Kane County Forest Preserve District Commission met Aug. 10

By Philip Gonzales

Nov 24, 2021

Kane County Forest Preserve District Commission met Aug. 10.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

I. Call to Order

The Forest Preserve District Commission meeting was held at 9:00 AM at Kane County Government Center, 719 S. Batavia Ave., Bldg. A, Geneva, IL 60134. The meeting was opened by President Chris Kious at 9:00 AM. Remote=*

II. Pledge of Allegiance

President Kious asked Volunteer Coordinator Robb Cleave to lead the pledge.

III. Roll Call Status:

Commissioner Dale Berman Present

Commissioner David Brown Present

Commissioner Ron Ford Present

Commissioner Drew Frasz Present

Commissioner Michael Kenyon Present

President Chris Kious Present

Commissioner Bill Lenert Present

Commissioner Anita Lewis Present

Commissioner John Martin Present

Commissioner Cherryl Strathmann Present

Commissioner Clifford Surges Present

Commissioner Vern Tepe Present

Commissioner Barbara Wojnicki Present

Commissioner Mavis Bates Present*

Commissioner Mark Davoust Present*

Commissioner Michelle Gumz Remote*

Commissioner Mo Iqbal Present*

Commissioner Myrna Molina Present*

Commissioner Jarett Sanchez Present*

Commissioner Monica Silva Present*

Commissioner Deborah Allan Present (In person @ 9:41 a.m.) Commissioner Kenneth Shepro Present (In person @ 9:03 a.m.) Board Member Todd Wallace Present (In person @ 9:02 a.m.) Commissioner Tom Koppie Absent

Others Present:

Exec. Dir. Meyers; CFO Stanish; HR Dir. Yee* & Volunteer Coordinator Cleave; NRM Dir. Haberthur*; Comm. Affairs Dir. Metanchuk* & staff Kovach; Chief of Planning Anderson Jr.; Dir. Of Ops Goreth; Chief of Police Burger; Attorney Hodge; KCIT Peters and members of the public.

IV. Public Comment (Each Speaker is limited to 3 minutes)

John Sargent, Resident of Aurora, Kane County addressed a non-agenda item, the quality of the grass area of the Radio Control Flying Field in Aurora West. Sargent requested additional assistance to maintain the field, the Treasurer of the RC Club currently maintains the field per their agreement, however it has become too costly. (Commissioner Wallace arrived @ 9:02 a.m.)

V. Presentation and Approval of the Minutes of July 13, 2021

(Commissioners Sanchez and Iqbal arrived via remote @ 9:03 a.m.)

RESULT: APPROVED BY ROLL CALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Dale Berman, Commissioner

SECONDER: Michelle Gumz, Commissioner

AYES: Mavis Bates, Dale Berman, David Brown, Mark Davoust, Ron Ford, Drew Frasz, Michelle Gumz, Mo Iqbal, Michael Kenyon, Chris Kious, Bill Lenert, Anita Lewis, John Martin, Myrna Molina, Jarett Sanchez, Monica Silva, Cherryl Strathmann, Clifford Surges, Vern Tepe, Barbara Wojnicki, Todd Wallace

ABSENT: Deborah Allan, Tom Koppie, Kenneth C. Shepro

VI. Presentation and Approval of the Bills and Commissioners' Per Diem for July 2021

RESULT: APPROVED BY ROLL CALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Drew Frasz, Commissioner

SECONDER: Barbara Wojnicki, Commissioner

ABSENT: Deborah Allan, Tom Koppie, Kenneth C. Shepro

VII. Land Acquisition

A. FP-R-21-08-2884 Resolution Approving an Intergovernmental Easement Agreement with the Elburn and Countryside Fire Protection District

RESULT: ADOPTED BY ROLL CALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Drew Frasz, Commissioner

SECONDER: Michael Kenyon, Commissioner

ABSENT: Deborah Allan, Tom Koppie, Kenneth C. Shepro

There was a change in the agenda order as follows, Resolution FP-R-21-08-2885 was presented and moved after Closed Session

VIII. Agreements

A. FP-R-21-08-2885 Resolution Authorizing Limited Release of Licensees under Force Majeure Provisions in License Agreements

DISCUSSION: None.

RESULT: ADOPTED BY ROLL CALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Drew Frasz, Commissioner

SECONDER: Kenneth C. Shepro, Commissioner

AYES: Deborah Allan, Mavis Bates, Dale Berman, David Brown, Mark Davoust, Ron Ford, Drew Frasz, Michelle Gumz, Michael Kenyon, Chris Kious, Tom Koppie, Bill Lenert, Anita Lewis, John Martin, Myrna Molina, Jarett Sanchez, Kenneth C. Shepro, Monica Silva, Cherryl Strathmann, Clifford Surges, Vern Tepe, Barbara Wojnicki, Todd Wallace

PRESENT: Mo Iqbal

IX. Finance

A. FP-R-21-08-2886 Resolution Approving a Budget Amendment for the Settler's Hill Golf Course Renovation Project

Exec. Dir. Meyers presented and discussed the request for a budget adjustment for the Settler’s Hill club house and course configuration change. Meyers noted that the anticipated $300,000 for the remaining funds following the construction of the Cross County Course could be earmarked for a portion of the additional expenses for this project. This adjustment to the project will require engineering, site grading, utilities, construction of a new parking lot and improvements to the existing roadway. Meyers indicated that the trailers will be paid through contingencies through the General Fund for this fiscal year and added to the budget next fiscal year.

DISCUSSION: Commissioner Wojnicki promoted the Open House of the Cross Country Course on Saturday, August 21, 2021 and the Ribbon Cutting August 28th.

Commissioner Bates asked about the trailer rent expense and if the revenues generated from the food and beverage help cover these costs? Meyers responded that the contract includes a base license fee and then a percentage fee over a gross threshold amount for additional revenues once that threshold is exceeded.

RESULT: ADOPTED BY ROLL CALL VOTE [20 TO 0]

MOVER: Dale Berman, Commissioner

SECONDER: Ron Ford, Commissioner

AYES: Dale Berman, David Brown, Mark Davoust, Ron Ford, Drew Frasz, Michelle Gumz, Mo Iqbal, Michael Kenyon, Chris Kious, Bill Lenert, Anita Lewis, John Martin, Myrna Molina, Jarett Sanchez, Monica Silva, Cherryl Strathmann, Clifford Surges, Vern Tepe, Barbara Wojnicki, Todd Wallace

ABSTAIN: Mavis Bates

ABSENT: Deborah Allan, Tom Koppie, Kenneth C. Shepro

X. Bid and Proposals

A. FP-R-21-08-2887 Resolution Approving Bid for the Settler's Hill Golf Course Grow In Last fall, Wadsworth Golf Construction Company (Wadsworth Golf), started construction of the Settler’s Golf Course Improvements Project. The project is on schedule and moving forward to the next stage of grow-in. The Forest Preserve District sent out a request for bids to complete the grow in services related to Settler’s Hill Golf Course. The grow-in includes mowing of greens, tees, fairways and rough; fertilization, bunker maintenance, irrigation, rolling greens, disease control, aeration, turf repair, erosion-control measures, topdressing, and selective tree clearing. Three bidders responded with the qualified, lowest bidder being GolfVisions. The contract with GolfVisions shall run until July 1, 2022, or until a management company has been selected to run the Settler’s Hill Golf Course.

Funds totaling $4,700,000 were budgeted in fiscal years 2017/18 and 2018/19 for the Settler’s Hill Golf Course Improvement Project. On March 10, 2020, the Commission approved the transfer of funds from FY 2019/20 project “Capital Projects as Determined by the Commission” in the amount of $2,106,000 to the Setter’s Hill Golf Course Improvement Project. Major funding of this project is being provided by Kane County's Settler’s Hill Landfill Fund.

In addition, the District is elated to have secured a grant from the Wadsworth Golf Charities Foundation for $250,000. The funding breakout of the Wadsworth Golf Charities Foundation grant is as follows: practice range: $75,000; youth-practice area: $125,000; and golf course improvements: $50,000. Wadsworth Golf has completed nearly 80% of the job, and is within budget. To fund the grow-in portion of the project, District staff is requesting Wadsworth’s contingency funds be reduced by $100,000 and reallocated for the grow-in. With the fund reallocation, funds totaling $439,000 are available for the grow-in portion of the Settler’s Hill Golf Course Improvement Project. Sufficient funds for the base amount of $339,500 and the additional services amount of $100,000 for a total $439,500 are available.

DISCUSSION: Commissioner Bates asked about the natural areas at Settler’s Hill, if there would be native plants/pollinators and who would maintain this area. Exec. Dir. Meyers responded that the management company would only care for the course area, anything outside of the playable course area is maintained by the District. (Commissioner Shepro arrived @ 9:22 in person)

RESULT: ADOPTED BY ROLL CALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: John Martin, Commissioner

SECONDER: Mark Davoust, Commissioner

ABSENT: Deborah Allan, Tom Koppie

PRESENT: Kenneth C. Shepro

B. FP-R-21-08-2888 Resolution Approving a Bid for Common Reed Control for Four (4) Forest Preserves

The non-native, invasive plant Common Reed (Phragmities australis) is a tall (up to 15’) perennial grass that infests many District wetlands. It produces some viable seed on the highly visible plumes it produces in late summer, but primarily propagates through lateral shoots called rhizomes. This vigorously growing plant quickly forms monotypic stands of itself, at the exclusion of native fauna. Its dense growth habit minimizes its utility to native wetland fauna; ducks cannot swim through mature stands, and its stalks are too weak to support the nests of native wetland songbirds. Contractors were sought to bid on summer/fall 2021 control projects of multiple, separate infestations of Common Reed, across four different preserves. The bid was sent to 31 vendors and publicly advertised, with two responding. The low response rate is attributed to the need for specialized amphibious equipment (i.e. Marshmaster) to make work at this scale cost-effective. (Commissioner Sanchez arrived in person @ 9:24 a.m.)

DISCUSSION: None.

RESULT: ADOPTED BY ROLL CALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Drew Frasz, Commissioner

SECONDER: Barbara Wojnicki, Commissioner

AYES: Mavis Bates, Dale Berman, David Brown, Mark Davoust, Ron Ford, Drew Frasz, Michelle Gumz, Mo Iqbal, Michael Kenyon, Chris Kious, Bill Lenert, Anita Lewis, John Martin, Myrna Molina, Jarett Sanchez, Kenneth C. Shepro, Monica Silva, Cherryl Strathmann, Clifford Surges, Vern Tepe, Barbara Wojnicki, Todd Wallace

ABSENT: Deborah Allan, Tom Koppie

XI. Policies

A. FP-R-21-08-2889 Resolution Approving the Establishment of the Gift Policy Exec. Dir. Meyers presented the following Resolutions, these policies are requirements for the Distinguishing Agency Accreditation Award.

DISCUSSION: None.

RESULT: ADOPTED BY ROLL CALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Bill Lenert, Commissioner

SECONDER: Dale Berman, Commissioner

AYES: Mavis Bates, Dale Berman, David Brown, Mark Davoust, Ron Ford, Drew Frasz, Michelle Gumz, Mo Iqbal, Michael Kenyon, Chris Kious, Bill Lenert, Anita Lewis, John Martin, Myrna Molina, Jarett Sanchez, Kenneth C. Shepro, Monica Silva, Cherryl Strathmann, Clifford Surges, Vern Tepe, Barbara Wojnicki, Todd Wallace

ABSENT: Deborah Allan, Tom Koppie

B. FP-R-21-08-2890 Resolution Approving the Revised Information Security Policy/Credit Card Policy

DISCUSSION: None.

RESULT: ADOPTED BY ROLL CALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Dale Berman, Commissioner

SECONDER: Drew Frasz, Commissioner

AYES: Mavis Bates, Dale Berman, David Brown, Mark Davoust, Ron Ford, Drew Frasz, Michelle Gumz, Mo Iqbal, Michael Kenyon, Chris Kious, Bill Lenert, Anita Lewis, John Martin, Myrna Molina, Jarett Sanchez, Kenneth C. Shepro, Monica Silva, Cherryl Strathmann, Clifford Surges, Vern Tepe, Barbara Wojnicki, Todd Wallace

ABSENT: Deborah Allan, Tom Koppie

C. FP-R-21-08-2891 Resolution Approving the Revised Fund Balance Policy

DISCUSSION: None.

RESULT: ADOPTED BY ROLL CALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Bill Lenert, Commissioner

SECONDER: John Martin, Commissioner

AYES: Mavis Bates, Dale Berman, David Brown, Mark Davoust, Ron Ford, Drew Frasz, Michelle Gumz, Mo Iqbal, Michael Kenyon, Chris Kious, Bill Lenert, Anita Lewis, John Martin, Myrna Molina, Jarett Sanchez, Kenneth C. Shepro, Monica Silva, Cherryl Strathmann, Clifford Surges, Vern Tepe, Barbara Wojnicki, Todd Wallace

ABSENT: Deborah Allan, Tom Koppie

D. FP-R-21-08-2892 Resolution Approving the Revised Unclaimed Property Policy

DISCUSSION: None.

RESULT: ADOPTED BY ROLL CALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Dale Berman, Commissioner

SECONDER: Mark Davoust, Commissioner

AYES: Mavis Bates, Dale Berman, David Brown, Mark Davoust, Ron Ford, Drew Frasz, Michelle Gumz, Mo Iqbal, Michael Kenyon, Chris Kious, Bill Lenert, Anita Lewis, John Martin, Myrna Molina, Jarett Sanchez, Kenneth C. Shepro, Monica Silva, Cherryl Strathmann, Clifford Surges, Vern Tepe, Barbara Wojnicki, Todd Wallace

ABSENT: Deborah Allan, Tom Koppie

E. FP-R-21-08-2893 Resolution Approving the Revised Capital Assets Policy

DISCUSSION: None.

RESULT: ADOPTED BY ROLL CALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Drew Frasz, Commissioner

SECONDER: Kenneth C. Shepro, Commissioner

AYES: Mavis Bates, Dale Berman, David Brown, Mark Davoust, Ron Ford, Drew Frasz, Michelle Gumz, Mo Iqbal, Michael Kenyon, Chris Kious, Bill Lenert, Anita Lewis, John Martin, Myrna Molina, Jarett Sanchez, Kenneth C. Shepro, Monica Silva, Cherryl Strathmann, Clifford Surges, Vern Tepe, Barbara Wojnicki, Todd Wallace

ABSENT: Deborah Allan, Tom Koppie

F. FP-R-21-08-2894 Resolution Approving the Establishment of the Environmental Action Plan Policy

DISCUSSION: None.

RESULT: ADOPTED BY ROLL CALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Dale Berman, Commissioner

SECONDER: Mavis Bates, Commissioner

AYES: Mavis Bates, Dale Berman, David Brown, Mark Davoust, Ron Ford, Drew Frasz, Michelle Gumz, Mo Iqbal, Michael Kenyon, Chris Kious, Bill Lenert, Anita Lewis, John Martin, Myrna Molina, Jarett Sanchez, Kenneth C. Shepro, Monica Silva, Cherryl Strathmann, Clifford Surges, Vern Tepe, Barbara Wojnicki, Todd Wallace

ABSENT: Deborah Allan, Tom Koppie

G. FP-R-21-08-2895 Resolution Approving the Establishment of a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Policy

DISCUSSION: None.

RESULT: ADOPTED BY ROLL CALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Barbara Wojnicki, Commissioner

SECONDER: Dale Berman, Commissioner

AYES: Mavis Bates, Dale Berman, David Brown, Mark Davoust, Ron Ford, Drew Frasz, Michelle Gumz, Mo Iqbal, Michael Kenyon, Chris Kious, Bill Lenert, Anita Lewis, John Martin, Myrna Molina, Jarett Sanchez, Kenneth C. Shepro, Monica Silva, Cherryl Strathmann, Clifford Surges, Vern Tepe, Barbara Wojnicki, Todd Wallace

ABSENT: Deborah Allan, Tom Koppie

H. FP-R-21-08-2896 Resolution Approving the Establishment of the Environmental Education Policy

DISCUSSION: None.

RESULT: ADOPTED BY ROLL CALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Barbara Wojnicki, Commissioner

SECONDER: Cherryl Strathmann, Commissioner

AYES: Mavis Bates, Dale Berman, David Brown, Mark Davoust, Ron Ford, Drew Frasz, Michelle Gumz, Mo Iqbal, Michael Kenyon, Chris Kious, Bill Lenert, Anita Lewis, John Martin, Myrna Molina, Jarett Sanchez, Kenneth C. Shepro, Monica Silva, Cherryl Strathmann, Clifford Surges, Vern Tepe, Barbara Wojnicki, Todd Wallace

ABSENT: Deborah Allan, Tom Koppie

I. FP-R-21-08-2897 Resolution Approving the Establishment of the Behavior Management Policy

DISCUSSION: None.

RESULT: ADOPTED BY ROLL CALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Bill Lenert, Commissioner

SECONDER: Drew Frasz, Commissioner

AYES: Deborah Allan, Mavis Bates, Dale Berman, David Brown, Mark Davoust, Ron Ford, Drew Frasz, Michelle Gumz, Mo Iqbal, Michael Kenyon, Chris Kious, Bill Lenert, Anita Lewis, John Martin, Myrna Molina, Jarett Sanchez, Kenneth C. Shepro, Monica Silva, Cherryl Strathmann, Clifford Surges, Vern Tepe, Barbara Wojnicki, Todd Wallace

ABSENT: Tom Koppie

J. FP-R-21-08-2898 Resolution Approving the Establishment of the Seizure Management Policy

DISCUSSION: None.

RESULT: ADOPTED BY ROLL CALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Barbara Wojnicki, Commissioner

SECONDER: Michael Kenyon, Commissioner

ABSENT: Tom Koppie

K. FP-R-21-08-2899 Resolution Approving the Revised Employee Handbook

DISCUSSION: None.

RESULT: ADOPTED BY ROLL CALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Deborah Allan, Commissioner

SECONDER: Drew Frasz, Commissioner

ABSENT: Tom Koppie

L. FP-R-21-08-2900 Resolution Approving the Establishment of a Comprehensive Board of Commissioners' Policies Manual

DISCUSSION: None.

RESULT: ADOPTED BY ROLL CALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Kenneth C. Shepro, Commissioner

SECONDER: Dale Berman, Commissioner

ABSENT: Tom Koppie

XII. Closed Session to Discuss Land Acquisition, Contracts, Litigation, and Personnel

The Committee moved into Executive Closed Session @ 9:45 a.m. to discuss Potential Litigation matters with Licensees

RESULT: ROLL CALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Dale Berman, Commissioner

SECONDER: Cherryl Strathmann, Commissioner

AYES: Ron Ford, Dale Berman, Michelle Gumz, Mavis Bates, David Brown, Cherryl Strathmann, Vern Tepe, Deborah Allan, Mark Davoust, Drew Frasz, Mo Iqbal, Michael Kenyon, Chris Kious, Bill Lenert, John Martin, Myrna Molina, Jarett Sanchez, Monica Silva, Todd Wallace, Barbara Wojnicki

NAYS: Kenneth C. Shepro

ABSENT: Tom Koppie

The Committee returned to Open Session @ 10:12 a.m. on a motion by Martin, second by Lenert, Roll Call Vote was taken, unanimous vote.

XIII. Communications

None.

XIV. President's Comments

President Kious celebrated the District has gained over 23,000 acres of land.

XV. Department Reports for July 2021

RESULT: PLACED ON FILE BY UNANIMOUS CONSET

MOVER: Kenneth C. Shepro, Commissioner

SECONDER: Drew Frasz, Commissioner

ABSENT: Tom Koppie