Minutes - 08/02/2021 - Board of TrusteesVILLAGE OF OAK BROOK MINUTES Page 1 of 2 SPECIAL MEETING OF AUGUST 2, 2021
MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 2, 2021 SPECIAL
MEETING OF THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF
TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF OAK BROOK
APPROVED AS WRITTEN ON
SEPTEMBER 14, 2021
1.CALL TO ORDER
The Regular Meeting of the Village Board of Trustees was called to order by President Gopal Lalmalani
in the Samuel E. Dean Board Room of the Butler Government Center at 5:03 p.m. The Pledge of
Allegiance was given.
2.ROLL CALL
Village Clerk Charlotte Pruss called the roll with the following persons:
PRESENT: Trustees Laurence Herman, Michael Manzo, A. Suresh Reddy, and President Gopal
Lalmalani
ABSENT: James Nagle, Edward Tiesenga, and Trustee Asif Yusuf arrived at 5:13p.m.
IN ATTENDANCE: Interim Village Manager/Police Chief James Kruger, Information Technology
Assistant Director Ejaz Khan, Golf Manager/Superintendent Sean Creed and Village Attorney
Michael Castaldo III.
3.PRESIDENT’S OPENING COMMENTS
President Lalmalani called the meeting to order, announced the National Night Out event, Committee and
Commissions vacancies, and the need for volunteers for the 20th anniversary of September 11th Healing
Field.
4.PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS
Resident John Anos and a member of the Sports Core Advisory Committee spoke about the unanimous
vote of the Committee for not using the golf surcharge funds for Polo maintenance.
Resident Scarpiniti and a member of the Sports Core Advisory Committee reiterated Mr. Anos’s
comments.
Mr. Robert McMurtry of the United States Polo Association and a representative of the Chicago Polo
Association explained the mechanics of the lease, how it is profitable for the Village, and the assurance
that the US Polo Association provides should the Oak Brook Polo Club not be able to fulfill their 12-year
lease agreement. He also spoke about the importance and significance of Polo in Oak Brook on the
community and the history.
5.UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Cecil Field #2 Lease Agreements Discussion
President Lalmalani spoke about the significance of Polo in the Village and the emphasized budget
neutrality for the Village. Discussion ensued.
As a Polo liaison, Trustee Reddy shared the history of Polo in relation to India, expressed his gratitude
toward Mr. O’Leary and the time he took to speak about the terms and the last-minute amendments to the
lease agreements. Next, Trustee Reddy identified and explained the three major issues the Board is
attempting to resolve by holding these open meeting discussions. After that, he expressed his thoughts and
VILLAGE OF OAK BROOK MINUTES Page 2 of 2 SPECIAL MEETING OF AUGUST 2, 2021
opinions based on the provided information and discussions held with different members of the Oak
Brook Polo Club.
Trustee Herman shared a presentation he prepared regarding the costs associated with Polo in comparison
to the leases the Village had with both Butler National and Pineoak Partners over the years. After that, he
expressed his personal views on the operations and maintenance of the fields by the Village.
Trustee Manzo reiterated President Lalmalani’s comments and expressed his concerns with the costs
associated with the maintenance of the fields.
Hillary Wild of Rolewick & Gutzke PC introduced herself and spoke about the issues associated with the
maintenance, the Taste of Oak Brook, and the Independence Day celebrations that take place on the same
field.
Trustee Yusuf conveyed his opinions by explaining the detailed numbers associated with field
maintenance based on his understanding and recently distributed updates through email. He also
expressed his concerns with equipment depression and the associated costs.
Daniel O’ Leary explained his concerns with Trustee Yusuf’s calculations and further elaborated on
where everything stands now, including all the amendments and variations to the lease agreements.
Golf Manager/Superintendent Sean Creed spoke in agreement with Trustee Yusuf’s rationale and
calculations associated with maintenance and equipment costs.
Village Attorney Castaldo asked for a clarification of the final items that need to be added or amended as
they have been discussed and agreed upon in this meeting to be reiterated and finalized accordingly.
6.PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
None
7.ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Trustee Herman, seconded by Trustee Reddy to adjourn the Regular Meeting of the
Board of Trustees at 6:13 p.m. VOICE VOTE: Motion carried.
ATTEST:
_______________________________________
Charlotte K. Pruss
Village Clerk
/s/ Charlotte K. Pruss