[PAGE 1]
Village of Deer Park
Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes
January 15, 2026 — 7:30 p.m.
Deer Park Vehe Barn, 23570 W. Cuba Road, Deer Park, Illinois 60010
Roll Call and Determination of a Quorum
A meeting ofthe Committee ofthe Whole ofthe Village ofDeer Park was held on January 15, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.
at Deer Park Vehe Barn, 23570 W. Cuba Road, in the Village of Deer Park, in the Counties ofLake and Cook,
Illinois. Village President Rusteberg called the Committee ofthe Whole meeting to order at 8:35 p.m.
Upon roll call, Village Officials and Staffpresent included President Rusteberg, Trustees Mann, Psarakis, Reiser,
Lemme, Kreatsoulas and Oakley, Village Attorney Cahill, Village Administrator McAndrews, Director of
Finance Roscoe, Village Engineer Burke and Clerk Kelly.
Approval ofAgenda
Motion: Trustee Lemme moved, and Trustee Reiser seconded to approve agenda to discuss 2026 Road
Program item b. before discussion ofBudget item a. for January 15, 2026
Upon Voice Call:
Ayes: Oakley, Mann, Reiser, Psarakis, Kreatsoulas, Lemme
6) Ayes / ( 0) Nays / ( 0) Absent Motion Carried 610
Public Comments — Sign -in prior to meeting at podium; 5 minutes time limit per person
No public comments.
Director of Finance Roscoe
a. Fiscal Year 2026- 2027 Budget
Item was moved to discuss after item b.
Village Administration McAndrews
b. In conjunction with 2026 Road Program, the removal oftwo landscape islands in the
Ferndale Woods Neighborhood, N Lea Court, and Ferndale Court.
Staffpresented a proposalto remove landscape islands in cul-de-sacs due to safety and liability
concerns in the Ferndale Woods neighborhood during the 2026 Road Program. Staff identified
landscape islands in two cul-de-sacs within the current road program and requested Board
direction to remove them, converting the area to a complete road surface. Rationale for removal
was Safety & Visibility: The islands create visibility issues, particularly for children on scooters
or bikes. Maintenance & Liability: Residents often planted their own trees in these islands, but as
Village property, the Village bears the liability and cost ifa tree falls. Operational Efficiency:
The islands complicate snow removal ( plows struggle to navigate them) and lack proper drainage
connections. The Board debated the balance between operational efficiency and neighborhood
aesthetics regarding the islands. Board members expressed concern that removing the islands
eliminates green space and beautification, noting that residents oftenvalue these features.
Discussion highlighted the inconsistent maintenance history; while some residents or HOAs
maintain them, others neglect them, leading to complaints when the Village does not intervene.
Village Engineer Burke notedthat it is difficultto apply a blanket policy; some islands have
drainage inlets or valid engineering reasons to exist, while others (like the ones in question) are
unconnected from drainage and impede plowing.
Staff agreed to consult the specific neighbors surrounding the affected cul-de-sacs to gauge their
preference before making a final decision on removal. Discussion on establishing a protocol for
consulting residents and defining maintenance responsibilities. A suggestion was made to
proactively identify future road program sites and contact HOAs orresidents well in advance to

[PAGE 2]
Village ofDeer ParkCommittee ofthe Whole Meeting Minutes January 15, 2026 Page 2 of2
determine the fate oflandscape islands. The Board agreed that the proactive approach is to ask
the immediate neighbors; ifthey wish to keep the island, a maintenance agreement may be
required. Staff is to identify upcoming road program areas with landscape islands and contact
surrounding homeowners to determine ifthey wantthe islands removed or preserved. Review of
historical data and potential compromises regarding island design. The Board discussed keeping
the islands but modifying them to be smaller ( for better turning radius) and strictly prohibiting
trees in the right-of-way, leaving them as grass -only. Staffreiterated that even ifthe islands
remain, trees are generally not permitted inthe right-of-way due to safety and infrastructure risks.
Debate regarding maintenance liability, costs, and the final decision process for landscape
islands.
Staffraised concerns that resident commitments to maintain islands may not last; ifacurrent
neighbor leaves, the liability and cost revert to the Village. While HOAs were originally intended
to maintain these features, many are now deferring to the Village. The current reimbursement
structure covers grass cutting for cul-de-sacs and circles but clarification was sought regarding
varying contractor costs and reimbursements.
Removing both landscape islands would costthe Village approximately $30,000. Ifretained,
maintenance costs ( mulch, snowplow damage repairs) continue. Fire trucks and school buses
specifically long buses) cannot navigate the cul-de-sacs effectively, often necessitating backing
out. The Board will not make a final removal decision immediately. Instead, they will engage the
surrounding neighbors to determine consensus. Staffto notify affected neighborhoods ofthe
opportunity to have the islands removed or retained and solicitresident feedback to reach a
consensus.
Village Engineer Burke leftthe meeting at 8:55 p.m.
Director of Finance Roscoe
a. Fiscal Year 2026- 2027 Budget
Director ofFinance Roscoe presented the preliminary budget for fiscal year 2026-2027 ( Version
1) including all known major projects and a rough forecast for operational expenses. Board
discussed items and made no changes to the budget as presented. Future budget reviews will
utilize a roll forward format, highlighting only updates and changes rather than reviewing all line
items.
Old and/or New Business
Consideration ofMotion to adiourn to Executive Session - If needed
Adiourn
Motion: Trustee Lemme moved, and Trustee Mann seconded to adjourn the meeting at 9:24p.m.
Upon Voice Call:
Ayes: Oakley, Mann, Reiser, Psarakis, Kreatsoulas, Lemme
6) Ayes / ( 0) Nays / ( 0) Absent Motion Carried 6/0
f "
Res ectfully Submitted, r( "
Kfi berlyKelly eg uste erg
Village Clerk Village President