The DeKalb County Forest Preserve District Committee met Tuesday July 19, 2005 at Afton Forest Preserve 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. Al Roloff, and Mr. Doug Dashner. 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Ms. Fauci asked for any corrections or additions to the June minutes.  There were no corrections voiced.  It was moved by Mr. Rosemier, seconded by Mr. Lyle 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. Anderson, seconded by Mr. Gudmunson, it was carried unanimously to approve the agenda for the meeting.

PRESENTATION BY MR. AL ROLOFF

Mr. Hannan introduced Mr. Al Roloff for a follow up presentation on the Afton Preserve Prairie after the spring burn.  Mr. Roloff began his presentation by showing the committee a species of sedge that was found at Potawatomi Woods Forest Preserve.  This sedge had not previously been found in DeKalb County.  Mr. Roloff then guided the committee and guests on a tour of the prairie area.  Ms. Fauci asked if the severe drought this summer would affect the prairie next year.  Mr. Roloff described the prairie's inherent ability to withstand drought, but pointed out that the plants were about 1/2 to 2/3 of the height that they would be in a normal precipitation year.   Mr. Hannan talked to the group about the various birds, butterflies, owls, etc. that live in the prairie habitat.  Mr. Anderson noticed some thistles growing in the prairie and inquired about the Forest Preserve District's policy to eradicate these noxious weeds.  Mr. Hannan responded that the staff cuts out the plants and sprays as they can.  The group returned to the large shelter house, and Mr. Hannan told the group that Mr. Roloff had a prairie walk and talk scheduled for July 30th at 10:00 at Afton Forest Preserve.  Ms. Fauci thanked Mr. Roloff on behalf of the group for his presentation.

COUNTY BOARD / VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION PICNIC

Ms. Fauci reported that she had approached the County Board Executive Committee with the idea of having a County Board / volunteer appreciation picnic and the idea was well received.  Ms. Fauci polled the committee on the possibility of opening the event to the public.  Mr. Hannan added that part of the event will be the dedication of the SØrensen prairie and he believed that members of the public would like to attend that ceremony. Mr. Fauci asked if other volunteers would be recognized on that day as well and Mr. Hannan responded affirmatively.  Mr. Rosemier suggested that the picnic be catered.  Ms. Turner added that a good compromise to catering vs. potluck is to provide the meat to grill and drinks and have those attending bring a dish to pass.  Ms. Fauci asked Mr. Hannan if there were funds available to provide the meat and drinks.  Mr. Hannan responded yes.  Ms. Fauci suggested that a flyer for the event be made, and that a newspaper article be submitted as well as sending invitations to volunteers and long time friends of the Forest Preserve District. 

ANNUAL BUDGET PROCESS

Mr. Hannan gave the committee an overview of the timetable for the annual budget process.  A budget draft is submitted to the committee in August.  The committee discusses the budget in September and October.  The committee votes on the budget in October and forwards it to the full board. The board votes on the budget in November.  Ms. Fauci asked if the district was expecting any major expenses.  Mr. Hannan responded that there will be large expenditures for Potawatomi Woods development which are covered by existing funds, grants, and donations, but which will be included in the budget.  Mr. Rosemier asked if the wetland bank mitigation funds are included in the budget as revenue.  Mr. Hannan confirmed that those funds are included in the department revenues.  Mr. Rosemier asked if the pending wetland bank mitigations were finalized.  Mr. Hannan said that he does have information on the wetland bank mitigations that he planned to provide to the committee during his monthly report. 

MONTHLY REPORT

Mr. Hannan received a call from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources requesting a cooperative effort from the Forest Preserve District to use the barn at Potawatomi Woods as a chronic wasting disease check station during a special 3 day deer hunt.  Mr. Hannan told the IDNR representative that he would bring the request to the committee.  Mr. Rosemier asked if there was any danger of cross contamination if any of the animals tested positive for chronic wasting disease.  Mr. Gudmunson asked for clarification on what exactly is involved in this hunt.  Mr. Hannan answered that it is a 3 day deer hunt in northern Illinois counties, during which every animal is brought to a check in station to have brain tissue tested for chronic wasting disease.  Mr. Hannan is not aware of any danger with cross contamination during the testing.  Mr. Rosemier asked what is normally stored in the barn, and Mr. Hannan responded that the barn holds equipment.  Mr. Rosemier asked if there was any problem relocating the equipment for the 3 days in January and Mr. Hannan indicated that it would not cause any problem.  The committee gave a unanimous consensus to allow the barn at Potawatomi Woods Forest Preserve to be used by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources January 13-15 to test deer tissue for chronic wasting disease. 

Mr. Hannan confirmed receipt of a check from Kishwaukee Hospital for the wetland bank mitigation.  The Kishwaukee Hospital and Ottawa investment group mitigations are complete.  There is a third wetland bank mitigation still pending.  Ms. Fauci reminded the committee that the Forest Preserve District does have a debt with the County for the purchase of Potawatomi Woods.  Mr. Hannan added that the funds received from the wetland bank mitigation process can be used to pay down our land acquisition loan and reduce our loan debt to the County. 

Mr. Hannan updated the committee on the Potawatomi Woods development.  Work is being done on bid specifications for the handicapped accessible trail, and materials for the shelter house.   Proposals for the bridge and other development will be coming at a future date. 

Mr. Hannan reported that Blumen Gardens Nursery in Sycamore is having a public event for prairie restoration and trail use on Saturday September 17th at 1:00 p.m.  They are holding a fund raising event for prairie restoration.  The funds donated are eligible to be matched by a grant.

Mr. Hannan received the results of the yearly Illinois Department of Public Health inspection of campsites for the annual license renewal.  The results indicated that the campgrounds at Russell Woods and MacQueen Forest Preserve are maintained in excellent condition.

Mr. Rosemier brought up a point from the presentation given last month by the Small Mouth Bass Alliance.  It was mentioned that bowling ball size rock in the Kishwaukee River provides benefits for the river and the fish.  Mr. Rosemier asked if broken concrete could be used in lieu of rock.  Ms. Turner suggested that rock may work better for moss growth.  Mr. Hannan said that given the Forest Preserve setting natural material like stones and boulders would be more aesthetically pleasing than broken concrete.

Mr. Rosemier asked if results were available from the survey taken by the citizens group regarding the possible open space referendum for land acquisition.  Mr. Hannan responded that he is anticipating having results from the survey at the September committee meeting.

COMMITTEE DISCUSSION

Ms. Fauci shared information on a letter from Lt. Governor Pat Quinn regarding a meeting to be held August 18th on the subject of water quality in Illinois and how to improve the quality of rivers and streams.  Ms. Fauci encouraged attendance to the meeting if anyone was interested. 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Ms. Turner made a motion to go into executive session, seconded by Mr. Lyle.  A roll call vote was taken and all members voted aye.    Ms. Turner made a motion to leave executive session, seconded by Mr. Rosemier.  A roll call vote was taken and all members voted aye. 

PERSONNEL

Mr. Rosemier made a motion to bring 2 full time Forest Preserve employees into the same compensation structure as the other non-union County employees.  Ms. Turner seconded the motion.   Discussion ensued and included clarification of what is involved.  Mr. Rosemier clarified that the compensation structure included a COLA adjustment, a merit increase in accordance with other non-union County employees (i.e. 0-3.6%), and longevity pay pursuant to the County longevity schedule.  Mr. Rosemier requested a roll call vote.  Ms. Fauci voted aye; Mr. Anderson voted nay; Mr. Rosemier voted aye; Mr. Gudmunson voted nay; Mr. Lyle abstained; Ms. Turner voted aye.  The motion passed 3-2 with one abstention.

ADJOURNMENT

Moved by Mr. Rosemier at 7:41 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. 

                                                                                                            _____________________

                                                                                                            Julia Fauci                                                                                                            

| Home | Return to top | A-Z Index | Return to minutes |