West Cook News

REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MINUTES 

December 12,2016

A regular meeting of the Village of River Forest Board of Trustees was held on Monday, December 12, 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 7:00 p.m. Upon roil call, the following persons were present:

Present: President Adduci, Trustees Corsini, Cargie, Dwyer, and Gibbs Absent: Trustees Conti and Colwell-Steinke Also Present: Village Clerk Sharon Halperin, Village Administrator Eric Palm, Assistant Village Administrator Lisa Schemer, Police Chief Greg Weiss, Fire Chief Jim Eggert, Finance Director Joan Rock, Public Works Director John Anderson, Management Intern Jonathan Pape, Village Attorneys Lance Malina and Greg Smith

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

President Adduci led the pledge of allegiance.

3. CITIZENS COMMENTS

4. ELECTED OFFICIALS COMMENTS AND ANNOUCEMENTS

Trustee Corsini thanked members of the audience for attending the meeting. She said she would like to request a discussion about having the Village's Boards and Commissions attend a Board meeting and provide an annual update on their activities as well as proposed initiatives. She said she would like to have this information either leading into the goal setting session or the budget process.

Trustee Cargie stated that the train crossing on Keystone just off Augusta keeps going off at random times. Village Administrator Palm stated that the Village received a resident complaint and Public Works Director Anderson has been in touch with Canadian National about this issue.

Trustee Dwyer stated that his term is up in 2017 and he has submitted his candidacy papers today for another term.

Trustee Gibbs wished his fellow Board members and the residents Flappy Holidays.

President Adduci wished everyone a Happy Holidays. She discussed her role in the Illinois Municipal League (TML) and asked that a copy of the 2017 legislative initiatives be provided to the Board. She said that she and Village Administrator Palm attended a PlanltGreen forum last week and made a presentation regarding the Village's sustainability efforts.

a. Presentation Honoring the 2016 12U Girls Little League Team

President Adduci recognized the 12U Girls Little League Team for their successful 2016 season. River Forest Youth Basebali/Softball League President Greg White stated that this team went farther than any other team in the sixty-three year history of the League. He discussed the dedication of the team and commended the girls on their sportsmanship. Mike Grant, head coach, thanked Joe Padula, and Brian Kita (coach) and Bryan Hoffman (pitching coach) who were not present. He thanked the girls, parents, River Forest Youth Baseball Softball Board, and the volunteers. He discussed an app called Game Changer that allowed those who were unable to attend the games to watch them in real time. Joe Padula said it was an honor to coach the girls and discuss friendships that were made with other team members. President Adduci presented certificates to the coaches and athletes in attendance.

b. Presentation of Achievement/Resolution Plaque to Sister Michelle of Trinity High School

President Adduci read the Resolution recognizing Trinity High School for the recognition received by Newsweek Magazine for the school's International Baccalaureate Programme. She presented a plaque to Sister Michelle Germanson who related the history of Trinity High School and the steps they took to earn the recognition.

5. CONSENT AGENDA

a. Regular Village Board Meeting Minutes - November 7, 2016 b. Executive Session Minutes-November 7, 2016 c. Approve 2017 Schedule of Public Meetings d. Amend Title 1 of the Village Code - Travel Expense Policy - Ordinance e. Amend Village Personnel Policy Manual - Overnight Travel f. Proclamation - Mayors Monarch Butterfly Pledge g. Metropolitan Mayors Caucus Greenest Region Compact 2 - Resolution h. Amend Title 8 of the Village Code - Reduce Class 1 Liquor License to 0 (LaMajada) -

Ordinance i. Monthly Department Reports j. Monthly Financial Report - November 2016 k. November 2016 Accounts Payable - $2,103,931.23 1. Performance Measurement Report m. Employment Agreement Amendment - Village Administrator n. Village Administrators Report

Trustee Dwyer made a motion, seconded by Trustee Gibbs, to approve the Consent Agenda.

Roll call:

Ayes: Trustees Gibbs, Corsini, Dwyer, and Cargie Absent: Trustees Colwell-Steinke and Conti Nays: None

Motion Passes.

6. RECOMMENDATIONS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES

7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

8. NEW BUSINESS

a. Policy for Planned Developments & Zoning Variations of Historical Properties

Trustee Cargie made a motion, seconded by Trustee Corsini, to adopt a policy regarding input from the Historic Preservation Commission for planned development applications and zoning variations.

Trustee Corsini requested the background for this item. Village Administrator Palm stated that this came up when the Village revised the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) Ordinance and when he, President Adduci, Frank Martin, Tom Hazinski, and Tom Zurowski met. He said that Mr. Zurowski stated that there have been instances where either a zoning variation or a planned development application involved a significant property. Mr. Zurowski said there should be consistency in how the Village handles these. He discussed how Community Bank was forthright and willing to work with the Village in regard to preserving the historic nature of the Drummond Building and met with the HPC prior to restarting the planned development process. Village Administrator Palm stated that approach seemed to work well and the Village concluded it would be best to have the HPC on the front end of the process. Assistant Village Administrator Scheiner discussed a variance request for a garage which was designed to match the historically significant home. She said it was denied by the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) and the homeowners appealed to the HPC. Village Administrator Palm stated the variation process would start at the HPC and those discussions would take place prior to the zoning public hearing. In regard to demolition of a significant property, he stated the demolition delay period would start with the initial HPC meeting to avoid increasing the time on the clock.

Trustee Corsini stated she believes the Ordinance specifically says when the permit is issued and she wondered if an amendment is required. Village Administrator Palm stated that can be reviewed but the intent is that they would run concurrently. Assistant Village Administrator Scheiner stated that initially it would be from the date the demolition application is filed but it would be better to review alternatives before there is a decision made to demolish the structure.

In response to a question from Trustee Corsini, Village Administrator Palm stated the policy is what governs it and there may not need to be a referral to the policy.

In response to a question from Trustee Corsini, Assistant Village Administrator Scheiner stated the garage previously discussed is a secondary structure.

Trustee Gibbs stated that the documents required prior to going before the HPC should be spelled out in the Ordinance and should be consistent. Assistant Village Administrator Scheiner discussed the type of documents that would be required. Trustee Gibbs suggested that the HPC would have different questions than the ZBA and by outlining the documents required, it would allow the applicant to properly prepare for the meeting with the HPC. Trustee Gibbs reiterated that it is in the best interest of the applicant as well as the HPC for the applicant to have the appropriate documents. Assistant Village Administrator Scheiner stated staff has been notifying applicants of the required documents as part of a customer service function.

Roll call:

Ayes: Trustees Dwyer, Gibbs, Corsini, and Cargie Absent: Trustees Colwell-Steinke and Conti Nays: None

Motion Passes.

b. Public Hearing - Special Service Area #10 (Promenade Townhomes)

President Adduci called the Public Hearing to order at 7:42 p.m. Upon roll call, the following persons were present:

Present: President Adduci, Trustees Corsini, Cargie, Dwyer, and Gibbs Absent: Trustees Conti and Colwell-Steinke Also Present: Village Clerk Sharon Halperin, Assistant Village Administrator Lisa Scheiner, Police Chief Greg Weiss, Fire Chief Jim Eggert, Finance Director Joan Rock, Public Works Director John Anderson, Management Intern Jonathan Pape, Village Attorneys Lance Malina and Greg Smith

President Adduci stated that there are no public comments. She invited comments from the Village Board of Trustees.

Village Clerk Halperin asked if the Special Service Area (SSA) applies only to the property located at 7820 W. Madison Street. Village Administrator Palm affirmed the address and stated that it is where the townhomes will be located. Fie said the SSA is meant to be a dormant SSA in the event that the home owners' association (HOA) fails in some way. Fie added that he hopes the Village never needs to use it but it is there if needed.

In response to a question from Trustee Gibbs, Village Administrator Palm stated that procedurally it will not be adopted tonight but will be adopted at the first meeting in January if there are no objections.

Trustee Cargie asked if this would run with the land even though the future owners do not have an opportunity to comment. Village Administrator Palm said it would. Village Attorney Malina added that it can come in handy if the HOA fails to take action.

In response to a question from Village Clerk Halperin, Village Administrator Palm stated that when a buyer closes on a unit, the Village will likely get inquiries about it. He noted that staff will provide an explanation. In response to a follow up question from Trustee Corsini, Village Administrator Palm stated that SSA #10 will appear on the tax bill every year. Village Clerk Halperin said the SSA is noted when it goes to sell.

In response to a question from Trustee Cargie, there was a brief discussion and Village Administrator Palm said he believes there is no expiration. In response to a question from Trustee Corsini, Village Administrator Palm stated the payments are spread over a five year period.

In response to a question from Village Clerk Halperin, Village Administrator Palm stated this is the first SSA of this kind. In response to a question from Trustee Corsini, Village Attorney Malina stated this is a back stop rather than a funding mechanism. Village Attorney Palm noted that this was common in the western suburbs because HOAs were required to be primary in terms of stormwater management. He called attention to multifamily properties throughout town where the parking lots are in disrepair because there is no HOA and he stated that the Village does not have a vehicle to address these issues. He recommended that the Board adopt this. Village Attorney Malina stated this is best practice

Trustee Dwyer made a motion, seconded by Trustee Corsini, to close the public hearing.

Roll call:

Ayes: Trustees Dwyer, Gibbs, Corsini, and Cargie 

Absent: Trustees Colwell-Steinke, and Conti 

Nays: None

Motion Passes.

Village Attorney Malina stated that effective January 1, 2017, Village Attorney Greg Smith will be "first chair" as the Village's Attorney at Board Meetings. Trustee Corsini and other members of the Village Board thanked Village Attorney Malina for his service to the Village. Village Attorney Malina shared a story about how he came to be the Village's Attorney and thanked the Village Board for the opportunity.

9. EXECUTIVE SESSION

Trustee Cargie made a motion seconded by Trustee Dwyer to recess to Executive Session to discuss the acquisition of real property.

Roll call:

Ayes: Trustees Gibbs, Corsini, Cargie, and Dwyer Absent: Trustees Colwell-Steinke, and Conti Nays: None

Motion Passes.

Call To Order/Roll Call Return to Regular Session

The Board returned to Regular Session at 8:13 p.m. Upon roll call, the following persons were present:

President Adduci, Trustees Cargie, Dwyer, Corsini, and Gibbs

Absent: Trustees Colwell-Steinke, and Conti

Also Present: Village Administrator Palm, Assistant Village Administrator Scheiner, Management Analyst Pape, Village Attorney Malina and Attorney Smith.

December 12,2016

10. ADJOURNMENT

Trustee Glbbs made a motion seconded by Trustee Corsini, to adjourn the regular Village Board of Trustees Meeting at 8:14 p.m.

Roll call:

Ayes: Trustees Conti, Dwyer, Gibbs, Corsini, Colweil-Steinke, and Cargie Absent: Trustees Colweil-Steinke, and Conti Nays: None

Motion Passes.

Sharon Halperin, Village Clerk