DeKalb County, Illinois
	Minutes of the Forest Preserve Committee March 19, 2002

The DeKalb County Forest Preserve Committee met Tuesday , March 19, 2002 at the DeKalb County Administration Breakroom in the Lower Level , at 6:00 p.m. Chairman Mr. Morreale called the meeting to order with Mr. Dlabal, Mr. Guehler, Mr. Haines, Mr. McLaughlin, Mr. Sands and Mr. Simonson present. Mr. Lyle was absent. Mr. Millburg, Cheryl Nicholson, Craig Nicholson, Shane Nicholson, and Rita Nicholson were also present.

 

 

Moved by Mr. Dlabal, seconded by Mr. Simonson, and it was carried unanimously with a voice vote to approve the minutes for January and February.

 

 

Moved by Mr. McLaughlin, seconded by Mr. Simonson, and it was carried unanimously with a voice vote to approve an amended agenda moving the Russell Woods donation to the first topic after the agenda approval.

 

 

Cheryl, Rita, Shane, Curt and Craig Nicholson were present to discuss the recent donation by their family to the DeKalb County Forest Preserve District. Cheryl Nicholson stated that this $8,000.00 donation was money that they inherited from their late parents, and the Forest Preserve District could use the money for any purpose as long as it is designated for natural resource projects at Russell Woods Forest Preserve. The Nicholson’s took turns reminiscing about family times growing up and times shared at Russell Woods and what a wonderful place it is.

Mr. Morreale thanked the Nicholson family for their donation and time. Mr. Morreale stated that Mr. Terry Hannan had shared ideas for this donation money including the April 21rst tree, shrub and prairie planting.

Curt Nicholson asked the Committee if Russell Woods was the oldest Forest Preserve in DeKalb County. Mr. Hannan stated that Chief Shabbona, Russell Woods and Sannauk Forest Preserves were purchased by the County in the early 1940's. The Nicholsons asked about the Nature Resource Center and bridge. Mr. Hannan stated that the Nature Resource Center and bridge at Russell Woods were added in the early 1960's.

Mr. Hannan stated that Ms. Jo Fisher, Midwest Ground Covers, has donated roughly 800 prairie plants ($800 + value) for the upcoming volunteer effort at Russell Woods.

Mr. Hannan stated that the Forest Preserve Staff had started prairie burns today. Mr. Hannan also explained that new playground equipment has been purchased for Chief Shabbona Forest Preserve, and if funds come available Sannauk Forest Preserve would be next to receive new playground equipment. Mr. Hannan stated that a group of boy scouts were at Chief Shabbona over the weekend for a tree limb clean-up.

Mr. Hannan distributed a copy of the preliminary audit to the Committee. Mr. Hannan stated that this draft audit would be on the April agenda for discussion.

Mr. Morreale stated that at the Executive Committee meeting it was stated that the Forest Preserve Committee was not meeting at a convenient time. Mr. Morreale suggested that next year they choose a night that is not so close to the Executive Committee schedule allowing the Forest Preserve Committee to take more immediate action instead of waiting a month for the next meeting’s cycle.

 

 

LAND ACQUISITION

Mr. Hannan stated that he emailed Mr. Morreale, Mr. Guehler, and Mr. Sands information regarding a $150,000.00 Grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Foundation. Mr. Hannan explained that this money could not be granted directly to any governmental agency. Mr. Hannan explained that with the help of Mr. Jerry Paulsen, Director of the Natural Land Institute, this grant money would pass through the N.L.I. to the DeKalb County Forest Preserve District to help purchase the Kirkland site.

Mr. Hannan stated that he met last week with I.D.N.R. staff to review the plans for the County side of the park vs. plans from the State of Illinois for their side of the Kishwaukee River. Mr. Hannan stated that the plans for the County Forest Preserve include 90% in natural resource use and 10% in passive recreation. (Toilets, roads, picnic tables, water, trails, shelters, etc.)

Mr. Hannan stated that future grants will need to be applied for to fund improvements and the future new forest preserve would be a walk-in access only. There is no maintenance or development, as there is no money at this time in the budget.

Mr. Hannan said that the County is looking to close on this property by July 30th. Mr. Morreale stated that this land acquisition would appear on April’s agenda.

Mr. Hannan stated that there is a "Park Manager house" on the County side of the park. Mr. Hannan suggested that perhaps the State and the County could share the staff, house, and maintenance in the future.

Mr. Sands questioned if the Forest Preserve Committee or Mr. Terry Hannan, Superintendent, planned the development of the new forest preserve. Mr. Hannan answered that he would like to see development similar to Afton only on less acres. (Prairie/ Oak Savannah restoration, picnic areas, trails, water, shelter, toilets, etc.)

Mr. Sands stated that he would be interested in seeing preliminary plans for future development. Mr. Hannan stated that would be no problem.

Mr. Sands stated that the Small Mouth Bass Alliance was interested in posting public education signs throughout the future new forest preserve at their expense. (Size of fish, etc.) Mr. Hannan said that he thought that would be fine at the future new forest preserve, Knute Olsen Forest Preserve and at Russell Woods all along the Kishwaukee River.

Mr. Sands stated that he was amazed how quick and easy it seemed for this land acquisition to go through. Mr. Hannan stated that things have gone well, however there is still a lot of work to do to complete the project.

Mr. Dlabal thanked Mr. Hannan for a job well done.

 

 

Moved by Mr. Dlabal, seconded by Mr. Haines, and it was carried unanimously by voice vote to adjourn the meeting.

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Chairman, John Morreale

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