Kudos to James Magna, David Biddle, and David Miniscalco for being the first three people to read the last edition of What's Happening!
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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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The Winter 2022-2023 Dialogue Newsletter covers November-January and features a cover story on the Citizen's Fire Academy. Please send Dialogue content to Dana by Thursday, September 29.
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The first Lake Forest 101 session kicked off on Thursday, September 8 at Dickinson Hall. Lake Forest 101 gives residents aspiring to serve on a Board, Commission, or in an elected role a deeper understanding of City operations over a four-session series. The September 15 session will cover Communications/Legal Issues.
- The Lake Forest Now App won the Award of Excellence at the 3CMA (City-Council Communications & Marketing Association) Savvy Awards Ceremony during their Annual Conference!
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Moving forward, Maddie will be taking over What's Happening! Please be sure to send all What's Happening content her way by the second Tuesday of each month.
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Read more about your colleagues on Lake Forest Love. Read the latest Q&A with Finance's very own Mark Krygeris!
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Sophia Steak and Duffer’s
Sophia Steak, on the southeast corner of Laurel and Western Avenues, and Duffer’s, on Western Avenue just north of Jewel, are both expected to open in October. These two new restaurants will add to the vitality of the Central Business District and will undoubtedly bring some new challenges. We will likely see increased demand for parking for both customers and employees. A short walk before and after meals is a good thing!
Election Signs
Election campaign signs are permitted on private property between now and the November 8 election. Signs are not permitted on public properties or in the parkway except near early election sites (City Hall). Complaints about election signs can be directed to Community Development. There is no limitation on where election signs are permitted ON ELECTION DAY.
Mobile Food and Beverage Licenses
Reminder that if you are planning a special event or activity at which you plan to have mobile food and beverage vendors, City permits are required. The permits are good for a calendar year. Permits are available from the Community Development Department.
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Submitted By: Assistant Finance Director, Diane Hall
- September is a three-payroll month! Just a reminder no additional deductions (medical, dental, life, etc.) will be taken on the September 30 payroll. If you have any questions, please reach out to Mark Krygeris.
- Finance is in the process of gathering vendor information to comply with Illinois Public Act 102-0265 effective January 1, 2022. A report will be generated for the City website to identify vendors classified as small business, minority, women or veteran-owned business. Letters and forms are in the process of being distributed to current vendors. This will be a new requirement going forward for all new vendors. If you receive any questions from vendors or need the new form, please reach out to Matthew Bachler.
- FY2024 Budget process is underway. Plan-It training was held on August 31. Plan-It is now open with submittals due on October 12. If you need assistance, please reach out to Elizabeth Holleb or Diane Hall.
- Fee schedules will be distributed to departments on September 30 for review, with a due date of October 21. Proposed changes will be presented at the November Finance Committee Budget workshop.
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Our Public Safety Open House is back! Bring your family/friends and join us Sunday, October 16 from 11 am-2 pm.
- Station 1 kitchen remodel is underway and expected to be completed mid-October. Photos to come when the project is complete.
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The new guy. As some of you may or may not be aware, we hired a new Systems Administrator! Tony Canania is our newest member of IT and comes to us from the private sector previously working as a systems admin for financial institutions and design firms. Tony’s main focus with our team will revolve around our backend environment, network infrastructure, and of course all the many other hats our department members wear. On a personal level, Tony has a wife and two kids (under the age of 3!), so be sure to bestow some sage parenting advice on him if you see him! Tony brings a wealth of experience and a positive attitude to the IT Department and we are extremely excited to get him acclimated with the City. Please be sure to say hi as you see him around town and welcome him to the City of Lake Forest family!
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Deerpath Park Synthetic Turf Athletic Fields Project
Submitted By: Assistant to the Director of Public Works, Jim Lockefeer
At the September 6 City Council meeting, Council provided direction and support on the following items:
- Finalize the field design based on a 9.5-acre synthetic turf configuration.
- Direct staff to select turf field material options based on evaluation criteria of player safety, playability, maintenance demands, durability, and environmental sensitivity.
- Continue to develop the City Manager’s Advisory Group’s Conceptual Vision Plan of the project site to provide a framework for future Council decisions
The project team is now working towards 70% design milestone!
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CROYA
- CROYA’s weekly youth meetings have started off great! Middle school meetings are on Tuesdays at 4 pm, high school meetings are on Wednesdays at 7 pm.
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View photos from Flour Tag and Water Balloon Wars!
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Bubble Ball is back by popular demand on Wednesday, September 21!
- CROYA is open after school from 3:30-5:30 pm (starting at 2:30 pm on Mondays)
- Activator Music Academy is taking applications for Fall Music Lessons!
- CROYA’s Cooking Club is every Thursday from 4-5 pm.
- CROYA’s first ever “Big Wheel Grand Prix” for middle school is Friday, September 30 from 5:30-7:30 pm.
Forestry
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Updating the Tree Inventory. Check out the Tree Map!
- Tree parkway planting for the fall are coming along.
- Upcoming projects as we transition seasons include holiday light installations and the fall Tree Sale.
Parks
- We are in the process of conducting end of the year beach clean-ups.
- Painting of fall sports fields has started.
- New bench installations are underway.
Cemetery
- As of September 14, we’ve had 69 funeral services and currently have 6 more scheduled.
- Fall leaf pick-up preparation is underway,
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Recreation
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Most of our fall programs have started and we a so grateful to have the rec center buzzing like it used to. Take a look at these registration numbers!
- Football (Tackle, Flag, and 7on 7): 410+
- Dance Academy: 205+
- Stirling Hall: 130+
- Kinderhaven Preschool: 55
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We are excited for our first ever free Fall Fitness Fest on Saturday, September 24 from 9 am - 12 pm. Stop by before the Rib Cook-Off! We will have raffle prizes, personal training consultations, a health & wellness speaker, membership promotions, group exercise classes, local vendor stations, and much more! Visit lakeforestfintesscenter.com for the schedule.
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Our popular Haunted Trail Walk is on October 1, and we are looking for volunteers to dress in costume and haunt those who dare to enter the forest and walk the haunted trail from Northcroft to Stirling Hall! Volunteers must be 16+ - lots of fun for a team or group outing! Register to volunteer. If you have questions, please contact John Eldridge at eldridgj@cityoflakeforest.com.
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Building Maintenance
Submitted By: Building Maintenance Supervisor, Erik Huston
- The flooring to Public Safety is in the process of being replaced, along with moving office equipment.
- We are currently working on Senior Center repairs, cleaning and organizing.
- Storm damage clean up and repairs are underway.
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Engineering
Submitted By: Superintendent of Engineering, Byron Kutz
- Underground work including the StormTrap for the Burr Oak Area Storm Sewer Improvement Project is complete with the focus now on restoration which will continue into late October.
- Demolition continues for ComEd’s bridge on Deerpath that carries the Skokie Valley Bike Path. The contractor currently is maintaining 2-way traffic during the day to limit impacts to schools. In early October, the paving contractor for IDOT will be paving Deerpath from Westmoreland to Golf.
Fleet
Submitted By: Fleet Maintenance Supervisor, Ron Gramer
- We are preparing equipment for the upcoming snow and ice season.
- Refurbishment of fire truck #212 continues.
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Sanitation
- Welcome our two new seasonal employees, Anthony and Javier!
Streets
- Gas lamp conversion program is continuing behind the high school.
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Basin and asphalt patching continues.
Water & Sewer
Submitted By: Water & Sewer Supervisor, Rich Volpe
- Continuing with catch basin repair list.
- Working on valve repair list from our valve turning contractor.
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Water Plant
- Oak Knoll Woodlands lift station is getting tied into our SCADA system and should be online soon.
- Suez updated a few of our processes to help with operations.
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Police Comings, Goings, and Promotions
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Police had three retirements this summer. Commander Tim Gehring, Sergeant Andy Shiu, and Commander Dwight Davis all retired, each with over 20 years of service. |
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To fill the vacancies, three officers were promoted to sergeant. Phil Gualdoni, Conrad Christensen, and Matt Signa are all patrol sergeants. |
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Next, we have three new hires in basic training at the police academies. Filip Czarnecki is downstate at Macon County Law Enforcement Training Center, and Chris Cordova (former CSO) and Madison Polster just started at Suburban Law Enforcement Academy. |
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