Lake Zurich trustees adopt 10-year parks master plan, approve fireworks contract and Paulus Park budget increase

Michelle Cussell, speaking for the Lake Zurich Baseball and Softball Association, urged the Village Board on March 16 to prioritize permanent restrooms at Staples Park, saying porta‑potties are inadequate for long tournament weekends that bring hundreds of families to town. “We really appreciated how thorough [the parks] survey was … and overwhelmingly, the number one question we all get is how do we get bathrooms at Staples?” Cussell said.

Nick Evans, commissioner of LZBSA, echoed those remarks and described the league’s willingness to partner with the village on fundraising or outreach to support the park improvements.

The board then turned to its scheduled business. Bonnie Caputo, Lake Zurich’s park director, summarized a nine‑month planning process with Upland Design and told trustees the village has not had a parks master plan since 2009. “We have not had a master plan since 2009,” Caputo said, presenting the Key Parks Master Plan that covers Cushman Arboretum, Oak Ridge Park, Old Mill Grove Park, Staples Park and Zereitz Park. Staff recommended adoption and the board approved the plan by roll call vote.

Also on the consent calendar and approved by the trustees were routine items including minutes, a semi‑monthly warrant register and a contract with Blue Stem Ecological Services. The warrant register read into the record totaled $7,738,176.27.

Trustees approved a 2026 fireworks agreement with J and M Displays for $43,000. Staff noted a three‑year contract awarded in October 2024 and said inventory from a canceled 2025 show will be used for a June 6 band‑shell grand‑opening event and toward the July 4 festivities. Caputo previewed the June 6 “Live at the Lake” event as a free evening of live music, food trucks and a fireworks finale.

The board also approved a requested $300,000 increase for Paulus Park (Pauls) improvements, bringing the project total to a not‑to‑exceed $4,350,090. Staff explained that unforeseen poor soil conditions, required deeper piers, conflict with an existing sanitary sewer and water main relocations, and Illinois Department of Public Health restroom compliance triggered change orders. A staff member summarized the work: “it would be best to go ahead and relocate the sanitary sewer, relocate the water main,” and to upgrade the restrooms to current standards.

The Village adopted the FY2026 Motor Fuel Tax maintenance resolution, appropriating $789,195 (which staff described as $717,450 in operations plus a 10% contingency) for street maintenance activities such as pavement patching, seal cracking and signal maintenance, as required by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Before adjourning the public session, the mayor announced the board would move to executive session under Illinois statutes to discuss probable or imminent litigation and personnel matters; no further public action was scheduled. The board is set to reconvene on April 6.

Votes at a glance: - Reappointment of Michael Hilt to the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners (three‑year term ending 04/30/2029): approved by roll call. - Consent agenda (minutes, warrant register $7,738,176.27, calendar, events, contracts): approved by roll call. - Adoption of Key Parks Master Plan (10‑year plan covering five parks): approved by roll call. - J and M Displays 2026 fireworks agreement ($43,000): approved by roll call. - Paulus Park budget increase (additional $300,000; revised project total not to exceed $4,350,090): approved by roll call. - FY2026 Motor Fuel Tax maintenance resolution ($789,195): approved by roll call. - Motion to adjourn to executive session (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) - litigation; 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) - personnel): approved by roll call.

What’s next: Staff will proceed with implementation steps identified in the adopted parks master plan and incorporate the Paulus Park scope changes into construction scheduling and the capital improvement program. The public will see a band‑shell grand‑opening event June 6 and the annual July 4 celebration, pending final event logistics.