The DeKalb County Forest Preserve Committee met Tuesday, November 19, 2002, in the East Conference Room at the Administrative Building, at 6:00 p.m. Chairman Mr. Morreale called the meeting to order with Mr. Dlabal, Mr. Guehler, Mr. Haines, Mr. Lyle, Mr. McLaughlin, Mr. Sands and Mr. Simonson. Mr. Guehler was absent. Mr. Hannan was also present.

FY 2002 BUDGET AMENDMENTS

Mr. Hannan stated that there are a few budget amendments for the ending of fiscal year 2002. Mr. Hannan explained $2,500 was added to the budget to compensate for Salaries, $1,204,879 added into Land Acquisition (for grant money, donations, plus a loan from DeKalb County), $2,500 for Special Projects, $2,800 for Vehicles, and $3,000 for Supplies.

Mr. Hannan passed around pictures to the Committee members showing Pierce Town Hall throughout the process of moving and restoring.

Mr. Simonson asked Mr. Hannan if the Pierce Town Hall would be heated. Mr. Hannan responded that it would not be heated, a three season shelter is being planned for the future, however there are no funds available now to do any more improvements (water and toilet) for public use.

Mr. Sands stated that he had discussed the naming possibilities for the new forest preserve site with the principal of the Kirkland Elementary School. Mr. Sands suggested that the grade school students throughout DeKalb County should vote on the name of the new forest preserve, provided they were given several approved choices.

Mr. Morreale stated that he felt a geographic name would be most appropriate. Mr. Morreale stated that the Committee should chose five names to narrow down the choices.

Mr. Dlabal agreed that location would be a great idea to include in the name.

Each Committee member had at least one suggestion for the new name.

After much discussion the following four names were chosen by the Committee as the final four suggestions they felt were agreeable by all: South Branch Kishwaukee River Forest Preserve, Kirkland Hiawatha Forest Preserve, Hiawatha MacQueen Forest Preserve, and Potawatamie Woods.

Mr. Haines stated that this forest preserve site has historical Potawatamie Indian roots.

Mr. Sands stated that if the new forest preserve site was to have an Indian name, that it would be appropriate to obtain permission from that tribe to use it.

It was agreed by all Committee members to pass these four names to the grade schools throughout DeKalb County for their student input.

Mr. Hannan stated that the Small Mouth Bass Alliance was interested in discussing catch and release fishing in the Kishwaukee River through the new forest preserve site. Mr. Hannan stated that the Small Mouth Bass Alliance would be willing to post signs and regulate the fishing in this area.

Mr. Haines suggested the Committee contact the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for approval.

Mr. Sands suggested that a Fish Biologist, Mr. Dan Sale, from the I.D.N.R. come talk to the Forest Preserve Committee.

The Committee suggested that Mr. Hannan investigate with the I.D.N.R. and the Small Mouth Bass Alliance the possibility within the new forest preserve site to be catch and release only.

Mr. Sands suggested the catch and release should be in all the forest preserves that the Kishwaukee River run through.

Mr. Hannan stated that Mr. Jerry Paulson of the Natural Land Institute will present to the County Board this month a check for $150,000. These funds came from a grant through the Illinois Clean Air Energy Foundation to the Natural Land Institute. These funds then are awarded to the DeKalb County Forest Preserve District for the purpose of land acquisition for the new forest preserve site.

Mr. Hannan added that a check for $676,250 would be received this month from a grant through the Open Lands Trust. Mr. Hannan added that Senator Brad Burzynski is helping secure other funding for land acquisition.

Mr. Hannan stated that the monthly reports will be included in the minutes.

Mr. Hannan stated that he has received several pieces of correspondence from Equestrian groups wanting to use the new forest preserve. Mr. Hannan stated that the Forest Preserve Committee was in agreement that this was an acceptable plan. Mr. Hannan stated that he would be meeting with Mr. Morreale and Mr. Pritchard regarding this access.

Mr. Hannan stated that there is a possibility of the State Park also having an equestrian trail on their side of the Kishwaukee River.

Mr. Hannan stated that in the future the State may be interested in helping fund a staff person to work on both sides of the Kishwaukee River, patrolling and taking care of the State Park, and the new forest preserve site.

Mr. Hannan stated that the 7% of the sale monies from the State could be used for capital improvements such as a park manager residence and other improvements at the new forest preserve site. This is part of the I.D.N.R., O.L.T. Community Planning Grant.

Mr. Hannan asked the Forest Preserve Committee for their approval for applying for these funds.

Mr. Hannan thanked the Forest Preserve Committee members for the Kirkland Property acquisition efforts and other forest preserve support. He further pointed out the tremendous efforts in place by Chairman, Mr. Morreale. Mr. Hannan thanked the Committee for two great years.

Mr. Lyle stated that Mr. Hannan does an outstanding job, and thanked him for all of his efforts with the Forest Preserve District.

Mr. Hannan encouraged the Forest Preserve Committee members that were not returning to stay involved as citizens.

Mr. Morreale recognized Mr. Dlabal for the most years served on the Forest Preserve Committee, totaling 16 years.

Mr. Morreale stated that he has been the Chairman of the Forest Preserve District for 6 years.

Mr. Morreale recapped the highlights over the last six years he has served on the Committee: 16 acres added to Merritt Prairie, the moving and restoration of Pierce Town Hall to Merritt Prairie, the new site known as County Farm Woods, the creation of the Wetland Bank, and other wetland mitigations, The DeKalb/Sycamore Trail, approximately 950 acres preserved in Kirkland along the South Branch of the Kishwaukee River, and many other park improvements such as tree, prairie and wetland plantings, and natural resource management.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!