Mitch Bowlin

The Committee of the Whole meeting addressed several committee reports and new business items. The Parks and Planning Committee discussed updates on the Ban'je Park Master Plan, noting community feedback regarding sled hills, fitness areas, seating, rain gardens, ADA crossings, court surfacing, shading, budget, timeline, and drainage for sports fields, with no action required by the Board. Potential direct purchases for Longfellow Park playground/splash pad equipment via Sourcewell and a sole source purchase for a Portland Loo outdoor restroom were noted for later action at the Regular Board Meeting. The Administration and Finance Committee discussed drafting an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with Oak Park Township for the PDOP Scholarship Program, reviewing the 2026 Board Action Calendar, confirming representatives for the WSSRA Board of Directors, conducting the bi-annual review of closed session minutes, approving the renewal of PACT Agreements, and updating the Administrative, Board, Personnel Policy, Crisis Management, and Safety Manuals to reflect best practices and policy changes. New business included seeking verbal consensus to extend the FOPCON Agreement for one year and consent to add East Ave Lacrosse to the PACT agreements for approval at the next regular meeting.

The meeting involved several key actions and discussions. The Consent Agenda approved numerous items including financial summaries, warrants, disposal ordinances, PACT agreements, the 2026 Board Action Calendar, policies (Personnel, Administrative, Board, Crisis, Safety Manuals), and an Intergovernmental Agreement for Scholarship Funds. Staff reports included updates on holiday programs and revenue/expense status. Old business covered an overview of the past year's highlights and accomplishments for the Park District, and a recap of the completed 2025 goals under the Comprehensive Strategic Master Plan. Major actions included the approval of Sourcewell purchases for playground and splash pad equipment, and a Sole Source purchase for a Portland Loo at the Longfellow Park Development Project. A significant new business item was the approval to submit a resolution to voters regarding the issuance of $40,000,000 in general obligation park bonds for a potential indoor aquatic facility referendum in March 2026.

Key discussions during the meeting centered on public comments regarding pickleball facilities, specifically noting high interest, petition signatures, and concerns about court conditions (e.g., unsafe surfaces at Barrie, need for better taping at Taylor). Under the consent agenda, the board approved the cash/investment summary, warrants/bills for December 2022, and appointments to the Local Government Efficiency Act Committee. Staff reports detailed updates on the CRC project, which is 97% funded and aiming for a May grand opening, and a rebound in program registration numbers for 2022. Old business included the approval of a contract with Perkin + Will for the Rehm Pool Master Plan, approval of the 2023 Brochure Series printing contract with Paulson Press, Inc. (and an alternate bid authorization for 2024), approval of the 2022 Tax Levy Abatement Resolution, and approval of a three-year custodial contract with Eco Clean Maintenance.

The agenda for the Regular Park Board Meeting included a review of cash and investment summaries for December 2023 and warrants and bills for December. Key discussion items under the Consent Agenda involved the 2023 Community Survey Results. Old Business included items from the Parks and Planning Committee, specifically the approval for the Lindberg and Scoville Park Tennis Courts Improvements, and items from the Administration and Finance Committee, such as the 2024 IPRA/IAPD Conference Update, the resolution for the 2023 Tax Year Levy Abatement, and the review of 2023 Performance Measures and Program Scholarship/CDM Reports.

Key discussions during the meeting included staff reports on pool hours, upcoming park events such as movies and concerts, the status of the Frank Lloyd Wright Races registration, and updates on the Field Center fencing and Terra Engineering projects pending necessary permits. Under Old Business, the Board approved the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for 2026-2030, which allocates 50% of increased referendum taxes to general maintenance, prioritizing projects like the Rehm pool bath house and elevator upgrades at the Stevenson Center for 2026. Commissioner comments addressed ongoing agreement negotiations, community pricing discussions with AYSO, sustainability projects with local educational bodies, and the recent resignation of the D97 Superintendent.