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NewsTownship delays action on bond proceed awardsBy James Pluta Citing the need to look “for refinements (to) certain proposals” before them, Township of Lyons Board members recently delayed action again on the awarding and distribution of more than $9 million in bond proceeds to 22 agencies seeking aid for everything from parkland purchases to lighting and recreation center projects. Meeting with a host of the affected entities on Dec. 1 at Countryside City Hall, the Town Board said while it has received upwards of $50 million in funding requests, there are very few projects they would be able to fully fund with proceeds from the November 2004 successful bond issue referenda. Park Districts, recreation departments and other agencies and organizations first made proposals in the fall of 2008 and then some altered those requests this past spring and summer after the township took on two new elected officials. Officials from the aforementioned agencies, who appeared at the meeting in hopes of hearing some news about financial awards, left the meeting 45 minutes later after learning none of the projects or proposals would be funded until at least early February. “What we’re looking at is the prospect of several projects and funding certain segments of them,” reported Trustee Thomas Garrette of Justice, the board’s Finance Committee chairman. “In order to do this properly, we need more information ... to make this happen.” He said at least 50 percent of the bond funds from the original $10 million issue — minus consultant, attorney and administrative costs — should be awarded by Tuesday, Feb. 9, the next time the board has a scheduled meeting. Trustee Mark Anderson of Lyons, elected to the board in April along with William Mundy of Summit, said the consultant brought in to help review proposals has done a lot so far to assist in specifying what types of proposals might be best to select. Anderson said he was more likely to choose so-called “home grown” proposals that show a lot of creativity and original ideas, although that was not part of the initial criteria. Ideas that incorporate partnerships, cost savings and fresh concepts will rank high in his decisionmaking, he added. He said refinements are not needed for every request before the board and that those needed will be individually requested. Some park officials suggested it would be fair to all entities is every agency gets something or an equitable portion of the funds, but the board made no promises in that regarding that thought is not a given. Supervisor Russell Hartigan said he will be prepared to move forward in February, perhaps with all of the funding, noting tax payments on the bond issue have already started. Summit Park Board President Judy Pollick asked whether a short list of proposals cited by Anderson were any indication of front-runners, but was told they were just a few fine examples. “This is a very difficult thing for the new trustees up here,” Anderson replied. “I want to touch base with those who’ve done a home grown effort here.” However, Hartigan clarified “every proposal has equal consideration” over one another. Asked if delays are angering anyone, Hartigan said he believes just the opposite is true and that the only inconvenience he knows of are the delay in construction start dates. Garrette said the total amount of funds slated to be awarded is some $9.2 million, calling it “a pretty daunting task” the board faces. |
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