Village of Riverside

The Board discussed various administrative and municipal matters, including an update on property taxes and housing proposals, a report on local bike path agreements with the Forest Preserve, and recognition of financial reporting achievements. The meeting addressed regulatory changes, including the amendment of sewerage system sections and building regulations. Significant discussion focused on establishing policies for food trucks and mobile vending, and the Board approved a contract amendment for paramedic services. Additionally, the Board authorized engineering services for a bicycle and pedestrian plan, approved an amended fee schedule, and deliberated on a legacy project donation for a park. An executive session was held to discuss personnel-related matters.

The meeting included discussions on the creation of a purchase order for engineering services regarding the Southcote Road reconstruction project, an amendment to the Village Code concerning beekeeping and henkeeping, and a review of a façade grant application. The board also reviewed visualization concepts and a referendum regarding the public safety facility. Additionally, various department, board, and commission reports were reviewed, including updates on public works, finance, and community development annual reports.

The commission reviewed the financial report, noting annual sales exceeded expectations. The chairperson provided updates on the security alarm upgrade, new deposit forms, and compliance with sexual harassment training. Commissioner reports covered various topics, including exhibit updates for the Sesquicentennial, creation of museum pins, improvements to accession organizational tagging, and progress on structure file transfers. Continuing business items included status updates on digitizing local history files, the handling of human remains found on Bloomingbank Road, website structure file posting, museum calendar pricing, trolley shelter preservation, and coordination of upcoming social media photography. The commission also discussed museum duty reporting and established schedules for upcoming shifts.

The key discussions focused on the proposed renovation of Turtle Park, which includes two phases: Phase One for playground equipment replacement and Phase Two for a proposed sensory trail, the latter awaiting funding. Concerns were raised regarding trail maintenance, signage visibility, and safety due to narrow areas. The commission also discussed coordination for an upcoming scout project involving invasive species removal near Indian Gardens, planning for a garden contest, reviewing parkway tree request language, and moving the 'Adopt a Bed Program' to the next meeting. Old business included updates on invasive species clearing at Indian Gardens, the pending Tree City USA designation, updates regarding the C4 Climate Action and Resilience Plan, and marketing efforts including website updates and eFlashes. Plans for 2026 events were detailed, including a presentation on electric landscape equipment, scheduling a 'Gardening for Pollinators' presentation with U of I Extension, and planning for Native Plant Sales and Invasive Trade-Ins. Additionally, resignations and term endings for two commissioners were noted, and the commission reviewed updates on the Master Landscape Plan, outreach materials like door hangers, and efforts to improve brochure visibility at the library.

The meeting began with roll call and confirmation of a quorum. The initial segment featured a welcome and update from Hollywood (a school site), detailing celebrations such as the 100th day of school, engagement in ELA curriculum topics (including nursery rhymes, the human body, Greek myths, astronomy, poetry, and the Don Quixote unit), and math professional development focused on planning for 'What I Need Time.' Community engagement activities included implementing 'compliment bones' and a kindness challenge, both tied to SEAL principles. Winter benchmarking was discussed, highlighting student goal setting based on fall scores versus winter results. Forward planning covered the upcoming 'One Book, One Hollywood' initiative, the first Hollywood Cultural Night in March, and future PTA events. Student presenters are scheduled for the April board meeting. District summer school planning is underway, set to begin on July 13th. The finance portion included a presentation by Aizian regarding the annual audit and a walk-through of the budget timeline. The audit resulted in an unmodified (clean) opinion with no management letter. Key financial highlights involved the governmental funds' total fund balance being approximately $20 million (a $1.5 million decrease from the prior year, largely due to capital project spending), and the general fund balance being around $17 million (representing over seven months of expense). The ON&M fund balance was noted as being on the lower end at about 3.25 months of expense. The governmentwide statement of activities showed a $1.25 million increase, primarily driven by higher fixed asset purchases than depreciation, and a decrease in the NET liability due to a new agreement with Etna, despite the new accrual standard for compensated absences, which required a prior period adjustment.