Kim Buscemi

The agenda for the Parks and Recreation Board meeting included discussions on Village of Lake in the Hills Affiliate Organizations and an update on Rolling Hills Park. New business focused on the 2026 Projects and Park Improvement Plans, which span multiple parks including Nockels Park, Jaycee Park, Barbara Key Park, Turtle Island, Larsen Park, and Sunset Park, detailing items like ADA sidewalk connections, new playground equipment, shelter replacements, and AED installations. The board also reviewed the 2026 Village Affiliate Organizations, discussing working relationships and operational expectations with entities like the Lake in the Hills Youth Athletic Association and Junior Eagles Football. The Director's Report provided updates on the status of the Rolling Hills Park playground design, Larsen Park planning for grant applications, facility rentals, community garden plots sales, staff recruitment for seasonal positions including a new Park Patrol role, and a review of 2025 participation statistics for general programs, camp, and special events.

The agenda for the regular meeting includes standard procedural items such as roll call and public comment. Key discussion and possible action items revolve around financial matters, specifically the Cash Management Policy and Cash Flow Projections, as well as the Accountant's Report including the presentation and approval of bills. The Investment Report will feature an update from Verus Advisory, Inc. concerning IPOPIF. The board will address administrative items such as Affidavits of Continued Eligibility, Statements of Economic Interest, and processing applications for membership/withdrawals and retirement benefits, including approving regular retirement benefits for Adam Carson. Old business covers Board Rules and Regulations, a Break in Service Purchase, and the status of the IPOPIF Compliance Audit. New business includes approving Annual Cost of Living Adjustments for Pensioners and reviewing Trustee Term Expirations and Election Procedures.

The Board of Trustees meeting agenda included several items for discussion and action. Consent agenda items involved accepting the minutes from the January 8, 2026 meeting and approving schedules of bills for January 23, 2026, and manual bills for December 2025. Discussion items covered Administration matters, such as waiving competitive bidding for change orders with Camosy Incorporated. The Police agenda included the renewal of the North Central Narcotics Task Force Interagency Agreement. Community Development focused on ordinances amending the Zoning Code regarding permitted/conditional use charts and Appendix B of the Municipal Code concerning fines and fees. Public Works items included declining cellular lease purchase offers, rescinding resolutions related to committed fund balance, waiving competitive bidding to purchase water meters, and amending Chapter 53, Minimum Standards, of the Municipal Code.

The meeting addressed several key areas, including updates on Jaycee Park's completion in early Spring 2026 and the back-ordered AED Safe Station, with plans for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The board discussed beach operations and protocols, including responses to bad weather. The 2026 Parks and Recreation Board Meetings schedule and the first fiscal year of the Parks Master Plan were reviewed, covering Larsen Park Phase I planning, Sunset Park concept planning, and decisions related to the Crystal Lake Road properties. The Rolling Hills Park playground equipment replacement was discussed, focusing on community input and a turtle-themed design, along with potential educational signage. Updates were provided on the installation of Public AEDs at Sunset Park and Bark Park, Bark Park registration for 2026 with a new Key Fob System, facility rentals, grant applications, and the proposed 2026 Budget. Recreation updates included upcoming events, the Winter / Spring Program and Event Guide, Preschool Academy, Beyond the Bell program, and various senior trips and programs. Special events such as There's No Place Like LITH, Family Pumpkin Carving, Spooky Lights Tour, Halloween House Decorating Contest, and Howl-a-Ween at Bark Park were also highlighted.

The Board of Trustees meeting included discussions and considerations on various topics. These included promotions within the police department, amendments to the municipal code regarding cannabis retailers' occupation tax, and an addendum to the Push Tax Tolling Agreement. The board also addressed estimating the tax levy for 2025, reviewed the Police Pension Fund Municipal Compliance Report, and considered a conditional use for planned development at Silverthorne's Cheswick Meadows. Additionally, amendments to airport lease rent schedules were discussed. The board also reviewed and approved proposed amendments to personnel rules and regulations, approved a Memorandum of Understanding for McHenry County Multidisciplinary Child Abuse Response, discussed a Right of Way Permit Application for 5644 McKenzie Drive, approved an Airport Ground Lease for Hangar PAP-68, and approved a one-year renewal option for portable toilet services.