Candidate Name: Tim Sheehan Incumbent: Yes
In Attendance at the LWV Elmhurst Candidate Forum on February 26, 2023: No
Responses to Questions Presented in Advance of the LWV Elmhurst Candidate Forum
1. Since 2015, Elmhurst Park District registration events have failed six times. What are your ideas for ongoing improvement in this area?
The Park District has already taken action on this issue. We have hired Active.net to be our new registration software vendor and we expect the transition to them to be complete in the 4th quarter of 2023. Active.net is the same software vendor used by the Chicago Park District. Program registration is a critical touchpoint between the Park District and the community. Since being elected in 2017, I have been a part of the effort to make this process better for all. During my term the process has moved from an on-premise registration system to cloud based. With this change we had more than a dozen consecutive successful registrations. More recently, our vendor has struggled to provide the support and bandwidth necessary to meet the requirements of our community. While beginning a search for a new vendor, the district split registration into multiple days to alleviate stress on the system. Our last few registrations have run smoothly. After vetting several registration software platforms, we are very confident Active.net will meet our needs with no requirement to split registration days once we’ve migrated to their platform.
2. How should the Elmhurst Park District address the aging infrastructure of Courts Plus?
More people utilize Courts Plus on a daily basis than any other Park District facility in Elmhurst. In the past few years investments have been made to replace the roof, upgrade HVAC systems and boilers, utilize LED lighting in many areas, upgrade fitness equipment, make repairs to courts, replace the parking lot and improve drainage.
I believe the facility most in need is the Wagner Center. This facility was repurposed from being an elementary school and acollege and has served the community well for several decades. Re-imagining the Wagner Center to include space for sport courts, pickle ball, a modernized gymnastics area and expanded programming while providing a more modern, secure lobby area will assist the district in meeting needs identified by the community during the Vision 2020 long range planning process. The new Wagner Center will require community investment.
3. If elected, how would you work to ensure the Elmhurst Park District is utilizing the most current renewable energy sources and energy-efficiency solutions?
These things are already being done. The district has converted hedge trimmers and blowers to battery powered models. Several buildings have or are converting to LED lighting. Replacement vehicle purchases are more fuel efficient. When planning for building redevelopments, the feasibility of converting to renewable energy sources such as solar are explored including how to fund the additional up-front costs through grants and other means. Finally, the district continues to move to organic fertilizer to provide a safer, more healthy environment for people enjoying our parks.
