West Cook News

Village of River Forest Board of Trustees met Aug. 12

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

A regular meeting of the Village of River Forest Board of Trustees was held on Monday, August 12th, 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, Gillis, Brennan, O'Connell, Bachner, Johnson (arrived at 7:04pm) 

Absent: None 

Also Present: Fire Chief Thomas Gaertner, Deputy Police Chief James Greenwood, Police Commander Michael Swierczynski, Police Chief James O'Shea, Finance Director Rosemary McAdams, Director of Public Works and Engineering Jack Bielak, Village Attorney Lance Malina, Human Resources Manager Trish Ivansek, Village Administrator Matt Walsh, Assistant Village Administrator Jessica Spencer, and Deputy Clerk Luke Masella 

2.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 

President Adduci led the pledge of allegiance. 

3.SPECIAL PRESENTATION 

a. Recognition of the Former Chairman of the Sustainability Commission - Eric Simon Resolution 

MOTION by Trustee Gillis to approve a Resolution recognizing Eric Simon for his work on the Sustainability Commission. Seconded by Trustee Vazquez. 

Village President Adduci thanked Mr. Simon for his work on Commission. 

Mr. Simon made remarks on his time on the Commission and thanked Village staff for their work. 

4.CITIZEN COMMENTS 

There were no citizen comments. 

5.ELECTED OFFICIAL COMMENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS 

Trustee O'Connell recognized the passing of local businessmen, Mark Breit. He then highlighted the River Forest Park District 11U baseball team. 

Trustee Johnson had no comments. 

Trustee Brennan noted attending recap meetings with both the Juneteenth Flag Raising and the Juneteenth Traveling Museum groups. 

She also highlighted meeting with some residents who are active cyclist and garnered feedback on the upcoming plan to implement more bike infrastructure in the Village. 

Trustee Brennan also highlighted the 9/11 Lemonaide event occurring in September. 

Clerk Keller had nothing to add to the record. 

Trustee Vazquez wished all the children in town a happy back to school. 

Trustee Gillis congratulated the Fire Department on a successful blood drive event. 

She also highlighted a recent jazz event hosted by the Cook County Forest Preserve and noted the importance of the Village's forests. 

Trustee Bachner began her comments with a land acknowledgement. She then highlighted the recent uptick in bug bites in the area and asked that the Village put out information for residents on the bugs. 

President Adduci highlighted the upcoming food truck rally and the Forest Preserve event. She also mentioned sending out letters to legislatures regarding the issues of idling trains in town. 

6.CONSENT AGENDA 

a. Village Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes - July 8th, 2024 

b. Village Board of Trustees Executive Session Meeting Minutes - July 8th, 2024 

c. June Financial Report 

d. July Financial Report 

e. July 2024 Accounts Payable - $2,239,175.24 

f. Monthly Department Reports 

g. Administration Department Report 

h. Purchase Approval - Police Department Storage - Units Bradford Systems - $31,000.00 

i. Purchase Approval - Tasers - Axon Enterprise, Inc. - $33,856.00

j. Award of Contract - Fenwick Priory Watermain Loop Project - Thomas Engineering Group - $25,000.00 

k. Approval of Motor Fuel Tax Funds - 2024 Maintenance Agreement - $565,000.00 - Resolution 

1. Right of Way Agreement - Property Owners at 624 Lathrop Avenue for an  Underground Sprinkler System in the Public Right-of-Way 

Trustee Brennan asked that Consent Agenda Item. 6.J be pulled for separate consideration. 

MOTION by Trustee O'Connell to approve Consent Agenda Items A-H & F-L. Seconded by Trustee Johnson. 

Roll call: 

Ayes: Trustees Vazquez, Bachner, Johnson, Brennan, O'Connell, Gillis. 

Absent: None 

Nays: None 

Motion Passes. 

7.CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS FOR SEPARATE CONSIDERATION 

j. Award of Contract ― Fenwick Priory Watermain Loop Project ― Thomas Engineering Group - $25,000.00 

MOTION by Trustee Gillis to approve Consent Agenda Item J. Seconded by Trustee Johnson. 

Trustee Brennan asked for clarification on why the Village was completing work on private property. 

Administrator Walsh stated the Village owns the water main and is working with Fenwick to obtain a temporary easement. He also highlighted how this project will improve water flow in the entirety of the northeastern portion of town. 

Trustee Johnson asked if the park fields will be impacted. 

Administrator Walsh stated no. 

Trustee Bachner asked for a status report on the various water main projects around the Village. 

Administrator Walsh highlighted some of the recent projects. 

Trustee Bachner asked if the project selection are being based on need. 

Administrator Walsh stated yes. 

Administrator Walsh noted he would share the report on the various water projects. 

Village staff and the Board discussed the Request for Proposal (RFP) process and documents related to public works projects. 

Trustee Bachner stated that she would like copies of the RFP's to be made available for upcoming projects. 

Trustee Brennan asked if there are other private properties in the Village that have watermains on them. 

Director Bielak stated yes. 

Roll call: 

Ayes: Trustees Vazquez, Bachner, Johnson, Brennan, O'Connell, Gillis. 

Absent: None 

Nays: None 

Motion Passes. 

8.RECCOMENDATIONS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES 

None. 

9. NEW BUSINESS 

a. Award of Contract Harlem ― Avenue Right-in Right-out ― Burke, LLC ― $148,921.50 

MOTION by Trustee Vazquez to award a contract to Burke, LLC in the amount of $148,921.50 for the 2024 Harlem Avenue Right- in Right-out Project and authorize the Village President and Village Clerk to execute the contract agreement. Seconded by Trustee O'Connell. 

Director Beliak provided background on this agenda item. 

Roll call: 

Ayes: Trustees Vazquez, Bachner, Johnson, Brennan, O'Connell, Gillis. 

Absent: None 

Nays: None 

Motion Passes. 

b. Modifications to Vehicle Weight Limit Restrictions and Village Truck Routes -  Ordinance 

MOTION by Trustee Johnson to approve an ordinance modifying existing weight restrictions from five to ten thousand pounds and add Clinton Place from North Avenue to Lake, Lemoyne Street, Greenfield Street from Park Avenue to Harlem Avenue, and Division Street to the list of "Limited Load Streets". Seconded by Trustee Bachner. 

Village Administrator Walsh and Director Bielak provided background information on the agenda item. 

Police Chief O'Shea provided information on how the ordinance will be enforced. 

Trustee Bachner asked for clarification on what types of delivery trucks will be permitted. 

Police Chief O'Shea stated that this ordinance won't stop deliveries such as moving trucks, grocery store trucks, appliance trucks and others. 

Trustee Gillis asked for further clarification on what constitutes a delivery. 

Chief O'Shea noted that the trucks must stay on designated truck routes when driving through the Village to make deliveries elsewhere. 

Village Attorney Malina provided background on truck enforcement. 

Trustee Brennan asked if this only applies to commercial vehicles. 

Police Chief O'Shea noted that it is for vehicles over 10,000 pounds. 

Roll call: 

Ayes: Trustees Vazquez, Bachner, Johnson, Brennan, O'Connell, Gillis. Absent: None 

Nays: None 

Motion Passes. 

10.EXECUTIVE SESSION 

MOTION by Trustee Vazquez enter into Executive Session pursuant to 5ILCS 120/2(c)(11)&(6) to discuss: Pending Litigation and the setting of a price for sale or lease of property owned by the public body and the Village Board will adjourn after executive session and will not return to open session. Seconded by Trustee O'Connell. 

Roll call: 

Ayes: Trustees Vazquez, Bachner, Johnson, Brennan, O'Connell, Gillis. Absent: None 

Nays: None 

Motion Passes at 7:35 pm. 

11. ADJOURNMENT 

MOTION to adjourn by Trustee Bachner. Seconded by Trustee Brennan. 

Roll call: 

Ayes: President Adduci, Trustees Vazquez, O'Connell, Bachner, Johnson, Brennan, Gillis 

Absent: None 

Nays: None 

The Village Board of Trustees Meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m. 

https://www.vrf.us/uploads/cms/documents/events/08-12-24_VBOT_Minutes_Signed.pdf