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Minutes - 12/10/2012 - Committee of the WholeMINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 10, 2012 SPECIAL MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE OF THE VILLAGE OF OAK BROOK APPROVED AS WRITTEN ON JANUARY 8, 2013 CALL TO ORDER The Special Meeting of the Committee of the Whole was called to order by President Gopal Lalmalani in the Samuel E. Dean Board Room of the Butler Government Center at 7:05 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was given. 2. ROLL CALL Village Clerk Charlotte Pruss called the roll with the following persons: PRESENT: President Gopal Lalmalani, Trustees Stelios Aktipis, Michael Manzo, Mark Moy, Gerald Wolin, and Asif Yusuf ABSENT: Trustee Elaine Zannis IN ATTENDANCE: David Niemeyer, Village Manager; Blaine Wing, Assistant Village Manager; Robert L. Kallien, Jr., Community Development Director; Sue Madorin, Library Director; Michael Hullihan, Public Works Director; Trey VanDyke, Sports Core Director and Marlo Despercio, Village Attorney. SPORTS CORE / SCHOOL DISTRICT 53 CONSOLIDATION IDEA President Lalmalani stated that this meeting is being held to get input on the idea of the school district building a new campus on the Sports Core. He also stated that the discussion will be limited to whether or not the Village should sell Sports Core property to the School District to build a new primary school. He further stated that no decision will be made tonight and that the Board is scheduled to discuss this again at the January 8U' meeting. Manager Niemeyer gave a short presentation discussing the following: • History of the Sports Core • Legal Requirements for Village Selling Sports Core Land • Issues that Would Still Need to be Agreed Upon if the Plan Moves Forward Alan Hanzlik, President of Butler School District 53, discussed the following: • Proposed K -8 School Location • Intent to Purchase, for Fair Market Value, Eight Acres within the Sports Core • Creation of an Intergovernmental Agreement • Millions of Dollars Received From the Land Purchase Could be Used by the Village to Greatly Improve the Sports Core Facilities and its Value to all Residents • Improved Utilization of the Sports Core • Letter the School District Wrote to the Butler Family • Butler Family in Accord with the School District Plan • Request a Referendum on the April Ballot VILLAGE OF OAK BROOK MINUTES Page 1 of 5 COW MEETING OF DECEMBER 10, 2012 a Karen Bushy, former Village President, gave a detailed history of the Sports Core acquisition and purpose to be maintained as open space, preserving the character of Oak Brook and property values. She referred to the Comprehensive Plan which includes an understanding of open space, education, and all the components that made Oak Brook what it is. She stated that there are many aspects of the school district's plan to be considered and that more time is needed before a decision can be made. She also stated that she is concerned because the proposed plan is vague and lacks specifics. She also stated that she talked to the Butler family and that they are also concerned with the lack of details of the plan. She further stated that the residents of Oak Brook need to hear both sides of the story before they can make a decision and hopes that the Village postpones any action until then. Resident Peter Huizenga stated that six years ago, District 53 President asked residents to support a referendum to enlarge the school facilities and that it was rejected. He discussed the declining attendance projections and his opposition to consolidating and relocating the school to the Sports Core. He stated that he does not think a new school is needed and that the current schools are maintained well and are very adequate. He further discussed the school district's budget and spending patterns. Resident Jan Naborowski stated her support for President Alan Hanzlik. She stated that she is in support of putting a referendum on the April ballot to allow all Oak Brook residents to vote on this matter. Resident Stana Vukajlovic stated that she is in support of building a new school at the Sport Core. She discussed the importance of investing in an educational facility to benefit our children. She also discussed and gave examples of the inadequacies of the current school facilities. Resident Liz Chun read letters and emails from residents who were unable to attend tonight's meeting and are in support of the School District's plan to build a new school on Sports Core property. Resident Maureen Levin discussed the benefits of building a new school at the Sports Core. She acknowledged that change is difficult but is also necessary. She also stated that the residents have the right to vote on this issue. Resident David Beard stated he supports a referendum for an issue of this importance. He also submitted a few points for consideration such as using another location for building a new school and Sports Core zoning regulations. Resident John Towers stated he supports the building of a new school but not at the Sports Core. He then gave alternative plans, such as tearing down the existing school and building a multi -level school at the site which will give it a smaller footprint. He also suggested moving the new building farther to the west to give additional space for playgrounds. He also gave options on where to house the children while construction is taking place, such as split shifts and mobile units. VILLAGE OF OAK BROOK MINUTES Page 2 of 5 COW MEETING OF DECEMBER 10, 2012 Resident Scott Lee stated that the schools in Oak Brook are outdated and need improvement. He also stated that our neighborhoods need revitalization and now is the time to address these issues together as a community. Building a new school can be the foundation of the Village's future and will strengthen our ability to attract younger families to Oak Brook. He also stated that if we keep the status quo, the Village will lose over $18M in opportunity costs. He also stated that the sale of eight acres of Sports Core property is a small sacrifice to make to build a better future and to take advantage of a once in a generation opportunity. He further stated that he is in support of allowing a referendum on the April ballot. Resident Cathy Giangrasse urged everyone not to confuse improving Oak Brook schools with purchasing Sports Core property. She doesn't believe the current school needs improvements. She stated the referendum needs to be specific with the number of acres needed and the location of the new school. She also stated that the Sports Core is valuable to all Oak Brook residents. She further urged the Board to not be pressured by the School District's timeframe and to allow ample time for all questions to be answered. Kevin Quinlan, former Village President stated that there are a lot of questions that need to be answered before we go forward with voting on a referendum. He would like a study conducted to determine what benefit the entire community will receive with building a new school, what the financial impact will be to the communities that the current schools reside in, what is the traffic impact, what is the tax impact, and what is the impact to the learning environment. He urged the Board to take its time before making a decision that could affect Oak Brook in a negative way permanently. He further stated that if this is the right thing to do, it will still be the right thing to do in a few years. Resident Mort Westman stated that he is in favor of the proposal as presented and is in favor of the referendum being placed in the April ballot. He believes strongly in the proposal for improved education and increased property value. He also stated that the intelligence of the voters should not be underestimated. Resident Nemura Pensyla stated that the idea that the voters should be given the choice to vote on this matter is very important. Resident Abdul Samkain stated that the education of our children is very important but feels that the Village still does not have all the information it needs to make a decision. Resident Joseph Mondschean stated that he is in favor of putting the referendum on the ballot and letting the community speak. He also stated that the Village and School District have great resources to answer the questions surrounding this issue. Resident Chris Siaukes stated that the plan to build a new facility is great. He also stated that the Village has a great opportunity to unify the community. Resident Ajay Patel stated that he is not in favor or against the School District's plan but questions whether anyone took into consideration the psychological growth of the children VILLAGE OF OAK BROOK MINUTES Page 3 of 5 COW MEETING OF DECEMBER 10, 2012 and what effect it may have on them. He also questioned whether this is the first step in commercializing the Sports Core. He stated that the children will lose out if this plan goes through without answering the many questions that remain. Resident Charles Walsh Jr. thanked Mr. Hanzlik and Dr. Martin for the thankless jobs that they do. He stated that he is a member of the Ad Hoc Residential Enhancement Committee. He stated that the Oak Brook population has decreased 9.4% over the last ten years and that the home values in Oak Brook have also declined significantly. He also stated that he is in favor of putting the referendum on the ballot and letting the residents decide. He further stated that Oak Brook schools can be so much better under one roof. Resident Dr. Ann Degerstrom stated that the Sports Core belongs to all of Oak Brook and objects to building a school on the property. A resident of Oak Brook spoke against a referendum being placed on the ballot because of the declining population and home values. He also discussed the lack of public transportation in the Oak Brook area. He stated that the decision should not be hurried and that the Sports Core should remain an open green area. Resident Al Knuth suggested that the Village take pause and look at the details of the plan. He stated that we need to reserve the right to consider other locations for the building of a new school. He also stated that he would like to know what will happen to the current location of the school if a new building is built at a different location. A resident of Oak Brook stated that more information is needed for residents to make an informed decision. Resident Bill Lindeman suggested considering a vacant property on the south side of Kensington rather than the Sports Core. He also stated that there is not enough detail in the plan and that residents shouldn't be asked to make a decision so quickly. Trustee Yusuf stated that a lot of interesting viewpoints have been shared tonight. He also stated that he is not in opposition of a referendum being place on the ballot but the plan needs to be crystal clear. He further stated that putting this on a referendum is merely giving people a choice. Trustee Moy stated that he comes from a heritage that education is top priority and that he has not been disappointed in the quality of education in Oak Brook. He stated that there is no doubt in his mind that a new school needs to be built but he questions the proposed location. He also stated that the plan lacks detail and a lot of questions need to be answered. He is in favor of a referendum but only after all questions are answered. Trustee Aktipis stated that he is well educated on this issue because of all the resident comments. He also stated that he does not want to prematurely take a position since he is still in the process of digesting all the information received tonight. VILLAGE OF OAK BROOK MINUTES Page 4 of 5 COW MEETING OF DECEMBER 10, 2012 Trustee Manzo thanked everyone who spoke at the meeting. He stated that he is in favor of a referendum that will allow everyone to get the details of the plan. He also stated that the details will come through negotiations that will be done in an open process. He also stated that it is unfair that our community is broken up into four different school districts. He further stated that he is not in a position to support the plan since he does not have all the details. Trustee Wolin stated that tonight's meeting was an excellent meeting. He also stated that he is in favor of a referendum but that the correct time to have a referendum is in 2014 since a lot more information is needed. He also stated that the property mentioned by Mr. Lindeman is owned by McDonalds and that the School District should initiate talks with them. Manager Niemeyer stated that in the past, McDonalds stated that they will not sell the Kensington property. He also expressed doubt about the level of detail that can be available in time for a referendum on the April ballot. Alan Hanzlik, President of the Butler School District, stated that the School Board feels that this is the right thing to do. He also stated that the School Board is extremely data conscience and is fiscally responsible. He also stated that they know there are many questions that need to be answered before residents vote, and that they are willing to meet with everyone to get their questions answered. He further stated that he appreciates the comments that were made tonight and asked the Village Trustees to allow a referendum on the ballot. Resident Don Adler asked what the specific referendum question will be. Attorney Despercio stated that the referendum question will be worked out by the next Board meeting and that it will be a non - binding referendum. President Lalmalani stated that this discussion will continue at the January 8`I' Board meeting and that more information is needed before a referendum is placed on the ballot. 5. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Trustee Yusuf, seconded by Trustee Wolin to adjourn the Special Meeting of the Committee of the Whole at 9:40 pm. VOICE VOTE: Motion carried. ATTEST: /s /Charlotte K. Pruss Charlotte K. Pruss Village Clerk VILLAGE OF OAK BROOK MINUTES Page 5 of 5 COW MEETING OF DECEMBER 10, 2012