The DeKalb County Forest Preserve
Committee met Tuesday, February 18, 2003, in the Nature Resource
Center at Russell Woods, at 6:00 p.m. Chairman Mr. Metzger
called the meeting to order with Mr. Gudmunson, Mr. Lyle, Mr.
Rosemier, and Mr. Simonson. Mrs. Fauci and Mr. Johnson were
late. Mr. Hannan, Deputy Bomar from the DeKalb County Sheriff’s
Office, Ms. Mertz, Mr. McElligott of the Illinois Smallmouth
Bass Alliance, Mr. O’ Kelley(I.S.A.), Mr. Dells(I.S.A.), and the
following Forest Preserve staff: Ms. McCue, Mrs. Doty, Mr.
Koerner and Mr. Prain were also present.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by Mr. Lyle, seconded by Mr.
Rosemier, and it was carried unanimously with a voice vote
to approve the minutes for December.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Moved by Mr. Rosemier, seconded by Mr.
Lyle, and it was carried unanimously with a voice vote to
approve an amended agenda adding Deputy Bomar of the
DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office.
DEPUTY BOMAR VISIT
Deputy Bomar from the DeKalb County Sheriff’s
Office introduced himself to the Forest Preserve Committee
and guests. He distributed a recap of the patrols that the
officers have performed over the last year throughout the
various forest preserves. Mrs. Fauci arrived
at 6:16 p.m. Deputy Bomar explained that the
most common problems incurred in the forest preserves would
be vandalism, underage drinking, and illegal drug usage. He
further explained how the Sheriff’s Office responded to
complaint calls by adding extra foot patrols. (see attached
Sheriff patrol recap) Mr. Hannan thanked
Deputy Bomar and all of his staff for all of their support.
Mr. Johnson arrived at 6:30 p.m. Deputy Bomar
left at 6:35 p.m.
WELCOME TO RUSSELL WOODS AND THE NATURE RESOURCE
CENTER Mr. Hannan stated
that the 126 acres of Russell Woods was purchased in 1942 for
$4,000 from the Russell family. Mr. Hannan explained Russell
Woods has great diversity including the Kishwaukee River, upland
wooded forest and floodplain (forest). Mr. Hannan stated that
Russell Woods has a lot to offer such as picnicking, camping,
hiking, sledding, cross-county skiing, birding, canoeing, tent
camping and the Nature Resource Center. (built in the 1960's)
Russell Woods and Sannauk are the most used Forest Preserves.
Mr. Hannan introduced Mrs. Peggy Doty, Educator Coordinator.
Mrs. Doty explained that the N.R.E.C. (Natural Resource
Education Consortium) is funded by the DeKalb County Soil and
Water Conservation District, University of Illinois Extension
Office, DeKalb County Forest Preserve District and the DeKalb
County Solid Waste Program. They are University of Illinois
Extention employees. The N.R.E.C. was formed (about 15 years ago
when local school district dropped out of the outdoor education
programs )to fund the education programs at the Natural Resource
Center and throughout the schools in DeKalb County. Mrs. Doty
stated that approximately 3,600 children and 878 adults went
through the programming last year. Mrs. Doty explained that the
U of I Extension matches the funds raised by the N.R.E.C. and
partners to help pay for the staffing and supplies for the
education program. Mrs. Doty also stated that she received a
grant through the DeKalb County Community Foundation to replace
windows and countertops in the Nature Resource Center.
Mr. Hannan introduced Mr. Bill Prain, Park Manager for the
northern preserves to the Forest Preserve Committee and
complimented Mr. Prain and John Bulkley, Maintenance
Supervisor, (and all FP staff) for their excellent
maintenance, developmental improvement projects and natural
resource management work at the forest preserves. Mr. Hannan
went on to introduce Mr. Gary Koerner, (a.k.a. the past
"Muscle of Russell" in the 70's and 80's) who now works
part-time assisting at Russell Woods and does summer mowing
at Afton Forest Preserve. Mr. Koerner donated bird houses to
the Forest Preserve District when some of them were stolen
and has donated his time over many years at the Forest
Preserves.
ILLINOIS SMALL MOUTH BASS ALLIANCE
Mr. Kevin Dells, Northwest Coordinator of the
Illinois Smallmouth Bass Alliance, introduced himself to
the Forest Preserve Committee. He stated that the Alliance
has done several volunteer efforts to remove two very
large log jams at Potawatomi Woods. He stated that the
group has spent 400 man/women hours to remove the 25-30
year old log jams at the bridge and other areas. He stated
that the interest in removing the jams is to improve the
quality of water and water flow, save the bridge, and
canoe accessibility on the Kishwaukee River at Potawatomi
Woods. Mr. Dells explained that the fish diversity is
excellent at Potawatomi Woods. Mr. Dells stated that there
is now Pike, Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Crappie and
Catfish. He stated that there are also beavers and other
important river wildlife in the area. Mr.
Hannan stated that the ecosystem is in good balance in the
Kishwaukee River and said that it is considered a Class A
river in certain parts. Mr. Dells stated
that he would like the 3 miles of Kishwaukee River become
a catch and release fishing area through Potawatomi Woods.
He added that there are two more weekends for their
volunteer efforts, April 12 and 19th. Mr.
Dells presented a sample to the Forest Preserve Committee
of a proposed sign that could be posted that explains
Smallmouth Bass growth and off season dates for catch and
release fishing. Mr. Hannan stated that the
catch and release efforts should be communicated and
coordinated with the State side of the park, so both sides
of the river are posted if catch and release is approved.
Mr. McElligott stated that a IDNR fisheries biologist
would be looking at the new forest preserve/ state park
site to see if large rocks or aquatic plants would help
erosion at the bends in the Kishwaukee River. Mr.
McElligott stated that the I.S.A. would be willing to help
fund shot rock if needed. He further stated that Mr. Bob
Rung, a biologist from Starved Rock, is coming to Shabbona
to meet with other biologists on March 2nd.
Mr. Metzger thanked the representatives from the I.S.A.
for attending the meeting.
NEW FOREST PRESERVE NAME/ GRADE SCHOOL VOTING
RECAP
The Forest Preserve Secretary, Paula
Fisher, announced the total votes as taken from the grade
schools across DeKalb County. A total of 971 votes were
taken. Of those votes taken, 59% (569 votes) were for
Potawatomi Woods Forest Preserve, 17% for South Branch
Kishwaukee River Forest Preserve, 14% for Kirkland
Hiawatha Forest Preserve, and 10% for Hiawatha MacQueen
Forest Preserve. Mr. Hannan stated that he had contacted a
local Indian organization for permission to honor the
Potawatomi name in northwest Kirkland. (see attached
voting information) Mr. Metzger stated that
the meeting was running longer than expected, and needed a
motion to move the goal discussion to the March meeting.
Moved by Mr. Lyle, seconded by Mrs. Fauci, and it was
carried unanimously to move the goal discussion to next
month.
FY 2002 AUDIT INFORMATION
Mr. Hannan handed out the preliminary FY 2002
audit report for the Committee review. Mr. Hannan stated
that this information would appear for discussion on the
March agenda.
COMMUNITY PLANNING GRANT FUNDING FOR NEW
FOREST PRESERVE
Mr. Hannan stated that when the
IDNR State Park property was purchased, as part of the
Open Lands Trust grant program (OLT) ,7% of the purchase
price for the State side ($187,000) came to the County as
a OLT Community Planning grant. The Forest Preserve
District applied for a portion of these funds for
capital improvements. Mr. Hannan stated that the Forest
Preserve District asked for and received $110,000 of those
funds. Mr. Hannan stated that those funds would help with
an on-site Park Manager for Potawatomi Woods, a one story
modular home (approximately $74,000), 80 x 200 foot
gravel parking lot, 6 new overhead doors and electrical
improvements for an existing large metal outbuilding, and
to bury part of the overhead existing electrical lines
underground. These overhead lines would be over future
parking area, picnic grounds and people areas.
Mr. Hannan stated that for the first few years, Potawatomi
Woods will have limited access and minimal improvements.
Mr. Hannan also stated that the DeKalb/ Sycamore Sunrise
Rotary Club is raising funds for new shelters and other
park improvements to the site in 2006. Another area
foundation is considering funding other improvements
Mr. Hannan added that he will apply for a future grants in
2005/ 2006.
C-2000 GRANTS
Mr. Hannan stated that he has
received continuous support from local Senators and State
Representatives, including Senator Burzynski. Mr. Hannan
stated that the C-2000 grants helped to pay for the
removal of invasive species and clean-up of old farm dump
sites at Forest Preserve sites. Over $60,000.00 of C-2000
grant funding for habitat restoration and natural resource
management has been received over the years.(see attached
C-2000 grant information) Mr. Hannan stated that he
forwarded thank you letters to the local Senators and
Representatives.
GENERAL DISCUSSION
Mr. Hannan stated that the monthly
reports will be attached to the minutes, as usual.
Mr. Metzger handed out a Daily Chronicle
story that highlighted the life and accomplishments of Mr.
Clifford Simonson, Forest Preserve Committee Member.
The Forest Preserve Committee applauded Mr. Simonson.
Ms. Karen Metz spoke up and stated that she would
be interested in volunteering with the Forest Preserve
District in the future. Mr. Hannan stated that he would
forward information on the volunteer weekends to Ms. Metz.
(see attached spring 2003 volunteer dates)
Mr. Hannan stated that the March meeting will be held at
Sannauk Forest Preserve. Moved by Mr.
Rosemeir, seconded by Mr. Lyle, and it was carried
unanimously by role call vote to move into Executive
Session for the purpose of discussing land acquisition at
7:40 p.m. Moved by Mr. Johnson, seconded by
Mrs. Fauci, it was carried unanimously by role call vote
to move out of Executive Session at 7:43 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Mr. Rosemier, seconded by Mr.
Gudmunson, it was carried unanimously by voice vote to
adjourn the meeting.
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Chairman, Mr. Metzger
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