Property Committee approves Kamilara Park playground bid; parks staff say sewage system largely ready, plan $4,900 sand work

The McLean County Property Committee approved a $30,899 bid from Team Rail Inc. to build a new playground at Kamilara Park and received an operations update from parks staff saying the sewage treatment work at F.R. Glazener Beach is largely complete and serviceable for guests.

Committee members voted to place the playground bid on the floor (motion by Member Layman, seconded by Member Bell) and approved it by voice vote. Parks staff told the committee two bids were received and Team Rail Inc. was the low bid.

The parks representative, Parks Department staff member Mr. Seffa, said the dump station and shower houses at F.R. Glazener Beach are “completed enough to open the facilities” while minor cosmetic work remains. He told the committee the department plans to remove sludge from the sand filter pit for an additional $4,900 and to replace some sand, and that the department has budgeted funds for that work.

Mr. Seffa said the parks department notified visitors about reduced functionality using the county website, the department’s Facebook page and on-site signage; he added staff directed visitors needing to dump to the Love’s gas station on the north end of Normal.

The discussion was informational and did not include a separate committee motion to authorize the sludge removal; Mr. Seffa presented it as a funded, planned maintenance action by staff. The playground award was a formal committee action and was approved on the record.

The property committee also approved routine consent items earlier in the meeting and set its next meeting for June 3, 2025.