Kane County Reporter

Kane County Forest Preserve District Planning and Utilization Committee met Friday, Feb. 24.

Here are the minutes as provided by the committee:

FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT OF KANE COUNTY

PLANNING AND UTILIZATION COMMITTEE MINUTES

I. Call to Order

The Planning and Utilization Committee meeting was held Friday February 24, 2017 at 9:30 AM at the Administration Offices located at 1996 S. Kirk Road, Suite 320, Geneva, IL 60134. The meeting was opened by Chairman Rebecca Gillam at 9:30 AM.

Members Present:

Attendee Name Title Status

Michael Kenyon President Present

Rebecca Gillam Chairman Present

Deborah Allan Commissioner Present

Margaret Auger Commissioner Present

Theresa Barreiro Commissioner Present

Brian Dahl Commissioner Present

Drew Frasz Commissioner Present

Kurt R. Kojzarek Commissioner Absent

Philip Lewis Secretary Present

Bill Lenert Commissioner Present

Jarett Sanchez Commissioner Present

Thomas Smith Commissioner Present

Barbara Wojnicki Commissioner Present

Others Present:

Ken Stanish, Director of Finance, Ben Haberthur, Director of Natural Resources, Jerry Culp, Director of Planning and Development, Laurie Metanchuk, Director of Community Affairs, John Goreth, Director of Operations, Tracey Smith, Director of Human Resources, Mike Gilloffo, Director of Public Safety, Bill Graser, Wildlife Biologist, Dave Petschke, Accounting Manager, Brittany Kovach, Communications Specialist, Anna Marano, Buyer, Caitlin Rodehero, Administrative Assistant, Jerry Hodge, Attorney, Ellen J. Maglio, Recording Secretary

II. Presentation and Approval of the Minutes from January 27, 2017

DISCUSSION: None.

RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Theresa Barreiro, Commissioner

SECONDER: Brian Dahl, Commissioner

AYES: Deborah Allan, Margaret Auger, Theresa Barreiro, Brian Dahl, Drew Frasz, Rebecca Gillam, Michael Kenyon, Philip Lewis, Bill Lenert, Jarett Sanchez, Thomas Smith, Barbara Wojnicki

ABSENT: Kurt R. Kojzarek

III. Public Comment (Each speaker is limited to three minutes) None.

IV. Bids and Proposals

A. Presentation and Approval of a Proposal for Bridge Evaluations

Director Goreth introduced the proposal from Alfred Benesch and Company for the evaluation of 78 bridge structures throughout the County. The District has several bridges throughout the county that are used by the public for recreational purposes and which provide access to the trail systems for emergency and maintenance vehicles and equipment.

The Commission approved $121,200 in this current budget for the evaluation of the bridges.

On December 8, 2016 a Request for Proposal (RFP) was sent out to 33 engineering firms with 11 responding. The 11 proposals were evaluated against four criteria consisting of the firm’s experience, staff experience, availability and the location of the firm and the firm’s approach to the project. The highest rated firm and proposal was from Alfred Beseech and Company from Naperville, Illinois for a total cost of $84,968.

· Five (5) Steel bridges over roadways @ $2,300/bridge= $11,500

· Twenty-eight (28) Linear trail steel bridges @ $1,047/bridge=$29,316

· Twenty-two (22) Linear trail wooden bridges @ $942/bridge=$20,724

· Fifteen (15) Internal trail steel bridges @ $1,029/bridge=$15,435

· Seven (7) Internal trail wooden bridges @ $901/bridge=$6,307

· Two (2) Stored steel bridges @ 843/bridge=$1,686

Funds totaling $121,200 were budgeted in the FY2016/2017 for bridge evaluations.

DISCUSSION: President Kenyon asked when the last time an evaluation like this had occurred.

Director Goreth explained that Staff does quarterly and monthly bridge inspections, but that this type of professional evaluation has not been completed prior. Chairman Gillam stated that this evaluation is similar to the building evaluations that have been completed recently for the purpose of long term maintenance. Director Stanish added that the results will then be budgeted based on priority.

Commissioner Lewis asked if the deliverable will explain the data and locate the priority maintenance needed. Director Goreth responded that the bid had all the bridges labeled by GPS location and the deliverable will then give more detail for each bridge location. Commissioner Smith asked for an explanation of the stored steel bridges that were on the list. Director Goreth detailed the bridges that are to be evaluated but are currently not in physical use such as the Raymond Street Bridge and the bridge by I-90.

RESULT: MOVED FORWARD BY VOICE VOTE [UNANIMOUS]

TO: FOREST PRESERVE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 3/3/2017 8:30 AM

MOVER: Deborah Allan, Commissioner

SECONDER: Brian Dahl, Commissioner

AYES: Deborah Allan, Margaret Auger, Theresa Barreiro, Brian Dahl, Drew Frasz, Rebecca Gillam,

Michael Kenyon, Philip Lewis, Bill Lenert, Jarett Sanchez, Thomas Smith, Barbara Wojnicki

ABSENT: Kurt R. Kojzarek

V. New or Unfinished Business

A. Presentation of the Spring 2017 Burn Season Priorities Report and Fall 2016 Season

Update by Ben Haberthur, Director of Natural Resources

Last fall was a safe a successful burn season. Fall is typically a much smaller season than spring and last year was no exception. A total of 181.39 acres were burned at 10 differentpreserves spread out over 11 separate burns. 29 employees participated in at least one fall burn.

Listed here are sites targeted for the upcoming burn season. Burns are typically scheduled at sites where seeding or intensive invasive control is planned.

* Indicates a new burn unit

Grassland/wetlands

• Dick Young B1, B2, B3 (200 ac)

• Forested Fen B1 (12 ac)

• Burlington B1 & B3* (85 ac)

• LeRoy Oakes B9* (31 ac)

• Hoscheit Woods B1* (22 ac)

• Freeman Kame B2 (36 ac)

• Mill Creek B1 (68 ac)

• Big Rock B5, B6 (65 ac)

• Mill Creek (Leas of Geneva) B3* (10 ac)

• LeRoy Oakes (Renaux Manor) B10 (6 ac)

• Burnidge B1a (85 ac)

• Aurora West G-12

• Fitchie Creek B4 (north ½ only ~49 ac)

• LeRoy Oakes B3 (37 ac)

• Meissner-Corron B2, B3 (95 ac)

• Dick Young B7 (139 ac)

• Bliss Woods B4 (3 ac)

• Tekakwitha B1* (west prairie) (7 ac)

• Culver B1* (20 ac)

• Hannaford Woods B3, B4*, B5* (162 ac)

• Fox River Shores West B1, B2 (113 ac)

• Burnidge B8* (60 ac)

• Big Rock W10, W11

• Elburn B2 (8 ac)

• Bolcum Rd Wetlands B1, B3, B4 (113 ac)

• Aurora West B1 (101 ac)

• Culver (Aurora West B4) (66 ac)

• Blackberry Maples B1 (25 ac)

• Jon Duerr B4* (28 ac)

• Lake Run G3a

• Otter Creek B1 (36 ac)

• Grunwald G1*, G6* (20 ac)

• Hampshire B1 (13 ac)

• Schweitzer B1 (0.5 ac)

Woodlands

• Pingree B2 (18 ac)

• Lone Grove B3 (10 ac)

• Blackberry Maples B3, B4 (86 ac)

• Freeman South (Tomo) B4 (75 ac)

• Freeman Kame B3 (113 ac)

• Brunner B1 (72 ac)

• Campton B2 (31 ac)

• Raceway Woods F4b, F3a

• Burnidge B6, B9 (49 ac)

• Hannaford Woods B1 (33 ac)

• Big Rock B7 (24 ac)

• Tyler Creek B1, B2 (20 ac)

• Helm B2 (58 ac)

Director Haberthur explained the plans to accomplish 2,000 acres of burn this season. Todate there have been about 500 acres burned. Completed burns included LeRoy Oakes, Hoscheit Woods, Big Rock, Tekakwitha, Aurora West, Big Rock and Tyler Creek Woodlands

DISCUSSION: Commissioner Lewis stated that he would like to see the Fox River Shores Forest Preserve burned to show off the benefits of burns to a larger public audience. Director Haberthur took that into advisement for a future date.

B. Presentation of the Chicago Wilderness' Designated 12 Priority Species by Bill Graser, Wildlife Biologist

Wildlife Biologist Bill Graser made a brief presentation on work with the Chicago Wilderness' Designated 12 Priority Species. The Chicago Wilderness is a regional alliance of agencies working towards a common goal.

Bill Graser has been involved with the work in collecting data and reviewing the process of priority species designation since November 2014. The designation is not really just to these 12 species but to the impact they have on other habitats as well. Kane County is home to 10of the 12 named priority species.

The Little Brown Bat is one of the named species. Graser was a collaborator on this animal’sreport. The Chicago Wilderness also has a parallel program for plant species andRestoration Technician Patrick Chess is involved in that program as well.

DISCUSSION: Chairman Gillam stated that this is a fine example of regional coordination that benefits entire habitats animals and plants and humans. She thanked Bill for his dedication and work on behalf of the District.

VI. Executive Session to Discuss Land Acquisition, Contracts, Litigation and Personnel None.

VII. Communications

Maple Sugaring Days March 11 & 12 at the Creek Bend Nature Center

Director Metanchuk announced the event. Maple Sugaring Days held at the Creek Bend Nature Center at the LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve on Saturday, March 11 and Sunday, March 12. A great family outing as it is fun to see the maple sap being tapped and to taste the difference from the store produced equivalent.

Commissioner Lewis stated that he would like to see this event held at Bliss Woods andcommented that this would be a great opportunity for community outreach with Waubonsee Community College since it is close in proximity.

VIII. Chairman's Comments

Chairman Gillam mentioned that she participated in a Learn from the Experts (LFE) class and recommends it for others as it was a great experience. She also stated that she experienced the new pedestrian bridge at the I-90 interchange and it is beautiful!

President Kenyon introduced Administrative Assistant and new employee, Caitlin Rodehero, to the Committee. She will be supporting Operations and Natural Resources as well as the Public Safety Department.

He also took a moment to recognize and thank Director Metanchuk, and Commissioners Smith and Martin for their support at a Public Meeting regarding the referendum.

IX. Adjournment

RESULT: APPROVED WITH VOICE VOTE [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Thomas Smith, Commissioner

SECONDER: Brian Dahl, Commissioner

AYES: Deborah Allan, Margaret Auger, Theresa Barreiro, Brian Dahl, Drew Frasz, Rebecca Gillam, Michael Kenyon, Philip Lewis, Bill Lenert, Jarett Sanchez, Thomas Smith, Barbara Wojnicki

ABSENT: Kurt R. Kojzarek

Rebecca Gillam, Chairman

Adjournment until: *Friday, March 24, 2017 at 9:30 am

Forest Preserve District Administration Offices

1996 S. Kirk Road, Suite 320 Geneva, Illinois