Riverside trustees approve Bee City USA affiliation, new $600 ambulance non-transport fee and local projects

Riverside — The Village of Riverside Board of Trustees on Feb. 5 unanimously approved a resolution affiliating the village with Bee City USA and took several administrative actions, including adopting an ordinance that adds a $600 non-transport ambulance fee and updating the Riverside TV filming policy.

Trustee Matteo read the Bee City USA resolution in full, outlining the program’s goals to sustain pollinators through native-plant habitat, reduced pesticide use and integrated pest management. The resolution designates the village’s Public Works Department as the Bee City USA sponsor, names the special assistant to administration and finance as liaison, assigns facilitation to the Landscape Advisory Commission and directs the village to apply for renewal each February after the first year.

"Thank you, Trustee Matteo," President Pollack said after the reading, and trustees voted to adopt the resolution. Clerk Stenzel conducted a roll call; Trustees Marzasca, Gallios, Kos, Evans, Mateo and Fitzgerald voted "Aye." President Pollack announced the resolution was approved.

Manager Francis reported a separate fiscal concern: the county-delayed second installment tax remittance left approximately $1,400,000 outstanding of an estimated $3,000,000 second-installment total, and Riverside had received about $400,000 so far. "For every month those amounts remain delinquent...we lose approximately $10,000 in interest earnings," Francis said, urging staff and intergovernmental coordination to accelerate distributions.

On preservation, Director Siren and preservation commissioners recommended landmarking the trolley shelter on Des Plaines Avenue and attaching interpretive signage. Trustees discussed the condition and use of two shelters (Des Plaines and the Harlem/26th location) and asked staff to pursue restoration and landmarking. Director Tabb said in-house work could likely restore both structures for roughly $14,000–$15,000, and staff aims to complete the Des Plaines shelter this year, weather permitting. Trustees gave staff direction to proceed with restoration and landmarking both shelters and to prepare interpretive signage.

Under new business, the board approved a hardscape permit for a four-foot memorial bench submitted by Judy Gisa to honor Joan Wirt at Riverside Village Center (10 E. Burlington St.). Director Tabb said the bench would be surface-mounted to existing cement and that the village would maintain or remove it if needed; the building association supported the installation. Trustees voted to approve the permit.

Clerk Stenzel presented updates to the Riverside TV filming policy and application, including increasing the deposit from $200 to $300, shortening the cancellation window from 72 to 48 hours, and requiring applications be submitted 60 days before production. The board voted unanimously to adopt the revised policy.

The board also adopted an ordinance amending Title 5 of the Village Code to add a $600 non-transport ambulance fee, aligned with Brookfield’s fee structure and narrowly scoped to exclude calls on village-owned properties (for example, calls to village libraries or schools). Trustees moved, seconded and voted unanimously to adopt the ordinance.

On the consent agenda, the board approved routine minutes and department reports and authorized purchases and bid waivers, including a resolution authorizing the village manager to waive competitive bidding and execute a sales agreement with Shorewood Home and Auto not to exceed $42,094.86 for the purchase of a 2024 Polaris all-electric UTV. The consent agenda passed by unanimous roll call vote.

The meeting concluded with announcements of upcoming commission meetings and with President Pollack thanking staff and volunteers for the sesquicentennial events; trustees adjourned the meeting by unanimous voice vote.

Votes at a glance: - Bee City USA affiliate resolution — Approved (unanimous roll call: Marzasca, Gallios, Kos, Evans, Mateo, Fitzgerald — recorded "Aye"). - Consent agenda (minutes, reports, purchases including $42,094.86 UTV purchase) — Approved (unanimous). - Hardscape permit for 4-foot memorial bench at Village Center — Approved (unanimous roll call). - Riverside TV filming policy and application (deposit and deadline changes) — Approved (unanimous roll call). - Ordinance amending Title 5 (add $600 non-transport ambulance fee) — Approved (unanimous roll call).

Next steps: staff to proceed with Bee City USA affiliate requirements and next-year renewal application, pursue trolley-shelter restoration and interpretive signage as directed, and continue intergovernmental work to obtain delayed tax remittances.