Paddle Hut and Safety Village construction approved on 4-3 Board decisions

At the Glen Ellyn Park District April 19 meeting the Board approved bids for the first third of the first phase of the Safety Village Project at Maryknoll Park. On a 4-3 vote the Board approved $69,000 in spending for this project although only $50,000 was budgeted for in the GEPD 2011 budget. No explanation was given as to where the additional money would come from. A new cost estimate shows expenses of $324,000 for partial construction of Safety Village. This information was not presented to the Board at the time of the vote. It is included in the packet for the May 3 meeting, starting on page 25. A memo from our previous executive director last summer placed the total cost of Safety Village at over $600,000.

At our April 5 special meeting the Board approved bids for construction of the paddle warming hut. On a 4-3 vote the Board approved $236,383 for construction of the hut and sewer line although only $206,263.07 in funds is available. No explanation was given as to where the additional money would come from. Total costs for the project are $273,073, though this information was not presented to the Board at the time of this vote. It is included in the packet for the May 3 meeting, along with the paddle agreement, starting on page 31.

The Board will address the funding issues for both of these projects at the May 3 Board Meeting.