Minutes - 11/23/2020 - Board of TrusteesVILLAGE OF OAK BROOK MINUTES Page 1 of 2 SPECIAL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 23, 2020
MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 23, 2020
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE PRESIDENT AND
BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF
OAK BROOK APPROVED AS WRITTEN ON
DECEMBER 08, 2020
1.CALL TO ORDER
The Special Meeting of the Village Board of Trustees was called to order by President Gopal Lalmalani
in the Upper Level Conference Room of the Butler Government Center at 4:00 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, Information Technology Director Jim Fox,
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE/ZOOM:
Trustees John Baar, Edward Tiesenga, Asif Yusuf
ABSENT: Trustee Philip Cuevas, Michael Manzo and Moin Saiyed arrived at 4:06 p.m.
IN ATTENDANCE VIA TELECONFERENCE/ZOOM: Village Manager Rick Ginex
3.RESIDENT/VISITOR COMMENTS
None
4.POLO DISCUSSION
A.Relocation to Butler Driving Range Proposal
Manager Ginex stated that tonight’s discussion and meeting are a result of the initial conversation with
the Managing Director of the Oak Brook Polo Club, Dan O’Leary, who has been asked to complete a
proposal highlighting the relocation of the Polo Field.
President Lalmalani thanked Manager Ginex for all the time and efforts he has put into the matter and
spoke of the importance of Polo in Oak Brook. He also mentioned financial struggles the Village is
facing due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mr. O’Leary thanked the Board for making the meeting possible and introduced members of the United
States Polo Association. Next, he explained the freshly released playbook, reasons for the need to
relocate from field one to field two, reoccurring issues with field one and focused on the consideration
of obtaining the Village’s goal. He also spoke about the future of Polo in the Village, partnerships,
ancestry with Butler National, lease arrangements, parking arrangements and shared bits of the
presentation he will be presenting at the meeting on November 24, 2020. Additionally, Mr. O’Leary
spoke about the expert advice received from Pine Oaks, consensus from the Sports Core Advisory
Committee regarding the relocation, maintenance of the fields and associated costs, the history of Polo
in Oak Brook as well as the projected number of games.
Trustee Baar spoke regarding the relationship between Butler National, Polo and the Village. He further
expressed his opinions regarding the ability of the three entities to work together in order to find
appropriate solutions that will meet the needs of all the parties involved. He also touched upon the
legacy of the original founder, Paul Butler along with the advertising suggestions and the financial
benefits of having Polo in Oak Brook.
VILLAGE OF OAK BROOK MINUTES Page 2 of 2 REGULAR MEETING OF NOVEMBER 23, 2020
President Lalmalani elaborated on Trustee Baar’s comments regarding the long-standing relationship
and partnership between the Village of Oak Brook and Butler National. Next, he spoke in agreement
with Mr. Drury’s comments and expressed his concerns with the financial constraints the Village is
facing. He also shared his hopes for the ability for all the entities to work out a solution that will also
benefit the Village financially.
Trustee Saiyed shared his concerns with the current arrangements and the parking situation referencing
the financial dilemma. After that, he asked Manager Ginex to address his concerns with the placement
of a path and the impact it would have on the soccer fields. Additionally, Trustee Saiyed spoke in
opposition of any future expenditures toward Polo.
Mr. O’Leary addressed Trustee Saiyed’s concerns by further elaborating on the idea of the temporary
path and the impact to the soccer fields and golf. After that, he explained that the proposed pavilions and
tents would be temporary and subject only to the season. Lastly, he addressed all the questions brought
up during the discussion.
Manager Ginex addressed Trustee Saiyed’s concerns stating that with the proposed number of games
there would be a significant cost reduction to the Village and that the placement of a path would need to
be discussed in further detail with the Golf Manager/Superintendent Sean Creed. Next, he asked Mr.
O’Leary about the proposed infrastructure and pavilions, addressed advertising and shared his opinions
on the economic recovery in the near future.
James Drury, President of the Oak Brook Polo Club, spoke regarding his past personal experiences with
Polo, his love of the game as a long time Polo player and conditions of the neighboring Polo fields. He
also addressed marketing, US and international players, spectators as well as all the people that come to
Oak Brook for the Polo events like the Butler Cup and end up staying and further enjoy everything Oak
Brook has to offer. Moreover, he shared personal experiences regarding the mentioned issues with field
one and addressed concerns about safety of the players and horses. Thereafter, Mr. Drury expressed his
opinions regarding possible solutions between Butler National and the Oak Brook Polo Club.
Trustee Yusuf expressed his opinions regarding the matter at hand, shared encouragement and hopes for
all parties finding reasonable accommodations and working together in order to continue the Polo
legacy in Oak Brook.
Bob McMurtry thanked the Board for the opportunity to speak, reiterated several previously addressed
points regarding the US Polo Association, financial benefits to the Village, history, international players,
safety of players and horses on the field and the willingness to work out a solution.
David Lind reiterated the highly ranked Butler National in relation to the Village of Oak Brook and the
economic impact the events have on the Village.
5.ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Trustee Baar, seconded by Trustee Yusuf to adjourn the Special Meeting of the Board
of Trustees at 5:22 p.m. VOICE VOTE: Motion carried.
ATTEST:
/s/Charlotte K. Pruss
Charlotte K. Pruss
Village Clerk