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Committee of the Whole
Minutes
Village of Cary
January 20, 2026
Immediately Followed The Village Board Meeting
Cary Municipal Center Board Room
755 Georgetown Drive, Cary, IL 60013
ATTENDANCE
Village Board of Trustees
Mayor Mark Kownick, Trustee Dale Collier, Trustee Ellen McAlpine, Trustee Rick Dudek,
Trustee Anthony Stefani, Trustee David Prusina
Absent: Trustee Rick Walrath
Others Present
Village Administrator Morimoto, Assistant Village Administrator Radcliffe, Community
Development Director Simmons, Public Works Director Noonan, Capital Projects Manager
Caty Ward, Deputy Police Chief Naydenoff, Village Attorney Uhler
I. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kownick at 6:19 p.m.
II. Roll Call
The roll was called. Trustee Walrath was absent.
III. Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Kownick led in the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.
IV. Public Comments
There being no comments, Mayor Kownick closed Public Comments at 6:20 p.m.
V. Discussion Items
A. Cary Lake at Rotary Park Master Plan Update
Capital Projects Manager Ward introduced Elias Martin of Upland Design, who
provided an overview of community feedback and the proposed Cary Lake at
Rotary Park Master Plan.
Administrator Morimoto stated the Village's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)
discussion will take place next Tuesday, January 27. Administrator Morimoto
stated feedback received during tonight's meeting will assist staff in drafting future
plans for Cary Lake at Rotary Park, whether tied to a potential grant or not.
Trustee Dudek asked about the requirements for OSLAD (Open Space Lands
Acquisition and Development) grants. 1

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Mr. Martin stated OSLAD tends to favor applications with at least five distinct
elements. Mr. Martin explained the elements included in the proposed Master Plan
were selected to benefit a wide range of interests, ages, and ability levels, resulting
in a balanced proposal for OSLAD’s evaluation.
Trustee Collier asked how much a group may be awarded through an OSLAD
grant.
Mr. Martin stated the grant match may be up to $600,000.
Administrator Morimoto stated the Village has reached out to other communities
that have received OSLAD grants to consider what elements helped make their
applications successful.
Trustee Stefani asked if the Village could perform the park improvements in
phases if awarded OSLAD grant funding.
Mr. Martin stated the OSLAD requires the work be performed within 2 years. Mr.
Martin stated the Village could select elements from the Master Plan to perform
first and then submit future applications for other items within the Master Plan.
Trustee Stefani asked whether communities that receive OSLAD grant funding
tend to be more successful in future OSLAD grant applications.
Mr. Martin stated this is something that is considered, but there are no guarantees.
Administrator Morimoto stated the feedback received by the Board will help staff to
prioritize future improvements and will be considered when putting together the
Capital Improvement Plan. Administrator Morimoto asked Board members to
provide their preferences of the proposed amenities.
Trustee McAlpine asked if applications proposing paved trails tend to receive
higher scores.
Mr. Martin stated they have found that paved trails and loop trails tend score
highly.
Trustee McAlpine stated she felt it was important to have a mixture of amenities.
Trustee McAlpine favors items such the activity stations and the sensory and
discovery garden.
Trustee Dudek suggested corporate sponsors for some of the proposed elements.
Trustee Dudek favors trees and paved trails.
Trustee Collier asked whether future development of properties along Route 31
could include a contribution toward park development.
Attorney Uhler stated any fees beyond what is specified in the Village code would
have to be negotiated into development agreements.
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