DeKalb County, Illinois

Minutes of the
Forest Preserve Committee

March 18, 2003

The DeKalb County Forest Preserve Committee met Tuesday, March 18, 2003, in shelter #3 at Sannauk Forest Preserve, at 6:00 p.m. Chairman Mr. Metzger called the meeting to order with Mrs. Fauci, Mr. Lyle, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Rosemier, and Mr. Simonson. Mr. Hannan was also present.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Moved by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mrs. Fauci, and it was carried unanimously with a voice vote to approve the minutes for February.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Moved by Mr. Rosemier, seconded by Mr. Johnson, and it was carried unanimously with a voice vote to approve the agenda.

FOREST PRESERVE COMMITTEE GOALS

Mr. Metzger stated that all Committee members had at least 2 years on this Committee and stated he would like each member to state what goals they see for the Forest Preserve Committee in that timeframe.

Mrs. Fauci stated that there is a not-for-profit conservation organization that has been very successful in counties to the east of DeKalb County that has helped various counties place a ballot for open space referendum. Mrs. Fauci stated that this could be accomplished through this organization without any County money being spent. This foundation, recreation groups, conservation groups, and other referendum. The money raised would definately be for land acquisition, stated Mrs. Fauci. Mrs. Fauci stated that this is still in the planning stages.

Mr. Rosemeir asked if the DeKalb county Forest Preserve District had a tax levy. (The smallest in the County, approximately 1/3 of 1% of your tax bill)

Mr. Hannan responded that yes, a tax levy is in existence. Mr. Hannan also stated that with the tax cap being passed, any increase in the forest preserve budget over the cost of living plus new growth in the county would take a referendum. Mr. Hannan stated that for an example, when the Forest Preserve District purchases a truck, the purchase cost is budgeted over a couple of years or the increase would exceed the tax cap.

Mr. Rosemeir asked if there was any money in the budget now for land acquisition.

Mr. Hannan responded not much (about $12,000 is left), stating that there was about $45,000 in our land acquisition fund (used to purchase Potawatomi Woods), that was non tax money received for wetland bank mitigation. Mr. Hannan stated that the Forest Preserve Committee tried to pass a 1 cent increase in the Forest Preserve levy (about 6 years ago) propr to the tax cap being passed, but it was voted down.

Mr. Metzger stated that he was at a meeting Friday with the Fox River Ecosystem Partnership and the Kane County Board Chairman said a few years ago they tried for a referendum on a fail and it was defeated. The following year they asked for even more money for the Forest Preserve referendum, and it passed. Mr. Metzger stated that it depends on the time of the economy and what populus is being approached.

Mrs. Fauci stated that as it is now, the forest preserve system is great. Mrs. Fauci stated that she felt the amount of open space should grow with the growing population. Mrs. Fauci stated she was interested in all ways to raise money, not just through a referendum.

Mr. Metzger stated that there is a volunteer citizen group in the works.

Mr. Hannan stated that he has received a of of positive feedback about the new forest preserve a dn Stated park. However, if DeKalb county was to stay exactly how it is now, and not change, there is a wonderful system of city parks, county forest preserves and state parks. Mr. Hannan stated that the challenge is to have the vision to look 50 years or so ahead and purchase the land while it is affordable and available. Mr. Hannan stated that Mr. Bockman had a session with a few counties from the east of DeKalb County, and asked them if they could do anything differently in the past what would it be? He stated the #1 answer was to buy open space before the price grew to an enormous figure like it had in those counties. Sannauk, Chief Shabbona and Russell Woods were purchased more than 60 years ago because people had the foresight to acquire it when the land was inexpensive and available. These forest preserves along with others are valuable things in DeKalb County.

Mr. Hannan added that the group Mrs. Fauci had mentioned does a lot of preliminary work to see if a referendum is even feasible, and it is privately funded.

Mr. Metzger asked Mrs. Fauci to have some information about this organization before the next meeting. She agreed.

Mr. Rosemeir stated that there would be a lake going in near the Bridges of Rivermist, west of the Brooks Elementary School.

Mr. Hannan mentioned that past Forest Preserve Committees have put together a priority list and has listed lands adjacent to the other forest preserves as being a priority, along with lands along the Kishwaukee River, Somonauk Creek, or other floodplain areas that would connect city parks and county preserves and schools for a linear greenway including areas that have natural resource qualities.

Mr. Rosemeir asked if there were aerial maps of these areas.

Mr. Hannan responded that yes, there were.

Mr. Rosemeir asked if the city and county coordinated their plans?

Mr. Hannan answered that at times they do, such as the DeKalb/Sycamore Bike Trail.

He stated that this was a community based project. Mr. Hannan stated that city parks were more for recreational sports, swimming pools, gymnasiums, athletic fields, etc., and the county forest preserves were intended for more passive recreation and preservation/restoration of natural resources. Mr. Hannan stated that he has limited staff, and if more land were added a referendum would be needed for another employee and maintenance dollars as well. Additional land could be "land banked" for future use and not developed and maintained until future money is available.

Mr. Rosemeir asked if the County could just fine the Forest Preserve District more money?

Mr. Hannan stated that no this was not possible. The DeKalb County Forest Preserve is a separate taxing district.

Mr. Lyle stated that he didn’t have many new ideas and thinks that things are good the way they are now. He stated that if the population continued to grow, then the forest preserve should as well.

Mr. Rosemeir asked what publicity the forest preserve had.

Mr. Hannan stated that the parks are well used. The Forest Preserve District has brochures at local Chambers of Commerce and libraries across the County. He also stated that a complete forest preserves listing was on the County’s website. Mr. Hannan als0o stated that quite a few brochures are mailed out at tax payers request, even though the postage budget is very small. The local media have promoted the forest preserves very well.

Mr. Johnson suggested that there were many NIU students that would be interested in participating in volunteer work throughout the County. Mr. Metzger suggested talking to some of these groups and bringing back to the Committee information gathered.

Mr. Hannan stated also that in last months minutes, there was a recap of the County Sheriff’s patrols within the forest preserves. He stated that these numbers reflect the total number of drives through the parks.

Committee members briefly discussed a placemat design for local restaurant advertising the local forest preserves.

Mr. Simonson gave figures of farm land that has been taken out of production over the course of the last few years. He gave comparisons between County figures and those from the American Farm Land Trust. Mr. Simonson also was interested in open space acquisition.

Mr. Metzger mentioned the possibility of historical information at forest preserves and possible larger signage.

Mr. Metzger recapped that the top priorities presented tonight were to raise funds for land acquisition and to increase awareness to the community.

DEVELOPMENT AT POTAWATOMI WOODS (BID APPROVALS)

Mr. Hannan stated that if the Forest preserve District acquired more land, funding is not available for improvements at this time. Mr. Hannan stated that the Forest Preserve District has applied for and received O.L.T. money after the sale of the Stated Park in Kirkland Mr. Hannan stated that he spoke to Mr. Pritchard and applied for (and received) $110,000 of these funds for a parking lot, to bury electric lines, to update a morton building on the premises, and to purchase a modular home for an onsite park manager.

Mr. Hannan explained that when a project is over $10,000, sealed bids must be accepted by the District and the job is awarded to the lowest responsible bidder. Mr. Hannan stated that sealed bids were needed for the parking lot work and additional road gravel improvements and needed approval from the Committee to advertise these bids.

The accepted bid would be approved by the Forest Preserve Commissioners.

Moved by Mrs. Fauci, seconded by Mr. Johnson, and it was carried unanimously by roll call vote to approve the advertisement and acceptance of bids for the parking lot at Potawatomi Woods.

Mr. Hannan stated that a dedication ceremony would occur in mid to late summer for the opening of Potawatomi Woods.

FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT 2002 AUDIT

Mr. Hannan asked if there were any questions or comments regarding the audit that was distributed to the Committee members for their viewing. Mr. Hannan explained that the District has tow years to pay back the loan ($323,000 deficit) to the County for Potawatomi Woods. This is the only forest preserve deficit.

GENERAL DISCUSSION

Mr. Hannan suggested the April meeting to be held at Afton so the Committee members could see what the prairie looks like after spring burn management and then meet again at Afton for the summer prairie bloom.

Mr. Hannan stated that the name of Potawatomi Woods Forest Preserve Will need to be approved by the Forest Preserve Commissioners. Mr. Hannan also stated that he has contacted the Native American Community out of Chicago for permission to use the name and is waiting for a response. Mr. Metzger suggested that the Native American Community should be invited to the dedication.

Mr. Hannan stated that the monthly reports are in the minutes.

Mr. Hannan stated that NIU, Kishwaukee College and many elementary students from throughout DeKalb County have classes that travel to all the forest preserves for Art & Nature and Biology. Mr. Hannan added environmental education in the forest preserves is experienced by many students.

Mr. Hannan explained that the O.L.T. Grant program ends this year. He stated that there is a movement to support the Open Lands Trust Fund and if any Committee member is interested in supporting this cause to contact local Senators.

CITIZENS GREENWAYS GROUP UPDATE

Mr. Hannan explained that Mr. Tony Xidis attending a meeting last fall to discuss greenway trails to connect various communities. Mr. Xidis is interested in helping to support a referendum.

Mr. Hannan stated that Mr. Michael Haines and others are interested in working with connecting Kingston to Russell Woods to Genoa. He also stated that Mr. Charlie Marshall and others are interested in the same greenway connection between Sandwich to Sannauk Forest Preserve To Somonauk. Other people at the meeting discussed connecting DeKalb to Kishwaukee College in Malta with a trail.

Mr. Hannan stated the Citizens Greenways Group, headed by Mr. Xidis, is interested in meeting once a month. He also stated that there is a grant through the IDNR for planning for greenways and greenway based trails.

EXECUTIVE SESSION/ LAND ACQUISITION

The Forest Preserve Committee went in to executive session for the propose of land acquisition at 6:50 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT

Moved by Mr. Rosemier, seconded by Mr. Gudmunson, it was carried unanimously by voice vote to adjourn the meeting.

__________________________
Chairman, Mr. Metzger