St. Charles’ Dam Task Force schedules next meeting

St. Charles residents are encouraged to attend the second meeting of the Fox River Dam Joint Task Force at 6 p.m. May 2 at City Hall.

The task force is a volunteer, joint initiative by the city and the St. Charles Park District. It was formed as a result of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ recent study of the Fox River and its recommendation to remove nine dams in Kane County, including the St. Charles Dam.

The task force was formed in February and held its first meeting March 28, when members appointed their chairman, vice chairman and secretary and discussed possible goals and timelines. Almost 100 community members attended the first meeting.

The task force is tasked with engaging with the public and consultants to solicit input and analyze relevant information and possible impacts to the community’s environment, economy and recreation in order to help City Council members make a well-informed decision on whether to remove the St. Charles Dam.

As stated in the city’s resolution to create the task force, members are expected to provide updates throughout the process and make a final report to the City Council and the park district no later than March 1, 2025.

At the first meeting, Park Board Commissioner Jim Cooke was appointed chairman, resident and environmental regulations consultant Conrad Newell was appointed vice chairman and St. Charles Park District Superintendent of Recreation Mike Kies was appointed secretary.

Other members of the task force include Alderpersons Bryan Wirball, Paul Lencioni and Ryan Bongard, resident and research chemist Brian Pohrte, Park Board Vice President Bob Thomson and River Corridor Foundation Director John Rabchuk.

Task force members voted to hold monthly meetings that will be recorded and livestreamed. City staff will provide the task force with administrative support, including recording meeting minutes, collecting information, organizing presentations and facilitating consultants.

Any costs incurred by the task force through engaging with consultants or conducting studies will be split between the city and the park district and all expenditures must be preapproved by both parties.

At the March 28 meeting, the task force set a tentative goal to make its final report by the first week of March 2025. While some members were in favor of setting the deadline at the end of this year, the March deadline was approved in a 7-2 vote with Bongard and Lencioni voting no.

At the May 2 meeting, the board is expected to hear a presentation from city staff on the history of the St. Charles Dam and the events that led to the Army Corps’ recommendation.

At the March 28 meeting, task force members agreed to individually compile broad lists of issues, goals and elements that they will bring forth at the May 2 meeting. During the May 2 meeting, they intend to consolidate that list into a set of goals and establish specific discussion items for future meeting agendas.

A website and email address for the task force are being created in order for task force members, city and park district staff and residents to collect and share information about the dam.