The DeKalb County Forest Preserve Committee met Tuesday, August 18, 2003, at the Afton Forest Preserve by the enclosed shelter, at 6:00 p.m. Chairman Mr. Metzger called the meeting to order with Mrs. Fauci, Mr. Gudmunson, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Rosemier and Mr. Simonson. Mr. Hannan and Greg Milburg were also present.

Mr. Hannan discussed the FY 2004 budget (line item info, pie chart, and tax levy) for review to the Committee members. Mr. Hannan reviewed the following timeline for the FY 2004 Budget:

September:   Continue budget review.

October:   Forest Preserve Committee approves budget and tax levy to forward to Forest Preserve District Commissioners in November. Forest Preserve Committee places budget and tax levy on file for one month and approves public hearing for November Forest Preserve Committee meeting.

November:   Public Hearing at Forest Preserve Committee meeting and Forest Preserve Commissioners approve budget and tax levy.

Mr. Rosemier questioned Mr. Hannan about line item 5521 (in exchange for rent) and asked for explanation. Mr. Hannan responded that at MacQueen and Afton Forest Preserves, the park managers live in the houses and rent is in exchange for maintenance work in the preserves(they pay their own utilities) This maintenance would include mowing, opening and closing entrance gates, assisting in snow removal, patroling, taking camping or picnic permits, litter clean-up, pruning, repairs as necessary, outhouse upkeep, and basic supervision of the preserve.

Mr. Rosemier asked several questions about land acquisition and the purchase of large equipment. Mr. Hannan gave Mr. Rosemier an overview on the grant cycle for land acquisition. He also explained that a purchase of a new truck would be budgeted over a couple of years, which may show money being carried from one fiscal year to the next.

Mr. Rosemier asked if it was more economical to lease or purchase mowers for the District. Mr. Hannan stated that in his experience and the forest preserve maintenance supervisor, that it was better to lease for maintenance purposes.

Mr. Rosemier asked about the garbage pick-up schedule for Potawatomi Woods. Mr. Hannan responded that once it is open to the public, it will have it’s own schedule as needed, as the forest preserves have different pick-up schedules from each other and for the various seasons.

Mr. Rosemier asked if the Forest Preserve District accepted bids for the waste management company and contract. Mr. Hannan responded that he thought there was only one company in the area that collects garbage for all the forest preserves. The other Committee members agreed that this was correct.

Mrs. Fauci arrived at 6:20 p.m.

Mr. Hannan referred to the budget packet one page at a time and reviewed this in detail with the Committee.

There was a brief discussion about a potential park manager residence at Potawatomi Woods. Mr. Hannan stated that this would happen next year at the earliest case scenario, due to lack of funding at the present time.

Chairman Metzger invited Mr. John Duerr, Director of the Kane County Forest Preserve District, to share his experiences on land acquisition funding. He provided a map of all acquisitions in Kane County. Mr. Duerr spoke about successful referendums in Kane County and about educating the public on the need for open land. Mr. Duerr said in Kane County they are going through tremendous population growth and development and trying to preserve as much natural resource land as possible. He shared with the Committee a brochure put together (for informative purposes) on the referendum by his Forest Preserve District. He told Mr. Hannan and the Committee how beautiful Afton was and how impressed he was with the prairie restoration there.

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Chairman, Mr. Metzger