The DeKalb County Forest Preserve District Committee met Tuesday August 16, 2005 at the Great Western Trail at 6:00 p.m.  Ms. Fauci called the meeting to order.  In attendance were committee members, Ms. Fauci, Mr. Gudmunson, Mr. Anderson, Mr. Lyle, Mr. Rosemier, and Ms. Turner.  Also in attendance were Mr. Hannan, Forest Preserve Superintendent, Mr. Greg Millburg, Ms. Diane Strand, and Ms. Peggy Doty. 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

               Ms. Fauci asked for any corrections or additions to the July minutes.  There were no corrections voiced.  It was moved by Mr. Lyle, seconded by Mr. Anderson to approve the minutes.  All members were in favor, and the motion carried by unanimous voice vote. 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

               Ms. Fauci asked for any additions to the meeting agenda, and there were none.  Moved by Mr. Rosemier, seconded by Ms. Turner, it was carried unanimously to approve the agenda for the meeting.

POTAWATOMI WOODS DEVELOPMENT BID OPENING

               Mr. Hannan received bids for the Potawatomi Woods Development items which were advertised in the local newspaper.  The first bid item is a paved trail through the forest preserve.  Mr. Hannan met with Gary Sale from the DeKalb County Highway Department for consultation, and Mr. Hannan provided specifications to the bidders for an ADA handicap accessible trail approximately 1 mile long and 8 feet wide comprised of a 4" aggregate base and a 2" asphalt overlay.  Mr. Rosemier asked Mr. Hannan about the longevity of this type of trail.  Mr. Hannan responded that this type of construction is very durable.  A similar path was installed at Afton Forest Preserve at least 10 years ago, and is still in good condition.  Ms. Fauci asked if snow is removed from the path.  Mr. Hannan said no snow is removed, and cross country skiing is allowed in the winter.  The following bids were received for the trail.  Dashney Gustafson, Inc. from Kirkland submitted a bid for $57,820.00.  Curran Contracting of DeKalb Illinois submitted a bid for $ 69,510.00.  Both proposals met specifications.  A motion was made by Mr. Rosemier to accept the low bid from Dashney Gustafson, Inc. and to forward the proposed resolution to the full Forest Preserve Board recommending the awarding of this project to Dashney Gustafson, Inc.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Lyle.  The motion carried unanimously. 

               The second bid item is the necessary materials for 2 open air shelters.  The specification allowed for bids to be submitted with either treated southern yellow pine or cedar for the posts, columns and fascia.  The shelter houses are 16' x 28' and 20' x 36'.  Mr. Anderson asked if the shelters were going to be constructed on slabs.  Mr. Hannan answered affirmatively.  Mr. Gudmunson asked if Mr. Hannan anticipated having the shelters built this year.  Mr. Hannan relayed to the committee the plan to have one of the shelters built by Forest Preserve staff and one of shelters built by volunteers from the Kirkland Fire Department this fall.  Mr. Rosemier read all bids.  The bid tabulations are attached to these minutes.  The committee discussed the benefits of cedar posts, columns, and fascia vs. southern yellow pine, and it was agreed to accept the low bid with cedar.  The committee further discussed whether to bury the support posts or use a concrete shoe, and it was agreed to bury the posts.  Mr. Gudmunson asked Mr. Hannan to confirm the size and length of the posts to be supplied.  Mr. Hannan will contact the supplier and confirm the size and length of the posts. Ms. Fauci asked Mr. Hannan if the shelter houses need to have a sealant applied to the wood.  Mr. Hannan responded that a sealer is applied to the shelters after a few years as a matter of routine maintenance.    Ms. Fauci made a recommendation to the committee to accept the bid from Park Supply of Geneva Illinois.  Ms. Turner made a motion to accept the low bid with cedar posts, columns, and fascia of $17.250.00 and to forward the proposed resolution to the full Forest Preserve Board recommending the award of this bid to Park Supply Direct of Geneva Illinois.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Gudmunson.  A voice vote was taken and passed unanimously.

FISCAL YEAR 2006 BUDGET

               Mr. Hannan passed out the proposed budged for the committee to review.  Discussion on the budged will be opened at the September committee meeting. 

MONTHLY REPORT

               Mr. Hannan welcomed the committee and guests to the Great Western Trail.  The trail was purchased in the mid 1970's and is a 17 mile trail to Forest Preserves in Kane County.  The trail is used for biking, hiking, snowmobiling and equestrian riders when the trail is dry.  The trail is comprised of ag lime and old railroad ballast.   Mr. Hannan updated the committee on the Potawatomi Woods Development project.  Along with the previously mentioned accessible trail and shelters, there will be several benches along the trail, some of which will have a plaque thanking the many donors to the project.  An Eagle Scout project is planned to connect a trail from MacQueen Forest Preserve to Potawatomi Woods Forest Preserve.  A bridge will be constructed across Kingsbury Creek connecting the 2 preserves. Many other improvements are a part of this project including water, prairie/oak savannah landscape, play equipment, a wildlife observation deck and a canoe landing.   Mr. Hannan reported that the Forest Preserve staff had rented a boom bucket to do high trimming of dead wood in tree crowns at several preserves, and saved the Forest Preserve District a substantial amount of money by doing the work with Forest Preserve staff.   This work will improve public safety in camping and picnic areas and around shelters and along trails.  The Volunteer Appreciation picnic was a success, with approximately 50 in attendance.  Paul Sorensen spoke at the dedication of the Sorensen Prairie.  Mr. Hannan brought to the attention of the committee a remaining balance of a grant for capital improvements.  The grant has a time limitation of two years, which is coming to a close.  There is $32,000 remaining from the $187,000 original grant.  Mr. Hannan would like to consider an addition to the Afton Forest Preserve Maintenance Shed.  Another possible project would be to bury additional power lines at Chief Shabbona Forest Preserve (similar burial of electrical service was completed at Sannauk, MacQueen and Potawatomi Woods Forest Preserves). Burying the lines provides both additional safety and an ascetic benefit.  Mr. Rosemier asked about the original possibility of using the funds for a park ranger residence at Potawatomi Woods Forest Preserve.  Mr. Hannan responded that both of the houses at Potawatomi Woods were burned down due to the extremely poor condition of the structures.  Mr. Hannan added that the State of Illinois Department of Natural Resources had approached the Forest Preserve District about the possibility of sharing a maintenance person in the area (because of the Kishwaukee River State Fish and Wildlife area being across the river), but the State withdrew the consideration due to lack of funding and the Forest Preserve District saw this not being cost effective.  Forest Preserve staff are currently providing park maintenance coverage for Potawatomi Woods.

COMMITTEE DISCUSSION

               There were no additional comments by the committee. 

ADJOURNMENT

               Moved by Mr. Lyle at 7:10 p.m., seconded by Mr. Gudmunson, it was carried unanimously by voice vote to adjourn the meeting.

Attached are monthly reports and Forest Preserve activities. 

                                                                                           _______________________

                                                                                            Julia Fauci, Chairwoman

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