The DeKalb County Forest Preserve Committee met Tuesday, May 20, 2003, in the enclosed shelter #3 at Russell Woods Forest Preserve, at 6:00 p.m. Chairman Mr. Metzger called the meeting to order with Mr. Gudmunson, Mr. Lyle, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Rosemier, and Mr. Simonson. Mr. Hannan, Mr. Xidis, Ms. Grainger, Mr. Barker, Mr. Stott, Mr. Fogel and Ms. Partch were also present.

Moved by Mr. Lyle, seconded by Mr. Johnson, and it was carried unanimously with a voice vote to approve corrected minutes for April.

Mr. Hannan asked the Committee to adjust the agenda (#7 to 9A) to allow for the Citizen Greenway Coalition. Moved by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Rosemeir, and it was carried unanimously by voice vote to approve the amended agenda.

WELCOME TO RUSSELL WOODS

Mr. Hannan welcomed the Committee to Russell Woods with an overview. According to Mr. Hannan, the 126 acres that makes up Russell Woods was purchased in 1942 for less than $6,000. Russell Woods has the South Branch of the Kishwaukee River running through the middle, which flows easterly into Genoa and then northwesterly to Belvidere. Mr. Hannan stated that this forest preserve consists of Oak and Hickory trees in the upland forest and Ash and Silver Maple in the bottomland forest. Mr. Hannan demonstrated the broad public usage of Russell Woods through tent camping, fishing, picnic areas, hiking, birding, the sledding hill and the Natural Education Resource Center. Mr. Hannan explained that the rural character of Russell Woods will change when the new Genoa/ Kingston High School is opened and the new 600+ homes are built to the east of the forest preserve.

Mr. Rosemeir asked what impact the new construction would have on Russell Woods. Mr. Hannan responded that wildlife may wander into these neighbors yards (deer, raccoons), and perhaps dogs/cats which reside in the new subdivision will wander freely into the forest preserve. Also, the use would probably increase as people would walk from the new subdivision and high school into Russell Woods. However, the school and new development agreed to a "buffer strip" around the forest preserve boundary to help ease the transition between a conservation area and a school and residential area. Mr. Hannan stated that time would tell.

Mrs. Fauci arrived at 6:10 p.m.

Mr. Metzger applauded Mr. Hannan for all of the hard work and efforts involved in the acquisition of the new forest preserve (now named Potawatomi Woods Forest Preserve) in northwest Kirkland. Mr. Hannan responded thank you on behalf of the prior Forest Preserve Committee and the current Forest Preserve Committee, IDNR, Natural Land Institute, DeKalb County Community Foundation, and forest preserve staff which were instrumental to this acquisition.

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS

Mr. Hannan explained that he had applied and the County has received a Community Planning Grant through the Open Lands Trust, representing 7% of the purchase price of the State Park in northwest Kirkland. This 7% money ($187,000) is to be used only for capital improvements. Mr. Hannan stated that the Forest Preserve District has already received $110,000 of this money allocated for parking lot and road improvements, a morton barn upgrade, burying of electrical lines, a park manager residence and new well and septic and other improvements at Potawatomi Woods Forest Preserve.

Mr. Hannan explained that the $77,000 balance of this grant money could be used for capital improvements at other forest preserves such as a new water well at MacQueen Forest Preserve, new play equipment at Russell, MacQueen and Sannauk, necessary upgrades to the house at Afton, the burial of electrical lines at Sannauk, MacQueen and Chief Shabbona Forest Preserves, and roofing improvements to shelter houses at Sannauk, Russell Woods and MacQueen facilities.(see attached)

FOREST PRESERVE GOALS

Mr. Metzger stated that he has met with Mr. Pritchard to discuss goals for the Forest Preserve District. Mr. Metzger stated that he would like to have the goals in an official format in the near future.

DEKALB COUNTY GREENWAYS AND TRAILS COALITION

Mrs. Fauci stated that the DeKalb County Greenways and Trails Coalition is interested in a partnership between their citizens group and the Forest Preserve District, and other park districts and communities in DeKalb County. Mrs. Fauci explained that this partnership would allow the DeKalb County Greenways and Trails Coalition to apply for grants for a greenways and trails plan, as she reiterated that planning and municipal/county involvement was the first step. Mr. Metzger asked if they had adopted a mission statement and asked Mrs. Fauci to read it aloud. Mrs. Fauci read the following statement:

"The DCGTC is a coalition of interested citizens who have joined together to assist in the development and implementation of a county plan to establish a system of trails and greenways throughout DeKalb County that will provide safe recreation, connect locations of community interest, enhance economic development, and preserve our natural resources."

Mrs. Fauci stated that there were grants available through the IDNR for transportation plans.

Mr. Xidis stated that he was interested in seeing pathway development along the Kishwaukee River. He stated that this pathways plan will network cities, counties, towns, villages, park districts, forest preserves and provide a wide variety of activities for everyone such as walkers, joggers, people in wheelchairs, skaters, bicyclists, as well as keeping the kids off the streets for safety reasons.

Mr. Fogel stated that the IDNR is very supportive of the coalition.

Mr. Metzger asked the coalition representatives what other financial resources they were seeking.

Mr. Fogel stated that the funding will come from direct grants, match grants and in-kind contributions.

Mr. Xidis stated that this plan will include the entire county.

Mrs. Fauci stated that the newly formed Metropolitan Planning Organization is required to design a bike transportation plan.

Mr. Xidis stated that IDOT is willing to support a trail if the pathway construction is viewed as a means to get to work.

Mr. Rosemeir asked who paid for the paving from First Street to Anderson Hall.

Mr. Fogel responded that the pathway was a result of a partnership with the DeKalb Park District and DeKalb Kishwaukee Kiwanis.

Mr. Rosemeir stated that anything the Forest Preserve District approved, the County Board would also have to approve.

Mr. Fogel stated that he didn’t foresee any County monies being involved.

Mrs. Fauci stated that an IDNR grant for $20,000 for planning expenses would need to be applied for by August.

Mr. Johnson thought that perhaps the DCGTC should meet twice a month until that deadline.

Mr. Fogel added that the applicant for this grant would need to be the DeKalb County Forest Preserve District by means of a resolution approving the DCGTC and other partners to act on this grant.

Mr. Hannan stated that if the Forest Preserve Committee approves the resolution tonight, the Forest Preserve Commissioners would have the resolution in the County Board packet for next month.

Mr. Hannan stated that the Forest Preserve Commissioners would have to submit the grant application.

Mrs. Fauci read aloud the resolution to be adopted June 18, 2003 if approved.

Mr. Xidis restated that the $20,000 grant in question is for consultant and concept plan.

Moved by Mr. Metzger, seconded by Mrs. Fauci, and the motion carried to pass the resolution to the Forest Preserve Commissioners to apply for grant assistance from the IDNR for a DeKalb County Greenways and Trails Plan by role call vote with 5 in favor, Mr. Gudmunson opposed, and Mr. Johnson abstained.

Mr. Metzger asked about the tenure of this organization and stated that the newness of this group may raise some questions.

Mr. Fogel responded that the large support of upstanding quality local residents would have to be considered, and that several of the members come from the Kiwanis Club which has been around a long time.

Mr. Xidis added that this group has been working together since the formation of the Kiwanis Club in 1964.

Mr. Hannan stated that local groups adopt these trails to clean-up and maintain, and that the Sycamore Lions Club, DeKalb Kishwaukee Kiwanis and others have been volunteering on trail projects for years.

Moved by Mr. Lyle, seconded by Mr. Johnson, and it was carried by voice vote to move into executive session at 7:05 p.m. for the purpose of land acquisition.

Moved by Mr. Lyle, seconded by Mr. Rosemeir, it was carried unanimously by voice vote to adjourn the meeting.