Village of River Forest Board of Trustees met Jan. 10.
Here are 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, Gillis, Johnson, Vazquez, O’Connell, Village Clerk Keller
Absent: None
Also, Present: Village Administrator Brian Murphy, Assistant Village Administrator Lisa Scheiner, Assistant to the Village Administrator Jonathan Pape, Management Analyst Sara Phyfer, Management Analyst/Deputy Clerk Elijah Bebora, Fire Marshal Kevin Wiley, Fire Chief Thomas Gaertner, Police Chief James O’Shea, Finance Director Rosemary McAdams, Director of Public Works and Development Services Jeff Loster, Village Attorney Greg Smith
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
President Adduci led the pledge of allegiance.
3. CITIZEN COMMENTS
Village Resident Margie Cekander stated she has questions on the floodplain Ordinance update. She stated that Village residents need more information to understand the nature and impact of the changes stated in the Ordinance and how residents will be affected. She commented that she would like to be informed on which floodplain requirements were removed and left to municipalities. She stated that she would like to know the impact on residents who reside in the floodplain area. She remarked that she would like to know what residents will gain or lose. She stated that the Village Trustees need more dialogue instead of placing the proposed ordinance amendment into the consent agenda. She commented that she would like to know who the Village consulted with and what happens to the local amendments that were previously adopted. She stated that she would like to know if flood insurance will be mandated for residents living in the floodplain.
President Adduci commented that Jeff Loster would respond to the questions raised during the Consent Agenda.
4. ELECTED OFFICIAL COMMENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Trustee Bachner began with a land acknowledgment, stating that this land was once and still is inhabited by Indigenous people and that River Forest continues to be a place that people from diverse backgrounds live and gather. She stated she would like to wish everyone a happy New Year. She commented that she encourages everyone to be careful with all the ice around the Village and for everyone to take their time to reach their respective destinations.
Trustee Gillis stated she wishes all a happy New Year. She commented that in the event residents do not have melting salt, they can use sand to increase traction. She remarked that sand can be bought at any local hardware store.
Trustee Vazquez stated that he hopes everyone had a safe holiday season. He commented that he had no further comment.
Village Clerk Jon Keller stated he had no comment.
Trustee Brennan stated that Dominican University is hosting a day-long series of events on January 18 to commemorate the National Day of Racial Healing. She commented that Dominican University will facilitate a series of White accountability groups over a period of six months beginning on January 31. She stated registration is free and open through January 25. She commented that former resident Julie Moller is hosting an art exhibit in downtown Chicago at the Wrigley Building on January 20-30. She stated that the art exhibition is in collaboration with the Chicago Theater Puppet Festival. She commented that Illinois passed a smoke alarm law that will be in effect on January 1, 2023. She remarked that those who own fire alarms without a built-in battery would be required to replace their fire alarms. She commented that current smoke detectors emit a small amount of radioactivity therefore; they should not be disposed of as landfill or recycling. She stated that residents seeking to dispose of their fire alarms can drop them off at Scarce, located in the Addison and Lombard area, for safe disposal. She commented that she would like the Sustainability Commission to research what can be offered to residents to reduce the number of radioactive smoke detectors being disposed of in landfills and recycling.
Trustee Johnson stated he wishes all residents a happy New Year. He stated that he had the opportunity to tour the Priory Property that Fenwick High School intends to purchase. He commented that Fenwick High School intends to use the property as a community property and will continue working with the Park District to ensure those who would like to use the property will have the opportunity to do so.
Trustee O’Connell stated that he wishes all a happy New Year. He remarked that he encourages residents to salt sidewalks adjacent to their properties.
Village President Adduci stated she spoke with Dr. Russell Dawn, President of Concordia University about their campus track. She stated that Concordia University will continue to allow public use of their track. She commented that going forward, the University will be more transparent on the track hours of use.
5. Hearing Pursuant to the Requirements of Sections 10 and 20 of the Bond Issuance Notification Act (BINA) of the State of Illinois, as Amended on the Plans to Issue General Obligation Limited Tax Bonds in the Amount not to Exceed $550,000.
President Adduci called the hearing to order at 7:14 p.m.
Village Administrator Brian Murphy stated that the public hearing is being held pursuant to the requirements of Sections 10 and 20 of the Bond Issue Notification Act of the State of Illinois, as amended. He commented the notice of the hearing was published on December 29, 2021, in the Wednesday Journal, a newspaper of general circulation in the Village. He stated the hearing is regarding a plan to issue not to exceed $550,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Village’s Bonds. He commented proceeds of the Bonds will be used to pay for public infrastructure projects within the Village and certain costs of issuance of the Bonds. He stated the Bonds will be issued by the Village in accordance with the provisions of Section 15 of the Local Government Debt Reform Act of the State of Illinois, as amended, and shall constitute a general obligation of the Village, payable from non-referendum bond proceeds in accordance with provisions of Section 8-5-16 of the Municipal Code, which will not exceed one-half of one percent of the assessed value of all taxable property located within the Village.
He stated the public hearing is required by Sections 10 and 20 of the Bond Issue Notification Act of the State of Illinois, as amended. He remarked at the time and place set for the public hearing, residents, taxpayers and other interested persons will be given the opportunity to express their views for or against the proposed plan of financing, the issuance of the Bonds and the purpose of the issuance of the Bonds.
The public hearing closed at 7:16 p.m.
6. CONSENT AGENDA
a. Village Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes - December 13, 2021
b. Approve a Change Order in the Amount of $21,215.31 for the Construction of the 2021 Street Improvement Project - Resolution
c. Waiver of Formal Bid (Single Source Vendor) and Award of Contract to Griffon Systems in the amount of $94,00.00 for the
Purchase and Installation of Street Cameras and Related Hardware/Software.
d. Amendment to Chapter 4-12 of the River Forest Village Code Regarding Floodplain Regulations - Ordinance
e. Monthly Department Reports.
f. Accounts Payable - December 2021 - $1,940,322.56.
g. Village Administrator’s Report.
Motion by Trustee Johnson to approve consent agenda items A, B, E, G. Second by Trustee O’Connell.
Roll call:
Ayes: Trustees Bachner, Gillis, Brennan, Johnson, O’Connell, Vazquez
Absent: None
Nays: None
Motion Passes.
Motion by Trustee Brennan to approve consent agenda item C. Seconded by Trustee Johnson
Trustee Brennan commented that she was asked by residents why the surveillance cameras contract was not sent out to bid.
Chief O’Shea stated the technology used was proprietary and Griffin Technologies was the sole source supplier for this type of technology.
Roll call:
Ayes: Trustees Bachner, Gillis, Brennan, Johnson, O’Connell, Vazquez
Absent: None
Nays: None
Motion Passes.
Trustee Johnson made a motion to approve consent agenda item D. Second by Trustee Brennan.
Jeff Loster commented on the amendment to the floodplain Ordinance. He stated the Village is adopting the language that the State changes over time. He commented that it is an administrative function and no new restrictions are being put in place.
Trustee Brennan asked if the new language changes the Village’s permitting functions.
Jeff Loster responded by stating that the processes will remain as is. He commented that the new language is no more or less restrictive than what was previously on the books.
Trustee Bachner asked if these type of changes are frequent.
Jeff Loster stated that these types of changes do not occur frequently.
Trustee Bachner asked if the changes will affect residents registered as residing in floodplains.
Jeff Loster commented that residents should not be affected because the floodplain is determined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Roll call:
Ayes: Trustees Bachner, Gillis, Brennan, Johnson, O’Connell, Vazquez
Absent: None
Nays: None
Motion passes.
Motion by Trustee Vazquez to approve accounts payable for December 2021 in the amount of $1,940,322.56. Second by Trustee Johnson.
Roll call:
Ayes: Trustees Bachner, Gillis, Brennan, Johnson, Vazquez
Abstain: Trustee O’Connell
Absent: None
Nays: None
Motion passes.
7. CONSENT ITEMS FOR SEPARATE CONSIDERATION
None.
8. RECOMMENDATIONS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES
None.
9. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
10. NEW BUSINESS
a. Appointment of Thomas Gaertner as Fire Chief for a Term Through May 12, 2025 and Until His Successor is Appointed and has Qualified.
Motion by Trustee O’Connell to approve Appointment of Thomas Gaertner as Fire Chief for a Term Through May 12, 2025 and Until His Successor is Appointed and has Qualified. Second by Trustee Bachner.
Roll call:
Ayes: Trustees Bachner, Brennan, Gillis, Johnson, O’Connell, Vazquez
Absent: None
Nays: None
Motion Passes.
Village Clerk Keller read the oath of office to Fire Chief Thomas Gaertner.
11. EXECUTIVE SESSION
None.
12. ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn by Trustee O’Connell, seconded by Trustee Vazquez, the Village Board of Trustees Meeting at 7:41 p.m.
Roll call:
Ayes: Trustees Bachner, Brennan, Gillis, Johnson, O’Connell, Vazquez
Absent: None
Nays: None
Motion Passes.
https://www.vrf.us/uploads/cms/documents/events/1-10-22_River_Forest_Meeting_Minutes.pdf
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