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DeKalb County, Illinois |
Minutes of the
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The DeKalb County Forest Preserve Committee met Tuesday, October 15, 2002, at the new Kirkland site and then at Russell Woods Forest Preserve at 6:00 p.m. Chairman Mr. Morreale called the meeting to order with Mr. Dlabal, Mr. Haines, Mr. McLaughlin, Mr. Sands and Mr. Simonson. Mr. Guehler and Mr. Lyle were absent. Mr. Hannan was also present.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES Moved by Mr. Dlabal, seconded by Mr. Simonson, and it was carried unanimously with a voice vote to approve the minutes for September.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA Moved by Mr. McLaughlin, seconded by Mr. Simonson, and it was carried unanimously with a voice vote to approve the agenda with one deletion of the FY 2003 Budget, which will be on the agenda for November.
GENERAL DISCUSSION Mr. Hannan stated that at the new forest preserve site in Kirkland two houses exist, but are in very poor shape and the septic field is not working. Mr. Hannan stated that the Kirkland Fire Department had volunteered to practice a burn at this site to demolish the old houses at no charge. Mr. Hannan stated that there is a large metal building that is usable. Mr. Dlabal and other Committee members agreed that he felt it would be better to start from scratch. Mr. Hannan stated that there should be a dedication at the new preserve to recognize the Forest Preserve Commissioners, the Forest Preserve Committee and Mr. Morreale, as Chairman. Mr. Hannan felt a ceremony was in order and thought November or next spring would be a good time frame. Mr. Lyle arrived at 6:15 p.m. Mr. Morreale stated that Ms. Ruth Ann Tobias had mentioned she thought a dedication should be made to Mr. Hannan for all of his outstanding work. Mr. Morreale added that he agreed with this notion. Mr. Sands stated that he wasn’t certain what ceremony was appropriate, but felt that both Mr. Morreale and Mr. Hannan should be recognized. Mr. Morreale and Mr. Hannan mentioned that a ribbon cutting ceremony may be in order and that their personal recognition was not necessary. Mr. Sands that the ceremony should happen whenever the Committee felt it was time. Mr. Hannan asked the Committee to start thinking about a potential name for the new forest preserve. Mr. Hannan suggested South Branch Kishwaukee Forest Preserve. He asked for other ideas. Mr. Simonson thought Kirkland Forest Preserve sounded good. Mr. Sands wondered if they could just consider it part of MacQueen Forest Preserve. Mr. Hannan stated that the MacQueen family donated the land to the Scouts prior to the forest preserve purchase (MacQueen Forest Preserve) and adding this land may not be appropriate. Mr. Morreale stated that he liked the idea of a geographic name, adding that it makes more sense. Mr. Hannan asked the Committee to give this name some thought, and bring the ideas to the November meeting. Mr. Sands added that Hiawatha Forest Preserve sounded great and followed the Indian roots of the area. Mr. Hannan stated that the monthly reports have been included in the Committee packet. Mr. Hannan said that there have been a lot of visitors to the forest preserves this fall with the beautiful weather we have had. Mr. Haines stated that he would like to see a bike path from Genoa to Kingston. More precisely, Mr. Haines added that he thought a bike path would be of great use on the south side of Rt. 72 from the high school/Russell Woods, through Kingston, and all the way to Kirkland. Mr. Morreale stated that along an active railroad a bike path would have to be fenced and that becomes very costly. Mr. Sands stated that he would like to be contacted by Mr. Tony Xidis regarding taking part in bike trail planning or volunteering.
FY 2003 BUDGET AND LEVY APPROVAL/FY 2002 BUDGET AMENDMENTS Mr. Hannan stated that the Forest Preserve Committee will place on file tomorrow the budget and levy for one month for public viewing. Mr. Hannan added that budget amendments would be ready for review at the November meeting.
BID OPENING FARM LICENSE FOR KIRKLAND PROPERTY Moved by Mr. Dlabal, seconded by Mr. Haines, and it was carried unanimously by voice vote to approve the conservation practice Farm License for the Kirkland property. Mr. Hannan opened the one sealed bid that was received for the Farm License for the Kirkland property. Mr. Morreale stated that one bid was received after posting the offering as a public notice in the paper. Mr. Haines stated that the bid received was for $3,240.00 total.($81.00 per acre) from Mr. Dennis Rehn of Kirkland. Mr. Haines added that the Forest Preserve Committee receives $120 per acre at Afton, but the soil is a much better quality. Mr. Morreale pointed out that this was a three year bid with a fourth year possibility. Mr. Simonson stated he felt it was a good bid. Mr. Sands stated that the Committee could opt to reprint the public notice. Mr. Morreale stated that he felt the Committee should accept the offer. Mr. Sands asked where this money is spent. Mr. Hannan answered that these funds could go back into the future development and maintenance of the new forest preserve. Moved by Mr. Simonson, seconded by Mr. Sands, and it was carried unanimously by voice vote to accept the offer of $3,240.00 from Mr. Dennis Rehn for the conservation practice Farm License for the Kirkland property. Mr. Hannan stated that the resolution will be on the table at the County Board meeting tomorrow evening. Mr. Haines stated that for the three years, the Farm License will bring in a rough total income of $9700.00. Mr. Hannan stated that he would consider working with the Mr. Rehn on a possible mowing and maintenance arrangement. Mr. Lyle left at 6:40 p.m. Mr. Hannan explained that Mr. Miller had suggested that the new forest preserve site in Kirkland should be rezoned from A-1 (Agriculture) to FP/C. (Forest Preserve/ Conservation) Mr. Hannan explained that the balance of the DeKalb County Forest Preserves have this FP/C zoning, so for uniformity reasons, the Committee should follow suit. Moved by Mr. Haines, seconded by Mr. McLaughlin, it was carried unanimously by voice vote to rezone the new Kirkland Forest Preserve site from A-1 to FP/C.
ADJOURNMENT Moved by Mr. McLaughlin, seconded by Mr. Dlabal, and it was carried unanimously by voice vote to adjourn the meeting. ________________________________
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