Commissioners:

Gene Meyers

Adele Benck

Mike McElroy

Dr. Jeanette Fefles

Sue Murawski

Sue Cascio Villalovos

Minutes of the Life Safety Meeting

May 13, 2005

Village Hall

CALL TO ORDER:

First meeting of the Life Safety Committee meeting of the Village of Worth was

Called to order at 7:40 p.m. by Commissioner Meyers.

ROLL CALL:

Present: Gene Meyers, Adele Benck, Mike McElroy, Dr. Jeanette Fefles, Sue

Murawski, Sue Cascio Villalovos. Absent: 0

REVIEW OF MINUTES:

None

ELECTION OF OFFICERS:

Gene Meyers was selected as chairman, Adele Benck was selected as co-chair,

Sue Villalovos was selected as secretary.

NEW BUSINESS:

The next official meeting date for the Life Safety Committee is June 8^th at 7 p.m.

OLD BUSINESS:

None

PUBLIC DISCUSSION:

Russ Martin, resident of Worth; works for federal EPA for 33 years; field Investigator, currently working with permits to discharge pollutants into waterways; chemical engineer; discussion of facts presented by Russ:

• -sediment in river is severely polluted and has been for many years
• -barges traveling causes suspension of pollution
• -toxic material re-suspended every time barge goes by
• -givernment is very sensitive to concerns about pollution
• -clay bentanite liner-if done properly might be better for the village
• -Now we have deep tunnel that catches solids before en tering the canal
• -Little Calumet reduced sediment loading
• -Part 2 of the Deep Tunnel project to control flooding
• -dredging will decrease 2 feet in the river height
• -Russ was asked to clarify the need for oxygenation; he reviewed the need, purpose and method of oxygenation
• -Russ was also asked what happens when the solids become dry; Russ responded that solid will become “powder” and can be flown in the wind; it will be important to keep liquid on the solids

Mike McElroy had a copy of assessment of 2002; EPA report for District 9, Rock Island can be accessed online through the Army Corps of Engineers

• -clean water act to support CDF
• -Cal Sag; ACME Steel-mile markers (Mike shows map)
• -They are planning to dredge 326 to 120 before Lockport Dam
• -Army Corps of Engineers already told press that dredging will happen
• Assessment: Goal is to dredge to a certain depth and lower water level
• -deeper more toxic
• -copy of map to show specific numbers of locations
• -history-analysis of dredging
• Plan:develop a list of long term and short term effects an d airborne risks
• -Assemble information and get this into the hands of as many citizens as possible

MOTION TO ADJOURN:

Commissioner Gene Meyers moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:30 pm.