Village of Riverside Board of Trustees met May 3.
Here is the minutes provided by the Board:
I.Call to Order: The Regular Meeting of the Village of Riverside Board of Trustees was held on Thursday, May 3, 2018, in Room 4 of the Riverside Township Hall, 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, IL. President Sells called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
II. Roll Call: Present: President Sells
Trustee Pollock
Trustee Jisa
Trustee Lumsden
Trustee Ballerine
Trustee Sedivy
Trustee Peters
Absent: None
Also Present: Village Manager Frances
Village Attorney Malina
Village Clerk Haley
Roll Call: Present: President Sells
Trustee Pollock Trustee Jisa Trustee Lumsden Trustee Ballerine Trustee Sedivy Trustee Peters
Absent: None
Also Present: Village Manager Frances
Village Attorney Malina Village Clerk Haley
III. Pledge of Allegiance
IV. Presentations / Public Comment
A. Public Comment
Resident Alexander Gallegos addressed the board on behalf of the Lions Club. He announced that Bob Finn is the 2018 Bill Jansky Citizenship Award winner. Mr. Finn will be honored at the Lions Club dinner meeting at Caledonia House on Tuesday, May 8. Nominations are now being accepted for Riverside’s 2018 Person of the Year.
President Sells congratulated Mr. Finn on his award and thanked him for his service to the community.
V. Reports of Village Offices
A. Village President’s Report
1. Motion to appoint David Rubin to the Landscape Advisory Commission to fill a vacancy, term to expire in 2019
President Sells noted that presently, the Landscape Advisory Commission has a vacancy. He recommended the appointment of David Rubin to the Landscape Advisory Commission to fill the vacancy.
Trustee Lumsden made a motion to approve the appointment. Trustee Pollock seconded.
Ayes: Trustees Pollock, Jisa, Lumsden, Ballerine, Sedivy and Peters.
Nays: None.
Motion passed.
President Sells thanked retiring Parks & Recreation Board Members: Katheryn Leander, Ron Ritzler and James Brand for their tireless service on the Parks & Recreation Board.
2. Proclamation: World Migratory Bird Day in Riverside
President Sells read the proclamation and explained that it is part of a larger village initiative focusing on Riverside’s natural beauty. There will be a bird walk on May 12 at 9 am starting at the library. On May 19, there will be a native plant sale in the village parking lot across from Riverside Foods. The sale is being held in conjunction with the Audubon society. He urged residents to visit the village website and view the birding page. He noted that staff is working with the Audubon Society to designate Riverside as a migratory bird habitat. He stated that on a recent walk, he saw a Scarlet Tanager, a Bald Eagle and a Great Blue Heron. He urged residents to keep their cats indoors to prevent migratory bird predation and asked that people use care with regard to the placement of bird feeders to minimize the chance of bird strikes. Information on proper bird feeder location can be found on the Birding page of the village website.
President Sells stated that he and Manager Frances, along with Public Works Director Bailey and staff recently met with MWRD President Mariyana Spriopoulos and her aids. The MWRD recently awarded the village a $560,000 grant to resurface the commuter parking lot with permeable pavers.
Trustee Sedivy asks about the MWRD interceptor project. Director Bailey stated that the project was scheduled to restart this week. It is currently 70-80% complete. Once the project restarts, work should be completed in Riverside within 3-4 months. The contractor will primarily be working south of the BNSF railroad tracks on Riverside Road. There may be intermittent work on Forest Avenue such as patching the roadway.
B. Village Manager’s Report
• The Finance Department received the distinguished budget award for the 2017 Budget.
• Residents should sign up for the Eflash to get the latest updates on the Groveland Floodwall.
• The WSSRA Membership application is moving forward. In anticipation of Riverside’s membership being approved in September, the organization intends to offer residents access to program registration when it begins in August.
• Lights are being installed on the Forest Avenue Bridge and should be illuminated by the end of the month.
• The WC3 consolidated dispatch center will go live on the morning of May 8. There will be no disruption in 911 service. Manager Frances thanked village staff and staff from Brookfield, North Riverside and McCook. There will still be a secure lobby in Riverside, but residents should no longer call the police non-emergency phone number after hours. They should call 911.
VI. Approval of Consent Agenda
A. Ratify Voucher List of Bills April 19, 2018
B. Approve Voucher List of Bills May 3, 2018
C. Approve Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Minutes April 5, 2018
D. File and review Historical Commission Meeting Minutes February 19, 2018
E. File and review Historical Commission Meeting Minutes March 19, 2018
F. File and review Landscape Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes March 13, 2018
G. File and review Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes February 28, 2018
H. File and review Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes March 28, 2018
I. File and review Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes February 8, 2018
J. File and review Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes March 9, 2018
K. File and review Riverside TV Commission Meeting Minutes March 12, 2018
L. File and review Community Development Department March 2018 Monthly Report
M. File and review Finance Department March 2018 Monthly Report
N. File and review Fire Department March 2018 Monthly Report
O. File and review Police Department March 2018 Monthly Report
P. File and review Police Department Quarterly Report 2018 First Quarter
Q. File and review Police Department 2017 Annual Report
R. A Resolution authorizing the Village Manager to execute an at-risk construction management contract for a designer-led and design-build project for a not to exceed price of $1,336,620 for the First Division Paving Project
S. A Resolution approving and authorizing the Village Manager to execute Operation and Maintenance Plans for Permeable Pavement Systems and Bioswales, Rain Garden and Bioretention Systems for Commuter Lot #1 Green Parking Lot
T. A Resolution adopting the Village of Riverside Park Bench Policy
U. An Ordinance amending Sections 9-1-18 (Through, Stop Streets Designated) of the Village Code of the Village of Riverside, Illinois, relative to Stop Intersections
President Sells announced that two items would be removed from the Consent Agenda for discussion: VI.R. and VI.T. He then read the remaining Consent Agenda items aloud and asked for a motion and second to approve the items not being removed for discussion. Trustee Sedivy made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda (except items R. and T.)
Trustee Jisa seconded the motion.
Ayes: Trustees Pollock, Jisa, Lumsden, Ballerine, Sedivy and Peters.
Nays: None. Motion Passed.
Discussion of Item VI.R.
R. A Resolution authorizing the Village Manager to execute an at-risk construction management contract for a designer-led and design-build project for a not to exceed price of $1,336,620 for the First Division Paving Project
President Sells noted that this item was removed from the Consent Agenda at the request of Trustee Ballerine who has some business dealings with one of the contractors and thought it appropriate to recuse himself from the vote. He asked for a motion and second to approve the resolution. Trustee Pollock made a motion to approve the Resolution.
Trustee Lumsden seconded the motion.
Ayes: Trustees Pollock, Jisa, Lumsden, Sedivy and Peters.
Nays: None.
Abstain: Trustee Ballerine.
Motion passed.
Discussion of Item VI.T.
T. A Resolution adopting the Village of Riverside Park Bench Policy
President Sells asked for additional details with regard to determining how benches will be approved: specifically, what donation amount is acceptable, what locations and messages would be acceptable, and who would review locations and messages. Director Bailey stated that most park bench requests are for placement in the landscape. This is why he recommends review by the Landscape Advisory Commission. He does not think it is appropriate to accept memorials for benches in the Central Business District or plaques that promote anything controversial. He noted that there are 50 benches in the village that do not currently have memorial plaques.
Trustee Ballerine suggested that all existing benches be memorialized before any new benches are added. He further recommended that if a new bench is being purchased, it should replace an old wood and concrete bench. He stated that there was a memorial bench program in 1992.
Trustee Peters asked if a memorial would go on in perpetuity. Bailey advised that it would and should; however, the village does not have the funds to replace deteriorated benches.
Trustee Jisa suggested that the price for a bench or a plaque on an existing bench should be $2,500 and funds should be used to replace the older wood and concrete and benches with the new style benches being used in the Central Business District.
Trustee Ballerine stated that he does not object to memorializing benches in the CBD.
Village Attorney Malina stated that the policy must provide parameters regarding messages and they must be applied uniformly. He will work with Director Bailey to review and revise the policy and Director Bailey will bring the policy back to the Board for further review at a later date.
VII. Reports of Departments, Commissions and Trustee Liaisons – None.
President Sells asked Chief Weitzel to speak with regard to the traffic lights at the intersection of First Avenue & Forest Avenue. Chief Weitzel stated that after an incident the previous week where a 16 year old Riverside boy was struck by a car at the intersection at approximately 8:15 p.m., there were some posts on social media stating that the police had been aware of the lights malfunctioning for months and had done nothing to address the situation. Chief Weitzel stated that this is not the case. The department has received 3 or 4 calls during the past several months stating that the lights are not functioning properly. Each time the department received a call, they responded to the intersection to check the lights. They have also contacted the contractor responsible for maintaining the lights per the IDOT contract and the contractor has responded each time as well. Per the terms of the IDOT contract, the contractor, Lyons-Pinner must respond to the scene within 1 hour of receiving a call. Weitzel noted that the temporary lights at the intersection do not function the same way the permanent lights will function once the project is completed. The temporary lights are on a circuit that goes all the way to Maywood. If there is an accident on First Avenue near the Eisenhower Expressway and traffic comes to a standstill in that location, the stop lights at the intersection of First & Forest will be impacted as well. Weitzel assured the board and residents that each time the department received a call, the department and the contractor have gone to investigate and found the lights to be in working order.
VIII. Ordinances and Resolutions – None.
IX. Considerations
A.Discussion of Planning and Zoning Commission Recommendations on possible Zoning Code amendments to address front loaded attached garages
Community Development Director Abt noted that the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency and National Park Service have expressed some concern about the impact new construction is having on the National Landmark Designation of the Village. The primary concern is the use of front facing attached garages. The Preservation Commission discussed the matter at their August 10, 2017, Regular Meeting and commissioners expressed concern that although the Zoning Ordinance encourages rear loading garages, it does not prohibit front loaded garages and although it has standards meant to minimize the negative architectural impacts of front loaded garages, they are still being built and having a negative impact on the Village’s character and therefore its landmark designation. Some expressed support for a ban on front loaded garages and the commission overall felt that the impact of front loaded garages is not on an individual basis, but in the aggregate. Olmsted’s design maximizes the view of green space while minimizing the view of pavement. The introduction of front loaded attached garages switches the focus from pedestrians to vehicles. The pavement and streetscape becomes vehicle centric as front loading garages add significant amounts of pavement to the front yard which are visible from the street and public space.
The Village Board discussed the topic at their December 7, 2017, meeting and a majority concurred that new development with front loading garages does have an impact on the character of a neighborhood. The Board directed Staff to research the matter and work with the Planning and Zoning Commission to propose options for regulating front loaded attached garages. They also asked that the PZC consider sustainability as well.
Staff has researched what other communities are doing to regulate attached front loaded garages. None of the communities surveyed prohibited attached front load garages but many communities incentivize detached garages, though only a few communities had attached garage design standards. Riverside already limits the width of front loading attached garages to (50%) of the width of the front façade of the house and regulates the size of garage doors and how far an attached garage can project from the front façade of a house.
Staff also researched design guidelines from other communities and development patterns over the past few years.
With regard sustainability, it was noted that a broader view of the topic includes the impacts of remodeling vs. new construction and one study indicates that building reuse almost always has fewer environmental impacts than new construction. It was also noted that most of the existing homes in Riverside are on 50 ft. wide lots so there is very limited ability to add a front loaded attached garage to an existing home. Therefore the opportunity for attached front loaded garages is primarily with tear downs and vacant lots. The PZC also determined that driveway width was of primary concern in reducing the impact of front loaded attached garages.
After discussing the various aspects of this matter over several meetings, the PZC recommended changes to the code to minimize the impact of attached front loaded garages and incentivize detached garages and staff drafted a text amendment incorporating the recommendations.
Trustee Pollock stated that he had given the issue a lot of thought and provided the board with some additional recommendations to consider. Trustee Lumsden expressed concern that the proposed changes are overcomplicated and he cautioned against over-codifying the issue. He believes making the regulations too complicated will further fuel teardowns because people will find it easier to start from scratch than work with what exists.
Village Attorney Malina stated that the variation process could play into this issue. The definition of hardship could apply, especially if preservation of the existing structure is the goal.
Trustee Lumsden asked about incenting permeable surfaces. Director Abt stated that the PZC did consider this issue and there are already incentives for permeable surfaces.
Trustee Pollock reminded everyone that the board does not need to work out all the details tonight. The board simply needs to decide whether or not to direct the PZC to hold a public hearing on the issue.
Trustee Lumsden stated that sustainable design should be the top priority and again cautioned against making the regulations too complicated. He also inquired about the proposed 3 foot separation between a house and garage and noted that such a small separation between the two structures would mandate the use of fire rated materials. Director Abt stated that there were several considerations that came into play when deciding on the 3 foot separation. She noted that if a garage is set farther back from the house, it necessitates a longer driveway and results in less back yard green space and permeable surface for the property owner.
A discussion of driveway width and the permitted flare of driveway aprons ensued and there was concern regarding the difficulties created by the narrowness of village streets and the turning radios of various vehicles, especially when cars are parked directly across the street from a driveway. Trustee Lumsden was not supportive of the proposed ordinance as currently drafted and expressed support for further refinement.
Consensus: Direct the Planning and Zoning Commission to hold a public hearing on possible Zoning Code amendments to address front loaded attached garages.
B. Facilities Evaluations Presentation by Williams Architects
Chief Weitzel introduced Mark Bushhouse of Williams Architects who gave a PowerPoint presentation on the firm’s initial findings regarding village owned facilities. A copy of the PowerPoint presentation is attached to and forms a part of these minutes. Overall, the firm found many deficiencies in the existing buildings and also noted that available parking is insufficient. The firm’s full report will be available on the village website. The next phase of the project is the space needs analysis which the firm is currently preparing.
Consensus: Accept the Existing Facility Evaluation report, Historical Review and Redevelopment Guidelines as presented.
Trustee Lumsden asked if the Police Department will still need to house prisoners once the WC3 Combined Dispatch Center is operational or if all prisoners will now be housed at the North Riverside Police Department. It was noted that there may still be times when prisoners will need to be housed at the Riverside Police Department. The department will also still need to maintain their evidence storage area.
X. New Business – None.
XI. Adjournment
With no New Business to discuss and nothing further to discuss in the open meeting, President Sells called for a motion and second to adjourn to Executive Session to discuss Collective Bargaining Matters and Consider the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees.
Trustee Lumsden made a motion to adjourn to Executive Session. Trustee Peters seconded the motion.
Ayes: Trustees Pollock, Jisa, Lumsden, Ballerine, Sedivy and Peters.
Nays: None.
Motion passed.
President Sells declared the meeting adjourned at 8:53 p.m.
XII. Executive Session
http://www.riverside.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_05032018-719
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