Village of River Forest Board of Trustees met May 22.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
A regular meeting of the Village of River Forest Board of Trustees was held on Monday, May 22nd, 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 7:00 p.m. Upon roll call, the following persons were:
Present: President Adduci, Trustees Gillis (Virtual), Vazquez, Johnson, Brennan, Bachner, Village Clerk Keller
Absent: Trustee O'Connell
Also Present: Village Administrator Matt Walsh, Fire Chief Thomas Gaertner, Police Chief James O'Shea, Deputy Police Chief James Greenwood, Finance Director Rosemary McAdams, Village Attorney Lance Malina, HR Manager Trish Ivansek, Public Works Analyst Seth Jansen, Public Works Director Jeff Loster, Lydia K. Manning and James Flanagan.
MOTION by Trustee Bachner to allow Trustee Gillis to participate in the meeting virtually. Seconded by Trustee Johnson.
Roll call:
Ayes: Vazquez, Johnson, Bachner, Brennan
Absent: O'Connell
Nays: None
Motion Passes.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
President Adduci led the pledge of allegiance.
3. SPECIAL PRESENTATION - SWEARING IN OF ELECTED OFFICIALS
Village Clerk Keller swore in the following appointed staff:
- David Bochenek to the position of Deputy Fire Chief
- Quentin Boyd to the position of Fire Lieutenant
- Tim Kyles to the position of Firefighter/Paramedic
- Michael Swierczynski to the position of Police Patrol Commander
4. CITIZEN COMMENTS
President Adduci invited Mindy Credi up to the podium to give public comment regarding the Pride Flag Resolution
Ms. Credi stated that she would like the Village Board to revise portions of the Pride Month resolution. She stated that she did not agree with any, "social conscious" flags being flown with the American Flag. She suggested that the Village procure another flagpole for the flying of these flags. If the revision to the resolution is not possible, Ms. Credi asked that the Village fly the rainbow pride flag instead of the progress pride flag.
President Adduci invited Carol Schweig up to the podium to give public comment.
Ms. Schweig requested that the Village Board vote no for the Pride Flag Resolution. She stated she did not think it was the Village's responsibility to endorse any specific ideologies. Ms. Schweig noted that she believes the flagpole should be only used for federal, state and village flags only.
Ms. Schweig finished her portion of public comment and then read into the record public comment written by Pat Tyma a resident who had could not attend the meeting due to health issues.
On behalf of Pat Tyma, Ms. Schwieg stated that she requests the Village Board vote no on the resolution adding the pride flag to the Village flagpole. Ms. Tyma commented that the Village flagpole be reserved for federal, state and village flags.
President Adduci invited Mary Jane Oliver up to the podium to give public comment.
Ms. Oliver stated that she did not support the Pride Flag resolution as it should be reserved for the state and federal flags.
President Adduci invited John Becvar up to the podium to give public comment.
Mr. Becvar stated that he was with the Oak Park Area Lesbian & Gay Association and then addressed some of the previous comments made by residents. He encouraged the Village Board to approve the resolution.
President Adduci invited Marika and Jonathon Panton up to the podium to give public comment.
Mr. Panton stated that he did not support a progress pride flag being flown on the same flagpole as the United States flag.
Ms. Panton stated that she did not believe that the pride flag should be on the same flagpole as the United States flag.
President Adduci invited Remos Bachner up to the podium to give public comment.
Mx. Bachner gave comments in support of the Pride Flag resolution. They stated that the raising of the pride flag would mean a lot to LGBTQIA+ residents.
President Adduci invited Ash Echstein to the podium to give public comment.
Mx. Echstein gave public comment in support of the pride flag resolution.
President Adduci invited Megan Keskitalo up to the podium to give public comment.
Ms. Keskitalo made public comment in support of the Pride Flag resolution.
President Adduci invited Renee Duba up to the podium to give public comment.
Ms. Duba stated that she was in support of the Pride Flag resolution and spoke on some challenges the LGBTQIA+ community faces.
President Adduci invited Carla Sloan up to the podium to give public comment.
Ms. Sloan reported that she and the River Forest Township support the Pride Flag resolution.
President Adduci gave clarifying remarks surrounding the Pride Flag resolution.
5. ELECTED OFFICIAL COMMENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Trustee Johnson reported attending a fundraiser at Citrine in Oak Park for helping African American youth in schools. He then thanked all the residents for making public comments this evening and welcomed everyone to spring and summer weather.
Trustee Brennan congratulated Deputy Clerk Masella on graduating from North Illinois University with an MPA. She thanked the Public Works department for their job delivering compost around the village.
Trustee Brennan asked Public Works Director Loster if the compost program is finished.
Director Loster stated yes.
Trustee Brennan asked Village Administrator Walsh if he has invited the Lake and Lathrop developers to a Board meeting.
Mr. Walsh reported that he has invited the team to attend a Village Board meeting.
Trustee Brennan also reported attending a workshop surrounding Senior Week. She also noticed that the Village of Oak Park had recently instituted an ordinance that limited single use plastics while also going further and banning the usage of Polystyrene. She asked that the River Forest Village Board consider banning Polystyrene.
Clerk Keller stated that he had nothing to add to the record.
Trustee Vazquez congratulated the appointed staff that were sworn in that evening. He stated he was looking forward to the Memorial Day Parade and asked that people attend.
Trustee Gillis shared the same sentiments as Trustee Vazquez surrounding the Memorial Day Parade. She gave thanks to the River Forest Park District and the River Forest & Oak Park Kiwanis club for their help.
Trustee Bachner began her comments with a land acknowledgement. She gave thanks for the public comment that evening. She stated she feels it is important to raise the pride flag along with the state and federal flags. She also commented that she took umbrage about some of the remarks given that evening and addressed them.
President Adduci asked that residents attend the Memorial Day Parade. She reported attending the Pat Koko 45th anniversary event celebrating seniors. She encouraged everyone to attend a Greentown Conference event at Triton College on June 22nd.
President Adduci asked that the Village Board address the possibility of removing Agenda item J from the agenda for further discussion.
6. CONSENT AGENDA
a. Village Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes - May 8th, 2023
b. Village Board of Trustees Executive Session Minutes - May 8th, 2023
c. Administration Department Report
d. A Right-of-Way Encroachment Waiver and Agreement for an Irrigation System in the Public Right-of-Way with the Property Owners at 1019 Franklin Avenue
e. A Right-of-Way Encroachment Waiver and Agreement for an Irrigation System in the Public Right-of-Way with the Property Owners at 1506 Forest
f. Lexipol Fire Department Policy Update Agreement
g. Cpl. Fred Jannisch Jr Honorary Street Designation - Resolution
h. Compost Week - Proclamation
i. Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month - Proclamation
j. Pride Flag Raising - Resolution (removed for separate consideration)
k. Juneteenth - Resolution
MOTION by Trustee Bachner to remove item j from the agenda and approve items a-i and item k. Seconded by Trustee Johnson.
Roll call:
Ayes: Vazquez, Johnson, Bachner, Brennan, Gillis
Absent: O'Connell
Nays: None
Motion Passes.
7. CONSENT ITEMS FOR SEPARATE CONSIDERATION
j. Pride Flag Raising - Resolution
President Adduci gave clarifying remarks surrounding item j and the possibility of an additional flagpole.
Trustee Vazquez asked what flag was raised last year.
Village Administrator Walsh stated the progress pride flag was raised.
A member of the audience asked what last year's resolution stated.
Village Administrator Walsh stated it is the same resolution as last year.
President Adduci asked what the differences between the two flags are.
Trustee Bachner explained the differences between the two flags.
Trustee Brennan stated that she feels raising the flag is consistent with the Villages identity of being a welcoming community.
Trustee Johnson stated he is in favor of moving forward with the current resolution as is but is open to further dialogue surrounding future resolutions.
Trustee Vazquez asked if there have been any requests for alternative pride flags.
Village Administrator Walsh reported that the Village did receive emails using the verbiage pride flag, however it cannot be determined if they specifically meant the pride flag or the progress pride flag.
Trustee Vazquez commented that the Board should have further discussion surrounding the various forms of pride flags and address the possibility that the Village could be asked to fly multiple different pride flags.
Clerk Keller asked if there is a specific flag policy in the Village.
President Adduci stated yes, there is a village flagpole policy.
The motion was amended to use the verbiage "progress pride flag" instead of pride flag and note that the progress pride flag was the same pride flag flown in 2022.
MOTION by Trustee Brennan to approve Consent Agenda item j. Seconded by Trustee Johnson.
Roll call:
Ayes: Gillis, Vazquez, Johnson, Bachner, Brennan
Absent: O'Connell
Nays: None
Motion Passes.
8. RECOMMENDATIONS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES
a. Adoption of Age-Friendly Report
MOTION by Trustee Vazquez to adopt the Age Friendly River Forest Report. Seconded by Trustee Johnson.
Trustee Vazquez gave thanks to his fellow Age Friendly Committee Members. He also gave thanks to former committee members and Village staff.
Trustee Vazquez gave background on the creation and basis of the report. He stressed that this report should be used as a guiding tool when instituting age-friendly policies and practices.
Lydia K. Manning, PhD reported on the findings and recommendations of the report.
Trustee Vazquez invited Age Friendly Committee Member James Flanagan up to the podium to speak on the report.
Trustee Bachner suggested creating a separate and reduced the size version of the report to make it more readable for the public.
Trustee Vazquez stated that this document is now for the Board and staff to utilize as a general guidance tool.
Trustee Brennan suggested the report be made more concise and readable.
The Village Board discussed the possibility of submitting the report to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP).
Roll call:
Ayes: Gillis, Vazquez, Johnson, Bachner, Brennan
Absent: O'Connell
Nays: None
Motion Passes.
9. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
10. NEW BUSINESS
None.
11. EXECUTIVE SESSION
MOTION by Trustee Bachner to enter Executive Session pursuant to 5ILCS 120/2(c)(11) to discuss: pending litigation, and the Village Board will adjourn after executive session and will not return to open session. Seconded by Trustee Vazquez.
Roll call:
Ayes: Gillis, Vazquez, Johnson, Bachner, Brennan
Absent: O'Connell
Nays: None
Motion Passes at 9:15pm.
12. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION to adjourn by Trustee Vazquez. Second by Trustee Bachner
Roll call:
Ayes: Gillis, Vazquez, Johnson, Brennan, Bachner
Absent: O'Connell
Nays: None
The Village Board of Trustees Meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m.
https://www.vrf.us/uploads/cms/documents/events/05-22-23_Vbot_Minutes_Signed.pdf
Alerts Sign-up