Oak Brook Board of Trustees Meeting of 5/19/2009

The meeting was called to order at 7:00PM. The video podcast of the entire meeting is available at http://www.oakbrooktv.org/ All present except for Trustee Zannis. She arrived at 7:05. The meeting began with a presentation on the possible removal/breach of Salt Creek dam. The DRSCW Review of Results Relating to the Graue Mill/ Salt Creek presented the work of this group indicating that the Graue Mill dam caused a problem with very low dissolved oxygen in the water just upstream of the dam. There is a federal mandate from the EPA through the Clean Waters Act to improve streams to swimmable and fishable. Although Salt Creek has been greatly improved during the last 30 years, its greatest remaining problem is this dip in dissolved oxygen. Since the first proposal to totally remove the Graue Mill dam over five years ago, in response to community input, the proposal now is to only remove a piece of the dam at one side. This will drain the small pond just upstream of the dam and maintain steady flowing water. An effort would be made to somewhat retain the appearance of the dam and retain enough flowing water to turn the mill wheel. This committee will vote on their report to the IEPA at their June 24^th meeting. The Village has until then to provide further input and instruct their representative how to vote. At the end of this presentation, members of the community were allowed to comment. Thomas Doyle, and Richard Allison of Robinhood Ranch and Joseph H. Rush, 3721 Spring Road, all opposed any changes to the dam. Mr. Allison complained they didn't get enough notice to fill the room as they had back in March. He noted that as head of Fullersburg Woods, he represented 2000 residents who supported keeping the dam intact. After the formal presentation and the three opposing residents, President Craig continued the regular agenda giving Trustees no opportunity to respond. The next item on the agenda was the proposal to extend the Butler National lease of the polo fields to include the days previously reserved for polo, since polo has been canceled for this summer. Trustee Carson presented this proposed contract and moved to accept it. Trustee Zannis seconded this proposal and President Craig called for a roll call vote. Trustee Wolin asked for an opportunity to respond to the Graue Mill dam issue before all the residents left. President Craig noted that almost everyone interested in that issue had already left, but allowed Trustee Wolin to comment. Trustee Wolin asked when the board was going to address the issue of the DRSCW recommendation to the IEPA. Village Manager Niemeyer noted that the final draft of the recommendation would be available at the end of May and the board could consider and discuss it at their first meeting in June. Trustee Zannis commented that the breaching of the dam would cause a loss in property value of the nearby homes if the dam were changed. She also noted that any change to the dam would need permits from the Village. She suggested that the pictures provided by the committee showing what the area would look like after the dam modifications were wrong and demanding that the Photoshop image of what the creek might look like if the dam is breached include a view of the mill and show a much narrower creek. She also wanted to hear from the Forest Preserve, since the dam belongs to the Forest Preserve. Trustee Saiyed noted that he would miss the next board meeting, but that he was against breaching the dam. President Craig then managed to return to the Polo Field contract, which passed. The board approved the fireworks on the 4th. Business Licenses were then discussed. Dave Niemeyer noted that this had been considered two years ago and dropped because of cost and effort for the village. Trustee Saiyed noted it as a source of revenue, but Trustee Moy said this was a bad time to raise fees and paperwork requirements on business. It was mentioned several times that the Chamber had some data, but Trustee Zannis wanted our own database. Trustees Carson and Aktipis supported a nominal fee to cover village costs. Manager Niemeyer agreed to bring a proposal back to the board at the second meeting in June. The board then approved outsourcing the B&T grill to DiLeo's. Clerk Pruss reminded everyone of the Wednesday buffets beginning at the golf course club house and wished everyone in the armed forces her best for Memorial Day. President Craig echoed her Memorial Day sentiments and moved to go into closed session.