Beach Park board approves road funding application, salt purchase, MFT pay request and repair contracts; resident pushes for Beach Road agreement

The Village of Beach Park board on a December meeting approved multiple public-works and contract items and heard public concerns about traffic and parking at 3391 Beach Road (Waukegan Sports Park).

The board adopted a resolution to pursue Surface Transportation Program (STP) funding for improvements to Adams/Major Road. Staff said STP would cover about 80% of eligible costs and estimated the total project cost at upward of $500,000; the village’s local match was described as $108,583.20, to be budgeted from the capital fund. A motion to adopt the STP resolution passed on roll call.

Public Works also presented and the board approved a resolution to purchase rock salt through the Lake County cooperative. The salt is expected to be supplied by Morton Salt at a projected delivered price of $87.27 per ton; the village discussed a maximum order of 660 tons with an estimated budget impact of $57,598.20 if that maximum is used.

The board authorized pay application number 2 to Payne & Dolan for the 2025 Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) project in the amount of $236,701.95, covering final pavement work including driveways, shoulders, striping, ditching and lawn restoration. Staff noted the contract total was $1,209,977, which the presenter said was significantly below the original budgeted contract amount of $1,500,000.

Separately, the board ratified a contract with Sticky Construction to repair damage to Village Hall resulting from a vehicle crash; staff said insurance would cover much of the cost and the village expected some recovery from the vehicle owner. As part of the repair work, the board authorized replacing worn carpeting so the finished areas would match, based on a quoted cost of $25,625 from the vendor listed in the packet.

Under new business the board approved a three-year governmental agreement for police services with Lake County and the Lake County Sheriff. Staff described a first-year contract increase of about 5.9% to reflect wage changes, with smaller increases in subsequent years. The board voted to authorize execution of the agreement.

During the general public-comment period, resident Alan Hutchison addressed ongoing problems tied to 3391 Beach Road (identified as the Waukegan Sports Park). Hutchison said the site had continued operations into December and criticized statements that the park was strictly seasonal. “So the next time they tell you that that is a seasonal operation, it is it is not,” Hutchison said, urging the village to draft a clear agreement or ordinance that defines road control, permissible operations and enforcement so neighbors can seek citation or removal when access is blocked. Hutchison offered to help draft such a document.

Mayor (unnamed) closed the meeting with holiday wishes and said the board would not meet again until the New Year. The board adjourned following a motion to close the meeting.

Key quotes "I'm sure we'll come as no surprise that I'm here once again to discuss the issues regarding the business property at 3391 Beach Road," Alan Hutchison said, urging a formal village position on operations and enforcement at the site. "We certainly have had more than our share of public works snowplowing events, and I had an unofficial total around 36 inches so far," the presiding official said during the mayor’s report.

What happens next The STP application and other procurement/contract actions will proceed through the administrative steps described by staff; funding and construction schedules will depend on STP approval and vendor scheduling. The board will reconvene after the New Year.