FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT COMMITTEE

MINUTES

May 18, 2011

The DeKalb County Forest Preserve District Committee met Wednesday May 18, 2011 in the Liberty Room of the Legislative Center at 7:00 p.m.  In attendance were committee members: Ms. Fauci, Mr. Augsburger, Mr. Anderson, Ms. DeFauw, Mr. Deverell, Mr. Newport, Ms. Turner, Ms. Fullerton and Superintendent Hannan.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Minutes for April were not approved at this meeting

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Ms. Fauci noted that this evening’s special meeting was called due to the necessity of amending the 2010 Hoppe resolution. 

AMENDMENT TO DATES OF HOPPE RESOLUTION

Mr. Hannan explained that the District had received word of approval by the USDA to fund a portion of the Hoppe property purchase.  However, there must be a resolution to change the purchase date from 2010 to 2011.  The prior resolution for acquisition of the property had specified dates in 2010 (when the original application was made).  Now that approval has finally been released, the dates need to be amended.  He noted that State’s attorney John Farrell had reviewed the USDA agreement and indicated he felt comfortable with the District going forward. 

Ms. Fullerton asked if it was absolutely necessary to agree to the indemnify the USDA as their documentation requires.  Mr. Hannan noted that this was fairly standard  language and again, that attorney Farrell felt it was acceptable. 

He noted that after the USDA’s assistance, the final purchase price for the property by the District would be approx. $2,300 per acre. The intent of the assistance is to restore the land from marginal floodplain farmland back to prairie and wetland habitat and soil erosion control vegetation.  The Preserve will close on the property later in the year, but the USDA and sellers required the Board resolution to be able to move forward. 

Mr. Hannan noted that the farm currently on the land will be planted this year and the habitat transition later after harvest this year. 

Ms. Fullerton asked for an idea of how much was remaining in the land acquisition fund after this purchase.  Mr. Hannan noted he would get her the exact figure – but that it was a substantial remaining balance. 

Mr. Hannan noted that the $200,000.00 ICECF grant to assist with the purchase of the Sparks property had also been approved, but he would report more on that at the next formal meeting. 

Mr. Deverell asked if the Hoppe land directly adjoined Russell Woods.  Mr. Hannan responded that it did and noted that there were also plans for bike paths to connect the area as well as Russell to the nearby communities. 

Mr. Augsburger moved to amend the original Hoppe resolution to note the new current dates of the USDA agreement, seconded by Ms, Turner and the motion passed unanimously.  

ADJOURMENT

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

 Respectfully submitted,

Julia Fauci, Chairperson

Forest Preserve District Committee

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