The DeKalb County Forest Preserve District Committee met Tuesday, June 17th, 2008 at the Russell Woods Natural Resource Center at 6:00 P.M. In attendance were committee members, Mrs. Fauci, Mrs. DeFauw, Mr. Rosemier, Mr. Lyle, Mr. Anderson, Mrs. Turner, and Superintendent Hannan. Mr. Gudmunson was absent. Guests for the evening were Corey Pfund and his staff from Power Adventures.
Ms. Fauci began by asking if there were any changes to the May 20th, 2008 minutes. Mr. Rosemier asked for a clarification of comments he had made regarding the trail areas near WalMart. He was told that he did make the comments and he said that was fine. Larry Anderson moved to approve the minutes, seconded by Lyle Howard and the motion passed unanimously.
Mrs. Fauci asked if there were any other additions or corrections to the agenda. Bob Rosemeier moved to approve the agenda, seconded by Sally DeFauw and the motion passed unanimously.
Julia introduced Power Adventures. Corey Pfund and his group are conducting a summer camp for the DeKalb County at Risk Juvenile clients. They will have 12 students that will begin camp on Friday, June 20th, 2008 and end July 31st, 2008. This is the third year that they are working with the DeKalb County Juvenile Program.
Corey gave a brief history of their group. Their group started in 1988 and has relocated to Highland Park and now has started a group out here in DeKalb County. Each year is unique depending on their clientele. They assess the students at the beginning of camp and from there they work on improving these skills and knowledge to help them with coping and survival skills, respectful behavior and outdoor education that they can build upon and use after camp is finished. Corey went on to say that they stay in DeKalb County, camping out every day, and using our Forest Preserves to conduct their camp. He commented that we have great locations and they are very grateful that the Preserves are available for them to use.
We invited them to appear before the County Board @ our August meeting to share the results of the students’ experiences at this year’s camp.
Terry talked to Jerry Brower from Ellwood House. We received an historical description of the log cabin on Pleasant Hill Rd. on Randy Nelson’s farm. Inside the walls is an 18 x 22 cabin. The original plan was to move the cabin to the Ellwood House. That was not going to work, so instead it is going to move next to Russell Woods on Genoa community property and become an educational site. Peggy Doty will be using it for her pioneer unit. Jerry Brower will be applying for a DeKalb Foundation grant to help with the cost of this project. They will be tearing it down and rebuilding it on the new site. It has been recommended that we keep the first and second layer of the floor. They will be putting on a wood shake roof. This is a really neat educational opportunity. Corey’s group is interested in helping out. He feels that this is a wonderful project for the students this summer. Peggy Doty asked for an historical background on the house which she will then build into her curriculum that she will be using.
An appraisal was done on the Afton addition and with the three comparisons that were conducted it averaged out to $11,000/acre. Because of this, we will get the 50% grant of our acquisition cost. We are required to approve the appraisal. Sally DeFauw moved and Howard Lyle seconded. Larry wanted to know if this would affect the Nagel property if Mr. Nagel decides to sell it. Terry said that we will cross that bridge if and when Nagel decides to sell. Vote was unanimous.
We will not need a Phase 2 Archeological survey done. The Phase 1 showed no significant archeological artifacts on the Afton Addition. Larry Anderson asked how much the appraisal cost. Terry said that is cost $800.00.
Bill McMahon sent a note to Terry stating that they have unanimously voted to allocate $15,000 to proceed with the shelter project at Afton addition. This will be done in 2009 late summer/fall.
The Sunrise Rotary Run had thirty less runners that they had last year. It was very nice and they received good feedback from the run.
The Sunrise Rotary is also interested in the Land Stewardship Program at the County Woods. Their board was very enthusiastic about this possibility and they are planning on sharing this opportunity for a community service project with the club membership at the next meeting.
The Pete Olson Bird Outings were well attended. They will be having a Summer Evening on the Prairie on Thursday, July 10th, 2008 from 6 P.M. to 8 P.M. at Afton Forest Preserve led by Al Roloff.
The MS Bike Ride is this coming weekend/ 75 miles each day. They will be using Adee Woods and MacQueen as rest stops for the bike riders.
Steve Wade from Sannauk worked with scouts on a nice information sign and landscape project.
Mike Brady retired as the Deer Culling manager and Frank Osling from IDNR has taken this over. They conducted the culling from mid January until the end of March. They are trying to get the population lowered. There were 9 deer taken from Potowatomi with one being CWD positive and 8 from McQueen. There were one or two other deer found that were positive in Winnebago County. He will be sending a full report soon.
Terry met with our Risk Management person from PDRMA . Overall we received a good report.
Julia mentioned that while she was in New York City that she went to a park that was just for kids. There are signs at the entrance of the park that state “Adults must be accompanied by a child.” Maybe we should think of posting signs of some kind around the park. There was a short discussion and because of Peggy’s diligence we decided that we do not need them at this time.
North West Suburban Astronomers have given us their schedule. Their annual star party is in August.
Peggy had us notice that we were sitting at a new Eagle Scout project. The scout has made the Center new picnic tables that are very sturdy and useful because of the way they can be arranged. They still need another couple of coats of polyurethane. This will be done shortly. She says that the tables are a wonderful addition. At Russell Woods a 90 ft. buffer by the bus barn that goes out to 150 ft. in another part. There is a 50 ft. buffer by housing development. There will be a trail and prairie and a 4 ft. chain link fence. The developer and city are paying for this.
Lyle Howard noted that he saw 6 nice looking deer come out of the woods and went into the development.
Julia handed out some scenarios for tax abatements. These are just five and we could add more.
Based upon a $5,000.00/yr. property tax bill/corporate parcel
1 No abatement – continuance of past policy
2 100% first year $5,000.00 50% second year $2,500.00 TOTAL $7,500.00
3 90% first year $4,500.00 70% second year $3,500.00 50% third year $2,500.00
4 90% first year $4,500.00 80% second year $4,000.00 70% third year $3,500.00 60% fourth year $3,000.00 50% fifth year $2,500.00
Awarded if they have used our wetland bank services at an agreed-upon rate:
5 90% first year $4,500.00 90% second year $4,500.00 90% third year $4,500.00 90% fourth year $4,500.00
Julia said that this is just starting us along this road. We are not linked to the county. Sally DeFauw suggested permeable parking lots. It was mentioned that taxes don’t start until the building is completed. Can we request about when we feel the business begins or do we follow county rules? Could we work with retention/detention/habitat/permeable parking lots, native plantings, etc.? This is something to “chew on” and bring some ideas back to the next meeting. The conversation continued with Julia telling us that the City of DeKalb is #4, they also have the most aggressive tax abatement in the county. We are doing a case by case in the county. #3 is a lot like Kish College and Sycamore.
Pg. 4 Maybe we can make these abatements linked. Larry Anderson does not like the idea of forcing their hand “We can’t lead them to the water.” He added that he would also like to see the small projects get abatements and not just give them to the big companies.
Julia feels that we need to add some environmental elements.
Larry commented that companies don’t want to be nickeled and dimed too much.
Julia replied that what we have created is an amenity because of our forest preserves. Our portion of the tax bill is less than 1%. Julia added that this was a good conversation.
Peggy Doty asked if we could check on what other counties are doing. We need to make sure that we are competitive. We are situated very well with tollways, railways, etc.
Julia asked us to think about this and bring ideas to the next meeting.
Prior to the beginning of the discussion, Julia Fauci asked for a motion to enter Executive Session. Larry Anderson moved the Committee into executive session for the purpose of discussing current information on District land acquisition opportunities, seconded by Sally DeFauw. A roll call vote was held and the motion passed with 6 members voting in the affirmative and none in the negative. At 7:32
P.M. following the Executive Session, Larry Anderson moved to return the Committee to public session, seconded by Howard Lyle. A role call vote was held and the motion passed with 6 Committee members voting in the affirmative and none in the negative.
Julia Fauci said that the IL Dept of Agriculture is the central place for Ash Bore studies. What they said was quite frightening. When they looked at the Ash Bore’s path it goes right along Rt. 64. They say they are traveling on vehicles, in other words, they are hitchhiking and traveling to other areas.
Peggy is looking for another funder to help with any U of I extension revenue shortfalls. She is looking for $20,000.00. It was suggested that she should look in the health group because of the number of rickets cases that are on the increase. Maybe she could check with Karen Grush.
At 7:40 P.M. Larry Anderson moved that we adjourn, seconded by Sally DeFauw and the motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Julia Fauci, Chairperson Forest Preserve District Committee JF:ajt