Village of River Forest Board of Trustees met May 8.
Here is the minutes provided by the Board:
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 Cargie, Colwell-Steinke, Conti, Corsini, Dwyer, and Gibbs
Absent: None
Also Present: Village Clerk Sharon Halperin, Village Administrator Eric Palm, Assistant Village Administrator Lisa Schemer, Management Analyst Jon Pape, Police Chief Greg Weiss, Deputy Police Chief James O'Shea, Police Commander Daniel Dhooghe, Fire Chief Jim Eggert, Assistant Finance Director Cheryl Scott, Public Works Director John Anderson, Village Attorney Greg Smith
2. Pledge of Allegiance
President Adduci led the pledge of allegiance.
3. Citizens Comments
4. Elected Officials Comments and Announcements
Trustee Gibbs stated that public service is rewarding and thanked the outgoing board members for their comradery, dedication and service to community.
Trustee Dwyer stated he has enjoyed his time on the Board and has learned a great deal. He asked for thoughts and prayers for the Connolly family.
Trustee Conti echoed Trustee Dwyer's concern for the Connolly family and echoed Taistee Gibbs comments regarding the outgoing board members. She added that the over the last four years the board members have been terrific and the outgoing members have contributed mightily. She described the unique contributions of each and wished them luck in the future.
Trustee Cargie echoed Trustee Conti's and Trustee Gibbs' comments about outgoing board members. He encouraged them to continue to serve the Village in some other capacity. He thanked the Village for re-electing him to the Board. He also requested prayers for the Connolly family.
Trustee Corsini added that everyone in attendance is holding the Connolly family in their hearts and hoping for good news. She reminded everyone about Celebrating Seniors week which runs from May 18Th through the 25th. She noted that the Fire Department was represented at the 37th Annual 100 Club Valor Awards Ceremony and Reception which celebrates the contributions of police officers and firefighters. Trustee Corsini reported that the Board received a letter thanking the Village for opting out of the Cook County wage and sick leave provisions. She congratulated Ellie Bourgikos, an Oak Park River Forest High School (OPRF) student, for placing first in the national 3P's Speech Invitational for Informative Speaking. The events Trustee Corsini discussed included the Citizens Corp TripComm exercise, Thrive event, and the recent house walk event of which she attended all but the house walk. She thanked fellow Board members for serving and said she enjoyed working with them.
President Adduci said she echoes previous trustee comments regarding the Connelly family and added that thoughts and prayers are with them and for a safe return for Madeline. She wished all the moms a Happy Mother's Day.
5. Consent Agenda
a. Regular Village Board Meeting Minutes - April 24, 2017
b. Executive Session Meeting Minutes - April 24, 2017
c. Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes - November 21, 2016
d. Approve the Release of Executive Session Minutes - January 14, 2013, May 28, 2013, August 19, 2013, April 15, 2014, April 28, 2014, May 12, 2014, April 27, 2015 and Approve the Destruction of All Executive Session Tape Recordings dated December 29, 2014 or earlier for which Executive Session Minutes have been approved.
e. Award of Bid and Contract - 2037 Water Main Improvements to Unique Plumbing for $366,328
f. Waive Formal Bid Process and Award of Contract for the 2017 Pavement Preservation Program to Denier Inc. for $33,600
g. Village Attorney Invoice - March 2017 - $12,123.53
h. Monthly Department Reports
i. Monthly Performance Measurement Report
j. Village Administrator's Report
Trustee Gibbs made a motion, seconded by Trustee Colwell-Steinke, to approve the Consent Agenda.
Roll call:
Ayes: Trustees Cargie, Colwell-Steinke, Gibbs, Corsini, Dwyer, and Conti
Absent: None
Nays: None
Motion Passes.
6. Board, Committee and Commission Reports
a. Collaboration Committee - Approval of Consulting Agreement with Jasculca Terman for Village-wide Resident Survey
Trustee Cargie made a motion, seconded by Trustee Colwell-Steinke, to authorize the Village Staff to execute the contract with Jasculca Terman on behalf of the Collaboration Committee.
Jon Pape, Management Analyst, reviewed the recommendation of the Collaboration Committee to conduct a survey that would identify what should be communicated and how that information should be communicated.
Trustee Cargie stated that the goal is to try to figure out the highlights for each organization. He said that initially the Committee thought this would be an adjunct to the community calendar. He stated that the question the Committee has is how to identify the information that matters to their target audience.
President Adduci indicated that the audiences identified with the survey are people that the Village wants to communicate with.
In response to a comment from Trustee Cargie, Management Analyst Pape stated that the commonality is that all agencies are trying to reach the cross-over, non-traditional audience so it makes sense to use one common survey.
In response to a question from Trustee Corsini, Management Analyst Pape stated that the target audience is River Forest residents. Trustee Cargie added that the reason he asked President Adduci to put this on the agenda was not only so that the Village Board can approve the contract but so that they would also endorse the goal.
In response to a question from Trustee Gibbs, Management Analyst Pape stated that in regard to the OPRF high school communications audience, the survey would target only River Forest residents. There was a brief discussion regarding the differences between the previous survey and the proposed survey. Management Analyst Pape pointed out that the previous survey was directed toward social media engagement while this survey attempts to seek information about different topics and to capture a wider audience.
Roll call:
Ayes: Trustees Cargie, Colwell-Steinke, Gibbs, Corsini, Dwyer, and Conti
Absent: None
Nays: None
Motion Passes.
7. Unfinished Business
8. New Business
9. Comments to and from Outgoing Elected Officials, Village Clerk Sharon Halperin, Village Trustee Thomas Dwyer And Village Trustee Roma Colwell-Steinke
Village Clerk Halperin said she is honored to have worked with the Board and thanked them for their insights. She thanked the Village staff for their dedication and collaboration which makes the Village a great place to live. She thanked her family for their support. She said it has been a great experience.
Trustee Dwyer stated that he reiterates Village Clerk Halperin's comments. He said this has been a great experience and he appreciated working with staff and elected officials.
Trustee Colwell-Steinlce stated she served as Village Clerk for four years and then four years on the Village Board as a trustee. She shared her thoughts on the vision and leadership of Presidents Rigas and Adduci. She discussed the difficulty of voting on issues where there were strong opinions on both sides and the importance of hearing the viewpoints of others. She thanked staff, elected officials, and village attorneys for their unique talents and expertise. She encouraged others to raise their hands to volunteer and ask questions because she has found it has resulted in powerful life experiences.
President Adduci recognized Clerk Halperin, Trustee Dwyer and Trustee Colwell-Stcinke and presented each of them with a plaque in honor of their service.
10. Adjournment Sine Die
Trustee Corsini made a motion seconded by Trustee Dwyer, to adjourn sine die the regular Village Board of Trustees Meeting at 7:35 p.m.
Roll call:
Ayes: Trustees Cargie, Colwell-Steinke, Conti, Dwyer, Gibbs, and Corsini
Absent: None
Nays: None
Motion Passes.
11. Swearing in of Newly Elected Officials
a. Village Clerk Kathleen Brand-White
b. Village President Catherine Adduci
c. Village Trustee Thomas Cargie
d. Village Trustee Patricia Henek
e. Village Trustee Respicio Vazquez
Village Clerk Halperin administered the oath of office to Clerk-elect Kathleen Brand-White.
Village Clerk Brand-White administered the oath office to Trustee-elect Thomas Cargie, Trustee-elect Patricia Henek, Trustee-elect Respicio Vazquez, and Village President Catherine Adduci.
12. State of the Village Address from Village President Catherine Adduci
President Adduci delivered her third annual State of the Village address. She discussed the conscious investments the Village has made in time, manpower, and funds to ensure it delivers the services in the most efficient means possible to the residents, businesses, and institutions of River Forest. She noted that the Village passed a balanced budget for the seventh consecutive year. She stated that the vision of the Board of Trustees and her remains unchanged.
President Adduci discussed the Village's priorities. She stated the Village will continue to improve roads, sewers, lighting, and to keep roads clear. In the area of law enforcement, she said the Village will continue to train first responders, maximize the use of technology, upgrade and expand the street camera system, and step up community education. She reported that the Fire Department will take delivery of a new fire engine. President Adduci stated the Village will continue to practice a reasoned approach to its pension obligations. She indicated the difficulties the Village faces with the budget stalemate in Springfield. She maintained that economic development will remain a top priority. She discussed projects underway and those planned for the immediate future.
President Adduci discussed the importance of transparency. She reported on steps taken to expand the Village's outreach which include a Facebook page that was launched in the spring and a new website which will be launched this summer. She discussed the new Sustainability Commission's role and reported that the Historic Preservation Commission is working on a scries of initiatives to continue conserving the Village's extraordinary streetscape. She indicated that the Village will be updating its comprehensive plan which has not been updated since 2003. President Adduci acknowledged the trustees and staff who work on behalf of the Village.
Looking ahead, President Adduci stated Village officials need to assess how River Forest Village Government can focus more on improving quality of life for residents and indicated that the quality of life in the Village will strengthen property values and help stabilize property taxes. She asked public safety management to meet with the Board to discuss the challenges and opportunities that exist in helping at-risk residents. President Adduci called on the residents of River Forest to become and remain engaged in the community. She stressed the importance of hearing from the community and working together to realize the Village motto: Proud Heritage, Bright Future.
13. Remarks
Trustee Henek stated she excited to be at the table and discussed her involvement in the community. She said she is looking forward to working with the Board to improve as much as they can in the Village.
Clerk Brand-White thanked everyone for supporting her. She said she is looking forward to learning and contributing in whatever way she can.
Trustee Vazquez stated he is also excited about the opportunity to work with the Board, the community, and Village administration and staff He thanked the outgoing board members for their service to the community.
President Adduci expressed her gratitude to the community for re-electing her as Village President. She said it is an honor to lead the Village. She stated that the Board makes her job easier, and she expressed her appreciation to the trustees.
http://www.river-forest.us/government/agendas-a-minutes?format=raw&task=download&fid=1914
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