Village of River Forest Board of Trustees met March 9.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
A regular meeting of the Village of River Forest Board of Trustees was held on Monday, March 9, 2020 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 7:04 p.m. Upon roll call, the following persons were:
Present: President Adduci, Trustees Bachner, Brennan, Cargie, O’Connell, Vazquez
Absent: Trustee Henek
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, Finance Director Rosemary McAdams, Fire Chief Kurt Bohlmann, Public Works Director John Anderson, Village Attorney Greg Smith
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
President Adduci led the pledge of allegiance.
3. CITIZEN COMMENTS
None.
4. ELECTED OFFICIAL COMMENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
a. 2019 Officer of the Year – Officer Max Ostrowski
Chief O’Shea presented the Officer of the Year Award to Officer Max Ostrowski.
Trustee Brennan reported that she attended the Oak Park River Forest Chamber of Commerce annual meeting. She announced that the One Earth Film Festival held a kick-off event last Friday and that tickets are still available for some films. She also announced that the Village will be collecting corrugated plastic signs after the election.
Clerk Brand-White congratulated Officer Ostrowski and stated she was impressed with the officers’ work during the St. Patrick’s Day parade.
Trustee Vazquez reported that he attended the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus Age-Friendly Communities Collaborative meeting on March 5. He stated the topic was transportation and reviewed the recommendations presented by the Metropolitan Planning Council, which included improving service coordination between municipalities, improving wayfinding signs, private sector transportation services, and funding.
Trustee Cargie congratulated Officer Ostrowski. He reported that the Deer Committee met on February 26 and that Tim Preuss from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources has been invited to the next meeting on April 1.
Trustee Bachner read a statement to acknowledge that this land was once inhabited by indigenous people and stated that River Forest continues to be a place that people from diverse backgrounds live and gather. Trustee Bachner reported the success of the Census event at Jewel last Saturday. She noted mailers will be arriving soon to encourage people to respond online and by phone. She thanked everyone who helped at the event and announced the next Complete Count Committee meeting is March 11.
President Adduci stated she participated in a press conference with the Illinois Municipal League about the restoration of the Local Government Distributive Fund. She stated it has typically been at a 10% level, but that it is about 6% now. She reported she also attended the Chamber meeting, noting they do a nice job keeping small businesses engaged. President Adduci thanked Officer Ostrowski and his family for protecting and serving the community. She congratulated the One Earth Film Festival Young Filmmakers Contest winners and encouraged people to attend screenings. President Adduci also noted the recent sudden passing of Mark Walsh, who had served on the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners for 22 years. She asked that everyone keep the family in their prayers to get through this difficult time.
5. CONSENT AGENDA
a. Regular Village Board Meeting Minutes – February 27, 2020
b. Waiver of Formal Bids and Award of Purchase through the Suburban Purchasing Cooperative a 2020 Chevy Tahoe Police Patrol Package from Currie Motors for $38,102.21
c. Resolution to Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the League of Women Voters – Resolution
d. Independent Contract Agreement with Thrive Counseling Services for Crisis Intervention Services
e. Approval of a Plat of Re-Subdivision for 935 and 947 Franklin Avenue
f. Monthly Department Reports
g. Accounts Payable – February 2020 – $1,607,353.39
h. Village Administrator’s Report
Trustee O’Connell made a motion, seconded by Trustee Vazquez to approve the Consent Agenda items A - H.
Roll call:
Ayes: Trustees Bachner, Brennan, Cargie, O’Connell, Vazquez
Absent: Trustee Henek
Nays: None Motion Passes.
6. CONSENT ITEMS FOR SEPARATE CONSIDERATION
a. Accounts Payable from the General Fund to McDonald’s-Karavites for $155.62
(Trustee O’Connell Common Law Conflict of Interest)
Trustee Cargie made a motion, seconded by Trustee Brennan to approve Accounts Payable from the General Fund to McDonald’s-Karavites for $155.62.
Roll call:
Ayes: Trustees Bachner, Brennan, Cargie, Vazquez
Absent: Trustee Henek
Nays: None
Abstain: Trustee O’Connell
Motion Passes.
7. RECOMMENDATIONS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES
a. Resolution Amending Resolution 20-03 Regarding the Number of Members of the Village of River Forest Deer Management Ad Hoc Committee – Resolution
Trustee Vazquez made a motion, seconded by Trustee Cargie, to approve Resolution Amending Resolution 20-03 Regarding the Number of Members of the Village of River Forest Deer Management Ad Hoc Committee
Roll call:
Ayes: Trustees Bachner, Brennan, Cargie, Vazquez
Absent: Trustee Henek
Nays: Trustee O’Connell
Motion Passes.
b. Deer Management Ad Hoc Committee Appointments: Askold Kozbur and Julie Armstrong
Trustee Cargie made a motion, seconded by Trustee O’Connell to concur with the recommendation of the Village President to appoint Julie Armstrong to the Deer Management Ad Ho Committee to serve until the Committee is dissolved.
Roll call:
Ayes: Trustees Bachner, Brennan, Cargie, O’Connell, Vazquez
Absent: Trustee Henek
Nays: None
Motion Passes.
Trustee Brennan made a motion, seconded by Trustee Bachner to concur with the recommendation of the Village President to appoint Askold Kozbur to the Deer Management Ad Ho Committee to serve until the Committee is dissolved.
Roll call:
Ayes: Trustees Bachner, Brennan
Absent: Trustee Henek
Nays: Trustees Cargie, O’Connell, Vazquez
Motion Fails.
President Adduci noted she will bring forward a new appointment at the next meeting.
8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
9. NEW BUSINESS
a. Intergovernmental Agreement with Metra for Noise Abatement Pilot Program – Resolution
Trustee O’Connell made a motion, seconded by Trustee Cargie to approve a Resolution Authorizing the Execution of an Intergovernmental Funding Agreement for the Pilot Program to test the Effectiveness of Sound Barrier at the River Forest Metra Commuter Station between the Village of River Forest and the Commuter Rail Division of the Regional Transportation Authority.
Administrator Palm summarized the Intergovernmental Agreement with Metra. He stated the agreement is the culmination of intergovernmental cooperation with the assistance of state legislators to resolve issues regarding the third track project. He noted that residents had expressed concerns about the installation and the noise given their proximity to the tracks. He explained that the Village will purchase and install the sound barrier material to go on a new fence, and Metra will reimburse for the cost. He noted that the Resolution also includes necessary easements for the Village’s installation and maintenance of this property. Finally, he reported that Staff is still working on the access road issue.
Megan Keskitalo, 8125 Lake. Ms. Keskitalo thanked the Board and expressed her appreciation for the work put into this. She stated the residents are already seeing a big drop in trespassing on the tracks, which means increased safety. She stated she is hopeful the noise material works as well and thanked Administrator Palm for finding that.
President Adduci thanked Ms. Keskitalo for being reasonable.
In response to a question from Trustee Cargie, Administrator Palm stated he estimated it would only take a couple days to install everything.
Roll call:
Ayes: Trustees Bachner, Brennan, Cargie, O’Connell, Vazquez
Absent: Trustee Henek
Nays: None
Motion Passes.
b. Discussion and Direction: Solid Waste & Refuse Contract
Public Works Director Anderson summarized the Sustainability Commission’s recommendations regarding the waste collection and disposal contract with Roy Strom Refuse and Removal Services. He noted that the Commission sought additional services to provide more recycling options to residents without the need to hold the Recycling Extravaganza. He noted the Commission recommends entering into negotiations to extend the contract while adding the additional services outlined in the memorandum.
In response to a question from Trustee Brennan, Director Anderson stated that after analyzing the numbers, it was better to keep the current rate schedule than add $1 per resident.
Trustee O’Connell thanked Staff for providing cost comparisons. He suggested locking in the contract for a longer term now. President Adduci concurred.
Trustee Cargie asked if the add-ons would go into effect immediately, and Director Anderson noted it would be as soon as Strom could set them up. Trustee Cargie noted he had been concerned at the last meeting about adding $1 per resident because there was no opt-out, but that he likes this proposal of keeping the same rate schedule.
In response to a question from Trustee Bachner, Administrator Palm stated that once everything has been negotiated and decided on, Staff would work on implementations and communicating changes to residents.
Trustee O’Connell noted the Village could reach out to businesses to make sure they sell stickers.
Trustee Cargie expressed concern about the lack of a cap on the recyclable reimbursement being an unfunded obligation to the Village.
Administrator Palm stated they could sit down with Strom and negotiate that, noting that it would also involve trying to get people to change their behavior. He stated the next step would be Director Anderson, Sustainability Commission Chair Julie Moller, and Commissioner Lisa Gillis to negotiate with Strom and have a contract back by the end of April.
Trustee Brennan commented that in her experience, Strom has been a great partner and they have helped out with LemonAid, the Pumpkin Smash and the Recycling Extravaganza for free. She stated she had every reason to believe they will continue to be a great partner.
Administrator Palm gave a coronavirus update. He stated Staff has been involved in calls at the regional and State levels. He stated Illinois has taken the lead in the country in terms of testing. He stated that being on these calls has been helpful and they are well-organized. He expressed confidence that the State is doing everything in its power to protect its residents. He reported that this has been discussed in terms of mutual aid with other agencies. Administrator Palm noted that Staff has made changes to cleaning operations, and he stated that as things changes, the Village will continue to update the community.
President Adduci asked for more information about how the Village is prepared and working with the universities. Administrator Palm stated the Village is a member of TripCom, a medical reserve organization of volunteers among River Forest, Elmwood Park and Forest Park and that the universities are also a part of that. He stated TripCom continues to be updated and will update its plan as it moves forward. He stated Staff remains in contact with the universities and he has stressed to them to remain in contact with the Village as they are community partners.
Several trustees commented that the Governor has declared a State of Emergency to release emergency funding. The Board discussed other precautionary measures being taken such as canceling travel. Administrator Palm noted part of the challenge has been limited access to testing.
In response to a question from Trustee O’Connell, Fire Chief Bohlmann stated Loyal has put out protocol that continues to be updated, and that the Village receives daily protocol updates from the Illinois Department of Public Health and Centers for Disease Control. He also noted that TripCom is the model plan for the county and assured that it is a good plan.
President Adduci expressed confidence that Staff is on top of this issue.
10. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Trustee Vazquez made a motion, seconded by Trustee O’Connell to go into executive session discuss the purchase or lease of real property for the use of the Village, including whether a particular parcel should be acquired; and the setting of a price for sale or lease of property owned by the Village.
Roll call:
Ayes: Trustees Bachner, Brennan, Cargie, O’Connell, Vazquez
Absent: Trustee Henek
Nays: None
Motion Passes
The Village Board returned to regular session at 8:20 p.m. with the following members present: President Adduci, Trustees Brennan, Cargie, O’Connell, Vazquez, Village Clerk Brand-White.
11. ADJOURNMENT
Trustee Cargie made a motion, seconded by Trustee O’Connell to adjourn the regular Village Board of Trustees Meeting at 8:21 p.m.
Roll call:
Ayes: Trustees Bachner, Brennan, Cargie, O’Connell, Vazquez
Absent: Trustee Henek
Nays: None
Motion Passes.
https://www.vrf.us/uploads/cms/documents/events/03-09-20_River_Forest_VBOT_Meeting_Minutes.pdf
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