League of Women Voters Observer Report

River Forest Township

Board of Trustees Meeting

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Observer: Jane Schlichting

Present: Supervisor Carla Sloan, Trustees: Helene Connolly, Mark Kelty, Mary O’Brien, and Anna Romeo

Absent: Assessor Pam Kinde

Also Present: Civic Center Manager Dick Chappell, Attorney Pat Deady, Senior Coordinator Cathaleen Roach, Mental Health Administrator Avis Rudner, Clerk Karen Taubman, and Lily Pagni.

The minutes of July 13 meeting were approved.

Assessor’s Report

The office has been very active assisting with the following: August 3 deadline for payment of taxes, new system for on-line complaints, and 150 appeal packets which have been distributed to residents.

Mental Health Services/General Assistance

Additional Sipshop sessions will be schedule for fall. Three volunteers who serve as facilitators will attend training workshops in Peoria. Several residents have recommended that programs be developed for suicide prevention. Currently, one resident is receiving general assistance.

Youth

The Robotic Camp held at Concordia this summer received very good reviews. A letter was read by Supervisor Sloan that praised and expressed appreciation for the camp. A student who participated in the camp will attend the Township’s September meeting. The Youth Committee will hold a training session for mentors September 2. Impact has scheduled a youth substance abuse session for September 28. The township awarded scholarships to nine families that involved eleven children.

Seniors

The following programs were well attended: two scheduled events, monthly coffee, and weekly computer session. A workshop for seniors and caretakers was held Friday, July 31 at the Civic Center.

The Supervisor reported since the Park District is considering a new building, they are reviewing any available sources in the village. The Supervisor met with a Park District representative, and they decided to schedule a meeting with Dick Chappell at the end of August.

Supervisor Sloan indicated that she would become involved with the Community Foundation.

The township bills of $75,100 and the General Assistance bills of $341 were approved.

Supervisor Sloan made a few comments about the audit, which was drafted by a different accounting firm. In order to better understand the audit, Supervisor Sloan and Trustee Romeo will meet with a representative from the accounting firm on August to review the audit.

The trustees approved the appointment of Lily Pagni, as a member of the Mental Health Committee.

A request was received from the Village of River Forest Collaboration Initiative for a trustee to serve on a sub-committee. A brief discussion was held about the request. Some trustees felt this could be a duplication of other committees. Anna Romeo volunteered to serve, and Helene Connelly will substitute when necessary.

Meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.

River Forest Civic Center Authority

Board of Mangers Meeting

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Observer: Jane Schlichting

Present: Mangers: Mary O’Brien, Helene Connolly, Mark Kelty, Anna Romeo, and Carla Sloan.

Also Present: Civic Center Manager Dick Chappell, Attorney Pat Deady, and Karen Taubman.

The minutes of the July 13 meeting were approved.

Public Participation-none

The bills of $10,247 were approved.

Administrator’s Report

Manager Chappell reported that the room dividers have been installed. A brief discussion about how the rooms with the dividers would be labeled. Also the tiling project has been completed. A couple of problems: minor plumbing repairs needed, and due to heavy rains the roof needs minor repairs. For extra security an additional gate was installed for the playground.

Due to resignation, new staff will be hired.

Meeting adjourned.