Kane County Reporter

Kane County Forest Preserve District Planning and Utilization Committee met Oct. 25.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

I. Call to Order

The meeting was opened by Chairman Rebecca Gillam at 9:30 AM.

Members Present:

Commissioner Deborah Allan Present

Commissioner Margaret Auger Present

Commissioner Theresa Barreiro Present

Commissioner Ron Ford Late/Present

Commissioner Drew Frasz Present

Chairman Rebecca Gillam Present

President Michael Kenyon Present

Secretary Philip Lewis Present

Commissioner Jarett Sanchez Absent

Commissioner Thomas Smith Present

Commissioner Barbara Wojnicki Present

Others Present:

Monica Meyers, Executive Director, Ken J. Stanish, Chief Financial Officer, Ken Anderson, Jr., Chief of Planning and Operations, Ben Haberthur, Director of Natural Resources Management, John Goreth, Director of Operations, Tracey Smith, Director of HR, Jerry Hodge, Attorney, Caitlin Rodeghero, Recording Secretary

II. Approval of Minutes from September 27, 2018

RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Drew Frasz, Commissioner

SECONDER: Thomas Smith, Commissioner

AYES: Deborah Allan, Margaret Auger, Theresa Barreiro, Drew Frasz, Rebecca Gillam, Michael Kenyon, Philip Lewis, Thomas Smith, Barbara Wojnicki

ABSENT: Ron Ford, Jarett Sanchez

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

IV. Bids and Proposals

A. Presentation and Approval of Bids for the Removal of Structures at Four Preserves

The District sent bid packets to 29 vendors with five responding. The lowest qualified bid for the Virgil Forest Preserve demolition was Omega Demolition from Elgin, Illinois with a final price of $116,299. The lowest qualified bid for the Hampshire Forest Preserve demolition was Prime Construction from Hampshire, Illinois with a final price of $13,777. The lowest qualified bidder for the Brewster Creek and Needham Woods demolition was Kendall Excavating from Yorkville, Illinois with a final price of $15,920.

The total price for the entire demolition project is $145,996. $200,000 was budgeted in the 2018/2019 fiscal year. $150 has been spent for asbestos testing at the demolition sites, leaving a remaining total of $199,850.

DISCUSSION: Commissioner Wojnicki asked if the barn wood at the Virgil site could be reused. Director Goreth responded in the negative that the wood is in poor condition. President Kenyon inquired as to the well and septic. Director Goreth stated that within the contract the well and septic will be capped by contractor. Director Goreth explained that the Needham Woods property is a fairly new acquisition. The shelter is in poor condition and does not meet ADA requirements. Chairman Gillam stated that she liked the separation of sites for the options of vendors to work at sites. It also is beneficial for public inquiries to the bid process.

RESULT: MOVED FORWARD BY VOICE VOTE [UNANIMOUS]

TO: FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 11/2/2018 8:30 AM

MOVER: Philip Lewis, Secretary

SECONDER: Ron Ford, Commissioner

AYES: Deborah Allan, Margaret Auger, Theresa Barreiro, Ron Ford, Drew Frasz, Rebecca Gillam, Michael Kenyon, Philip Lewis, Thomas Smith, Barbara Wojnicki

ABSENT: Jarett Sanchez

V. New or Unfinished Business

A. Presentation and Approval of a Request from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to Perform Deer Disease Management for Chronic Wasting Disease on District Lands

Ray Domileski, Regional Biologist for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources was introduced by Director Haberthur. Mr. Domileski, presented a brief powerpoint slide presentation about the IDNR program. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is requesting access to 13 forest preserves (Table 2) between January 16 and March 31, 2019 in order to collect 135 samples from white-tailed deer. The 2019 sampling would occur in 10 of the 11 forest preserves requested in 2018, and collect the same number of samples per forest preserve as was approved by the Forest Preserve District Commission (FPDC) for 2018 sampling with two exceptions. Aerial deer counts conducted in winter of 2018 revealed that numbers of deer in the Sugar Grove Zone have dropped from the time of the last completed aerial survey in 2015. Therefore, we are requesting 10 fewer deer in the Hannaford-Bliss complex and are dropping efforts at Lake Run completely. The Sugar Grove Zone has contracted in size because no positive deer have been found in the western portion of the zone for 5 years. Additionally, no positive deer have been encountered for the last 3 years anywhere in this zone. Therefore, it appears that our efforts have been effective in the zone and a reduction in deer removal effort is warranted. Unfortunately, deer counts remain high in the Gilberts Zone which indicates a need for increased sampling. As a result, IDNR is requesting access to 2 preserves not requested in 2018. We request access to Helm Woods to remove 10 deer and Hampshire Woods to remove 5 deer. The addition of these sites would help us increase sampling efforts which are needed in this zone. With the reduction in effort in Sugar Grove, the total number of deer requested to be removed from Kane County Forest Preserves sites would remain the same as in 2018 at 135. IDNR is not requesting to sample at Freeman, Brunner, or Big Rock preserves because the District is again providing samples from its archery deer program.

Access to forest preserves is vital to surveillance and management of CWD in Kane County because forest preserve lands typically contain the highest quality and quantity of deer habitat per CWD focus area. Conversely, private lands in Kane County typically are either urbanized or intensively farmed with limited deer habitat. Because the forest preserves contain the greatest quantity and quality of habitat, these lands also tend to contain higher numbers of deer than nearby private lands. As a result, the higher deer densities encountered on District lands can also lead to increased transmission rates of CWD among members of the deer herd thereby leading to increased prevalence rates and rate of disease spread.

DISCUSSION: There was a brief discussion regarding the program. The tested animal is processed and the meat donated to the local Food Pantry. The program is state funded.

RESULT: APPROVED BY VOICE VOTE [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Margaret Auger, Commissioner

SECONDER: Ron Ford, Commissioner

AYES: Deborah Allan, Margaret Auger, Theresa Barreiro, Ron Ford, Drew Frasz, Rebecca Gillam, Michael Kenyon, Philip Lewis, Thomas Smith, Barbara Wojnicki

ABSENT: Jarett Sanchez

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

VII. Communications

The Natural History of Illinois: 200 Years of Change When Illinois became a state, 200 years ago, the prairie stretched as far as the eye could see. Oak woodlands dotted the land, and wetlands teemed with life. Learn how these native landscapes have changed since statehood, in this presentation by Director of Natural Rescources Management Ben Haberthur. He will describe the ecological transformation of Illinois and explain why natural ecosystems are rare today. He will also discuss region-wide efforts to restore Illinois’ splendid prairies, woodlands and wetlands. Advance registration is required. Call 630-444-3190 or e-mail programs@ kaneforest.com to register. Saturday, Nov. 3; 1 - 2:30 p.m. Barbara Belding Lodge Brewster Creek Forest Preserve 6N921 IL Rte. 25, St. Charles Fee: $10/person

Illinois History Hike Step back in time and see how the Illinois landscape has changed in 200 years. There will be a naturalist-guided walk through the prairie at LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, beginning at Creek Bend Nature Center, and ending at Durant House Museum. During the walk, you’ll learn about the transformation of the prairies and woodlands from European settlement to today. At the Durant-Peterson House, docents will interpret 19th century life on the prairie. There will also be crafts back at the nature center, and self-guided Illinois

Bicentennial scavenger hunts throughout the afternoon. Advance registration is required. Call 630-444-3190 or email programs@kaneforest.com to register. Saturday, Nov. 3; 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. Creek Bend Nature Center LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve 37W700 Dean St., St. Charles FREE

Please RSVP for the Employee Recognition and Holiday Party to be held on Friday, December 7 from noon to 4 at the Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin.

VIII. Chairman's Comments

Commissioner Frasz inquired as to an Open House for the NRM facility. Executive Director Meyers stated that the project is currently in Phase II with active construction on site, so maybe set a future committee meeting onsite.

Commissioner Barreiro comments that the rendering of the Oakhurst Forest Preserve improvements and the public meeting were very helpful and made a positive impact on the neighborhood.

Chairman Gillam asked for an update on the recently acquired land for a future meeting.

IX. Adjournment

RESULT: ADJOURNED BY VOICE VOTE [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Thomas Smith, Commissioner

SECONDER: Theresa Barreiro, Commissioner

AYES: Deborah Allan, Margaret Auger, Theresa Barreiro, Ron Ford, Drew Frasz, Rebecca Gillam, Michael Kenyon, Philip Lewis, Thomas Smith, Barbara Wojnicki

ABSENT: Jarett Sanchez

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