River Forest officials dealt with fees, fireworks and freight trains at the Aug. 25 village board meeting.
A new fee structure for village-owned electric vehicle (EV) charging stations was approved and changes to the commercial filming permit regulations, including the fee structure, were discussed. Officials also approved a change to the ordinance regarding fireworks and a revised settlement agreement with the Union Pacific Railroad. The settlement agreement was approved without discussion as part of the consent agenda. Other changes were approved by 4-0 votes. Trustees Erika Bachner and Katie Brennan did not attend.
Assessment of EV charging station fees will change from the length of a charging session to the amount of energy used to charge a vehicle. Instead of $10 per hour, the fee will be 25 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh), according to a memo from Seth Jansen, management analyst, to Matt Walsh, village administrator.
The change, recommended by the Sustainability Commission, stems from the forthcoming installation of 13 additional village-owned EV charging stations at the West Metra Commuter Lot at 400 Thatcher Ave., the village lot at 418 Franklin Ave. and the village lot at 7929 W. North Ave.
Under the changes, the fee would range from $9.50 to $10.40 per vehicle depending on the type of charging station used and size of the vehicle’s battery.
Jansen said the 25 cents per kWh fee would be equal to the fee currently assessed by the Village of Oak Park and the Park District of Oak Park at their respective charging stations. A $10 per hour overstay fee would be assessed 15 minutes after full charge to encourage vehicles to move from the charging spot after gaining a sufficient charge. When these changes will take effect was not announced.
Commercial film crews would see an increase in fees if permit regulations are revised. Although no action was taken at the Aug. 25 meeting, officials directed staff members to work toward revising the village’s film permit process and presenting a revised ordinance in the near future.
Changes being considered would increase the base application fee from $100 to $300 per location; the fee per day from $250 to $500; and the daily fee for each police vehicle used from $50 to $200. The hourly rate for security by a police officer, which is paid directly to the officer, would increase from $70 to $100.
In a memo to Walsh, Luke Masella, deputy clerk and management analyst, estimated the fee changes would generate annual revenue of $20,000, an increase over $8,000 under the current fee structure and based on 20 film permits.
In proposing the addition of a fireworks related section to the village code, police Chief James Greenwood explained that the change would allow for a local charge for violations. Previously, charges were filed under state law, which carry more serious consequences. He said the revised ordinance prohibits the storage of high explosives and the possession, sale or use of fireworks within village limits without a permit. Fines for violations range from $50 to $750.
The village and the railroad were at odds regarding noise complaints stemming from idling freight trains for most of 2024. The village issued 84 citations, which led the railroad to file a federal lawsuit. The settlement agreement that resolves the issue was originally approved at the July 14 village board meeting. However, Walsh explained in a memo to the village board that railroad officials requested the addition of a confidentiality provision. At the July 14 meeting, Walsh explained that the primary settlement provision was the establishment of a grievance protocol for noise violations. Under the agreement, the railroad agreed to pay $40,000 in outstanding fines. He also noted that no documented complaints regarding train idling had been received in 2025.
