March 12: Workshop Meeting of the Park Board

The Lakota Group, aQity Research and Insights, and BerryDunn held a kickoff meeting for the Greenprint Master Plan Update on February 24, 2025 with staff and the Park Board Master Planning Project liaisons. Staff provided a progress update on the Master Plan progress.

Staff provided construction updates for the development of Club Pickle and Padel, the New Facility and Site Improvements at West Ridge Park, Park Avenue Boating Facility North Beach Improvements, and Sunset Woods Park Improvements. 

March 18: Finance Committee Meeting

Staff reviewed the request for proposals for the 2025 Hidden Creek AquaPark and Rosewood Beach Concessions License.  

Staff reviewed the bids via NIMEC (Northern Illinois Municipal Electric Collaborative) and Satori Energy for electricity rates for the entire District.

Staff would like to enter into a reciprocal agreement with the Glencoe Park District. Staff reviewed the proposed terms.

Staff reviewed and provided contractor recommendations for the Centennial Ice Arena Roof Top Unit Bid, the Centennial Ice Arena Dehumidification Unit Installation Bid, the Hidden Creek AquaPark Fence Improvements Project Bid, the Recreation Center of Highland Park Pool Filter Change, Pool Deck Renovation, and Pool Grate Replacement Bids.

Several maintenance vehicles and equipment have met their useful lives and need to be replaced. Staff reviewed the recommended vehicle and equipment purchases.

March 19: Regular Meeting of the Park Board

The Park Board of Commissioners approved the Rejection of the 2025 Centennial Ice Arena Roof Top Unit Replacement Bids, the Purchase of 2025 Capital Replacement Tractor, the 2025 Centennial Ice Arena Dehumidification Unit Installation, the 2025 Renewal of the 2023 Weeding & Landscape Services Bid, the 2025 Hidden Creek AquaPark Fence Improvements Project Bid, the 2025 Renewal of the 2023 Routine Grounds Maintenance – South Route Bid, the 2025 Renewal of the 2023 Routine Grounds Maintenance – North Route Bid, the 2025 Recreation Center of Highland Park Pool Filter Change, Pool Deck Renovation, and Pool Grate Replacement, the Dynegy Energy Services, LLC Electric Service Agreement bid via Northern Illinois Municipal Electric Collaborative (NIMEC), the 2025 Hidden Creek AquaPark and Rosewood Beach Concessions License Agreement with Judy’s Pizzeria, the Purchase of an Electric Transit Van, and Ordinance 2025-04: Authorizing and Providing for the Conveyance or Sale of Surplus Personal Property.

Staff evaluated the 2025 capital plan vehicle replacement list and determined that three 4×4 pick-up trucks have met their useful life and need to be replaced. Staff recommended purchasing three gas-powered trucks through the Suburban Purchasing Cooperative. While the purchases were under budget, the Park Board of Commissioners requested staff explore electric vehicle options.

Staff provided an annual report for the Recreation Center of Highland Park comparing budgeted vs actual programming revenues, expenses, and membership utilization.

The Park Board of Commissioners went into closed session pursuant to Section 2(c)1: The employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees, specific individuals who serve as independent contractors in a park, recreational, or educational setting, or specific volunteers of the public body or legal counsel for the public body. The Park Board of Commissioners reconvened into open session and approved a six-month contract extension to the Employment Agreement for the Executive Director and a new Employment Agreement for the Executive Director.