'Sweet Time': Darien Panel Struggles To Meet Again

DARIEN, IL – A member of a Darien committee that the city may disband after nearly four decades is asking for a meeting.

On Tuesday, member Heather Conroy emailed the other six members, calling a committee meeting for Thursday night at Indian Prairie Public Library.

But a top city official messaged members later the same day, saying the meeting would break state law.

In an interview, City Administrator Bryon Vana said Wednesday the public needs 48 hours' notice for such meetings under the Open Meetings Act. Conroy's email gave 36 hours. And in any case, Conroy's message did not constitute public notice under the act's requirements.

He also said the room at the library wasn't sufficient.

"She reserved a room for eight people," he said. "It wouldn't fit members of the public."

On Wednesday evening, Conroy asked for a meeting at 7 p.m. Nov. 6. The meeting would include goal-setting and the selection of a new chairman. The last chairman died.

She asked the city whether the committee could meet at City Hall.

As of early Thursday afternoon, Conroy said she had not heard back.

"I expect them to take their sweet time," she said.

Vana told Patch on Friday morning that the city had reserved meeting space.

In his Tuesday email, Vana asked members to delay a meeting until after the City Council's annual goal-setting session on Nov. 19.

Last week, Vana informed members by email that he was recommending eliminating the committee, which the city created in 1987 under a different name.

"The Committee has struggled with maintaining meaningful topics that result in recommendations to the city council," Vana said in the email.

At Monday's council meeting, however, aldermen agreed to delay a vote until after a discussion at next month's goal-setting session.

Conroy spoke during Monday's session, arguing against doing away with the committee. Later, an alderman lost his temper and threw down his glasses while speaking with her. He later apologized to the council, paying a "fine."

Earlier this month, Conroy, who has become increasingly involved in local matters, criticized the city's recent decision to form a tax district for a shopping center. She called it a "corporate handout."