Here’s what’s happening at the Elmhurst Park District…
By Chris Fox
The Elmhurst Park District Board held a regular meeting on March 12 at the district’s administrative office at 375 W. First Street. Commissioner Carolyn Ubriaco was absent from the meeting.
Why no illumination of Vietnam memorial, citizen asks
There was one public comment; an Elmhurst resident asked about the possibility of installing a light to illuminate the Vietnam War Veterans Memorial in Wilder Park. There is a power source about 100 feet from the memorial. A trench could be built to connect to that source, which would allow the memorial to be illuminated during the evening hours.
Vendor apologizes for troubles with registration software
The meeting included a continued discussion about the district’s registration software, which ran at an unacceptably slow speed during registration for park district programs on Feb. 24. Elmhurst Park District Executive Director Jim Rogers, who discussed the issue at the board’s previous meeting on Feb. 26, noted that he joined other staff members to participate in a conference call with the software provider on March 6. The company, Vermont Systems, Inc., apologized and owned the problem. Rogers noted that the district sent 1,100 households a letter of apology and a $10 coupon after the slow registration process on Feb. 24. Rogers said Vermont Systems, Inc. is making efforts to retain the district’s business. He also said that switching to another vendor would be a major undertaking, and likely much more costly than continuing with Vermont Systems, Inc.
Board talks about ADA transition plan progress
The March 12 meeting also included an update about the district’s 2011 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) transition plan progress report. Angela Ferrentino, the district’s director of facilities, provided the update to the board. Ferrentino noted that President George H.W. Bush signed the ADA into law in 1990. She added that since 1992, the district has worked in accordance with the ADA at removing physical and administrative barriers from programs, parks and facilities. In 2011, the district and over 86,000 other agencies were subject to new regulations set forth by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Ferrentino said that since 2011, the district has spent about $2.6 million on accessibility improvements. Those improvements have included the renovation of restrooms at the Wagner Community Center, the installation of automatic door openers at the Wilder Park Conservatory and the upgrading of 10 district playgrounds. Ferrentino said the district still has to upgrade seven more playgrounds to meet accessibility standards.
Wagner Center roofing bid goes to Garland/DBS
Board members voted unanimously during the meeting to award the Wagner Community Center roofing project to Garland/DBS, Inc. The project includes the base bid of about $204,000 and two alternates—one for about $60,000 and the other for about $6,400. The project involves the restoration of the roof system over the registration and staff offices, classrooms, and Multipurpose Room A at the center. Restoration of the roof is reportedly more cost-effective than a complete replacement. Restoration can also be completed in less time than a replacement. The project is scheduled to begin on Aug. 6 and be completed by Aug. 24.
The alternate cost of about $60,000 will cover restoration of the roof over the building’s gymnastics center. The alternate cost of about $6,400 will pay for the replacement of three existing skylights.
Next meeting cancelled; Board reconvenes April 9
The board’s meeting scheduled for March 26 has been cancelled. The board will hold its next regular meeting on April 9.
