District to the entire community, the public engagement process was more robust that those used in the past.
The updated Central Business District chapter is included in the Council packet beginning on page 74. Some key concepts presented in the chapter are summarized below.
⮚ The Central Business District is sized appropriately and does not need to be expanded or reconfigured.
⮚ The Core of the District must be preserved, protected and enhanced.
⮚ Overall character is important - distinctive and uniquely Lake Forest.
⮚ There are many strengths to build on, but there are also weaknesses and opportunities.
⮚ The District is comprised of distinct and different areas: the Core, the Inner Ring, and the Neighborhood Business Areas.
⮚ City investment in infrastructure is critical to incenting private investment, attracting new businesses, and retaining existing businesses.
⮚ Some buildings should be targeted for adaptive reuse and preserved, other sites are appropriate for, and some are in need of, redevelopment.
⮚ Returning multi-family residential options to the District will help support businesses and create vitality, day and night.
⮚ Retail alone can no longer be relied on to support the District, a mix of uses is necessary as is flexibility in order to sustain and build the vitality of the District over the long term.
⮚ Parking is critical to retaining and attracting new businesses, the City has a key role to play in assuring adequate and convenient parking.
⮚ Transitions between the commercial areas and the surrounding residential neighborhoods need to be carefully considered to preserve and protect the residential neighborhoods.
In addition to recommending approval of the updated chapter, the Plan Commission forwarded the following recommendations for implementation priorities to the City Council.
• Infrastructure
Evaluate infrastructure. Invest in maintenance and upgrading of infrastructure in the Central Business District to support continued vitality and to encourage private investment in the District. (streets, sidewalks, stormsewers, parking, lighting, landscaping, public restrooms, accessibility improvements)
• Bank Lane
Develop a plan and timeline for enhancements to Bank Lane to create a distinctive and welcoming walkable corridor. Establish a process, conduct the necessary studies, allocate funding and provide opportunities for public input. Encourage private investment by leading through public investment in infrastructure along this corridor.
• Inner Ring
Pro-actively plan for future development/redevelopment in this area.
BUDGET/FISCAL IMPACT: Adoption of updates to the Comprehensive Land Use Plan does not commit the City to any expenditure of funds or initiate any specific projects. Instead, the vision and desired outcomes highlighted in the Central Business District chapter are a jumping off point and hopefully, inspiration for future discussions, research, deliberations, and action. Any expenditures related to implementation will be considered by the City Council through a separate review process.
By supporting, investing, and guiding, the City can lead the way toward achieving the vision of preservation, enhanced vitality, and sensitive future development in the Central Business District.
COUNCIL ACTIONS: Consideration of Final Approval of an Ordinance Adopting an Updated Chapter of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan as it Relates to the Central Business District. (Final Approval of Ordinance.)
AND
Consideration of a Motion Establishing Priorities for Implementation:
1) Infrastructure, 2) Bank Lane Enhancement, and 3) Inner Ring – Proactive Planning. (Approval of a Motion Establishing Priorities)
COUNCIL ACTION: Approve the five (5) omnibus items as presented
6. OLD BUSINESS
7. NEW BUSINESS
8. ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION/ COMMENTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS
9. ADJOURNMENT
https://cms9files.revize.com/cityoflakeforestil/Document_center/Agendas%20and%20Minutes/City%20Council/2023/CC%202023%2008%2007.pdf
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