The DeKalb County Forest Preserve District Committee met Tuesday January 18, 2005 at Russell Woods Forest Preserve at 6:00 p.m.  Ms Fauci called the meeting to order.  In attendance were committee members, Ms. Fauci, Mr. Lyle, Ms. Turner, Mr. Anderson and Mr. Rosemier.  Absent was Mr. Gudmunson.  Also in attendance were Mr. Hannan, Forest Preserve Superintendent, Mr. Whelan, DeKalb County Board Member, and Mr. Millburg, DeKalb County Farm Bureau. 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Ms. Fauci noted that there were some corrections needed to be made to the December Forest Preserve District Committee minutes.  Ms. Fauci asked for corrections.  Mr. Rosemier noted a date correction and some spelling corrections in the minutes.  Mr. Anderson noted a substantive change in the text of a motion regarding the Aurora Sportsman's Club Development.  Ms. Fauci explained that the minutes were changed to reflect the correct action to be taken by the committee, rather than the action stated in the motion, and noted that a correction to the original context would be made.  Mr. Hannan explained that he transcribed the minutes from the December meeting, due to a turnover in the Forest Preserve staff.  Mr. Hannan introduced the new Forest Preserve Secretary, Chris Halstead at this time as well.  It was moved by Mr. Lyle, seconded by Mr. Anderson to approve the minutes as amended.  All members were in favor, and the motion carried by unanimous voice vote. 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Moved by Mr. Rosemier, seconded by Ms. Turner, it was carried unanimously to approve the agenda for the meeting.

DEKALB COUNTY GREENWAYS AND TRAILS UPDATE

Mr. Hannan gave a brief history of the DeKalb County Greenways and Trails project for new Committee members.  Mr. Hannan provided a copy of the second draft for the project.  Mr. Hannan reported to the committee that he will have the final plan presented at the February committee meeting.  Mr. Rosemier questioned the need to contact various roadway jurisdictional bodies, for example the Township Road Commissioners, and apprise them of the project.  Ms. Fauci gave an explanation of the process for the project, and discussion ensued regarding the manner that land is donated for trails.  Ms. Fauci and Mr. Hannan assured the committee that the necessary government agencies including Townships, Cities, County, etc will be kept informed and allowed input in every stage of developing the project.

RUSSELL WOODS NATURE RESOURCE EDUCATION PRESENTATION

Mr. Hannan gave a history of Russell Woods, and the Natural Resource Education Center. Mr. Hannan introduced, Peggy Doty, the Education Coordinator from the U of I Extension who gave a presentation to the committee about the Natural Resource Education Center.  Ms. Doty explained to the committee the process of funding for the center.  Ms Doty gave a presentation on the activities, camps and classes given by the center.  Ms. Doty indicated that an average of 4,000 children attend the various programs offered by the center.  Additional discussion of Ms. Doty's duties for the Forest Preserve District ensued and the committee members touched on the broad range of services offered by the Natural Resource Education Center and the Forest Preserve, and what improvement could be made for the future of the center at Russell Woods, including fund raising efforts and ideas to recruit volunteers to work at the center.   Ms. Fauci raised the concern about effects of the housing developments in close proximity to the Forest Preserve.  Ms. Doty indicated that the main problems would be in the realm of yard and gardening waste.  Ms. Doty was optimistic that the development in the area would decrease the occurrences of vandalism at the Forest Preserve.   Mr. Whelan asked if there was printed material that outlined what the resource center offers.  Ms. Doty said that there is nothing printed that details all of the events, but that the individual events are advertised as they occur. 

GENERAL DISCUSSION

Mr. Hannan gave a monthly report on the various facilities.  The sledding hills were very busy after the recent snows.  Scout troops and other groups are using the shelter houses every weekend. 

Mr. Lyle asked raised a concern about the rutted state of the entrance road to Russell Woods.  Mr. Hannan responded that the road was graded by the Genoa Township Road Commissioner and the Forest Preserve staff in the fall.  Due to weather conditions such as the freeze and thaw cycle there is little resolution to the washboard effects until spring.

Ms. Fauci asked for an update on the replacement directional signs for the Forest Preserves.  Mr. Hannan advised the committee that he has talked to the County Engineer, Mr. Lorence regarding the cost for replacing the signs.  Mr. Hannan is waiting for final pricing from Mr. Lorence. 

Mr. Hannan announced that there will be a guest speaker at the committee meeting next month.  Mr. Tom Robbins, a nature photographer, will show slides and prints of photos taken at Forest Preserve sites around the County.

Mr. Hannan reported that there will be a presentation at the Ad hoc Land Acquisition Committee on Monday January 24th.  The meeting will be held at the Conference Room East at 7:00 p.m. 

The annual Illinois Association of Park Districts conference will be held in Chicago.  Ms. Fauci and Mr. Hannan will be attending the conference January 28^th for the quarterly Forest Preserve and Conservation District meeting.   On January 29th the Forest Preserve Director from DuPage County will hold a seminar about the value of forest preserves.

The committee gave accolades to Peggy Doty for the work she is doing at the resource center. 

ADJOURNMENT

Moved by Mr. Anderson at 7:25 p.m., seconded by Mr. Lyle, 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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