December 6: Finance Committee Meeting

Staff presented the 2023 budget book and related Ordinance # 2023-1: An Ordinance for a combined budget and appropriation for the Park District of Highland Park for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2023 and ending December 31, 2023. Staff have also been working with the Park District’s legal counsel to draft a Donation and Naming Rights Agreement for the Fink Park Baseball Field. An update was provided to discuss the donation, agreement terms and schedule, and the proposed name. Staff also reviewed the bid opening for the 2022 Centennial Ice Arena Sound and Video Equipment Replacement project, the 2023 Dehumidification System Replacement Recreation Center of Highland Park Indoor Pool project, and a proposed parks vehicle capital purchase.

December 7: Workshop Meeting of the Park Board

The Park Board of Commissioners approved Centennial Ice Arena Renovation Project Change Order #16 from Stuckey Construction in the amount of $49,868.50 for materials and installation of Mondo flooring at the ice rink entry area.

Staff presented the 2022 operational reports for Sunset Valley Golf Club and the Highland Park Golf Learning Center and provided construction project updates for the Fink Park Athletic Field Development Project, the Hidden Creek AquaPark Concrete Pool Deck Project, the Centennial Ice Arena Facility and Site Renovations Project, the Centennial Ice Arena Rink Floor Replacement Project, the Moraine Beach Pathway Project, the Park Avenue Breakwater and Boat Ramp Replacement Project, and the West Ridge Park and Site Plan Project.

December 14: Regular Meeting of the Park Board

There was a Public Hearing on the Supplemental and Tax Levy Ordinances.

The Park Board of Commissioners approved the 2023 Highland Park Pops Affiliate Organization Agreement, the 2023 Highland Park Strings Affiliate Organization Agreement, the 2023 Highland Park Players Affiliate Organization Agreement, the 2023 American Youth Soccer Organization Affiliate Agreement, the 2023 Uptown Music Theater of Highland Park Affiliate Organization Agreement, the 2023 License Agreement between the Park District of Highland Park and the North Shore Yacht Club, the 2022 Centennial Ice Arena Sound & Video Equipment Replacement Bid, the 2023 Dehumidification System Replacement for the Recreation Center of Highland Park Indoor Pool Bid, the Donation and Naming Rights Agreement, Resolution #2022-08 Authorizing a Contract for Procurement of Park Vehicles, Resolution #2022-09: Authorizing the Mutual Exchange of Real Estate Property and Intergovernmental Agreement Between the Board of Education of NSSD112 and the PDHP to Mutually Exchange Real Estate, Ordinance #2022-06: Supplemental Tax Levy for Debt Service for 2022, and Ordinance #2022-07: Tax Levy for 2022.

Staff presented the proposed 2023 Budget (represents the calendar year January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023) for consideration by the Board of Park Commissioners. The proposed 2023 budget is available for public review on our website, as well as at the Recreation Center of Highland Park, West Ridge Center and Highland Park Library.  Public comments and questions can be submitted to [email protected]. A hearing for the public will be held on January 25, 2023.  Later that evening, the Budget will be presented to the Board for approval of the Budget, and the Budget and Appropriations Ordinance. Upon approval, the budget will be certified by the county.