Kane County Forest Preserve, Executive Committee Met October 2

By Angelica Saylo Pilo

Jan 25, 2021

Kane County Forest Preserve, Executive Committee met Oct. 2.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

I. Call to Order

The Forest Preserve District Executive Committee meeting was held at 8:30 AM at the Kane County Government Center, 719 S. Batavia Ave., Bldg. A, Geneva, IL 60134. The meeting was opened by President Michael Kenyon at 8:30 AM.

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Members Present:

Attendee Name: Status:

President Michael Kenyon Present

President Pro Tem Mark Davoust Present

Treasurer Penny Wegman Present

Secretary Susan Starrett Present*

Commissioner Bill Lenert Present

Commissioner John Martin Present

Commissioner Deborah Allan Present (@ 8:38 a.m.)

Commissioner Theresa Barreiro Present* (@ 8:42 a.m.)

Commissioner Drew Frasz Absent

Commissioner John Hoscheit Absent

Others Present:

Commissioners Kious*, Molina*, Scheflow*; KC ITD Peters; Chief of Police Gilloffo*; Exec. Dir. Monica Meyers; Finance Dir. Ken J. Stanish; Dir. Of Natural Resources Ben Haberthur; Dir. Comm. Affairs Laurie Metanchuk; HR Dir. Katy Yee; Attorney Gerald Hodge*; Exec. Asst. Recording Secretary Gabriella Figliozzi.

II. Approval of Minutes from September 4, 2020

DISCUSSION: None.

RESULT: APPROVED BY ROLL CALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Bill Lenert, Commissioner

SECONDER: Penny Wegman, Treasurer

AYES: Michael Kenyon, Mark Davoust, Penny Wegman, Susan Starrett, Bill Lenert, John Martin

ABSENT: Deborah Allan, Theresa Barreiro, Drew Frasz, John Hoscheit

III. Public Comment (Each Speaker is limited to three minutes)

None.

IV. Presentation and Approval of Bills and Commissioners' Per Diem from September 2020

DISCUSSION: None.

RESULT: APPROVED BY ROLL CALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: John Martin, Commissioner

SECONDER: Mark Davoust, President Pro Tem

AYES: Michael Kenyon, Mark Davoust, Penny Wegman, Susan Starrett, Bill Lenert, John Martin

ABSENT: Deborah Allan, Theresa Barreiro, Drew Frasz, John Hoscheit

There was a change in the agenda order as follows: The Committee moved into Executive Closed Session @ 8:35 a.m. on a motion by Martin, Second by Davoust to discuss Contracts, Management, and Land Acquisition.

V. Closed Session (Allan Arrived @ 8:38 a.m., Barreiro arrived via Zoom @ 8:42 a.m.)

RESULT: APPROVED BY ROLL CALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: John Martin, Commissioner

SECONDER: Mark Davoust, President Pro Tem

AYES: Michael Kenyon, Mark Davoust, Penny Wegman, Susan Starrett, Deborah Allan, Bill Lenert,

John Martin

ABSENT: Drew Frasz, John Hoscheit

The Committee returned to Open Session @ 9:07 a.m. on a motion by Martin, second by Davoust. Roll Call Vote, Unanimous.

VI. Finance and Administration

A. Presentation and Approval of the Tax Levy for Fiscal year 21-22

CFO Stanish presented the budget for levy purposes. The recommendation brought forth from the Finance and Administration Committee was to increase by both the CPI and new construction. Stanish referenced a tax levy example from 2015-2020 of costs for a home averaging $233,000. By lowering the bond debt, the cost for tax payers have decreased, thus an increase in both CPI and new construction would not cause the overall levy to increase. DISCUSSION: Commissioner Davoust reiterated the savings the tax payers will have due to lowering of the bond debt. He stated this was the reason why the CPI and new growth increase were feasible. Martin noted that the increase will allow management of the additional land acquired, including the burdens that have incurred by COVID-19. Lenert asked for clarification in terms of the acquired acreages and the management. Stanish stated the increases in land management positions versus the thousands of acres added since 2015, have been minimal. He noted the concerns of uncertainties COVID brings in regards to the revenues, the expenses will continue to increase.

RESULT: MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE [7-1] Next: 10/13/2020 9:00 AM

TO: Forest Preserve District Commission

MOVER: John Martin, President Pro Tem

SECONDER: Bill Lenert, Commissioner

AYES: Michael Kenyon, Mark Davoust, Penny Wegman, Susan Starrett, Deborah Allan, Bill Lenert,

John Martin

NAYS: Theresa Barreiro

ABSENT: Drew Frasz, John Hoscheit

B. Presentation and Approval of an Update to the Investment Policy

CFO Stanish presented the updated items on the policy.

DISCUSSION: Lenert asked for clarification regarding the original language allowing investments. Stanish responded, the change of the corporate bond maturity limits allows the Forest Preserve to invest up to 3 years rather than 270 days.

RESULT: MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 10/13/2020 9:00 AM

TO: Forest Preserve District Commission

MOVER: Mark Davoust, President Pro Tem

SECONDER: Bill Lenert, Commissioner

AYES: Michael Kenyon, Mark Davoust, Penny Wegman, Susan Starrett, Deborah Allan, Theresa Barreiro, Bill Lenert, John Martin

ABSENT: Drew Frasz, John Hoscheit

VII.

B. Presentation and Approval of an Update to the Investment Policy

CFO Stanish presented the updated items on the policy.

RESULT: MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 10/13/2020 9:00 AM

TO: Forest Preserve District Commission

MOVER: Mark Davoust, President Pro Tem

SECONDER: Bill Lenert, Commissioner

AYES: Michael Kenyon, Mark Davoust, Penny Wegman, Susan Starrett, Deborah Allan, Theresa Barreiro, Bill Lenert, John Martin

ABSENT: Drew Frasz, John Hoscheit

Land Acquisition

None.

VIII. Planning & Utilization

A. Presentation and Approval of a Bid for Native Seed to Use for Natural Restoration of District Lands

Dir. Of Natural Resources Haberthur presented the following recommendation referencing the bid abstract and maps included in the agenda packet.

Staff recommends the Committee approve the bids for Options 1-4 of this native seed purchase from a joint bid by Shooting Star Native Seeds of Spring Grove, Minnesota and Prairie Moon Nursery of Winona, Minnesota. The bid was advertised and sent to 24 vendors with three responding.

 Option 1 – Burlington Prairie (South) Forest Preserve: 151 species to be sown across an approximately 55-acre field. This restoration is a new agricultural to tallgrass prairie restoration.

 Option 2 – Burlington Prairie (North) Forest Preserve: 150 species to be sown across an approximately 40-acre field. This restoration is a new hay field to tallgrass prairie restoration.

 Option 3 – Hannaford Woods Forest Preserve: 76 species to be sown across an approximately 15-acre project area. This restoration is tailored specifically for turtle habitat. It will restore the portion of the Knierim parcel recently acquired by the District.

 Option 4 – Bowes Creek Forest Preserve: 111 species to be sown across an approximately 30-acre field. This tallgrass prairie restoration is entirely funded by donations from the Muirhead family.

Total Cost of all options is $242,113.84

DISCUSSION: None.

RESULT: MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 10/13/2020 9:00 AM

TO: Forest Preserve District Commission

MOVER: Deborah Allan, Commissioner

SECONDER: Bill Lenert, Commissioner

AYES: Michael Kenyon, Mark Davoust, Penny Wegman, Susan Starrett, Deborah Allan, Theresa Barreiro, Bill Lenert, John Martin

ABSENT: Drew Frasz, John Hoscheit

B. Presentation and Approval of Bids for Tree and Brush Clearing at the Pingree Grove,Lone Grove, and Bowes Creek Greenway Forest Preserves

Dir. Of Natural Resources Haberthur presented the following recommendation referencing the bid abstract and maps included in the agenda packet.

Staff recommends the Committee approve the contracts for invasive tree and brush removal at portions of Lone Grove, Bowes Creek Greenway, and Pingree Grove Forest Preserves to the three separate lowest, qualified vendors as follows:

 Projects 1 & 4 - Central Tree & Landscape Mulch, LLC, of Hoffman Estates, Illinois, at $38,269.65 for Project 1 and $27,750.00 for Project 4, for a contract total of $66,019.65.

 Project 2 - Integrated Lakes Management, of Waukegan, Illinois, at a contract cost of $5,457.

 Project 3 - Applied Ecological Services, of Brodhead, Wisconsin, at a contract cost of $12,442.00.

The total cost for all four projects is $83,918.65.

DISCUSSION: None.

RESULT: MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 10/13/2020 9:00 AM

TO: Forest Preserve District Commission

MOVER: Bill Lenert, Commissioner

SECONDER: Penny Wegman, Treasurer

AYES: Michael Kenyon, Mark Davoust, Penny Wegman, Susan Starrett, Deborah Allan, Theresa Barreiro, Bill Lenert, John Martin

ABSENT: Drew Frasz, John Hoscheit

C. Presentation and Approval of a Bid to Construct Required Site Improvements at Kane County Events Center Associated with the Kane County Division of Transportation Kirk Road Bridge Over the Union Pacific Railroad Project

Exec. Dir. Meyers presented the following recommendation noting a positive return in vendor response.

Staff recommends the Committee approve the bid to complete required improvements at the Kane County Events associated with the Kane County Division of Transportation (KDOT) Kirk Road Bridge over the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) project improvements by Schroeder Asphalt Services Inc., Huntley, Illinois, in the amount of $495,181.62, plus a 10 percent contingency for $49,518.16 to cover any additional costs that may arise during construction, for a total price of $544,699.78.

DISCUSSION: Referencing a map included in the agenda packet,

Exec. Dir. Meyers clarified questions regarding the ownership of Cherry Lane stating it belongs to the township of Geneva, therefore the Forest Preserve does not maintain it.

RESULT: MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 10/13/2020 9:00 AM

TO: Forest Preserve District Commission

MOVER: Bill Lenert, Commissioner

SECONDER: John Martin, Commissioner

AYES: Michael Kenyon, Mark Davoust, Penny Wegman, Susan Starrett, Deborah Allan, Theresa Barreiro, Bill Lenert, John Martin

ABSENT: Drew Frasz, John Hoscheit

D. Presentation and Approval of Change Order #1 from Evans & Son Blacktop Inc. for the Fox River Trail - South Elgin Switchback and Trail Connection Project

Exec. Dir. Meyers presented the following recommendation noting the reasons for the change order. The timeline and unforeseen issues that arose during the project were explained.

Staff recommends the Committee approve Change Order #1 from Evans & Sons Blacktop Inc. of West Chicago, Illinois, for $3,724 for a new total project cost of $54,930.08 for the Fox River Trail Switchback and Trail Connection Project in South Elgin.

DISCUSSION: None.

RESULT: MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 10/13/2020 9:00 AM

TO: Forest Preserve District Commission

MOVER: Bill Lenert, Commissioner

SECONDER: Deborah Allan, Commissioner

AYES: Michael Kenyon, Mark Davoust, Penny Wegman, Susan Starrett, Deborah Allan, Theresa Barreiro, Bill Lenert, John Martin

ABSENT: Drew Frasz, John Hoscheit

E. Presentation and Approval of an IDNR RTP Grant Submission for an Interpretive Trail and Signage Project at the Mill Creek Greenway Forest Preserve

Exec. Dir. Meyers presented the following recommendation explaining the requirements of the IDNR RTP grant program and the steps involved. She indicated the items that would be implemented and total project cost of $473,000. The maximum amount of grant reimbursement would be $200,000.

DISCUSSION: None.

RESULT: MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 10/13/2020 9:00 AM

TO: Forest Preserve District Commission

MOVER: John Martin, Commissioner

SECONDER: Deborah Allan, Commissioner

AYES: Michael Kenyon, Mark Davoust, Penny Wegman, Susan Starrett, Deborah Allan, Theresa Barreiro, Bill Lenert, John Martin

ABSENT: Drew Frasz, John Hoscheit

F. Presentation and Approval of a Maintenance Agreement with the Knights of Columbus to Maintain the Grotto at the Gunnar Anderson Forest Preserve

Exec. Dir. Meyers provided background information regarding the local Knights of Columbus and the representatives. The three year maintenance agreement would fall under the Forest Preserve’s supervision by the Natural Resources Department and the Volunteer Coordinator. DISCUSSION: Brief discussion regarding the members of the organization and area, which included Elburn, Geneva, Batavia.

RESULT: MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 10/13/2020 9:00 AM

TO: Forest Preserve District Commission

MOVER: John Martin, Commissioner

SECONDER: Mark Davoust, President Pro Tem

AYES: Michael Kenyon, Mark Davoust, Penny Wegman, Susan Starrett, Deborah Allan, Theresa Barreiro, Bill Lenert, John Martin

ABSENT: Drew Frasz, John Hoscheit

IX. New or Unfinished Business

None

X. Communications

A. Election Day Holiday 2020

HR Dir. Yee presented the Election Day Holiday new this year 2020. Election Day, November 3rd 2020, was passed as a state holiday earlier this year by Governor Pritzker. As this is a State Mandate it is being presented as a communication that the Forest Preserve will honor this day as a holiday. The Forest Preserve will be operable with minimal staff.

XI. President's Comments

None

XII. Financial Reports

DISCUSSION: None.

A.Revenue & Expense Report through August 2020 B.Cash & Investment Report: August 2020

C. Bond Investment Analysis Report: August 2020

RESULT: APPROVED BY ROLL CALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Penny Wegman, Treasurer

SECONDER: Bill Lenert, Commissioner

AYES: Michael Kenyon, Mark Davoust, Penny Wegman, Susan Starrett, Deborah Allan, Theresa Barreiro, Bill Lenert, John Martin

ABSENT: Drew Frasz, John Hoscheit

XIII. Adjournment