APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Ms. Fauci asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of September 19, 2006. Hearing none, Mr. Anderson moved to approve the minutes, seconded by Mr. Rosemier and the motion passed unanimously.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Ms. Fauci asked if there were any additions or corrections to the agenda. Hearing none, Ms. Turner moved to approve the agenda, seconded by Mr. Rosemier and the motion passed unanimously.

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS – Ms. Fauci began by introducing tonight’s guests, Mayor Becker of Kirkland, County Board Chair Ruth Ann Tobias and Al Roloff, Naturalist who has worked with the Forest Preserve District and who has been instrumental in the wetland bank restoration, volunteer and land stewardship activities.

Mr. Hannan then provided the Committee and guests with an overview of the purchase history for the Woods area and a map of the current holdings. He noted that the 2000 Forest Preserve committee had established the purchase as a goal after identifying the tract as the last large and viable tract under single ownership. The purchase was accomplished in partnership with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). And other grants, donations and loans. (see attached Potawatomi History information sheet). The tract consists of 2 tracts split by the Kishwaukee River - 300 acres owned by the Forest Preserve District and approximately 600 acres owned by the IDNR.

Mr. Hannan commented that Open Lands Trust program, grants, donations, partnerships and Wetland Bank money made up the funding package that made the purchase possible. The loan portion extended by the County will be paid off within the next month. In 2002, local grade school students competed to name the new Preserve with the name Potawatomi Woods emerging as the most popular choice. In addition, in 2003, more grant money was obtained that allowed for the creation of the parking lots, clean up, toilets, and other improvements. A Conservation 2000 grant contributed to helping restore the sedge meadow. An O.S.L.A.D. grant and private donations from community groups and individuals provided funding for the shelters, trails, picnic areas, canoe landing, bridge over Kingsbury Creek connecting MacQueen, and a overlook observation deck of the sedge meadow. Forest Preserve staff contributed most of the labor for these landscape design, and building and trail improvements. Recently the DeKalb/Sycamore Sunrise Rotary held a 8K fundraising run through the Woods that they hope to make into an annual event. A final touch was the creation of “thank you” benches to express appreciation to the many donors to the project. Mr. Hannan then closed by expressing his sincere thanks to Forest Preserve staff, volunteers, donors and the Forest Preserve Commissioners past and present for their will and intent to see this project through.

Mr. Becker, Kirkland Mayor commented that the new Forest Preserve is a very welcome addition to the community and he looked forward to promoting the facility along with the local Rotary.

Ms. Fauci then asked Mr. Roloff if he wanted to make a few comments regarding his work with the native plantings. He began by noting that he has agreed to be the designated volunteer Land Steward for the Woods under the District’s new Land Stewardship program. His work under that title will begin officially this fall as he has organized a few dates for native seed gathering this fall. Mr. Roloff noted that PotawatomiWoods is one of the largest and most diverse of the District’s holdings. It is, he commented, one of the last places in the County where an individual can stand, look around them and be completely surrounded by native species.

Mr. Roloff went on to say that he has identified such species as False Turtlehead, Swamp Saxifrage and Bottle Gentian. He noted that many species may be buried deep in the soil, germinating perhaps, following a fire. He closed by noting that it has been a privilege to work with the Forest Preserve District not only with this project, but also with the many restoration and reclamation projects he has been a part of. He invited any Committee member to call him at any time to request a botanical walk-through of the Preserve’s holdings. Mr. Hannan and Ms. Fauci then thanked Mr. Roloff for his efforts on behalf of the District.

FY2007 APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE AND LEVY
Mr. Hannan noted that this is the presentation of the formal ordinance to the budget with the levy attached. This document, if approved, will be presented to the Commissioners for their vote on 10-18-06 to place on file. Ms. Fauci asked if there were any questions. Hearing none, Mr. Rosemier moved to approve the 2007 Appropriation Ordinance and Levy, seconded by Ms. Turner and the motion passed unanimously.

PLACING THE 2007 BUDGET ON FILE
Mr. Hannan noted that the 2007 budget will require a motion to be placed on file and presented to the Commissioners at the 10-18-06 meeting. After that the budget will be subject to a public hearing at the November meeting and will be available for inspection in a number of ways (web site, at FP office, Genoa and Sandwich City offices) prior to that. The budget will then be presented for approval to the full Board of Commissioners at the November meeting. Ms. Turner moved to place the Budget on file, seconded by Mr. Anderson and the motion passed unanimously.

FY2006 YEAR END BUDGET TRANSFERS
Mr. Hannan noted that this process is a year-end housekeeping function to keep the budget balanced where needed. At this time, he commented that he does not have the absolutely final numbers – but that they will be available prior to the November meeting. This process allows the transfer of funds to accomplish the final payment of the County loan to purchase Potatwatomi Woods as well as for items such as the previously approved tractor purchase. Ms. Fauci noted that at the November meeting the Commissioners will do a formal presentation of the final payment for the Potawatomi Woods loan as well as expressing thanks to the Commission members past and present, who were instrumental in acquiring the land. Former Board member John Morealle will be in attendance and honored for his key role in the early acquisition activities. Mr. Hannan asked if the motion could be made to approve the transfers so that the Board would have time to review prior to the November meeting. Mr. Anderson moved to approve the FY2006 Budget Transfers, seconded by Ms. Turner and the motion passed unanimously.

GENERAL DISCUSSION
Ms. Fauci noted that there would need to be a change in the date of the November meeting due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Following discussion, it was the consensus of the Committee to move the meeting to Tuesday November 14, 2006. The meeting time will be 6:00 p.m. and the location will be the East Conference Room of the Administration Building.

In the Monthly Reports section, Mr. Hannan noted that there would be a tree planting held the following weekend at Merritt Prairie. He further commented that he would be preparing a C-2000 Grant to help with stream bank erosion at Sannauk Forest Preserve. Mr. Hannan noted that he would invite Mr. Dan Lobbes to the next Forest preserve meeting to give the Committee an update on land acquisition activities to date. Ms. Fauci noted that they will need to plan for an Executive Session for that.

In the Member Comments section, Ms. Fauci expressed her thanks to the Committee for their hard work and dedication during her year as Chair. She noted that this might be her final meeting with the Committee and felt it an appropriate time to express her appreciation for their work and interest. Mr. Anderson then expressed the Committees thanks to Julia for her work as Chair and for her time filling in during Mr. Hannan’s illness.

Mr. Gudmunson asked if Mr. Hannan could speak with a Somonauk Township trustee regarding a request they were contemplating for a 300-foot easement at the south end of Sannauk Forest Preserve. He noted that the reason for this was a pending annexation and the need for contiguous property boundaries to allow the annexation to take place. Mr. Hannan indicated he would be happy to speak with them and Mr. Gudmunson noted he would have the Trustee contact Mr. Hannan.

EXEMPT EMPLOYEE EVALUATION – SUPERINTENDENT
Ms. Fauci asked if the Committee wished to go into Executive Session to hold the evaluation, but the consensus was that the evaluation could be held in open session. Mr. Hannan excused himself from the discussion and left the area.

Ms Fauci began by noting that she felt Mr. Hannan had done an exemplary job over the past year and Mr. Rosemier agreed that there had been no problems or issues to speak of. Following additional conversation regarding the current level of compensation for the position, exemplary service and value added activities to the County, a consensus was reached that Mr. Hannan had performed his duties as assigned and is deserving of the basic cost-of-living adjustment from the County.

Mr. Rosemier noted that any Committee member who wished to speak in further support of Mr. Hannan would be free to do so to the County Board Executive Committee who will be determining the final salary adjustment. Ms. Fauci noted that perhaps Mr. Rosemier could draft a letter of thanks to Mr. Hannan from the Committee before it is reconfigured following the upcoming elections.

ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Gudmunson moved to adjourn, seconded by Ms. Turner and the motion passed unanimously.

 Respectfully submitted,

Julia Fauci, Chairperson
Forest Preserve District Committee

JF:kjr