West Dundee board approves street contract, greenlights 60‑day camera trial and reviews Spring Hill 3D redevelopment tool

The West Dundee Village Board on June 15 approved a package of actions intended to move capital projects forward while opening a public conversation about the future of the Spring Hill mall area.

The board unanimously approved awarding the 2026 street improvements contract to the bidder named during the meeting (the motion referenced the company name as read into the record) for the base bid amount read aloud as $937,514.30 and separately approved a construction‑services proposal with Baxter & Woodman at the not‑to‑exceed figure read into the record. The board was told staff’s estimate showed the low bid was about $262,000 under the project estimate. Trustee Anderly moved to award the contract and Trustee Price seconded; the motion carried.

During public comment Elizabeth Miranda, identifying herself as a neighborhood resident, urged the board to take stronger action after a series of overnight shootings near Highland Avenue. "We woke up this morning at 5 something this morning with gunshots in our neighborhood," Miranda said, and told the board she and neighbors felt police had not followed up on evidence and had shown bias when residents reported incidents. Chief Green agreed to meet with the residents after the meeting to follow up.

The board also approved a memorandum of understanding with the Village of East Dundee to split routine cleaning and maintenance of the Fox River sculptures by side of the river and share responsibility for middle‑river maintenance; trustees debated annual cost shares and procedures, and the MOU passed on a 4–3 vote.

Trustees authorized a fireworks permit for July 4 (with a July 5 rain date) for the event operator listed in the permit materials, subject to the listed contingencies including staffing and cost‑reimbursement conditions. Trustees debated the appropriateness of shared costs with East Dundee; the permit motion passed as presented. The board tabled another new‑business item to the first July meeting.

The board approved a commercial license agreement allowing Horizon Construction Group to stage construction on village‑owned property, with financial and restoration requirements reflected in the license materials.

On public‑safety technology, Chief Green presented a no‑cost 60‑day trial of three pan‑tilt‑zoom cameras to cover village public parking lots and portions of the riverwalk. The cameras will not record audio or use facial recognition; preset views were described as limited to public areas. The board authorized the trial now and asked staff to return for approval before committing to an annual contract (a one‑year cost was stated in the presentation as not to exceed $12,000). Trustee Bo moved the trial approval and Trustee Alapaganis seconded; the motion carried.

In the evening’s longest presentation, the board heard from House Lavine (Devon Lavine and a project manager) and village staff about a scenario‑based 3D 'digital twin' for the Spring Hill mall site. Devon Lavine described the tool as a "scenario‑based" visualization and emphasized it is "not prescriptive" zoning but a way to test market assumptions, parking needs and building massing in real time. Tim Scott, who coordinated the project for the village, said the tool would be packaged as a public application to let residents and decision makers explore alternative redevelopment scenarios; officials said a micro‑site and public engagement sessions are planned, with a town‑hall style forum aimed for later in July.

What happens next: staff will bring final contract documents and budget items back to the board for formal ratification as required, the police department and commanders will follow up directly with the residents who spoke about shootings, and staff will report back after the 60‑day camera trial before committing to a paid contract.