The DeKalb County Forest Preserve District Committee met Tuesday October 18, 2005 at the Conference Room East at 6:00 p.m.  Chair Fauci called the meeting to order.  In attendance were committee members, Chair Fauci, Vice Chair Gudmunson, Mr. Anderson, Mr. Lyle, Mr. Rosemier, and Ms. Turner.  Also in attendance were Ms. Ruth Anne Tobias, County Board Chair, Mr. Hannan, Forest Preserve Superintendent, Mr. John Dlabal, former County Board Member, Mr. Greg Millburg, and various members of the community. 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Chair Fauci asked for any corrections or additions to the September 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

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

FY 2005 LEVY ORDINANCE FOR FY 2006

Mr. Hannan addressed the committee regarding the tax levy.  At the September committee meeting it was discussed that if the tax levy included the tax on new construction an additional $6,000.00 would be generated in Forest Preserve tax revenue for F.Y. 2006.  Mr. Hannan discussed several possibilities where the funds could be used, including items for the Potawatomi Woods Development which are eligible for match funds.  Mr. Anderson responded that a balanced budged was presented to the committee.  He asked why taxes should be raised, and voiced his opposition to the increased tax levy.  Mr. Rosemier added the committee was not aware of the up to date information on the new construction when the previous budget was considered.  Mr. Rosemier pointed out that the increase is minimal, and voiced his approval of the tax levy.   Vice Chair Gudmunson asked for clarification of the meaning of new construction in this context.  Is it construction that the Forest Preserve does in the parks, or is it a tax on newly constructed homes in the County?  Board Chair Tobias clarified that the new construction referred to for the tax levy is new homes being built in the County.   Mr. Anderson asked why this extra money is so beneficial, why these funds can be matched by a grant.  Mr. Rosemier responded that matching funds are only available on monies that the Forest Preserve District has to spend initially.  If the funds available from this increase in the tax levy are used specifically for the Potawatomi Woods Development, then available matching grant funds can be utilized. Ms. Tobias made a motion to increase the Forest Preserve Tax Levy to accommodate the increase taxes available from new construction.  Ms. Turner seconded the motion.  Roll call vote was requested by Mr. Anderson.   Chair Fauci, aye; Mr. Anderson, nay; Mr. Rosemier, aye; Vice Chair Gudmunson, aye; Mr. Lyle, nay; Ms. Turner, aye; Board Chair Tobias, aye.  The motion carried by a vote of 5 to 2.  Mr. Rosemier made a motion to approve the budget ordinance with the change in the tax levy.  Board Chair Tobias seconded the motion.  Roll call vote was requested by Mr. Anderson.  Chair Fauci, aye; Mr. Anderson, nay; Mr. Rosemier, aye; Vice Chair Gudmunson, aye; Mr. Lyle, nay; Ms. Turner, aye; Board Chair Tobias, aye.  The motion carried by a vote of 5 to 2. 

PUBLIC HEARING FOR RESOLUTION TO PLACE FY 2006 BUDGET ON FILE

Mr. Hannan told the committee that they would vote on the FY 2006 budget and levy at the November committee meeting, and that the budget has to be available for public inspection.  Ms. Turner made a motion to put the FY 2006 budget on file for review by the public.  Mr. Rosemier seconded the motion.   A voice vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously.  Mr. Hannan added that the budget will also be available at the Sandwich City Hall and Genoa City Clerk's Office for public view. 

CORPORATE TAX REFERENDUM FOR FUTURE OPEN SPACE

Chair Fauci asked for comments and questions from the committee on the proposed tax referendum resolution.  Mr. Rosemier questioned why the tax referendum is classified as a corporate tax.  Mr. Hannan and Board Chair Tobias responded that the term corporate is simply a designation that is used for governmental organizations, as apposed to a private tax.  Mr. Hannan pointed out that a referendum information packet that was sent to the Forest Preserve Committee was also mailed to the remaining board members.  Mr. Anderson had a question about item 17 in the packet referring to the sunset clause of the tax.  Mr. Anderson pointed out that the clause was included in the packet information but is not on the referendum.  Mr. Hannan responded that the referendum resolution has the clause that says the tax will be evaluated every year.  This change in wording was the recommendation of the legal counsel. Discussion followed about the change in the wording proposed by the legal counsel.  After discussion Mr. Hannan asked if the committee would rather strike the new language proposed and use the old language including the "sunset" clause for the tax.  Mr. Hannan read the old language to the committee.  It was agreed to use the "sunset" language with the removal of a statement about the audit process, which is covered elsewhere.  Mr. Anderson asked if the vote taken at this meeting was to move this resolution onto the full board of Forest Preserve Commissioners.  Board Chair Tobias responded affirmatively.  Mr. Anderson made a motion to move this resolution with the change of the sunset clause to the full board of Forest Preserve Commissioners.  Ms. Turner seconded the motion.  A voice vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously.  Mr. Rosemier asked if this also included a recommendation of approval from the committee.  Mr. Anderson added that he would not be comfortable adding a recommendation of approval.  Chair Fauci said that she would find out from the Parliamentarian about the need for a recommendation.

REFERENDUM LEGAL COUNSEL

Mr. Hannan told the committee that the district is looking at hiring legal counsel to provide expertise on the guidance through the referendum process.  Mr. Hannan read the proposal to the committee.  Chair Fauci asked for comments.  Board Chair Tobias stated that she felt having an expert is necessary for the referendum process.  Mr. Rosemier made a motion for the district to hire this counsel to advise us through the process of this referendum.  Ms. Turner seconded the motion.  Discussion followed the motion.  Mr. Anderson asked what funds were going to be used to pay for this counsel.  Mr. Hannan responded that there had been discussion about this but nothing had been decided.  Mr. Michael Haines stated that the citizens group offered to pay for the legal counsel if there was any impropriety in the act of the district using their funds.  It appears from past County practice that there is no impropriety in this action.  Chair Fauci stated that she felt that the hiring of this legal counsel should be paid for by Forest Preserve Funds.  Mr. Anderson called for the question.  A roll call vote was taken.  Chair Fauci, aye; Mr. Anderson, aye; Mr. Rosemier, aye; Vice Chair Gudmunson, aye; Mr. Lyle, aye; Ms. Turner, aye; Board Chair Tobias, aye.  The motion carried by unanimous vote. 

END OF YEAR BUDGET AMENDMENTS

Mr. Hannan presented to the committee the resolution for line item transfers and appropriations to balance line items within the FY 2005 budget.  Chair Fauci asked if there would be any other changes to the transfers listed.  Mr. Hannan responded that he may make some additional changes, which will be brought before the committee at the November meeting.   Ms. Turner made a motion to approve the resolution for end of year transfers.  Vice Chair Gudmunson seconded the motion.  A voice vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously. 

MONTHLY REPORT

Mr. Hannan updated the committee on the Forest Preserve Film Policy.  It will be brought to the committee at the November committee meeting.  The production company that was planning to film at Sannauk Forest Preserve cancelled their filming.  Mr. Hannan reported that the handicapped accessible trail at Potawatomi Woods is finished, and that the observation deck is half finished.   The boy scouts had a campout and cleanup at Potawatomi Woods and Mr. Hannan estimated that 250 man hours of cleanup were done.  Mr. Hannan added that there are Eagle Scout projects being done at some of the preserves, and that a tree planting is planned at Potawatomi Woods on October 29th. 

Mr. Anderson asked Mr. Hannan if out of county residents have the same rental rights of the preserves as county residents.  Mr. Hannan said that the rental rates are higher for out of county residents, but the rental is done on a first come basis.  Mr. Anderson passed along a concern that someone had share to him about trying to rent a shelter that was already rented to an out of county resident.  Mr. Rosemier asked if the park managers referred people to other parks if the shelters are reserved, and Mr. Hannan responded yes.  Board Chair Tobias asked if there are out of county groups that rent from year to year, and Mr. Hannan responded yes. 

Mr. Hannan said that he and Chair Fauci were planning to attend a DeKalb Sycamore Sunrise Rotary ceremony on October 25th at 7:00 a.m.  The Rotary donated $25,000.00 to the Potawatomi Woods Development fund.  

Chair Fauci introduced Ms. Peg Doty, the education coordinator of the Nature Resource Center and Ms. Doty passed around photos to the committee of an Eagle Scout project that has been completed at the Nature Resource Center at Russell Woods Forest Preserve. 

COMMITTEE DISCUSSION

There were no additional comments by the committee or members of the audience.

ADJOURNMENT

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

Attached are monthly reports and Forest Preserve activities.  

                                                                                            _____________________

                                                                                                       Julia Fauci, Chair

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