Will County Gazette

Village of North Riverside Board of Trustees met July 10.

Here is the minutes as provided by the board:

Mayor Hermanek called the meeting to order with a Pledge of Allegiance and a Roll Call. In

attendance were Trustee Bianco, Trustee Czajka, Trustee Flores, Trustee Mengoni and Trustee

Sarro. Trustee Demopoulos was absent.

Others in attendance were Attorney Hayes, Administrator Belmonte, Finance Director

Scarpiniti, Police Commander Ehrenberg, Public Works Director Kutt, Village Engineer

Fitzgerald, Recreation Director Mrozik and Fire Chief Basek.

Approval of Agenda

Trustee Bianco moved seconded by Trustee Mengoni to approve the revised agenda for this

meeting. Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Trustees Bianco, Czajka, Flores, Mengoni, Sarro

Nays: None. Motion carried

Absent: Trustee Demopoulos

Bids-None

Cash Receipt Report- None

Approval of Minutes

Trustee Czajka moved, seconded by Trustee Mengoni to approve the June 19, 2017 Village

Board Meeting Minutes as presented. Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Trustees Bianco, Czajka, Flores, Mengoni, Sarro

Nays: None. Motion carried

Absent: Trustee Demopoulos

Report of Trustees

Trustee Bianco- ( Water, Sewers, Drainage & Zoning)

Trustee Bianco stated the Village will be replacing its Cermak Road water main from 1st to 5th

Avenue this year, we will be replacing the existing 8inch main with a 12 inch water main.

Trustee Bianco moved and Trustee Mengoni seconded to authorize the Village Engineers,

Novotny Engineering, to solicit bids for the Cermak Road Water Main Replacement between 1st

Avenue and 5th Avenue. Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Trustees Bianco, Czajka, Flores, Mengoni, Sarro

Nays: None. Motion carried

Absent: Trustee Demopoulos

The bids will be open on Thursday, August 10, 2017 and they will be evaluated and a contract

will be awarded at the regularly scheduled Village Board Meeting on Monday August 14th.

Trustee Bianco thanked all the departments for a wonderful July 4th festival.

Trustee Czajka- (Judiciary, Ordinances, Recreation)

Trustee Czajka read the following report from the Parks and Recreation Department:

The Parks and Recreation Department would like to thank all residents who joined us in

celebrating our freedom on July 4th by watching the parade or coming to the fest at Veterans

Park. A great day was had by all who participated in the events.

Please mark your calendars as we will have our Thursday Concert Series each week from 7pm-

9pm at the Village Commons through Thursday August 10th. We hope to see you there.

Lastly, the much anticipated Biggest Block Party will be held on Saturday July 29th in the front

of the Village Commons. Please follow us on Facebook or take a flyer on your way out for more

details. The event will take place from 4pm-9pm.

Trustee Demopoulos( Streets, Alleys, Sidewalks & Garbage)-Absent

Trustee Flores- ( Police, Fire & License)

Trustee Flores submitted the Fire and MS Call for the month of June 2017

                                  June                       YTD

Fire                               83                        510

EMS                            132                       735

Inspections                  126                       348

Compliances                 93                        283

Trustee Mengoni- ( Finance Health & Appropriations

Trustee Mengoni read the following minutes from the Finance, Health & Appropriations

Committee Meeting held on June 13, 2017:

Item #1: Discussion on Fiscal Year Budget 2018: Director Scarpiniti gave a very detailed financial

overview of all funds for the year ended April 30, 2017. FY17 was another strong year financially for the

Village as all major funds are projected to show positive surpluses for the year and the Village’s overall

financial position has improved for the third consecutive year.

Director Scarpiniti started the discussion of the 2018 proposed operating budget by reviewing the

general budget trends and assumptions used. Sales tax revenue is expected to remain flat for the 2017-

18 fiscal year, with a projected new business growth factor of 2%. Additional revenue growth from new

business activity is expected to be offset by the continued loss of revenue from Sports Authority and

hhgregg. Income tax revenue is expected to dip slightly during the upcoming year as changes in the

federal tax code have exerted downward pressure on corporate profits reported during the 2016 tax

year. Accordingly, conservative budget estimates have been adopted for all revenue streams that are

comprised of business income taxes for the Village’s 2018 fiscal year. Local use tax is expected to

remain strong, yielding a per capita forecast of $25.30 per capita. Robust local use tax receipts are being

driven from strong e-commerce sales and high consumer confidence. There is still some concern that

the Village will see a sweep of its state shared revenues from the State as the Legislatures struggle to

balance the State budget in upcoming months. As such, Director Scarpiniti cautioned the Board of this

continued threat and recommended the Village continue to adopt conservative revenue estimates given

the high degree of uncertainty at the State level.

Fine revenue continues to outperform projections and is expected to generate $2.9 million in the

upcoming fiscal year. Through aggressive collection efforts from both the State’s Local Debt Recovery

Program and a third party collection agency, the Village has been successful with collecting old

outstanding police tickets and red light fines. Director Scarpiniti cautioned the Village Board on its

heavy reliance of fine revenue to pay its police and fire pension contributions; however, as this revenue

source will eventually dry up, leaving a substantial void in the Village’s revenue base. The Village must

stay diligent on finding a longer term solution to its growing pension crisis.

The Administration, Community Development, Police, Fire, Recreation and Public Works Departments

presented their respective budgets to the committee and board members. A presentation of

expenditures from the remaining funds was provided by Director Scarpiniti. Major items proposed in

the budget include the following;

$160,000 annual replacement of squad cars in the Police Department

$118,000 Second Commander Position in the Police Department

2.5% across the board salary increases to non-union, police and telecommunication unions

$37,500 to join the Special Recreation Association

2.5% ($12,000) PSI Paramedic contract increase

2.85% Roy Strom Garbage collection contract increase

$50,000 to reinforce interior brickwork in Police Department

$24,500 to update ER back-up power source in Fire Department

$31,500 to replace the sign in front of the Fire Department

$28,500 to epoxy Public Works garage floor

$40,000 to replace camera system in the police department

Including all operating transfers to other funds, General Fund expenditures, as proposed, will exceed

revenues by $595,197. The bulk of this deficit is directly attributed to the $585,000 one-time operating

transfer needed to fund the consolidation of 911 Dispatch services with neighboring communities as

mandated by the State of Illinois. Funding of this transfer is being proposed from the Village’s cash

reserves. Activity for all the other major funds is balanced, with proposed revenues exceeding

expenditures, in all funds except the Motor Fuel Tax Fund. This fund will use prior year surpluses

generated over the past two years to pay final construction costs for the village wide bike path and

DesPlaines Avenue resurfacing projects that were completed in 2015 and 2016, but awaiting final

approval and invoicing from IDOT.

Trustee Mengoni asked for a motion to approve the fire department sign. Trustee Sarro motioned and

Trustee Flores seconded, the committee passed the motion 2 to 1 with Trustee Mengoni voting no.

Trustee Mengoni polled the other trustee and Mayor who approved 3 to 1. Trustee Sarro also made a

motion to approve the 2017-18 Operating Budget in the total amount of $28.5 million. Trustee Flores

seconded and the committee passed the motion with a 3- 0 vote. Trustee Mengoni polled the Mayor

and other trustees and all approved except Trustee Demopoulos. Trustee Mengoni thanked Director

Scarpiniti for all her hard work in putting the budget together as well as all the department heads for

their continued efforts to present a balanced budget. Director Scarpiniti reminded the committee and

board that a Public Hearing would need to be scheduled on Monday, July 10, 2017at 6:30pm, with final

action on the proposed appropriation ordinance later that same evening. All public notices have been

published in accordance with state laws and the approved appropriation ordinance must be filed with

the Cook County Clerks’ office no later than July 31st

.There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 12:05 a.m.

Trustee Mengoni also stated that before tonight's Village Board Meeting, a Public Hearing was

held and no one was in attendance. Trustee Mengoni reminded everyone about the upcoming

Finance Committee Meeting scheduled for 6pm on July 17, 2017.

Trustee Sarro- (Public Buildings, Grounds, lights, Transportation, Plan Commission)-No report

Mayoral Report

Mayor Hermanek gave the following Community Development Department updates:

 Presales- 13-single-family and one multi-family presale inspection totaling $5,724 in

revenue.

 Permit Totals- 71 residential and commercial permits totaling $17,409.30 in revenue.

 Catie's Place- The owners of Lacey's Place (8415 W. Cermak Road) are opening up a

second facility in mid-August at 1750 S. Harlem Avenue.

Mayor Hermanek thanked all the departments, Riverside Country Club and the North Riverside

Little League for a wonderful and festive July 4th celebration.

Correspondence

 Thank you letter from the Mater Christi Holy Name Society thanking the Village, Police,

Fire and Public Works Departments for supporting the 37th Annual Spiritual Assembly

and showing the Chicagoland area what a small community with a big heart is all about.

 Thank you card from Bob Kasper and family

 Thank you card from Guy Belmonte and the family of Gilda Bartuch.

 Block party request from the 2300 block of Westover for July 22nd.

Trustee Czajka moved and Trustee Bianco seconded to approve the above block party request.

Motion carried unanimously.

Approval of Bills

Trustee Mengoni moved, seconded by Trustee Flores to approve the list of bills submitted for

this meeting totaling $1,091,133.79 and to have them paid out of proper funds when such

funds become available. Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Trustees Bianco, Czajka, Flores, Mengoni, Sarro

Nays: None. Motion carried

Absent: Trustee Demopoulos

Ordinances and Resolutions

Trustee Mengoni moved and Trustee Sarro seconded to approve the Annual Appropriation

Ordinance 2017-2018 for the Village of North Riverside (17-O-10) and to waive the reading.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Trustees Bianco, Czajka, Flores, Mengoni, Sarro

Nays: None. Motion carried

Absent: Trustee Demopoulos

Unfinished Business - None

New Business- None

Audience

 John Bork asked if there was an electronic pick-up for in the near future and Director

Kutt stated there a dumpster for electronics for residents only behind the Public Works

Building.

 Frank Spale expressed his concerns about vehicles existing Veterans Park.

 Craig Seidel (2334 Burr Oak) asked if there was any progress in the firefighters contract

and Mayor Hermanek stated there is no progress with the negotiations and it's going on

four years. However, the Village has an obligation to its residents.

 Jim Zak shared a story about a friend and encouraged all the residents to stay healthy.

 Rich Kozar (2228 Hainsworth) shared pictures with the board of his neighbors neglected

property. Mayor Hermanek will forward the photos with the building Department and

Public Works.

 Barbara Wilson thanked all who were involved with the July 4th celebration.

Adjournment

Trustee Czajka moved, seconded by Trustee Bianco for adjournment at 7:26 pm. Motion

carried unanimously

http://northriverside-il.org/sites/default/files/7-10-2017.pdf