Lake Forest council approves omnibus contracts, adopts appreciation resolutions and confirms board appointments

The Lake Forest City Council on May 6 approved a slate of omnibus items, adopted resolutions of appreciation for departing aldermen and confirmed a long list of board and commission appointments.

The mayor read seven omnibus items for consideration, including approval of the check register for March 23–April 26, 2024; termination of a special service area with surplus refunds to impacted property owners (first reading and final approval if desired); an amendment to the Lake Forest code regarding certain liquor licenses (Class I); and several design and service awards: West Park tennis court reconstruction design to Kapur and Associates ($22,650 plus 10% contingency for a total of $24,850); a one‑year extension of the city's valve exercising service contract with WACS Water Services ($22,438); a one‑year extension with Consulting Engineering Inc. for leak detection ($22,508); Hay and Associates for Walden Ravine design ($119,000 plus 5% contingency); and Living Waters Consultants for Cemetery Ravine design ($49,750 plus 5% contingency).

A motion to approve the omnibus items was moved and seconded; a roll‑call vote recorded seven ayes, zero nays and the motion carried. The roll‑call recorded "Aye" votes from the sitting aldermen present.

The council also adopted two resolutions of appreciation honoring Joseph R. Waldeck (service as first ward alderman, May 2023–May 2024) and Jim Preschlak (service as third ward alderman, May 2018–May 2024). Both resolutions were moved and approved by voice vote.

During a "state of the city" overview, the mayor highlighted that the city completed $32,000,000 in capital improvement projects in fiscal year 2024 (including Deerpath Community Park and forest bluff slope stabilization), obtained more than $4,300,000 in additional grant funding for future capital projects, and secured nearly $20,000,000 in outside funding over the last five years. The community development department issued over 4,500 permits in the year, and a city survey recorded 1,450 responses with 98% rating the city's quality of life as excellent or good.

The mayor read a multi-page list of board and commission appointments and reappointments (audit committee; building review board; cemetery commission; Gorton board; historic preservation commission; library board; parks & recreation board; plan commission; senior resources commission; zoning board of appeals; board of police and fire commissioners; housing trust fund board). Council approved the slate en masse.

Newly elected aldermen were invited to step forward and be sworn in, and the council adjourned. No additional new business or policy votes were taken at the meeting.