May 12: Finance Committee Meeting

Staff provided a purchase recommendation to replace wireless access point equipment. 

Staff provided a programming, and operations update for Club Pickle and Padel, highlighting the membership and permanent court time options. Staff also compared budgeted programming revenues and expenses with estimated figures for the fall of 2025.

Staff reviewed the two bids for the pickleball court divider and enclosure system purchase and installation. Staff recommended rejecting both bids and requested the Park Board allow the Executive Director to enter into a Sole Source Purchase Agreement instead.

Staff reviewed the natural gas bids and provided contract recommendations. 

May 7: Special Workshop Meeting of the Park Board

The Park Board approved to reject the 2025 Pickleball Court Divider and Enclosure System Purchase and Installation Bids, to ratify the 2024 Club Pickel and Padel Change Order No. 9, to approve Resolution 2025-07 Authorizing a Sole Source Contract for Procurement of InfinityGlass Pickleball Court Divider and Enclosure System, to approve the Interstate Gas Supply, LLC Commercial Gas Sales Agreement for  Natural Gas bid via Alternative Utility Services, Inc. (AUS Energy), to approve the Mansfield Power and Gas, LLC Master Commercial Gas Sales Agreement     for  Natural Gas bid via Alternative Utility Services, Inc. (AUS Energy), to approve the Wireless Access Point Agreement, to approve the Settlement Agreement with I.B. Storey.

The Park Board of Commissioners adopted the Beach and Boating Safety Week Proclamation declaring May 17 – 23, 2025 as Highland Park Beach and Boasting Safety Week.

The Park Board of Commissioners approved Resolution 2025-06 A Declaration Honoring Brian Kaplan for his Contributions to the Park District of Highland Park While Serving as a Park Board Commissioner from May 2011 through June 2024, Resolution 2025-05 – A Declaration Honoring Barnett Ruttenberg for his Contributions to the Park District of Highland Park While Serving as a Park Board Commissioner from May 2013 through May 2025, and 2025-04 – A Declaration Honoring Calvin Bernstein for his Contributions to the Park District of Highland Park While Serving as a Park Board Commissioner from May 2007 through May 2025.

May 13: Finance Committee Meeting

During excavation for the new recreation facility at West Ridge Park, soil testing was completed, and it was recommended to install waterproofing and additional drainage to avoid pooling in the gymnastics foam pit.  Staff reviewed the total change to the contract for this work.

Staff reviewed the bid results and provided contract recommendations for the 2025 Larry Fink Batting Cage and the 2025. The Recreation Center of Highland Park Landscape Installation bid was awarded a contract to Autus Group, LLC dba Property First by the Park Board on April 23, 2025. The contractor is not proceeding with the project, so staff recommended the second lowest bidder who had favorable references and the Park District has worked with in the past, Langton Group.

May 21: Annual Meeting of the Park Board

Commissioner Grossberg was elected for President of the Park Board and Commissioner Freeman was elected for Vice President.

Executive Director Romes was appointed as Secretary to the Park Board, Coordinator Hejnowski was appointed as Assistant Secretary acting under the general supervisor of the Secretary, Director Peters was appointed as Treasurer, Director Hall was appointed as the District’s IMRF authorized agent, Executive Director Romes, Director Hall, and Coordinator Hejnowski were appointed as Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Officers, Executive Director Romes and Coordinator Hejnowski were appointed as Open Meetings Act (OMA) Officers, Executive Director Romes was appointed as the American With Disabilities Act Coordinator (ADA), Sikich, LLP was appointed as the District’s auditor, and Ancel Glink was appointed as the District’s attorney.

May 21: Regular Meeting of the Park Board

Fitness Manager, Jodi DiTomasso, received a Resolution Honoring her for performing lifesaving CPR to a patron at the Recreation Center of Highland Park.

The Park Board approved the 2025 Larry Fink Park Batting Cage, the 2025 Recreation Center of Highland Park Parking Lot Landscape Installation, Ordinance 2025-07- Authorizing and Providing for the Conveyance or Sale of Surplus Personal Property, the Ratification of PCCO #8: Waterproofing/Drainage at Pits in Gymnasium, New Recreation Facility at West Ridge Park and the New Restaurant License Agreement for Sunset Valley Golf Club.

The Park District is currently in the engagement phase of the three-phased approach to update the Masterplan. The Lakota Group has been hosting community focus groups and taking public input online and at predetermined special events. A survey was released to targeted community members this month. The same survey will be released to the entire community in June. 

Staff provided construction project updates for the New Facility and Site Improvements at West Ridge Park, Club Pickle and Padel, South Boat Storage Restoration at Park Avenue, improvements at Sunset Woods Park, renovations at Old Elm and Port Clinton Playgrounds, and the renovations to the Larry Fink Park Tot Lot.

Staff provided an annual report on Recreation Programming comparing budgeted vs actual programming, league, and camp enrollments and revenues and expenses.