Committee backs moving forward with ADA-capable river access work at Yellowbanks

The Parks and Recreation Committee voted to recommend moving forward with river-access improvements at Yellowbanks Park after staff described a grant award and a funding shortfall tied to ADA compliance requirements.

Staff reported the village received a state grant award (DNR) for the river-access project but later learned the grant program requires accessible launches. The estimate used in the original grant application did not include an ADA-capable float; staff said a 40-by-40 ADA-compliant dock would increase the project cost by roughly $10,000 compared with the original estimate.

To cover the additional cost, staff and volunteers said they are pursuing two community foundation grants — one for $25,000 and another for $10,000 — and that a local engineer (Dan) has offered to donate surveying and engineering services valued at about $9,500. Staff said public works could contribute labor and some materials in-kind. The committee voted to recommend proceeding with the improvements while staff completes the grant agreements and applies for the foundation funding.

Staff told trustees the DNR grant agreement for $48,000 remains to be finalized and that the village expects to know foundation-grant outcomes by May. Trustees asked staff to return with final cost estimates and the executed DNR grant agreement if award conditions require design changes.

Motion to recommend proceeding with the Yellowbanks improvements was made by Trustee Corvino, seconded by Trustee Ermeline; the chair called the vote and the motion passed.