Tinley Park adopts Harmony Square rules, limits animals on turf; approves temporary synthetic ice rink

Tinley Park’s Board of Trustees on Aug. 19 adopted an ordinance to establish regulations for Harmony Square and approved a related resolution to rent, with an option to purchase, a synthetic ice rink and curling lanes for the winter 2025–26 season. The board voted to amend the ordinance so that animals would be prohibited on the turf area of Harmony Square while staff is asked to finalize the precise ordinance language.

The board’s action came after discussion at a Committee of the Whole meeting earlier the same day. Trustee Michael Mueller moved to adopt an ordinance amending chapter 131 of title 13 of the village code to regulate Harmony Square; the board later approved an oral, superseding amendment to make clear the legislative intent is to prohibit animals on the turf and to have staff draft final wording.

Trustee Bill Brennan read aloud a grievance filed by the police union that contends community service officers (CSOs) were assigned duties outside their contract scope at Harmony Square. Brennan said the grievance alleges a “violation of section 11.8 of the collective bargaining agreement by assigning community officers to perform duties that fall outside administrative scope permitted under the contract.” He told the board that the village manager had denied that grievance and that staff had invited further discussion.

A public commenter praised Harmony Square’s design and urged greater transparency about spending and vendor payments. The commenter also criticized how some public comments had been handled at prior meetings.

The board also adopted Resolution 2025-R-101 approving an agreement with Unreal Ice to bring the synthetic ice rink and curling lanes to Harmony Square for winter 2025–26. The resolution was described at the meeting as a rental arrangement with an option to purchase; specific contract price or payment terms were not provided during the public discussion.

Trustees emphasized that the amendment on animals was intended to protect the turf surface. Trustee Mike (Michael) Mueller said staff would “draft language ... consistent with legislative intent” and bring the final ordinance text back to the board.

The measures passed by roll call vote. The record shows the ordinance was adopted as amended and the synthetic-ice resolution was approved.

The board and staff declined to change operational assignments at the meeting; Trustee Brennan described the union grievance and said the village manager had invited the union to discuss issues directly with management. Members said staff would refine the turf/animal language and return with final ordinance text and that operational questions about CSO duties should proceed through the grievance and labor-management processes referenced in the meeting.