West Cook News

Village of River Forest Board of Trustees Met Feb. 22.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

A regular meeting of the Village of River Forest Board of Trustees was held 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 7:00p.m. Upon roll call, the following persons were:

Present: President Adduci, Trustees Bachner, Brennan, Cargie, Henek, O’Connell, Vazquez, Village Clerk Kathleen Brand-White

Absent: None

Also Present: Acting 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

Laurie Gillard, 227 Forest. Ms. Gillard stated she is looking forward to presenting a constructive guide related to deer management. She requested the submission date be moved back to March 9 and stated the pandemic has prolong the issue long enough.

Askold Kozbur, 1235 Monroe. Mr. Kozbur stated he was speaking in support of John Grant’s recommendations regarding the advisory body member selection process. He commented about his experience in this process and about the risk of cronyism. He stated that having the Board intimately involved will go a long way to improve the process. He requested that Mr. Grant’s request be reviewed, considered, and implemented.

John Grant, 923 Thatcher. Mr. Grant reviewed his suggestions and noted his report which is in the packet. He requested that his suggestions be taken as a good faith effort and conversation starter and that the exploration of this topic go beyond a report. He stated it is clear there is wide support for undertaking these reforms and that residents have unique perspectives that will add value. He further stated he is happy to provide additional input.

Jan Saeger, 435 William. Ms. Saeger thanked Chief O’Shea and Commander Greenwood for their presentations at the last meeting. She noted her own research on the topic of boards and commissions and expressed interest in volunteering to help assess the process. Ms. Saeger also requested that the words diversity, equity, and inclusion be more defined in the Resolution.

Mindy Credi, 1452 Park. Ms. Credi expressed hope that the Board would consider everyone’s perspective including the Village administration before making any changes related to the Boards and Commissions process. She also asked that the words diversity, equity, and inclusion be more defined in the Resolution.

Clinton Nichols. Mr. Nichols stated he is a faculty member at Dominican and spoke in support of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion resolution and initiative. He stated he is looking forward to working with the group and having River Forest become a more welcoming community to all.

Sheila Radford-Hill, 414 Clinton. Dr. Radford-Hill stated she agreed with the remarks about defining diversity, equity, and inclusion, and she spoke in support of the DEI Advisory Group. She noted it advances the important work of the welcoming resolution and the Maywood covenant. She commented on the commitment to racial justice and having local leaders break down barriers with neighbors, noting the national struggle to define America. She stated the Board must choose to approve the resolution so River Forest can make good on its commitment to being a more welcoming community.

4. ELECTED OFFICIAL COMMENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Trustee O’Connell welcomed everyone to the meeting. He congratulated the effort of executing the COVID-19 vaccine clinic. He noted that with melting snow and ice, there may be issues with backyard flooding and noted the Village has a pump loaner program. He also noted residents can sweep out catch basins to assist with flood prevention in streets.

Trustee Henek welcomed everyone and echoed Trustee O’Connell’s comments regarding the vaccine distribution. She thanked Public Works for doing a phenomenal job with the snow recently.

In a response to a question from Trustee Henek, Director Anderson stated the Fire Department clears the hydrants from snow when they can and the Village also asks residents to do so. He noted that the Public Works Department is taking a bobcat to clear the crosswalks on major streets.

In response to a question from Trustee Henek about having just one March meeting because of spring break, President Adduci stated that is what they are looking to do.

Trustee Brennan stated she was acknowledging the grim milestone of 500,000 deaths from COVID-19. She encouraged everyone to keep wearing masks and social distancing. She thanked Public Works for their work with the snow.

In response to a question from Trustee Brennan, Director Anderson stated the Village will be applying to the ComEd grant partnership for powering communities after meeting with a vendor for an electric vehicle charging spot on Central.

President Adduci asked for a moment of silence to acknowledge the 500,000 deaths from COVID-19. She also asked Chief Bohlmann to lower the flag for 5 days.

Trustee Vazquez thanked Public Works for the work they did keeping up with the snow removal and ice. He offered kudos to the Police and Fire Departments for their work during challenging weather conditions. He thanked everyone who participated in the vaccine clinics, including Helen Kwan and the Senior Response Team and the clinic partners, noting he heard only good things. He reported that the Age Friendly Committee will be narrowing down their questions for their senior survey.

Trustee Cargie acknowledged Public Works for a job well done. He noted there were a number of streets that still had cars parked and that there does not seem to be a solution but that it seems to make it harder to plow.

Director Anderson stated the Police Department does ticket but it is difficult to locate the driver, and he noted they try to work with residents but acknowledged it is difficult to plow if the car is still parked on the street the next day.

Trustee Cargie also thanked everyone regarding the clinic and Helen Kwan and the Senior Response Team.

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. She stated she does not have enough thanks for the community and departments regarding the snow removal and vaccine clinic.

President Adduci echoed the comments about snow removal and noted Public Works did a good job. She thanked Staff and D90, Jewel, and First Presbyterian for the vaccine clinic, and she acknowledged Helen Kwan and the Senior Response Team for their work. She reported that she met with the West Suburban CEO to discuss their facility in town and that they will be hosting an event on Thursday to announce the new technology they are bringing to their medical center.

5. CONSENT AGENDA

a. Village Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes – February 8, 2021

b. Renewal of Intergovernmental Agreement with O’Hare Noise Compatibility Commission – Resolution

c. Approval of Payment to Clark Baird Smith LLP for Legal Services in the amount of $31,610.00

d. Monthly Department Reports

e. Monthly Financial Report

f. Performance Measurement Report

g. Village Administrator’s Report

Trustee O’Connell made a motion, seconded by Trustee Henek, to approve the Consent Agenda items A-G.

In response to a question from Trustee Cargie, Ms. Scheiner stated the bill detail for item 5C is confidential.

Roll call:

Ayes: Trustees Bachner, Brennan, Cargie, Henek, O’Connell, Vazquez

Absent: None

Nays: None

Motion Passes.

6. CONSENT ITEMS FOR SEPARATE CONSIDERATION

None.

7. RECOMMENDATIONS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES None.

8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

9. NEW BUSINESS

a. Discussion and Direction: Board, Committee, and Commission Appointments

President Adduci recommended gathering residents interested in improving this process and ensuring it is as open and transparent as possible, and then coming back with a recommendation for the Board to consider.

Trustee Henek stated she is pleased to begin this conversation and that it is clear residents agree it is time. She stated her experience with this process has not been open and transparent, noting that she has previously advocated to open the process and inform residents when positions are available and that she has not been notified in advance when seats are vacant. She also stated she was denied access to all the applications for the Deer Committee and expressed concern when those who were selected for appointment because the majority of the committee was drawn from the northwest area of town. She expressed dismay about the experience for the individual not appointed to the Committee. Trustee Henek stated she has had conversations with residents about this and the common theme is frustration, and she expressed concern that residents have felt disenfranchised or that their work was for naught due to a predetermined outcome. She stated this points to a broken process and recommended a full review of the process to advocate for greater transparency.

Trustee O’Connell stated he supports the work proposed and asked for Mr. Grant’s sources on his recommendations.

Mr. Grant stated his report is taken as a first step and that they did not need to get too deep into the weeds, and he reviewed some of this sources.

President Adduci addressed the perception that something nefarious is going on. She reviewed the Village Code, noting the authority it gives her to provide appointments for the Board to vote on. She stated that never in the last 8 years has anyone indicated it is not an open and transparent process. She stated they have to work as a Board in good faith about this process. She stated she did not think the Board would ever stop looking at how to improve and that if it can improve on this process, they should, and that they are doing the right thing for the community.

Trustee Brennan stated she agrees it merits research by Staff, the Board, and residents. She stated she appreciates Mr. Grant’s research and the letters from residents supporting this. She suggested checking with the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus.

Trustee Bachner echoed Trustee Brennan’s thoughts and thanked Mr. Grant for bringing this up. She highlighted the distinction between best practices and outside the box ideas and stated this is an opportunity for the Board to be dynamic.

Trustee Cargie stated that he and Trustee Henek were consulted about the last Deer Committee appointments.

President Adduci asked to keep the conversation productive and stated that everyone knows what the Code says and that she did everything within the Code granted to her. She stated they have to be clear about roles and what the Code says. She stated she welcomes those who say the Board should look at this and that she wants to hear everyone on this issue. She also stated that if the Board can improve it, they will.

Trustee Vazquez thanked Mr. Grant for the report and echoed Trustee O’Connell’s request about sources. He agreed that this topic should be discussed and pursued and that Mr. Grant’s document is something to start the conversation. He cautioned everyone about having a productive conversation and expressed concern over the use of the words patronage and cronyism. He stated that if the Village is going to look at this, it should be looked at objectively and professionally.

Mr. Grant stated he spoke with Vicki Scaman and Simone Boutet in Oak Park and listed his other sources. He stressed that he is not an attorney and that he is not claiming he has developed a perfect system, but that he is looking for this to be taken seriously. He stated he hopes there is more research.

Ms. Scheiner suggestion holding a Zoom meeting and stated she is happy to take any input, and that the best idea wins. She emphasized that any variety of things that can be done, Staff can prepare an analysis and present the findings to the Board. She asked for time to coordinate the meetings and stated it would take approximately 3 months to review and put together.

Trustee O’Connell suggesting putting a blurb in the newsletter.

President Adduci stated the Village is working very hard to keep processes open and transparent and that everyone works hard on behalf of residents.

b. A Resolution Establishing a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Ad Hoc Advisory Group – Resolution

Trustee Bachner made a motion, seconded by Trustee Vazquez, to adopt a Resolution establishing a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Ad Hoc Advisory Group.

President Adduci stated the Resolution is what the Board discussed and the membership is open. She suggested that the best place to define diversity, equity, and inclusion is once the advisory group is constituted.

Trustee O’Connell expressed concern about the Advisory Group’s role in reviewing employment.

Village Attorney Smith stated that from a legal perspective, certain documents are confidential and that the Advisory Group would have no greater access than the general public.

Ms. Scheiner recalled her conversations with Trustees Bachner and Brennan and stated she did not believe that was their intent, and that the focus is on ensuring the utilization of best practices to capture wide diversity of qualified candidates. She noted confidential information would remain confidential. She stated the Group’s role could be to evaluate things the Village can do to enhance operations, lived values, and the organization’s culture more clearly, and that having that input is a wonderful opportunity and the organization would embrace that. She suggested there may be different policies and practices to review and noted the Board approves the Personnel Manual.

Trustee Henek thanked Dr. Radford-Hill for her statements and Ms. Scheiner for her comments about growth mindset. She stated they are looking at this together as a team with an open mind, noting it is about growth and doing better. She commented that she would love to see the Resolution get approved with an amendment later to include the definitions. She suggested adding a question on the application about availability.

Trustee Brennan concurred with Ms. Scheiner’s statements about their conversation and that her comments prove she should be on the Advisory Group with her background and knowledge of the rules. She stated the Village would not be making any of the missteps Trustee O’Connell expressed concern about. She concurred with Trustee Henek regarding approving the Resolution and adding definitions later.

The Board reached a consensus to have the Advisory Group define diversity, equity, and inclusion for the Board to ratify as an amendment to the Resolution at a later date.

Trustee Vazquez stated that he agreed and highlighted Ms. Scheiner’s comments, noting it is informative for the Village and Advisory Group. He noted the Village’s bargaining agreements and the possibility of negotiations on employment matters but stated he thinks the Board should move forward.

Trustee Bachner concurred. She stated she appreciates Trustee O’Connell’s concern and thanked everyone who has participated and provided insight. She noted the collective effort on this issue and that many people in the community have been working on this. She requested that the language in the Resolution be modified from “the Advisory Group shall submit a final report” to an “initial report” and instead of “no later than” to “as soon as possible” or “provide updates.”

President Adduci stated this is a cause for celebration and the start of a journey. She stated she is energized, committed, and looking forward to it. She thanked Trustees Bachner and Brennan for their dedication and emphasized that everyone is on the same page and working together. She noted there is a lot to do and encouraged working with D90 and D200. She stated that hate is a virus and that she is personally proud of this undertaking.

The Village Board reached a consensus to accept the proposed changes.

Roll call:

Ayes: Trustees Bachner, Brennan, Cargie, Henek, O’Connell, Vazquez

Absent: None

Nays: None

Motion Passes.

c. Approval of a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Ad Hoc Advisory Group Application Form President Adduci directed Staff to send out the application and ensure its reach is wide.

Trustee Cargie asked that it include the mention about availability suggested by Trustee Henek, and Trustee Bachner asked that it include language stating availability would not prohibit anybody from participation.

10. EXECUTIVE SESSION

None.

11. ADJOURNMENT

Trustee Cargie made a motion, seconded by Trustee O’Connell, to adjourn the regular Village Board of Trustees Meeting at 8:22p.m.

Roll call:

Ayes: Trustees Bachner, Brennan, Cargie, Henek, O’Connell, Vazquez

https://www.vrf.us/uploads/cms/documents/events/02-22-21_River_Forest_VBOT_Meeting_Minutes_Redacted.pdf