At a recent meeting, the River Forest Village Board discussed school crossing-guard pay and contract issues.
The board is the legislative and policy-making body of the village. It includes the village president and six trustees.
Below are the minutes from this meeting, as provided by the board.
VILLAGE OF RIVER FOREST REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MINUTES August 8, 2016
A regular meeting of the Village of River Forest Board of Trustees was held on Monday, August 8, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room of Village Hall, 400 Park Avenue, River Forest, IL.
1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m. Upon roll call, the following persons were:
Present: President Adduci, Trustees Conti, Cargie, Corsini, and Gibbs
Absent: Trustees Dwyer and Colwell-Steinke
Also Present: Village Clerk Sharon Halperin, Village Administrator Eric Palm, Police Chief Greg Weiss, Public Works Director John Anderson, Fire Chief Jim Eggert, Finance Director Joan Rock, Assistant Village Administrator Lisa Scheiner, Management Intern Jonathan Pape, Village Attorney Lance Malina and Village Attorney Greg Smith
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
President Adduci led the pledge of allegiance.
3. CITIZENS COMMENTS
4. ELECTED OFFICIALS COMMENTS AND ANNOUCEMENTS
a. Swearing in of Newly Hired Firefighters
Fire Chief Eggert introduced firefighters Flosi, Hills and Seablom. Clerk Halperin administered the oath of office.
Trustee Corsini congratulated and welcomed the new firefighters and recognized their families. She also congratulated the River Forest Girls 12U softball team on their recent State championship. She praised the boys little league for their efforts.
Trustee Conti congratulated and welcomed the new firefighters. She said she attended the boys little league game last and that is was an exciting game.
Trustee Gibbs echoed Trustee Corsini’s comments regarding the River Forest softball and baseball teams and he said it reminded him of River Forest Olympian, Dani Tyler, who the girls’ softball fields is named for. He recognized the service that Village employees provide, especially that of the uniformed. He wished the newly hired firefighters good luck.
President Adduci congratulated and welcomed the new firefighters and thanked their families for being there. She also congratulated the River Forest Girls 12U softball team on their recent championship. She said she had heard that the boys little league game was a cliff-hanger and affirmed that second place is admirable. She mentioned that she was able to throw out the first pitch at the girls’ championship game. She congratulated the Park District on the excellent appearance of the field and a well run event.
5. CONSENT AGENDA
a. Village Board Regular Meeting Minutes – July 25, 2016 b. Village Board Executive Session Minutes – July 25, 2016 c. Village Attorney Invoice – June 2016 - $21,146.45 d. Agreement for Services with Andy Frain for Crossing Guard Services e. Budget Amendment for FY 2016 – Ordinance f. Monthly Village Reports g. Monthly Accounts Payable – June 2016 - $1,321,392.92 h. Monthly Performance Measurement Report i. Village Administrator’s Report
Trustee Conti made a motion, seconded by Trustee Gibbs, to approve the Consent Agenda.
In response to a question from Trustee Cargie, Village Administrator Palm stated that the School District pays for a majority of the cost of the crossing guard program and the Village pays a small portion.
In response to a question from Trustee Corsini, Village Administrator Palm stated that the School District is aware of the increase in the cost of the contract. He noted that there will be a supervisor specifically for River Forest to insure adequate coverage for school crossings and that previously the supervisor had been shared with Oak Park.
In response to a question from Trustee Corsini, Village Administrator Palm stated the School District determines the number of crossing guards. President Adduci noted that the contract is at a negotiated hourly rate. Village Administrator Palm confirmed that the hourly rate is $15.
Trustee Gibbs indicated that it is his understanding that the School District felt the crossing guards fall under public safety and was not comfortable with that and that they referred the administration of the crossing guards to the Village.
In response to a question from Trustee Conti, Chief Weiss confirmed that the hourly rate is the employee cost plus an administrative cost. In response to a follow up question from Trustee Conti, Chief Weis stated the employee currently receives approximately $11 per hour.
Clerk Halperin noted that the July 25th Executive Session Meeting Minutes show that she was in attendance but she was absent.
Roll call:
Ayes: Trustees Conti, Gibbs, Corsini, and Cargie Absent: Trustees Dwyer and Colwell-Steinke Nays: None
Motion Passes.
6. RECOMMENDATIONS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES
a. Traffic & Safety Commission – Amend Title 9 of the Village Code – No Parking on Jackson
Avenue – Ordinance
Recommendation 1: Create “No Parking Zones” for a minimum of fifty feet on the east and west sides of Jackson Avenue, both north and south of Augusta Street.
• Staff concurs with this recommendation.
Recommendation 2: Replace the existing “Cross Traffic Does Not Stop” placard on the Jackson Avenue stop signs (at its intersection with Augusta) with a larger sign having a white background with red text and symbols and arrows.
In addition to the discussion of the Jackson Avenue/Augusta Street intersection, the Traffic and Safety Commission was also asked to clarify a recommendation made at their June 22nd meeting regarding the crosswalk on the west leg of the Chicago Avenue/Jackson Avenue intersection. At that meeting a recommendation was made to “install more permanent crosswalk signage” at this location. During the July 20th meeting, a discussion was held and the following recommendation was made:
• Staff believes that the existing signage, which complies with the MUTCD standard, is appropriate and that the creating of specialized signage without a warranted need is problematic.
Recommendation 3: Install double-sided crossing signage with a fixed mounted base within the pavement.
• Staff is concerned about placing a permanent fixture within the roadway. We believe that it would be prudent to evaluate all pedestrian access on Chicago Avenue as part of a comprehensive design study that will take place in conjunction with the Chicago Avenue Resurfacing Project.
The Village Board will need to decide to accept, reject, or modify all or some of the Commission’s recommendations.
Trustee Cargie made a motion, seconded by Trustee Corsini to Amend Title 9 of the Village Code regarding “No Parking” zones on Jackson Avenue.
Village Administrator Palm discussed the history of the recommendations and reviewed the recommendations and staff comments.
In response to a question from Trustee Corsini, Public Works Director Anderson confirmed that the traffic counts were taken in May when school was still in session. Trustee Corsini discussed residents’ concerns and suggested brightening up the crosswalks when restriping is done.
Trustee Gibbs read a portion of the memo aloud and expressed his concerns regarding the Traffic and Safety Committee’s process for addressing the issue. He stated that the Committee recommended parking changes rather than granting or denying the resident requested four way stop sign. He said that there was no notice provided to residents to give them an opportunity to comment on the reduced parking recommended by the Committee. In response to a question from Trustee Gibbs, Public Works Director Anderson stated the crossing guard puts a movable pedestrian sign in the intersection at Chicago & Jackson on school days which is removed when the crossing guard leaves for the day. In response to a question from Trustee Gibbs, Public Works Director Anderson stated the recommended signs are white with red and do not conform with the new Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) standards (black and yellow). President Adduci affirmed that the Village will adopt the new standards this evening. Trustee Gibbs called into question installing a sign that does not conform to MUTCD standards.
In response to a question from Trustee Corsini, Public Works Director Anderson stated no parking to corner signs are typically twenty feet from the corner. In response to a follow up question from Trustee Corsini, Public Works Director Anderson said he does not know the exact distance to the corner of the currently posted sign. Trustee Corsini commented that parked cars create a one lane traffic flow and said she was concerned about extending the no parking zone. She noted there have been five accidents but there are many near misses at this intersection. There was a brief discussion regarding the Traffic and Safety Committee’s recommendation.
Mr. Shaker of 1045 Franklin stated that he requested the stop sign. He discussed an accident that occurred in May and the motorist behavior he has observed at the intersection. He indicated many people believe the pedestrian sign is a stop sign and they expect motorist traveling eastbound or westbound on Augusta to stop. He discussed his understanding of the Traffic and Safety Committee recommendations.
In response to a question from President Adduci, Public Works Director Anderson stated the recommended signs and colors are to ensure consistency with MUTCD standards. President Adduci questioned whether the signage size and color is working in River Forest and whether more striping is needed. Public Works Director Anderson said the suggestion to place the pedestrian signage on the other side of the diamond is good because it is visible from the stop sign and is more obvious than a pedestrian stop sign.
Trustee Gibbs inquired whether there is a plan in place to improve the pavement markings. Public Works Director Anderson stated that it will be included in the thermal striping program in the fall.
President Adduci stated that pedestrian sign can be moved without having to go back to Traffic and Safety. Trustee Gibbs stated he concluded that Traffic and Safety rejected the four way stop sign and asked for staff’s guidance to improve the intersection as they saw fit. Trustee Corsini stated there was no closing of the loop by Traffic and Safety because there was no motion or vote on the item. President Adduci said she believes they discussed it at length. Mr. Shaker stated he is comfortable with a much larger sign indicating that cross traffic does not stop.
President Adduci recommended that the Board consider voting on what is before it and allowing staff to go back and reevaluate as this is a highly trafficked area and an unusual intersection. Public Works Director Anderson stated that he understands the concern but he is not sure how he can differentiate between this and other two-way stops in the future without having a standard.
In response to a question from Trustee Cargie, Public Works Director Anderson stated that standards include both the size and color of traffic signs.
Trustee Gibbs stated that he likes Public Works Director Anderson’s suggestions for the double-sided pedestrian crossing sign. Trustee Gibbs said that the pedestrian signs make this intersection different than other two way stop intersections.
Mr. Shaker noted that the double-sided sign was not the recommendation of the Traffic and Safety Committee and stated his concerns about the safety at that intersection.
Trustee Corsini suggested that recommendations coming to the Board from a committee or a commission should be voted up or down.
In response to a question from Trustee Cargie, Public Works Director Anderson stated he speculated that Committee determined there will be more visibility at the intersection with the no parking zone extended. President Adduci concurred that the greater visibility is desirable. Trustee Gibbs agreed with the safety aspect but expressed concerns about the residents losing parking in front of their house. Mr. Shaker stated that two of the neighbors on the corner were at the meeting and were advocating for the change.
There was a brief discussion regarding the motion on the table. Trustee Corsini suggested the next motion to consider is to direct staff to paint the crosswalks, install appropriate signage at the crosswalks, and to be consistent with the signage at the crosswalks throughout the Village.
Village Administrator Palm stated that he hears and understands Mr. Shakers concerns. He said that safety is of the utmost importance to the Village. He indicated that the Village engineer and public works staff feel signage should be consistent with the standards adopted by the Village, and he discussed the efforts made by the Village to maintain consistency in signage. He stated the Village can add the pedestrian sign and repaint the crosswalks.
President Adduci stated that the Board is answering all three recommendations. In response to a question from Trustee Corsini, President Adduci stated that the closing out of the request to install a stop sign took place when the Traffic and Safety Commission did not take it up in a motion.
In response to a question from Trustee Corsini, Public Works Director Anderson stated staff switched out the signs with the arrows with the new standard. Trustee Cargie commented that the old signs were more noticeable. Public Works Director Anderson stated the new signs are a different color and are meant to stand out. In response to a question from Trustee Corsini, Public Works Director Anderson stated there was a sign with arrows and the old colors at the intersection in question.
In response to a question from Trustee Corsini, Chief Weiss stated it is State law to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks.
Trustee Gibbs inquired whether pedestrian crossing flashing lights would be overkill and the Board generally concurred that it would be.
President Adduci thanked Mr. Shaker for coming. She suggested calling for a vote if there are no further comments or questions. Village Administrator Palm confirmed that this intersection would be included in the Chicago Avenue study in response to questions raised by Trustees Corsini and Gibbs.
Roll call:
Ayes: Trustees Conti, Gibbs, Corsini, and Cargie Absent: Trustees Dwyer and Colwell-Steinke Nays: None Motion Passes.
b. Amend Title 9 of the Village Code – Adoption of MUTCD for Traffic Control Signage –
Ordinance
Trustee Corsini made a motion, seconded by Trustee Gibbs, to incorporate the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways (MUTCD) into the Village Code to ensure that there is a codified basis for Village Traffic Control decisions.
In response to a question from Trustee Cargie, Attorney Malina stated he is not aware of any insurance benefit in adopting these standards. He noted that the Village is on the surest ground with respect to immunity when it is following the standards and that care should be taken in regard to deviation from the standards. He added that he does not have a problem with a larger sign with the standard markings and colors.
Trustee Corsini suggested looking at mapping safe passage routes for students and residents.
In response to a question from Trustee Gibbs, Public Works Director Anderson stated that the standards apply to signage.
Roll call:
Ayes: Trustees Conti, Gibbs, Corsini, and Cargie Absent: Trustees Dwyer and Colwell-Steinke Nays: None
Motion Passes.
7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Proposed Madison Street TIF District - Announcement of the availability of the amended Eligibility Study and Report, the amended Housing Impact Study, and the amended Redevelopment Plan and Project
President Adduci stated that there is no formal Board action required. She said the Village is announcing that these documents are now available to the public. She stated the Board will adopt the dates for the Joint Review Board and public hearings.
Trustee Corsini stated for the record that nothing changed from last meeting in regard to the Madison TIF. Village Administrator Palm reported that notification went out to the residents affected by the eminent domain language.
Jessica Hartshorn of 35 Park Avenue stated that a group of her neighbors organized a campaign to preserve their single family homes from potential eminent domain but they did not include the multi- family housing that fronts Madison Street. She said there is a need for more affordable housing in River Forest. She stated she reviewed the housing impact study and the demographic study and determined that 20% of River Forest’s African American residents would be impacted by eminent domain and 19% of the Asian population would also be impacted. She expressed her concern that ethnic minorities would be disproportionately impacted and displaced by eminent domain and asked the Board to consider development that would not have a disparate impact on people of color.
President Adduci noted that there are the African American population resides throughout the TIF boundaries and thanked Ms. Hartshorn for her comments.
8. NEW BUSINESS
a. Approval of Plat of Subdivision – 7820 Madison (Promenade Townhomes)
Trustee Gibbs made a motion, seconded by Trustee Conti, to approve the preliminary plat of subdivision of 7820 Madison (Promenade Townhomes) as proposed by Village staff.
Village Administrator Palm noted the request is standard for this type of development.
Roll call:
Ayes: Trustees Conti, Gibbs, Corsini, Dwyer, and Cargie Absent: Trustees Dwyer and Colwell-Steinke Nays: None
Motion Passes.
b. Collective Bargaining Agreement with FOP Lodge 46 from May 1, 2016 – April 30, 2019
Trustee Corsini made a motion, seconded by Trustee Conti, to ratify the Collective Bargaining Agreement with FOP Lodge 46 effective May 1, 2016 through April 30, 2019.
In response to a question from Trustee Cargie, Village Administrator Palm stated the employees will receive their retroactive pay with their August 31st paycheck.
In response to a question from Trustee Corsini, Village Administrator Palm stated the side letter does not have a date and it will be dependent upon the resolution of other collective bargaining questions.
Roll call:
Ayes: Trustees Conti, Gibbs, Corsini, Corsini, and Cargie Absent: Trustees Dwyer and Colwell-Steinke Nays: None
Motion Passes.
9. EXECUTIVE SESSION
10. ADJOURNMENT
Trustee Corsini made a motion seconded by Trustee Gibbs to adjourn the regular Village Board of Trustees Meeting at 7:54 p.m.
Roll call:
Ayes: Trustees Conti, Gibbs, Corsini, and Cargie Absent: Trustees Dwyer and Colwell-Steinke Nays: None
Motion Passes.
Sharon Halperin, Village Clerk
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