Lake County Gazette

City of Lake Forest City Council met Feb. 18

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL AT 6:30

Members

Honorable Mayor Tack called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m., and City Clerk Margaret Boyer called the roll of Council members.

Present: Honorable Mayor Tack, Alderman, Alderman Notz, Alderman Powers, Alderman Goshgarina, Alderman LeVert, Alderman Weber and Alderman Walther.

Absent: Alderman Novit.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS

COMMENTS BY MAYOR

Mayor Tack reported that Moody’s has once again reaffirmed the City’s Aaa bond rating, reflecting our strong financial position. In their report, Moody’s Benchmarking data shows that Lake Forest compares favorably to other Aaa-rated communities across the country. The city has made significant progress in reducing long-term pension liabilities over the past few years.From 2021 to 2024, the adjusted net pension liability has dropped by roughly $75 million, thanks to accelerated pension contributions and strong market returns. Mayor Tack recognized former Aldermen Tim Newman, George Pandaleon, and Jed Morris as champions for changing the City’s pension funding model. As we regularly discuss, those decisions are saving future Lake Forest taxpayers tens of millions of dollars.

The Mayor then reported that there is another chance to Chat with the Chiefs for those who missed it, on Tuesday from 8-9:30 at Hometown Coffee & Juice.

COMMENTS BY CITY MANAGER

OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL

COMMITTEE REPORTS

1. 1. Approval of a Recommendation from the Public Works Committee to Award a Phase III Professional Design Services Agreement for the Deerpath Streetscape Project to Thomas Engineering Group in the Amount of $435,000 plus 5% Contingency in the Amount $22,000 for a Total of $457,000

Jim Lockerfeer, Assistant Public Works Director, reported on the phase III services and the RFP process. He noted that phase III services include construction inspection & observation, construction documentation, extensive community outreach, and construction project closeout.

And the

FY26 budget of $475,000 was local funds. Additionally, he stated the staff team utilized specific criteria to review proposals. Project understanding and familiarity with the City of Lake Forest and the Central Business District. Experience and qualifications of the firm and Cost. Lastly, he reported staff unanimously recommended Thomas Engineering, who has significant project understanding to include the desired extensive resident/business communications approach. Qualifications of their Phase III team feature key staff with large streetscape project experience, and proposed and included accurate total project manhours that align with staff’s expectations.

The City Council discussed why staff recommended the higher bid and synergies around the firm. This is a local project, not related to IDOT, hours on site, and how the billing for those hours works, and minimizing the overall time frame of the project. 

Mayor Tack asked if there was anyone from the public who would like to address the Council. Seeing none he asked for a motion.

Alderman Notz made a motion to accept a recommendation from the Public Works Committee to Award a Phase III Professional Design Services Agreement for the Deerpath Streetscape Project to Thomas Engineering Group in the Amount of $435,000 plus 5% Contingency in the Amount $22,000 for a Total of $457,000, seconded by Alderman Walther. The following voted “Aye”: Alderman Clemens, Notz, Powers, Goshgarian, LeVert, Weber and Walther. The following voted “Nay”: none. 7-Ayes, 0-Nays, motion carried.

ITEMS FOR OMNIBUS VOTE CONSIDERATION

1. Approval of the February 3, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes

2. Approval of Resolution Required to Amend Authorized Signers for eConnectDirect Account through Multi-Bank Securities.

3. Approve a One-Year Extension to an Existing Contract with Vogue Printers for Dialogue Newsletter Printing Services in the amount of $26,076 and a 5.0% contingency in the amount of $1,304 for a grand total of $27,380.

4. Approval of Design Engineering Services for the Green Bay Road Watermain and the Basswood Road Watermain Replacement Projects to the Thomas Engineering Group, and Authorize the City Manager to Execute an Agreement in the Amount of $50,016 to Include a 5% Contingency in the Amount of $2,501 for a Total Cost of $52,517

5. Award of the Low Bid for the 2025 Inflow and Infiltration Repairs to Visu-Sewer, LLC., and Authorize the City Manager to Execute an Agreement in the Amount of $261,170 as well as Approving a 5% Contingency in the Amount of $13,059 for a Total Cost of $274,229

COUNCIL ACTION: Approve the five (5) omnibus items as presented

Mayor Tack asked the Council if there were any items to be removed or taken separately. Seeing none, he asked for a motion.

Alderman Powers made a motion to approve the five (5) Omnibus items as presented, seconded by Alderman Weber. The following voted “Aye”: Alderman Clemens, Notz, Powers, Goshgarian, LeVert, 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, Council Action and a Staff Contact as it relates to the Omnibus items can be found on the agenda.

OLD BUSINESS

1. Consideration of an Ordinance Amending the Lake Forest City Code Regarding Corkage Fees (Second reading and if appropriate final approval)

Mayor Tack reviewed the suggested changes with the Council.

The City Council had discussion on posting the fee and enforcement. Mayor Tack asked if there was anyone from the public who would like to address the Council. Seeing none he asked for a motion.

Alderman Weber made a motion to approve an Ordinance Amending the Lake Forest City Code Regarding Corkage Fees, seconded by Alderman Walther. The following voted “Aye”: Alderman Clemens, Notz, Powers, Goshgarian, LeVert, Weber and Walther. The following voted “Nay”: none. 7-Ayes, 0-Nays, motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Consideration of a Naming Rights and Recognition Policy for City Owned Amenities and Public Spaces

George Issakoo, Assistant City Manager, gave detailed background information on this item, including significant generous philanthropic contributions. He reviewed the purpose of the policy to include; establishing procedures for recognizing contributions through naming or renaming of City-owned amenities, honoring philanthropy while respecting the City's values and traditions, ensuring a consistent process for associating names with public assets, and importantly, serving the long-term interests of the community. He reviewed the categories and the approval processes. Additionally, he highlighted the restrictions and limitations, which included Naming Rights cannot serve as advertisements.

The City Council discussed use of logo and company name, noting that this policy does not allow for those uses, current plaques, and replacement costs, and how mindful and thoughtfully written the draft policy is.

Mayor Tack asked if there was anyone from the public who would like to address the Council. Seeing none he asked for a motion.

Alderman Goshgarian made a motion to Approval of Naming Rights and Recognition Policy for City Owned Amenities and Public Spaces, seconded by Alderman Walther. The following voted “Aye”: Alderman Clemens, Notz, Powers, Goshgarian, LeVert, Weber and Walther. The following voted “Nay”: none. 7-Ayes, 0-Nays, motion carried.

ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION/COMMENTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS

Alderman Goshgarian commented on the incredible staff the City of Lake Forest has and gave kudos to Stuart Cox and all those who plow for the City.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, Mayor Tack asked for a motion to adjourn. Alderman Goshgarian made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Weber. The motion was carried unanimously by voice vote at 7:25 p.m. 

https://cms9files.revize.com/cityoflakeforestil/Document_center/Agendas%20and%20Minutes/City%20Council/00%202025/City-Council-Minutes-2025-02-18.pdf