Several Oak Lawn seniors told trustees at the June 24 meeting they are worried the new Park District activity center will not have enough space and that donated books and games at the existing senior center may be thrown away during the move.

Jerry Linehan, who spoke during public comment, said he and another volunteer found garbage dumpsters being used at the senior center and asked staff to ensure reusable books and games are not placed in landfill-bound containers. "Do not put books in the dumpster that goes into a landfill," he said, estimating there were about "maybe a hundred, well maybe 120" books in a bookcase.

Dale Kaczmarek, speaking for the Oak Lawn Senior Council, said the conceptual floor plan he reviewed showed rooms of about 54 and 35 square feet (described in the meeting as the sizes provided by the petitioner), which he believes will not comfortably accommodate the 75 to 80 seniors who attend on peak days. He asked why seniors were not consulted earlier on capacity needs.

Trustees said a resolution approving an intergovernmental agreement with the Oak Lawn Park District for senior programming at the park-district activity center (Resolution 25-11-51) was on the consent agenda and was approved as part of the meeting's consent items. Mayor Borderer said the village is partnering with another taxing body to "provide better services" and that combining tax dollars could improve senior services.

Trustees and senior commenters discussed operational details: the park district will operate the senior programming at the activity center, and village staff said box lunches could be moved to the nearby Stony Creek Golf Course if needed during busy events. The board did not vote to change the facilities plan at the meeting, but trustees said they would work with Park District Director Tom Hardwick and senior volunteers to resolve storage and capacity questions.

On the specific disposal concern, Mayor Borderer said he would follow up with Mike at the senior center and with Park District Director Tom Hardwick to determine whether the bookcase and donated materials can be stored or redistributed to local libraries or charities instead of being discarded.

The board approved the senior-programming intergovernmental agreement as part of the consent agenda; the ordinance and other consent items were carried by roll call with no recorded dissent on that vote.

Trustees told seniors they will continue to discuss layout and usage of the new space and encouraged senior leaders to provide specific counts and program schedules so staff can plan capacity accordingly.