River Forest Village Board | Village of River Forest Website
River Forest Village Board | Village of River Forest Website
Village of River Forest Board of Trustees met April 8
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
A regular meeting of the Village of River Forest Board of Trustees was held on Monday, April 8th, 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 Vazquez, Brennan, O’Connell, Bachner, Johnson and Village Clerk Keller
Absent: Trustee Gillis
Also Present: Fire Chief Thomas Gaertner, Deputy Fire Chief Bochenek, Police Chief James O’Shea, Deputy Police Chief James Greenwood, Finance Director Rosemary McAdams, Village Attorney Lance Malina, Human Resources Manager Trish Ivansek, Village Administrator Matt Walsh, Assistant Village Administrator Jessica Spencer, Deputy Clerk Luke Masella.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
President Adduci led the pledge of allegiance.
3. CITIZEN COMMENTS
None.
4.ELECTED OFFICIAL COMMENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Trustee O’Connell noted that the River Forest Bike Exchange is occurring that weekend.
Trustee Johnson highlighted the Bike Exchange Event.
Trustee Brennan reported that she will be attending the Bike Exchange Event as well and highlighted the River Forest Libraries’ Solar Eclipse event that occurred earlier in the day.
Clerk Keller had no comments for the record.
Trustee Vazquez had no comments for the record.
Trustee Bachner began her comments with a land acknowledgement. She also wished everyone a happy Solar Eclipse Day and highlighted an upcoming Pride and Inclusion event occurring on June 3rd, hosted by Lincoln Elementary School.
President Adduci noted enjoying watching the Eclipse at Keystone Park and highlighted the number of people out and about during the day.
5. PUBLIC HEARING - FY 2025 VILLAGE OPERATING BUDGET
a. Presentation of Proposed FY 2025 Budget.
Finance Director Rosemary McAdams and Village Administrator Matt Walsh gave a PowerPoint presentation of the Fiscal Year 2025 Village Operating Budget.
Trustee Vazquez asked if the usage of reserve funds is just a one-time event or does Staff see this becoming a more common occurrence in the future.
Director McAdams stated that she sees reserves only being used for one-time expenditures in the future.
Trustee Vazquez asked how much revenue the Village receives from grocery taxes.
Director McAdams stated around one million dollars.
Trustee Vazquez noted being worried about the loss of grocery tax revenue and wondered what the Village could do to recoup that lost revenue. He asked Director McAdams how long after the loss of revenue will the loss of funds be felt.
Director McAdams stated around three months.
President Adduci noted that the Illinois Municipal League is lobbying for a delay in the cancellation of the grocery tax and noted some avenues municipalities may take to recoup the lost revenue.
Trustee Bachner asked if there has been any discussion on the length of the potential delay.
President Adduci stated the length of the delay is currently being discussed now.
The Board discussed speculative tax revenues from cannabis.
Village Administrator Walsh discussed grant opportunities staff are hoping to utilize to lower costs for the 911 call center.
Trustee Bachner asked for clarification on the Police Department pre-hires costs.
Village Administrator Walsh explained the reasoning behind the inclusion of the prehire costs.
Trustee Johnson asked for clarification on the Police body camera costs.
Village Administrator Walsh provided an explanation of the various costs related to the cameras.
President Adduci asked if staff has considered increasing permit fees.
Village Administrator Walsh reported that staff are researching increasing permit fees.
b. Public Hearing – FY 2025 Village Operating Budget
Village Administrator Walsh read a statement into the record about the budget document and then asked if there were any public comments from the audience.
No public comments were made.
MOTION by Trustee Bachner to close the Public Hearing. Seconded by Trustee Vazquez.
Roll call:
Ayes: Trustees Vazquez, Bachner, Johnson, Brennan, O’Connell.
Absent: Trustee Gillis.
Nays: None
Motion Passes.
6.CONSENT AGENDA
a. Village Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes – March 25th, 2024
b. Village Board of Trustees Executive Session Meeting Minutes – March 25th, 2024
c. Accounts Payable – March 2024 – $1,557,019.57
d. Financial Report – March 2024
e. Administration Department Report
f. Monthly Department Reports
g. Budget Amendment – Fund Transfer
h. A Right-of-Way Encroachment Waiver and Agreement for an Irrigation System in the Public Right-of-Way with the Property Owners at 546 Park Avenue
i. Purchase Approval – Roof Top Unit (RTU) #3 Replacement – Cahill Heating Cooling Electric Plumbing and Sewer Inc – $81,300.00
j. Purchase Approval – LAMA Software – The Davenport Group – $30,477.18
MOTION by Trustee O’Connell to approve Consent Agenda Items A-J. Seconded by Trustee Bachner.
Roll call:
Ayes: Trustees Vazquez, Bachner, Johnson, Brennan, O’Connell.
Absent: Trustee Gillis.
Nays: None
Motion Passes.
7.RECCOMENDATIONS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES
None.
8.UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
9. NEW BUSINESS
a. Appointment of Jack Bielak to the Office of Director of Public Works & Engineering.
MOTION by Trustee O’Connell to concur with the recommendation of the Village President to appoint Jack Bielak as the Director Public Works & Engineering, effective May 6, 2024. Seconded by Trustee Vazquez.
Jack Bielak discussed his background with the Board and noted being excited about starting the new position.
Trustee Brennan asked if the title of the position has changed compared to years past.
Village Administrator Walsh noted that the position has changed because some of the previous duties have been transitioned to the Assistant Village Administrator.
Roll call:
Ayes: Trustees Vazquez, Bachner, Johnson, Brennan, O’Connell.
Absent: Trustee Gillis.
Nays: None
Motion Passes.
10.EXECUTIVE SESSION
None
11. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION to adjourn by Trustee Vazquez. Seconded by Trustee Johnson.
Roll call:
Ayes: President Adduci, Trustees Vazquez, O’Connell, Bachner, Johnson, Brennan
Absent: Trustee Gillis.
Nays: None
The Village Board of Trustees Meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m
https://www.vrf.us/uploads/cms/documents/events/Admin_-_Packet_04-29-24.pdf
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