DeKalb County, Illinois
	Minutes of the Forest Preserve Committee September 18, 2001

The DeKalb County Forest Preserve Committee met Tuesday, September, 2001 at Shabbona Lake State Park, at 6:00p.m. Chairman John Morreale called the meeting to order with Mr. Dlabal, Mr. Guehler, Mr. Haines , Mr. McLaughlin, Mr. Sands, and Mr. Simonson present. Mr. Hannan was also present. Mr. Lyle and Mr. Metzger were absent.

Moved by Mr. Dlabal, seconded by Mr. McLaughlin, and it was carried unanimously with a voice vote to approve the minutes for August.

Mr. Morreale requested an addition to the agenda as item 3A for I.D.O.T. discussion. Moved by Mr. Haines, seconded by Mr. Guehler, and it was carried unanimously with a voice vote to approve the amended agenda.

Mr. Hannan stated that he had met with Mr. Larry Hill prior to today’s meeting. Mr. Hannan told the Committee that Rt. 64 east of Sycamore will have more road reconstruction, and I.D.O.T. is proposing performing shoulder and ditch work. Mr. Hannan stated that I.D.O.T. is interested in a 15 foot of Forest Preserve right-of-way for 3 miles along the Great Western Trail. Mr. Hannan stated that the Great Western Trail travels along the old Railroad right-of-way, and that today the prairie area along the trail is managed to preserve the original native Illinois prairie. Mr. Hannan stated that this is a very high quality prairie. Three engineers from I.D.O.T. came to the meeting to discuss the proposed changes to the Great Western Trail R.O.W. with the Forest Preserve Committee members.

A representative engineer from I.D.O.T. stated that they were concerned with drainage along Rt. 64. He stated that they were using a "full policy design" that would withstand 5,000 cars per day on this road, and give 15-20 years of life to the road. He further explained that the road bed would be 40 feet wide with 5 foot shoulders and would be 6 inches thick. He stated that the project should be completed by 2003.

Mr. Morreale asked if the Forest Preserve Committee had to agree with the value of the easement. I.D.O.T. stated that yes, they did. I.D.O.T. stated that they would reach a value through an appraisal. I.D.O.T. also stated that they have an environmental engineer that will access the area as well for restored prairie and rare species of plants that can be found there. I.D.O.T. stated that Dr. Paul Sorensen, an expert on Illinois Native Prairies, would be consulted based on his years of studies on this property. I.D.O.T. stated that although there are no laws currently to protect the prairie, they would take everything into consideration. They stated that the Forest Preserve District could request an alternative plan, and it would be reviewed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

The Forest Preserve Committee members reviewed the preliminary plans that were representative of the work planned along the Great Western Trail. Mr. Hannan was quick to point out where the highest quality prairie was located and showed I.D.O.T. where on the maps it was located. I.D.O.T. stated that they could use steeper slopes so they would not have to go into the prairie as far. Mr. Hannan stated that he and Mr. Al Roloff would need to meet with their environmental engineer to give the maximum protection to these more rare species.

Mr. Morreale asked Mr. Hannan if he felt that the alternative plan should be requested. Mr. Hannan responded that yes it would. Mr. Hannan stated that an alternative plan would be drafted and brought before the Committee. Mr. Morreale agreed that this was the best route to take.

Mr. Simonson agreed that Mr. Al Roloff should be involved.

I.D.O.T. stated that they will provide seed for replanting but it was not the same native genotype. They stated that they would contribute to the Forest Preserve District if they wanted to provide the seed.(see attached letter)

Mr. Morreale stated that the Committee needed to vote to place the budget on public review. Mr. Hannan asked the Committee if there were any questions regarding the budget. No Committee member posed any question. Mr. Hannan stated that in October the Forest Preserve Commissioners will vote to put the FY 2002 budget and levy on view until November 20th.

Mr. Sands asked if there was any new playground equipment on the plan for Chief Shabbona Forest Preserve. Mr. Hannan stated that $4,000.00 is in the FY 2002 budget and the Forest Preserve District would try to raise more money through donations and a DeKalb County Community Foundation Grant. Mr. Hannan also stated that a new truck for the Maintenance Supervisor and a new tractor were also in the budget.

Mr. Morreale stated that he needed a motion to pass the budget on to the Commissioners for the October Committee meeting. Moved by Mr. Dlabal, seconded by Mr. Haines, it was carried unanimously to place the FY 2002 budget and levy on file in the DeKalb County Finance Office, the Somonauk Public Library and at the Genoa Public Library.

Mr. Hannan said that the resolution states the I.D.N.R. and other conservation groups support the preservation of the 900+ acres in the Northern DeKalb County area. Mr. Hannan stated that the I.D.N.R. would partner with the DeKalb County Forest Preserve District. The Conservation Fund may be utilized to purchase and hold the County’s portion of this property. The DeKalb County Forest Preserve would purchase the land back after the Grant has been awarded and funds become available. The Conservation Fund would be a temporary land owner. The resolution shows support for this agreement.

Mr. Morreale asked the Committee if there were any comments. No comments were made. Mr. Morreale asked if the Committee was in favor of sending the resolution on the the County Commissioners. All Committee members agreed via voice vote.

Mr. Hannan passed around pictures from the latest volunteer effort of seed collection at the Afton Forest Preserve. Approximately 30 volunteers helped collect seed. (This seed will be used at other forest preserve prairie restoration projects and to seed the "buffer area" north of Russell Woods at the Genoa/Kingston School District property.) Mr. Hannan announced that another volunteer day was planned for October 6^th, 2001. Mr. Hannan encouraged the Committee members to join in the prairie and wetland plant seed collection and Burr Oak Tree planting that was planned for this day.

Mr. Hannan showed the Committee the Genoa/Kingston High School plan update. Mr. Morreale stated that the Committee needed to be sure that the athletic fields were not going to be lit. Mr. Hannan stated that he would check and be sure that the lights were addressed in the resolution. Mr. Hannan stated that he had faxed a few sign ideas to the Genoa/Kingston School Board. Mr. Hannan asked for Committee input. The Committee stated that the logo would be appropriate.

Mr. Haines stated that Kingston paid for the sewer expense for the new school.

Mr. Morreale stated that he has been approached by McHenry County Conservation District to team up and share the attorney expense for the Guardian Pipeline issue. Mr. Hannan stated that McHenry County and DeKalb County were interested in using the law firm out of Schaumburg, Illinois named Meltzer, Purtill and Stelle. Mr. Hannan stated that the DeKalb County Forest Preserve Attorney to date is Sam Harrod from the above firm. This firm has worked with McHenry County Conservation District in previous pipeline easements with positive results.

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Chairman, John Morreale

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