West Cook News

Village of River Forest Board of Trustees met April 8.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

A special meeting of the Village of River Forest Board of Trustees was held on Monday, April

8, 2019 at 6:00 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 6:02 p.m. Upon roll call, the following persons were:

Present: President Adduci, Trustees Cargie, Conti, Corsini, Gibbs, Henek, Vazquez

Absent: None

Also Present: Village Clerk Kathleen Brand-White, Village Administrator Eric Palm, Assistant

Village Administrator Lisa Scheiner, Assistant to the Village Administrator Jonathan Pape, Management Analyst Sara Phyfer, Police Chief James O’Shea, Police Commander James Greenwood, Fire Chief Kurt Bohlmann, Public Works Director John Anderson, Village Engineer Jeff Loster, Public Works Superintendent Mark Janopoulos, Finance Director Rosemary McAdams

2. CITIZEN COMMENTS

None.

3. PUBLIC HEARING – FY 2020 VILLAGE OPERATING BUDGET

President Adduci opened the Public Hearing at 6:05 p.m.

Village Administrator Palm presented the FY 2020 Village Operating Budget to the Board.

In response to a question from Trustee Cargie, Administrator Palm explained that the $94,273 deficit only includes the one-time expenses identified for the non-recurring expenses this year.

In response to a question from President Adduci, Administrator Palm identified the Chicago & Harlem building permit as a one-time revenue source in FY 2020 that causes the FY 2021 revenue projections to decrease.

In response to a question from Trustee Cargie, Administrator Palm explained that the water bond was an alternative revenue bond, which pledges existing revenue.

In response to a question from Trustee Cargie, Director Anderson clarified that the deployable leak sensors are $1,000 each and 10 have been purchased and are being tested, so the $107,380 in the Water/Sewer Fund CIP would cover the rest of the Village. Public Works Superintendent Mark Janopoulos stated they are like having a leak alarm system on the water line.

In response to a question from President Adduci, Administrator Palm stated the City of Chicago would not be rolling off their water rate increases and this summer will increase to the same as the CPI (.82%.)

In response to a question from Trustee Cargie, Administrator Palm stated the fire pension was not as well funded as the police pension due to a lower rate of return on investments, which is why the pension obligation is higher.

In response to a question from Trustee Cargie, Administrator Palm supposed building permit fees are likely higher in River Forest than in other communities, but that no survey has been completed recently.

In response to a subsequent question from Trustee Cargie, Administrator Palm stated the West Suburban Consolidated Dispatch Center fee is relative to calls for service. He also confirmed that Staff is evaluating internal procedures. The Board discussed the possibility of a 311 or automated service to respond to non-emergencies.

Trustee Corsini thanked the department heads for their work. She suggested the Board consider policies on how to schedule paying back inter-fund transfers as the increment comes in from the TIF funds. She further suggested considering the impact of the water rate to cover loans as the Village works to reduce water consumption.

In response to a question from Trustee Corsini, Administrator Palm stated the River Forest Library is planning to renovate their front counter lobby area.

In response to a question from Trustee Gibbs, Administrator Palm confirmed Phase 2 of the sewer project is designed, permitted, and shovel-ready. He stated the intent was to see how Phase 1 went before committing to Phase 2. President Adduci stated that Phase 2 of the project has been combined with other municipalities that are looking for capital projects from the State. She added that this project and the Harlem viaduct are both in the Village’s request.

4. ADJOURNMENT

Trustee Gibbs made a motion seconded by Trustee Conti, to close the Public Hearing and adjourn the Special Village Board of Trustees Meeting at 6:50 p.m.

Roll call:

Ayes:

Absent:

Nays:

Motion Passes.

https://vrf.us/uploads/cms/documents/events/4-08-2019_River_Forest_SVBOT_Meeting_Minutes.pdf