Lake Forest council approves water-rate first reading, omnibus items and grants; approves Deerpath design change order

The Lake Forest City Council moved through a series of fiscal and project items Tuesday, approving a first reading of an ordinance to adjust water rates for fiscal year 2025, adopting multiple consent items and approving project change orders and grant pass‑through funds.

Water rates: Elizabeth Hollow summarized the finance committee recommendation to grant first reading of an ordinance setting a fee schedule to adjust water and sanitary sewer rates effective May 1, 2024. Hollow said the city uses a five‑year rolling average of consumption and the proposed methodology would generate a 2.5% revenue increase; she told the council most small‑meter customers would see an annual increase of about $8.40. The council voted to grant first reading by roll call (tally announced as 8 yays, 0 nays).

Omnibus consent agenda: The council approved 11 omnibus items including minutes, the check register, an audit contract extension with Baker Tilly Virgo Kraus LLP, renewals and licensing (enterprise resource management maintenance, Adobe Acrobat licensing), a four‑year maintenance agreement for in‑car and body‑worn camera systems and digital evidence software, an IDOT resolution appropriating $1,000,000 in motor fuel tax funds for the 2024 pavement resurfacing program, purchase and installation of decking for the Forest Park Boardwalk ($263,580), and engineering services for 2024 dye testing (RJN Group; total $140,000 including contingency). The omnibus passed on a roll call vote recorded as 8 yays, 0 nays.

Deerpath Streetscape change order: Staff presented background on the Deerpath Streetscape project (original scope: Oakwood to Western) and noted a $2,000,000 IDOT grant for construction. The council approved a $75,000 change order to Thomas Engineering Group to add Phase 2 design work for a new water main and resurfacing from Green Bay to Oakwood and to design irrigation for landscape bump‑outs. Staff said the total project estimate is $4,750,000 with a $2,000,000 IDOT grant and a city net cost of about $2,750,000; schedule targets included final IDOT plans in September 2024 and construction April–November 2025.

Grant to Openlands: The council authorized issuance of grant‑awarded funds to Lake Forest Open Lands Association not to exceed $50,000, a pass‑through from a joint award under the Great Lakes Commission sediment and nutrient reduction program. Staff noted the joint application sought $200,000 (with $150,000 for city ravine work and $50,000 to Openlands) and that the awarded funds represented the Illinois allotment.

Procedure: The council concluded by moving into executive session pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 to discuss pending litigation and real property matters.