FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT COMMITTEE MINUTES
November 17, 2009

The DeKalb County Forest Preserve District Committee met Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at Administration Building, Conference Room East at 6:00 p.m. In attendance were committee members, Ms. Fauci, Ms. DeFauw, Mr. Newport, Ms. Turner, Mr. Anderson, Mr. Augsburger, Mr. Walt and Superintendent Hannan. Mr. Gudmunson was absent. Ms. Fauci noted to the Committee that Mr. Stuckert had left the Committee due to scheduling conflicts.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Ms. Fauci called the meeting to order and then asked if there were any changes to the October 20, 2009 minutes. Mr. Walt moved to approve the minutes as noted, seconded by Mr. Augsburger and the motion passed unanimously.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Ms. Fauci asked if there were any changes to the agenda. Hearing none, Ms. Turner moved to accept the amended agenda, seconded by Mr. Anderson and the motion passed unanimously.

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS

Ms. Fauci noted there were no guests or visitors at the meeting that evening.

FY2010 LEVY AND APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE

Ms. Fauci noted that she and the Committee had thoroughly reviewed the ordinance which called for a less than 1% increase and a balanced budget. She noted that the budget had also been placed on public review and now the ordinance needed to be sent to the full Board of Commissioners for final approval. She further noted that since the increase was less than 1%, a public hearing was not actually required. However, the Committee still opted to open a public hearing should any member of the public appear. At the time of the meeting’s start, no members of the public had appeared. Ms. Turner moved the budget to the Full Board of Commissioners, seconded by Ms. DeFauw and the motion passed unanimously.

FOREST PRESERVE MONTHLY REPORTS AND GENERAL DISCUSSION

Mr. Hannan began by noting that the District had recently received public donations. The first was a donation by Larry and Sandy Creekmeer of the Country Road Greenhouse in Creston of 14 flats of wetland plants. This donation carried an approximate value of $2300.00.

Ms. Fauci noted that Mr. Creekmeer had been a local horticulture teacher and had obviously kept his commitment to the local environment. Mr. Hannan then reported that a local Eagle Scout has asked to put in new benches at the top of the sled hill at Russell Woods. Tom and Sam Doty of Doty Concrete in Sycamore have donated the concrete bench frames, so all that will be needed will be the lumber for the seats and backs.

Mr. Anderson asked if there were a way to make donations like these more public. Mr. Hannan noted that sometimes donors prefer their contributions be kept semi-private. Ms. Fauci and Mr. Hannan noted that they would check with the donors on their feelings regarding more public thanks and then would explore possible options (like the Daily Chronicle’s “Prairie Flowers” column).

Mr. Hannan then noted that the Sunrise Rotary had contacted him asking for a new project. Mr. Hannan suggested they consider contributing to the restoration work on the Miller _Ellwood cabin project. Bill McMahon and Jim McMurdo will discuss this with the Rotary and get back to the District with a plan.

The local MS Society has also requested to again use Merritt Prairie, Adee’s Woods and Wilkinson Marsh as rest stops for their annual MS 150 bike ride fundraising event.

Mr. Hannan also noted that their was a “haunted woods walk” held at Sannauk at Halloween and the Sandwich high school band members raised about $4000.00 from the event.

He also noted that about six to eight years ago, Charlie Marshall and the Somonauk Lion’s Club asked about establishing a hiking/biking trail from Somonauk to Sannauk. Mr. Hannan was recently contacted by Mr. Gudmunson and the Somonauk mayor who indicated there is interest in the topic again. Mr. Hannan and the Somonauk mayor will work on identifying and obtaining the proper easements and any applicable grants to assist with the project.

Also, he noted that at Sannauk there had been a good growth of trees and brush occurring at the bottom of the sled hill and a contractor and FP staff have recently cleared about 40 foot on both sides of the sled hill to improve safety.

Mr. Hannan commented that this month’s report also featured photos from several volunteer outings and other events through the year.

He then closed by noting that the Whooping Cranes have been migrating over DeKalb County and that there has been a “Whooping Crane Cam” established for individuals wishing to follow the cranes on their migratory path to Florida.

CHAIR COMMENTS

Ms. Fauci expressed her thanks to the Committee for their work and dedication over the past year and also to Superintendent Hannan and FP staff and volunteers for their efforts for the District. She closed by thanking the public for their constant support and effort and commented that the District was very fortunate for these things and for having a balanced budget in these difficult times.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS COMMENTS

Ms. Fauci asked if the IDNR would again be holding a deer hunt and Chronic Wasting Disease testing operation in the Preserves. Mr. Hannan responded that it was a possibility as it does not appear they have reached their optimal population figures for the deer (approximately 25 per square mile).

Mr. Augsburger noted that it has been confirmed that the disease can be spread through deer droppings. Mr. Anderson asked if the disease would not die in the soil. Ms. Fauci noted that this was not a virus, but rather a prion and had an astonishing ability to survive and continue infection.

Mr. Hannan reported that 2 positive test results had occurred last year in Northern DeKalb County. Mr. Augsburger noted that the current tests are being held during bow hunting season and that it was quite likely the IDNR would ask for permission again shortly after the first of the year.

Mr. Hannan closed by commenting on the wonderful photo of a deer Mr. Augsburger had obtained with a motion sensor camera he had set up.

LAND ACQUISITION UPDATE

Ms. Fauci then asked for a motion to enter Executive Session. Mr. Anderson moved the Committee into executive session for the purpose of discussing current information on District land acquisition, seconded by Ms. Turner. A roll call vote was held and the motion passed with 7 Committee members voting in the affirmative, and none in the negative and one absent. Following the Executive Session, Ms. DeFauw moved to return the Committee to public session, seconded by Ms. Turner. A roll call vote was held and the motion passed with 7 Committee members voting in the affirmative and none in the negative and one absent.

ADJOURMENT

Ms. Turner moved to adjourn, seconded by Ms. DeFauw and the motion passed unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,

Julia Fauci, Chairperson
Forest Preserve District Committee

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