Last month we asked your favorite way to spend your lunch break. You said... Take a walk (33.3%), Grab a bite at a local restaurant (28.6%), Catch up with a coworker/friend (23.8%), Eat outside (9.5%) and Other (4.8%).
So, when are we taking a lunchtime walk?!
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Where can you find the information you need to stay connected with what's happening across the City? Here!
Scroll through for department news and updates. There's a lot of information, so save this email to reference throughout the month or view the What's Happening archive. If you have questions about something included here, feel free to reach out to the person listed.
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Connect vs. What's Happening |
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What’s the difference between “Connect” and “What’s Happening”? Human Resources recently launched a refreshed “Connect” employee email newsletter (formerly known as “Forest View”), geared at employee news and updates. While that email is more celebratory, this one still serves a purpose! Here’s a reminder about what content to expect from each newsletter:
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Connect – employee events, benefit information, welcoming new employees, celebrating staff, etc.
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What’s Happening – department news and updates on projects, upcoming community events, things other employees should know, etc.
We’ll do our best to stagger the emails, so expect Connect early in the month and What’s Happening around mid-month.
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Building Maintenance celebrates completion of "Operation Document Destruction." |
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- After six years of reviewing and scanning old records from the City Hall Library, our Building Maintenance rock stars helped clean out the library to take the project across the finish line! BTW - this pic counts as a #CityHallSelfie!
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Changing of the Guard: Monday, July 18 marks the “Changing of the Guard” at City Council. Alderman Jennifer Karras will term off and Alderman Nancy Novit to be sworn as First Ward Alderman.
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Community Development Staffing News
As a follow up to Paul Petersen’s retirement earlier this year, the Community Development recently promoted Matt Goodman to the Inspection Supervisor/Code Enforcement Officer position. Richie Paulson, Building Maintenance, was selected from a field of well qualified candidates, to fill the Building Inspector position that was left vacant as a result of Matt’s promotion. Both positions were posted internally, and several applications were received. The decisions were made after careful consideration of the application materials, interviews and with consideration given to best fit for the department as we move forward. We were overwhelmed with the interest expressed in the positions and appreciate everyone who took the time to participate in the process. The fact that the decisions were difficult is a tribute to the quality and character of employees in the City organization.
Bears Training Camp
You have probably seen the tents and fences going up in preparation for Bears’ Training Camp. Open practices start on July 27, gates will open at 9 a.m. so expect some increased traffic and shuttle busses on Field Drive starting around 7 a.m. Parking for fans will again be in Vernon Hills, at Hawthorne Mall. Practices will wrap up by 12:30 p.m. Of the 16 scheduled open practices, five will be limited to special groups, all the others will be open to the general public.
- Jessica Linders will have “dashboard” parking passes available for all City employees to allow easy access into the parking lot at the Municipal Services Facility. The parking pass will be distributed to the various departments. Please place the passes on your dashboard when you approach the cul-de-sac at the end of Field Drive and the security personnel will waive you through. Vehicles with City logos do not need passes.
- We expect to receive a limited number of Training Camp tickets soon. When we do, we will let all City employees know the available dates and invite you to enter a lottery to get tickets for your preferred dates. Preference will be given to those employees who did not have the opportunity to attend Training Camp last year. Watch for an email!
Central Business District – Staff Visioning Opportunity
Share your ideas about the Central Business District. If you are interested in participating in a staff discussion about the Central Business District as part of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan that is currently under way please email CathyCz at czerniac@cityoflakeforest.com. We are interested in your observations, the challenges you see, and interested to hear your ideas to help shape the future of the business district. The internal discussion is planned for early August. |
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Submitted By: Assistant Finance Director, Diane Hall
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The City was awarded the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 43rd consecutive year for the Fiscal Year 2021 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. This is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting. The award will be presented at the City Council meeting on July 18.
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The City’s audit is underway. The auditors are currently reviewing the City’s financial records for a three week period. A majority of the audit is conducted remotely, but staff will be onsite for a few days during this time period.
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Shout out to Building Maintenance for all of the projects they have been working on at both fire stations. Most recently, Station 1’s bunk room was completed. Thank you, Building Maintenance, far all the work you do!
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- Check out the refreshed Connect July Employee Newsletter! Your old favorites are there along with new sections.
- *TOP TIP* right click on the error display message and “Add Sender to Safe Sender’s List” or "Download Pictures" to get the best experience (picture below).
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- We’re hiring! Check our Job Board for current openings and don’t forget about the referral program.
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Sports Cameras at Everett Park Baseball Fields. We’re excited to announce that the City recently installed sports cameras at the Everett Park baseball diamond! IT, Public Works, and Parks and Recreation have been working closely together to bring this functionality to life. We were able to run proper electric/networking lines, install poles for the cameras, and mount the cameras all in-house due to the extensive skillset of our Public Works department. We are hoping that the cameras at Everett Park will serve as a testing site for future implementations of sports cameras for other fields in town. Visit WatchLFBaseball.com or the Lake Forest Now App to view games live or browse through the existing library of games.
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Automatic Teams Meetings in Outlook. Microsoft recently introduced an update to their Teams Add-In for Outlook where a Teams meeting will automatically be generated when setting up a new Outlook meeting. We are researching ways to make this optional, but at this time Microsoft has made the decision to fold this into Outlook automatically for all users. An easy way to wipe out the Teams meeting information in the body of the meeting invite is to select the ‘Don’t Host Online’ toggle on the top toolbar which will get rid of all the text in the body of the meeting invite.
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Deerpath Park Synthetic Turf Athletic Fields Project
Submitted By: Assistant to the Director of Public Works, Jim Lockefeer
The project involves many internal staff members across many different City Departments. To help guide this large project and its many different components, the above project team was organized!
Cemetery
- Crews are pulling weeds and watering.
- There were four funerals last week and four more this week. So far this year there have been 56 services and 4 others are scheduled for the rest of July and September. The 10 year average is 73 services a year.
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CROYA
- CROYA is Tie-Dying at the Summer Youth Meeting on Wednesday, July 13 from 3-4 pm. All 7th-12th grade students are welcome.
- CROYA’s Summer Hours continue each day from 1-3 pm.
- CROYA’s High School Work Stay is Thursday, July 14 - Friday, July 15. Youth will participate in local community service projects both days. (Permission slip required.)
- CROYA is hosting a youth group from Italy on Thursday, July 21 from 3-5 pm.
- CROYA’s Beach Day and final Summer Youth Meeting is Wednesday, July 27 from 1-4 pm. (Permission slips required.)
Dickinson Hall
- Upcoming events include:
- Breakfast @ LF Beach
- Lake Geneva Boat Tour
- Virtual Wine Tasting
- That’s right, we’re really fun over here, and yes, some of you are old enough to join (if you're 50 years or better).
Forestry
- Dutch Elm, Oak Wilt, and Emerald Ash borer scouting, diseased elm and ash removal, and watering.
- Insecticide treatment on 200 ash trees and two-lined chestnut borer treatment.
- Fungicide treatment on heritage elm trees throughout town.
Parks
- The new Townline Park Splash Pad is open! It’s open 9 am to 8 pm daily.
- West Park Ice Pond expansion done.
- Veterans Park pavers complete and landscaping starting this week.
- Watering of numerous areas.
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Recreation
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It’s starting to seem like it's already Fall around here! Fall registration opens next week on Tuesday, July 19. We are expecting to be busy with all the new residents signing up for fall programs! View the guide.
- The Lake Forest Day 5K Fun Run is Wednesday, August 3. We love having City employees join us for this LF Day tradition. Register online or at the Rec Center. More info.
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Save the Date for our second annual Lake Forest Music Festival on Saturday, August 20 starring Maddie & Tae, with Bruce in the USA, Blackberry Jam Chicago, Brass Buckle, and more. In addition to great bands, there will be food vendors (tacos!), beverages (including our popular "all you can drink'' souvenir cup and tequila tastings), kids' activities, and fun for all ages.
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Building Maintenance
Submitted By: Building Maintenance Supervisor, Erik Huston
- Painting atrium and squad room walls at Public Safety.
- Upgrading flagpole lights at various city buildings.
- Doing exterior repairs to Dickinson and Stirling Hall.
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Engineering
Submitted By: Superintendent of Engineering, Byron Kutz
- Work is continuing for the Burr Oak Area Storm Sewer Improvement Project. The installation of the new storm sewer along Burr Oak has been completed including curb repair and driveway restoration, with the final roadway surface being paved in the early fall. Next, sewer installation will begin on Alden Lane. Work will then transition to the installation of the StormTrap on Western Ave which will require full road closure for 4 to 6 weeks.
- Coordination is gearing up for the Forest Ave Parking Lot Improvements Project which will begin after Lake Forest Day (August 4) and wrap up before Labor Day. The project includes removal and paving of new asphalt, curb repair, strengthening the pavement around the garbage enclosure, installation of two electric vehicle charging stations, as well as installation of a stormwater quality structure. What is a stormwater quality structure you ask? Well…the purpose is to screen, separate and trap debris, sediment, and hydrocarbons from stormwater runoff prior to entering bodies of water.
- The annual resurfacing project is wrapping up with the final pavement layer being paved last week with only striping and restoration remaining.
- Work on replacing the Woodland Road Pedestrian Bridge is tentatively scheduled to begin in mid-July pending delivery of the bridge. This timeframe would allow for the project to be substantially completed in early-August prior to Lake Forest High School starting back up.
Fleet
Submitted By: Fleet Maintenance Supervisor, Ron Gramer
- Performing scheduled maintenance on a variety of city vehicles.
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Repairing defects found during maintenance inspections.
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Addressing breakdowns as they happen.
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Sanitation
- Sanitation is looking to hire a seasonal maintenance worker. Find more information.
- Samantha and Alma will be working Thursday nights at Concerts in the Square promoting the award winning Rethink Recycling with Bart the Cart.
Streets
- Working on the next phase of the gas lamp conversion on Lake Road, Woodland, and Elm Tree.
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Asphalt patching around town and main breaks.
- City-wide vehicle and pedestrian bridge inspections and on-going city sign maintenance program.
Water & Sewer
Submitted By: Water & Sewer Supervisor, Rich Volpe
- Working on the catch basin repair list.
- Making repairs on water mains, hydrants and valves found by leak detection.
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Ravine maintenance at Mayflower Bridge.
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Water Plant
- Keeping up with Train Cleaning schedules.
- Keeping on our toes with frequent plant adjustments to keep production running smoothly.
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Email is great, but this month we want to know how else we can communicate with you. |
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In addition to email, how else do you like to learn about City happenings?
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Posters/signs around buildings
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Social media (Facebook, Instagram, etc.)
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Conversations with colleagues
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Other (reply to this email)
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Kudos to Zachary Hernandez, Brett Marquette, and Danielle Knighton for being the first three people to read the last edition of What's Happening! |
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The City of Lake Forest, Illinois | Website
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