Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Planning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Director outlines ADA transition plan, holiday lights, playground upgrades and ARPA projects
Summary
Director Chad briefed the board on a forthcoming ADA transition plan led by WT Group, announced a holiday light VIP preview, and noted a Slattery Park playground selection (Option 1 won ~90% of ~600 Facebook survey votes) and continuing ARPA-funded projects including Main Street Landing.
At the board meeting, Director Chad delivered a multi-part report covering an ADA transition plan required for CAPRA accreditation, the department’s holiday displays and playground projects funded in part by ARPA.
Chad said the department issued an RFP for an ADA transition plan and selected WT Group (John McGovern, Hoffman Estates) to perform an assessment and produce a transition plan. He said the consultant work would likely start in January and take about 6–8 months, with opportunities for stakeholder input. Chad tied the plan to accreditation requirements, stating the transition plan had become a required CAPRA standard.
On events, Chad invited members to a holiday light VIP preview the week of the meeting; the transcript states the showcase is scheduled "next Tuesday, the 20 fifth at 7PM" and that displays run nightly starting around 5:30 p.m.; Chad credited Amanda Anderson (recreation) and volunteer groups for event setup. He also said holiday lighting will appear at Vandiver and that lights installed at Lindsay Park last year will be reinstalled for the Thanksgiving weekend.
Chad reported that a Facebook survey for Slattery Park playground replacement drew roughly 600 responses and that about 90% favored Option 1. He said the project was on the council cycle and is budgeted for installation in spring. A board member raised concerns that outreach relied on Facebook and that nearby residents were not informed; Chad apologized and said staff would expand outreach methods and engage neighborhood stakeholders for neighborhood projects.
Chad also said the city completed its last ARPA neighborhood-funded project (an inclusive playground) and that Main Street Landing projects continue under construction with a target completion in 2026. He invited board members to expect opportunities to participate in the ADA planning process and in future community engagement on park projects.
The board did not adopt policy or change funding during the meeting; items discussed will proceed through their respective planning and procurement processes.
