The DeKalb County Forest Preserve District Committee met Tuesday February 15, 2005 in the Conference Room East at the DeKalb County Administrative Building at 6:00 p.m.  Ms Fauci called the meeting to order.  In attendance were committee members, Ms. Fauci, Mr. Gudmunson, Ms. Turner, Mr. Anderson and Mr. Rosemier.  Absent was Mr. Lyle.  Also in attendance were Mr. Hannan, Forest Preserve Superintendent and Mr. Millburg, DeKalb County Farm Bureau. 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

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

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Mr. Hannan called for the removal of item 4 from the agenda.  Our guest speaker, nature photographer, Mr. Tom Robbins was not able to attend the meeting.  Moved by Mr. Rosemier, seconded by Mr. Anderson, it was carried unanimously to approve the amended agenda for the meeting.

MONTHLY REPORT

Mr. Hannan gave his thanks to Howard Butz, the Genoa Township Road Commissioner, and Forest Preserve staff member Bill Prain for grading the road at Russell Woods Forest Preserve.  Ms. Fauci inquired about the procedure for obtaining gravel for the roadways.  Mr. Hannan replied that the gravel is normally purchased from Charles Lee and Sons quarry.  Mr. Hannan further stated that the transport of the gravel is normally either done gratis by Genoa Township, or for hire by Charles Lee and Sons. 

Ms. Fauci read letters of appreciation from two Boy Scout troops that have recently utilized the facilities.  Mr. Hannan added a special thanks to Mike and Justine Luepkes for their efforts with groups at MacQueen Forest Preserve.  There are several groups who use the Forest Preserves for classes as well, including Biology classes from NIU and Kishwaukee College, and Art classes from NIU.

Mr. Hannan reminded the committee that the Forest Preserve Volunteer Days are coming up.  There is information in the County Board Packet on the event.  Plans are to advertise Volunteer Days in the paper and on the radio.

The Forest Preserve annual Maple Syrup Day at Russell Woods Forest Preserve is coming up on March 5th.  Information will be on the DeKalb County Web Site. 

Mr. Hannan reported information to the committee on quarterly safety checks that are done by the Forest Preserve staff.  Emergency procedures are examined, and safety checks are performed on stairs, lighting, equipment, bridges, trails, roads, wood burning stoves, etc.

AD HOC LAND ACQUISITION COMMITTEE UPDATE

The next Ad Hoc Land Acquisition Committee meeting will be on Monday March 28th at 7:00 p.m. at the Conference Room East.  Two presentations were made at the last committee meeting covering varying viewpoints.  At the March committee meeting a vote will be taken to determine if the land acquisition process should proceed.  Ms. Fauci welcomed input from the Forest Preserve Committee that could be taken to the Ad Hoc committee at the next meeting.  The committee was assigned to come up with possible tax options for the acquisition of land.  The taxation could be in the form of property tax.  Mr. Hannan suggested that a 20 year bond may be a viable option.  Mr. Rosemier inquired if other types of funds had been exhausted.  Mr. Hannan affirmed that other funding has been exhausted.  Mr. Rosemier asked if the funds raised through a bond, if accepted by voters, would be eligible as matching funds.  Mr. Hannan affirmed that the funds would be eligible for matching.  Discussion on this topic included the point that the impact fees charged to developers should include funds for Forest Preserves.  Ms. Fauci indicated that there are several legal issues including the inability for the County to impose fees on developers due to the fact that we are not under home rule.    Additional discussion included the concerns of some committee members and land owners about increased occurrences of trespassing and vandalism that come with trails, parks, and preserves.  Points were made on both sides of the issue that vandalism does occur by a very small percentage of forest preserve users, and that this type of behavior will manifest itself whether additional land is provided for trails and preserves.  Mr. Rosemier asked if the Ad Hoc Committee was pursuing the option of purchasing development rights vs. outright land purchase.  Mr. Hannan responded that the formation of this committee was for the pursuit of public land purchase only.  The potential of purchasing development rights has been left off of this committee's program.   It was clarified to the committee that the Ad Hoc Committee's purpose is to decide if the concept of increased property taxes for the purchase of land for public use should be taken to the voters of DeKalb County in the form of a referendum.   This created additional discussion about the attitude of tax referendums in general and specifically the failed referendum for public safety purposes.  Ms. Fauci pointed out that in some areas referendums for public safety have failed and those for purchase of land for public use have passed. 

DEKALB COUNTY GREENWAYS AND TRAILS UPDATE

Mr. Hannan stated that the presentation of the final plan for the Greenways and Trails project is being delayed for a month.  The wording of the plan is being finalized and clarified.  The committee engaged in discussion of where the project goes next.  Mr. Hannan said that the Greenways and Trails plan will be disseminated to offices and agencies that would be involved for their input.

ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION OF PARK DISTRICT CONFERENCE

Mr. Hannan gave a report on the Illinois Association of Park District Conference which was attended by himself, and Ms. Fauci.   The conference brings together a network of people in parks and forest preserves for sharing of information and ideas.  A presentation was made at the conference providing the audience a concept of what the condition and quality of life of certain areas would be if there were no Forest Preserves.  This concept is known as the "George Bailey Effect".  The conference held seminars on innovative ideas for water detention such as rain gardens, rain barrels, green roofs, wetlands and using native plants in developments and detention areas.  Mr. Hannan reviewed other areas of the conference, including the continued concern of Chronic Wasting Disease and it's impact on wildlife in Illinois. 

GENERAL DISCUSSION

Mr. Rosemier asked about the new zoning designation "conservation", and inquired if it truly refers to "conservation".  Mr. Hannan responded that the zoning term does not refer to "natural resource conservation" in the often thought of definition.  Mr. Millburg added that the designation was included to provide "teeth" to the comprehensive plan.  For example, an existing subdivision would be "conserved" by not allowing a developer to add more housing to that already approved subdivision. 

Ms. Fauci passed along some information about the carbon credit program to Mr. Rosemier, as a possible source of funding.  Mr. Rosemier is going to put together a report for the committee to be presented at the March meeting. 

ADJOURNMENT

Moved by Mr. Anderson at 7:00 p.m., seconded by Ms. Turner, it was carried unanimously by voice vote to adjourn the meeting.

Attached are monthly reports and Forest Preserve activities. 

                                                                                                            Chairwoman

                                                                                                            Julia Fauci

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