West Cook News

Village of Brookfield Committee of the Whole met Aug. 25

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

MEMBERS PRESENT: Village President Michael Garvey, Trustee Nicole Gilhooley, Trustee Jennifer Hendricks, Trustee Kathryn Kaluzny, Trustee Kit Ketchmark, Trustee Julie Narimatsu, and Trustee Kyle Whitehead

MEMBERS ABSENT: Village Clerk Michael Melendez

STAFF PRESENT: Adam Durkin, Michael Kuruvilla, Noah Rife, Tim Wiberg, Stevie Ferrari, Libby Popovic, Doug Cooper, Luke Gundersen, and Lauren Moore

ROLL CALL

REGULAR BUSINESS

Discussion of Ehlert Park Baseball Field #4 Field Renovation Project Proposed by Brookfield Little League

Parks and Recreation Director Luke Gunderson discussed the proposed improvements to Ehlert Park Field 4 in partnership with Brookfield Little League. The proposed plan includes skinning the infield to remove grass for multi-purpose use, installing 70-foot base anchors to accommodate intermediate-level baseball, and completing fencing along the left field line.

Representatives from Little League, including Kevin Jaworski and Christine Ramirez, spoke to the benefits that the improvements would have for the Challenger program, which provides opportunities for children with special needs, as well as girls’ softball. Trustees expressed strong support for skinning the field and finishing the fence, both of which Little League offered to fund. Concerns were raised, however, about the safety of adding 70-foot bases due to the proximity of other park amenities and the power of older players to hit balls beyond the field. After discussion, consensus was reached to move forward immediately with the infield renovation and fencing while deferring a decision on the 70-foot bases until a later meeting. Comments and questions were made by President Garvey and Trustees Narimatsu, Kaluzny, Hendricks, Whitehead, Gihooley, and Ketchmark.

Discussion of Next Action Steps Concerning the Acceptance of the Final

Community Center Feasibility Study

Parks and Recreation Director Luke Gunderson presented the study’s findings, noting that 75% of residents view parks and recreation as critical to quality of life, 52% of respondents feel that are not enough recreation facilities/services, and many identified health and fitness amenities, a walking/jogging track, and gym courts as top priorities. About half of survey respondents expressed willingness to pay. The proposed community center design is approximately 33,600 square feet with a projected cost of $25 million. The study estimates the facility could cover its own operating expenses by the third year of operation.

The board discussed three options for next steps: (1) accept the study with no further action; (2) accept the study and direct staff to pursue outside funding sources such as state or federal grants, philanthropic support, or donations; or (3) plan for a bond referendum to fund construction, either as early as 2027 when some debt expires or in 2031 when greater bonding capacity would become available. Trustees acknowledged that pursuing a referendum in 2027 could provide only about $12 million, leaving a funding gap of $13–15 million, while waiting until 2031 could allow the full cost to be covered but would result in further escalation in project costs. During deliberation, trustees raised concerns about balancing the community center with other long-term capital needs, such as ongoing street maintenance and the significant costs of alley paving. Trustees reached consensus to continue exploring community center funding options with additional financial analysis and capital project comparisons to be brought back to the board. Comments and questions were made by President Garvey and Trustees Narimatsu, Kaluzny, Hendricks, Whitehead, Gihooley, and Ketchmark.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Mike Lehman comments on the empty triangle lot on Brookfield Ave and Prairie Ave and the Village owned congress park properties.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

ADJOURNMENT

Motion to Adjourn Committee of the Whole Meeting at 9:14pm

Moved by Trustee Nicole Gilhooley, seconded by Trustee Julie Narimatsu, Motion to Adjourn Committee of the Whole Meeting at 9:14pm

Carried by the following votes:

Ayes: Trustee Nicole Gilhooley, Trustee Jennifer Hendricks, Trustee Kathryn Kaluzny, Trustee Kit Ketchmark, and Trustee Julie Narimatsu

https://brookfieldil.civicweb.net/document/176572/