Lake County Gazette

City of Lake Forest City Council met Oct. 16.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Honorable Mayor Tack called the meeting to order at 7:27 p.m., and City Clerk Margaret Boyer called the roll of Council members.  

Present: Honorable Mayor Tack, Alderman Novit, Alderman Notz, Alderman Powers, Alderman Preschlack, Alderman Goshgarian, Alderman Weber, and Alderman Walther 

Absent: Alderman Waldeck 

CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL  

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited by all.  

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS 

COMMENTS BY MAYOR 

Mayor Tack congratulated the Finance Department for a job well done that allows for the City to be successful in achieving national recognition. 

COMMENTS BY CITY MANAGER 

A. Community Survey 

- George Issakoo, Assistant City Manager and 

- Ryan Murray, ETC Institute 

City Manager, Jason Wicha shared a summary of the community survey noting the responses will help the city make informed future decisions and allocate future funding. He then introduced Assistant City Manager,  George Issakoo who reflected on the process and vendor highlighting that the vendor was chosen for its flexibility. He stated that the results are a foundational tool for the strategic plan envisioning process and are available on the City’s website. He then introduced Ryan Murray of ETC. Mr. Murray reviewed the purpose and methodology of the survey; he also reviewed several survey results to include benchmarking and top priorities. In summary Mr. Murray reported on the overall satisfaction rate including issues with infrastructure and the quality of staff. 

The City Council had lengthy discussion that included best practices, focus/peer groups, the interactive data dashboard, and actionable items. City Manager Wicha thanked the entire city staff who embrace the high expectations each day. 

OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL 

None this evening. 

COMMITTEE REPORTS 

FINANCE COMMITTEE  

1. Acknowledge Receipt of the FY2023 Treasurer’s Report 

Diane Hall, Assistant Finance Director stated that pursuant to Illinois Statute, a Treasurer’s Report must be filed with the City Clerk, the County Clerk, and published in a Lake Forest newspaper within six months after the end of each fiscal year. She stated that the report will be published in the October 19, 2023, edition of the Lake Forester.  

COUNCIL ACTION: Acknowledge receipt of the FY2023 Treasurer’s Report 

Mayor Tack asked for a motion to acknowledge the receipt of the F2023 Treasurer’s Report. Alderman Notz made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Goshgarian. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.  

2. GFOA Triple Crown Award Presentation and Distinguished Budget Presentation Award 

Finance Committee Chairman Preschlack reported successfully achieving this award puts the City in a very exclusive club as a GFOA “Triple Crown” winner for the 2nd year in a row. The City has earned the GFOA Financial Reporting Award 44 consecutive years and earned the GFOA Budget Presentation Award for 8  consecutive years, including recently being notified of receiving the award for the City’s FY24 budget.  Additionally, the City has earned the GFOA PAFR award for 2 consecutive years. Chairman Preschlack thanked the Finance Department for all their work.  

ITEMS FOR OMNIBUS VOTE CONSIDERATION 

1. Approval of October 2, 2023, City Council Meeting Minutes 

2. Consideration of Adoption of Updated Versions of Previously Adopted State and National Life  Safety and Building Codes Used by the City. (Final Approval)  

3. Consideration of a Request to Waive the Fidelity Bond Requirement in Connection with  Holding a Raffle in the City of Lake Forest for Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital and  The Women’s Board of Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital (Approval by Motion)  

4. Approve the contract to Camp Nageela Midwest, dba Camp Henry Horner in the amount of  $34,000. 

5. Consideration of an Ordinance for 797 Summit Avenue Approving a Recommendation from the  Building Review Board. (First Reading, and if Desired by the City Council, Final Approval)  

6. Consideration of Ordinances Approving Recommendations from the Zoning Board of Appeals  for 334 Circle Lane and 797 Summit Avenue. (First Reading, and if Desired by the City Council,  Final Approval)  

COUNCIL ACTION: Approve the six (6) omnibus items as presented 

Mayor Tack asked members of the City Council if there were any items that they would like removed or taken separately. Seeing none, he asked for a motion.

Alderman Weber made a motion to approve the six (6) Omnibus items as presented, seconded by Alderman Goshgarian. The following voted “Aye”: Alderman Novit, Notz, Powers, Preschlack, Goshgarian, Weber, and Walther. The following voted “Nay”: none. 7-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.  

OLD BUSINESS 

NEW BUSINESS 

1. Items Related to Expanded Use of Elawa Farm by the Elawa Farm Foundation including  Consideration of Amendments to the Special Use Permit as Recommended by the Zoning Board  of Appeals, Consideration of an amended Lease Agreement, and Consideration of a Request for  a Short-Term Loan. Elawa Farm is located at 1401 Middlefork Drive. (Waive First Reading and  Grant Final Approval of an Ordinance and Grant Approvals by Motion)  

City Manager Jason Wicha gave an overview to date of how we arrived to this evening, he acknowledged the leadership of the Elawa Farm Foundation Board over the years and Laura Calvert as a remarkable partner and a steward of the property. He then introduced Elizabeth Holleb, Director of Finance in the absence of Community Development Director Catherine Czerniak. Ms. Holleb reviewed the three Council actions, these included a motion to amend the lease agreement, approve a loan in concept in an amount not to exceed 1  million dollars and the unanimous recommendation of the Zoning Board of Appeals to amend the current special use permit.  

City Manager Wicha then introduced Laura Calvert. Ms. Calvert shared the planned expansion goals to include, programs, farm animals, rest areas all with a low impact to surrounding neighbors. She also went on to explain concept planned uses for buildings. Phase I and Phase II timelines were shared to include a daytime café, dinner on the farm, a learning kitchen and a hoop house. Ms. Calvert made clear the changes were not to extend or expand private rentals.  

The City Council had discussion on the positive direction the Farm is moving in along with the excellent stewardship on the farm.  

Joe Weiss offered his comments to the Council in support of the Council actions.  

COUNCIL ACTION:  

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.  

Alderman Novit made a motion to 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, seconded by Alderman Preschlack. The following voted “Aye”: Alderman Novit, Notz, Powers, Preschlack, Goshgarian, Weber, and Walther. The following voted “Nay”: none. 7-Ayes, 0- Nays, motion carried.  

AND  

By motion, approve an amended lease agreement with the Elawa Farm Foundation. 

Alderman Powers made a motion to approve an amended lease agreement with the Elawa Farm Foundation,  seconded by Alderman Notz. The following voted “Aye”: Alderman Novit, Notz, Powers, Preschlack, Goshgarian, Weber, and Walther. The following voted “Nay”: none. 7-Ayes, 0-Nays, motion carried.  

AND  

By motion, approve in concept a loan by the City to the Elawa Farm Foundation in an amount not to exceed $1 million. 

Alderman Goshgarian made a motion to approve in concept a loan by the City to the Elawa Farm Foundation in an amount not to exceed $1 million, seconded by Alderman Weber. The following voted “Aye”: Alderman Novit, Notz, Powers, Preschlack, Goshgarian, Weber, and Walther. The following voted “Nay”: none. 7-Ayes, 0- Nays, motion carried 

ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION/COMMENTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business Mayor Tack asked for a motion to adjourn. Alderman Preschlack made a  motion to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Weber. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote at 8:37 p.m.

https://cms9files.revize.com/cityoflakeforestil/Document_center/Agendas%20and%20Minutes/City%20Council/2023/City-Council-Minutes-2023-10-16.pdf