West Cook News

Village of River Forest Board of Trustees met Nov. 18

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

A regular meeting of the Village of River Forest Board of Trustees was held on Monday, November 18th, 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 7:04 p.m. Upon roll call, the following persons were: 

Present: President Adduci, Trustees Brennan, O'Connell, Johnson, Bachner, Gillis, Vazquez, Village Clerk Keller

Absent: None 

Also Present: Village Attorney Lance Malina, Village Administrator Matt Walsh, Assistant Village Administrator Jessica Spencer, Police Chief James O'Shea, Fire Chief Tom Gaertner, Director of Public Works and Engineering Jack Bielak, Assistant Finance Director Keke Boyer, Deputy Police Chief James Greenwood, Police Commander Michael Swierczynski, Deputy Fire Chief David Bochenek, Human Resources Manager Trish Ivansek, Public Works Analyst Seth Jansen, and 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 wished everyone a happy Thanksgiving and reminded residents about the leaf pick up schedule. 

Trustee Johnson had no comments. 

Trustee Brennan highlighted attending an event at the Wonderworks Children's Museum and a separate Community Connections social event. 

She then reminded everyone about the location of the new yard sign recycling bin. She also gave reminders about leaf pickup and changes to the curbside compost pickup program. 

Village Clerk Keller had nothing to add to the record. 

Trustee Vazquez wished everyone a happy Thanksgiving and then noted an upcoming Fire Department chili cook off event. 

Trustee Gillis highlighted the success of a recent Fire Department blood drive. She also thanked the Kiwanis Club of River Forest and Oak Park for their recent work with the Oak Park PACT Program. 

Trustee Bachner began her comments with a land acknowledgement and then asked staff to provide a timeline for the end of the leaf pickup program. 

Public Works Director Bielak provided an update on the Village's leaf pickup program. 

President Adduci wished everyone a happy Thanksgiving and thanked the Board for their comments and announcements. 

5. CONSENT AGENDA 

a. Village Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes - October 28th, 2024 

b. Village Board of Trustees Executive Session Meeting Minutes - October 28th, 2024 

c. Administration Department Report 

d. Monthly Department Reports 

e. Financial Report - October 2024 

f. Accounts Payable - October 2024 - $2,781,757.06. 

g. Right of Way Agreement - Property Owners at 240 Keystone Avenue for an Underground Sprinkler System in the Public Right-of-Way 

h. Adoption of Amended Compensation Ordinance 

i. Authorization of FY2025 Phase 4 of Street Camera Strategic Plan 

j. Purchase Approval - Police Department Mobile Camera Unit - $38, 070.17 

Trustee O'Connell asked to pull consent agenda items A and B for separate consideration. 

MOTION by Trustee Bachner to approve Consent Agenda Items C-J. Seconded by Trustee Johnson. 

Roll call: 

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

Nays: None 

Motion Passes. 

6. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS FOR SEPARATE CONSIDERATION 

a. Village Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes - October 28th, 2024 

b. Village Board of Trustees Executive Session Meeting Minutes - October 28th, 2024 

Trustee O'Connell noted that he was not in attendance at the October 28th meeting, thus was unwilling to vote on the minutes. 

The Board and Village Attorney Malina discussed the different ways to vote on meeting minutes when a Trustee was not in attendance. 

MOTION by Trustee Bachner to approve Consent Agenda Items A and B. Seconded by Trustee Vazquez. 

Roll call: 

Ayes: Trustees Bachner, Vazquez, Gillis, Brennan, Johnson 

Absent: None 

Abstain: Trustee O'Connell 

Nays: None 

Motion Passes. 

7. RECCOMENDATIONS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND 

COMMITTEES 

None 

8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 

None 

9. NEW BUSINESS 

a. Award of Contract - 2024 Electric Vehicle Charging Station Project 

78,670.00 

MOTION by Trustee Johnson to award a contract to CBBEL in the amount of $78,670.00 for design services for the Electric Vehicle Charging Station project and authorize the Village Administrator to execute the contract agreement. Seconded by Trustee O'Connell. 

Trustee Brennan asked how many lots this project involves. 

Director Bielak noted that the project involves the design of 5 lots, but the construction of 3 lots. 

Trustee Brennan asked for clarification on how the funding for this project will be utilized. 

Director Bielak noted that staff is asking for approval for the design portion this evening and will then - at a later date seek Board approval for the actual construction. He also stated that the Village will receive grant funding to recuperate these costs farther down the line in this process. 

Trustee Johnson asked if staff could give any details on the actual charging stations. 

Director Bielak stated that at this time, he could not, as a vendor has not been chosen. 

Roll call: 

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

Absent: None 

Nays: None 

Motion Passes 

b. Estimate of the 2024 Property Tax Levy 

MOTION by Trustee Vazquez to accept the Estimate for the 2024 Corporate (Aggregate) Property Tax Levy in the amount of $9,763,035. Seconded by Trustee Johnson. 

Administrator Walsh provided some background information on this agenda item and noted that this item is solely an estimation, and the final number will come before the Board at a later date. 

Trustee O'Connell asked if the new construction category is just residential construction. 

Administrator Walsh stated it contains both residential construction and commercial development. 

President Adduci thanked staff for their work on this item. 

Roll call: 

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

Nays: None 

Motion Passes 

10. EXECUTIVE SESSION 

a. Executive Session pursuant to 5ILCS 120/2(c)(11) to discuss: Pending Litigation. 

MOTION by Trustee Gillis 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 Bachner. 

Roll call: 

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

Nays: None 

Motion Passes. 

11. ADJOURNMENT 

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

Roll call: 

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

Nays: None 

Motion Passes. 

The Village Board of Trustees Meeting adjourned at 7:52 p.m.

https://www.vrf.us/uploads/cms/documents/events/11-18-24_VBOT_Minutes_Signed.pdf