WESTSHORE PARK CORPORATION
REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES – final
October 6, 2025
ATTENDANCE
Directors: Ben Arditti, Larry Bakirtjy, Mike Davenport
Treasurer: Fred Aichele
Secretary: Marilee C.C. Rusiniak
Commissioners: Greg Fried – Block 2 Beach
Members: Bruce Brodzik, Martha Petersen
Guests: Bob Balogh -West Shoreland Treasurer, Trudy Balogh – West Shoreland Secretary, Catherine Shannon – West Shoreland President
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order on October 6, 2025 at 7:04 p.m. at Countryside Fire Station #1, 801 S. Midlothian Road, Mundelein, Illinois 60060 by President Mike Davenport.
MINUTES FOR APPROVAL
Larry Bakirtjy moved that the minutes from the Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors on September 8, 2025 be approved as presented. Ben Arditti seconded the motion. Unanimously approved.
HOMEOWNER FORUM – PUBLIC COMMENT
Grass Cutting: Bruce Brodzik suggested seeking competitive bids for grass cutting, citing potential for cost savings based on past experience.
Block 1 Beach Improvements: Bruce Brodzik expressed his opinion of the lack of upgrades at Block 1 Beach for many years and emphasized the need for new ropes and a raft, similar to recent replacements at Block 2 Beach. It was suggested that requests should be directed to the Block 1 Beach commissioner to include including raft and ropes in the budget request for next year. Bruce advocated for an annual Block 1 Beach cleanup and that there are new members who are eager to volunteer as commissioner. (No new requests to be considered for a commissioner position have been received.)
CORRESPONDENCE
A new member inquired why WSP will not consider selling unused WSP property. Mike Davenport reiterated that 100% of member approval is required per our by-laws to sell property, which is highly unlikely to occur.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Fred Aichele presented the Treasurer’s Report for 9/01/2025 – 9/30/2025. Larry Bakirtjy moved and Ben Arditti seconded that the Treasurer’s Report be approved as submitted. Unanimously approved.
- Water Emergency Fund: $40,000 has been placed into a 10-month Certificate of Deposit (CD).
- State Farm Insurance: The renewal bill is $3,900, a decrease of $1,000 from the previous year.
- Shoreline Fund: Plans to separate the HOA’s contributions from combined funds to ensure interest earned stays with the HOA. The fund (which won’t be used in the next year) will be moved to a CD
- Mid-Year Budget Status:
- Water Line Repair: Significantly over budget at $16,500 spent against a $9,000 budget
- Beach 2: Spent $3,000 against a $12,000 budget, with adjustments needed for a $3,000 error.
- ComEd: $8,000 spent against a $13,000 budget, with hopes for improvement.
- Well Operator: On track at $17,000 spent.
- Generator Replacement Fund: Holds $21,000, but some may be used to cover other over-budget items.
- Well Repair/Upgrade: $52,000 remains in a $59,000 budget. A $40,000 rusted manifold project will be carried over to next year needing more assessment. Other potential items (chlorine containment, well inspection) also need decisions.
BUDGET DISCUSSION
Commissioners need to submit their “wish list numbers” for next year’s budget for review and discussion before the next meeting.
COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS
Water Commissioner – Chad Karol via email.
- Distributed water sampling bottles to 20 homes late September. Reminder: WSP is now required to do this twice a year, so we’ll need to do this again in about 6 months.
- Fixes: Main break at Circle and West Shore. Fire hydrant on Forest. Added a new buffalo box for a resident on Prospect.
REVIEW OF TASKS LIST
Review and discussion of the Board and Officers Task List.
OLD BUSINESS
Shoreline Restoration Project:
Seawall: Bruce Brodzik expressed concern that using rocks instead of a seawall for Block 1 Beach might not work due to height.
Catherine Shannon expressed her opinion that the seawall did not appear to need urgent replacement based on what she has observed. Mike Davenport confirmed that the seawall needs urgent replacement as it is crumbling.
West Shore Land Treasurer, Bob Balogh expressed commitment to collaborating with WSP on the sea wall replacement expense and emphasized that WSL must prioritize their water tank replacement.
Estimates suggest collecting $250,000 for the seawall could take around eight years, even with increased contributions.
Catherine Shannon requested a formal written assessment by an engineer before the releasing funds for a replacement seawall. Ben Arditti confirmed various people, including engineers, have verbally agreed the wall needs replacement and bids are being received, but no formal written assessment will be provided by an engineer at this point in the project. One potential contractor, an ex-Army Corps engineer (now private sector) took soil samples but has not provided written results.
The possibility of securing grants was requested. Ben stated grants are available, and ILM (a potential contractor) offers services to write grant applications. Grants may cover up to 40% of project costs but are reimbursed AFTER upfront payment.
WSP will reach out to Ron Salski (Mundelein Park District Executive Director) to discuss the for coordination on projects in an effort to reduce costs.
Survey:
Bruce Brodzik commented that the Miller Park survey is not yet on the website; Larry Bakirtjy clarified it has not been completed yet and will be available on the website after it has been done.
The possibility of installing Property Line Markers for the parks is still under consideration.
Open Positions:
Chris Shifley has announced he will not be running for re-election as Block 1 Director at the end of his term (February 2026). Please contact any member of the board if you are interested in serving as the Block 1 Director. Please note that you must live in block 1 to run for this position.
Miller Park Commissioner, Tracey Cornish, will be stepping down next at the end of her term (February 2026). Please contact any member of the board if you are interested in serving as the Miller Park Commissioner.
ADJOURN
Larry Bakirtjy moved that the meeting be adjourned. Ben Arditti seconded the motion. Unanimously approved. The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Marilee C.C. Rusiniak, Secretary
ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Groot Leaf pickup: Pickup of leaves will run from approximately Oct 20th – Nov 20th.
- November 3, 2025 – Regularly Scheduled Monthly Board Meeting
- December 1, 2025 – Regularly Scheduled Monthly Board Meeting
- January 5, 2026 – Regularly Scheduled Monthly Board Meeting
All monthly meetings are held at Countryside Fire Station #1, 801 S. Midlothian Rd., Mundelein, IL 60060 at 7:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
DIRECTORS AND THEIR TERMS
Name Month/Year Term Expires
Ben Arditti, Block 2 February 2026
Mike Davenport, At Large February 2027
Minaxi Tailor, Block 2 February 2027
Chris Shifley, Block 1 February 2026
Larry Bakirtjy, Block 1 February 2027
REMINDERS
Join the West Shore Park Corporation Facebook Page for official WSPC news as it happens.
Sign up for the private Between the Pillars WSP Facebook Group for updated social events and information.
Please add westshorepark@westshorepark.com to your email contacts. We have been experiencing some difficulty with certain email servers rejecting emails because they are thought to be spam.
Please do not send emails to the westshorepark@westshorepark.com email address. The email is used mainly for sending out email to members and is not regularly checked. Your email may sit for some time before being forwarded to the correct individual to handle your situation or request. Please email or call Secretary Marilee C.C. Rusiniak, or directly contact any member of the board. Email addresses are available on the website and phone numbers are listed in the West Shore Park Homeowner Directory.
Please sign up for the Fremont Township email newsletter at www.fremonttownship.com
We encourage all Fremont Township residents to sign up!