Trustees agreed to move forward with initial steps to clear and regrade a small fenced area in the Alliance Mini Park so the village can redesign the play area and address drainage. Trustee Pupko said the Parks Committee recommended removing the fence and grading the site so “the water flows off” and that clearing would provide “more flexibility in designing a new play area.” Pupko said the work would likely need to be bid out.

Separately, the Lions Club Foundation offered $50,000 toward park equipment either as a check or by purchasing equipment directly. Trustee Pupko urged the parks committee to meet with the Lions to develop proposals. Board President and others cautioned that a memorandum of understanding (MOU) is needed to clarify responsibilities — who buys, who maintains and who insures equipment — before committing funds or equipment. Pupko said he did not want “another year to go by without moving forward,” and the trustees agreed the parks committee should produce options and that the village should have an MOU in place before final purchases.

The board also agreed to scrap an old, nonworking speed sign and approved accepting a replacement donated by the Frost Foundation for the police department. During discussion two different donation figures were cited ($16,438 and $13,002.94); the board thanked the Frost Foundation and approved the donation and surplus of the old sign.

The parks committee will solicit bids and return to the board with an RFP and design options; the board asked staff to coordinate timing so clearing could occur before planned drainage work where possible.