Kane County Forest Preserve District Executive Committee met Sept. 2.
Here are 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 Administration Offices located at 1996 S. Kirk Road, Suite 320, Geneva, IL 60134. The meeting was opened by President Chris Kious at 8:30 AM. Remote=*
Members Present:
President Chris Kious Present
Commissioner Myrna Molina Present
Commissioner Barbara Wojnicki Present
Commissioner Dale Berman Present
Commissioner Michael Kenyon Present
Commissioner Drew Frasz Present
Commissioner John Martin Present
Commissioner Jarett Sanchez Absent
Commissioner Mavis Bates Absent
Others Present:
Commissioners: Allan*, Brown, Gumz*, Ford*; Exec. Dir. Meyers; CFO Stanish & staff Petschke*; Dir. of Ops. Goreth; Dir. of NRM Haberthur & staff Rodeghero*; Dir. of Comm. Affairs Metanchuk; HR Dir. Yee; Chief of Police & Dir. of Public Safety Burger; Recording Secretary Figliozzi; KCIT Peters.
II. Approval of Minutes from August 5, 2021
| RESULT: APPROVED BY VOICE VOTE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Barbara Wojnicki, Commissioner SECONDER: Dale Berman, Commissioner AYES: Myrna Molina, Barbara Wojnicki, Dale Berman, Michael Kenyon, Drew Frasz, John Martin ABSENT: Jarett Sanchez, Mavis Bates |
None.
IV. Presentation and Approval of Bills and Commissioners' Per Diem from August 2021
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD BY VOICE VOTE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 9/14/2021 9:00 AM
TO: Executive Committee MOVER: Myrna Molina, Commissioner SECONDER: Dale Berman, Commissioner AYES: Myrna Molina, Barbara Wojnicki, Dale Berman, Michael Kenyon, Drew Frasz, John Martin ABSENT: Jarett Sanchez, Mavis Bates |
A. Presentation and Approval of a One-Year Extension with Waste Management for Refuse and Recycling Services
CFO Stanish presented the extension agreement with Waste Management.
In 2017, the District partnered with the County to be included in their bidding process for refuse and recycling services. The original contract was for three years, and the bid included an additional three, one-year options, if both parties agree. Every location that has a refuse container is listed as an on-call service for Waste Management. This means that they will not pick-up the refuse until the District calls and requests service. This helps reduce costs, since scheduling automatic pick-ups is not always necessary, depending on the use at the various preserves. Staff recommends the Commission approve the second, one-year extension with Waste Management for refuse/recycling removal from the various preserves until June 27, 2022.
DISCUSSION: None.
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD BY VOICE VOTE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 9/14/2021 9:00 AM
TO: Forest Preserve District Commission MOVER: Drew Frasz, Commissioner SECONDER: Barbara Wojnicki, Commissioner AYES: Myrna Molina, Barbara Wojnicki, Dale Berman, Michael Kenyon, Drew Frasz, John Martin ABSENT: Jarett Sanchez, Mavis Bates |
Community Affairs Dir. Metanchuk presented the Mandated Reporter Policy for approval. Staff who work with children in the course of their professional duties are required by law to report suspected child maltreatment, as part of the State of Illinois’ Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act (ANCRA). Professionals who are required by law to report suspected child abuse and neglect are called “mandated reporters.” The Environmental Education staff at the District, for example, are mandated reporters. Each year, the Environmental Education staff and Community Affairs Director take online Mandated Reporter Training by the Illinois Department of Children & Family Services (DCFS). They also review the State’s online Manual for Mandated Reporters, and complete an Acknowledgment of Mandated Reporter Status Form. As part of the ongoing Distinguished Agency Accreditation project, the District is required to have a Mandated Reporter Policy. The new Mandated Reporter Policy would formalize procedures already in place. Staff recommends the Policy be adopted and approved.
DISCUSSION: None.
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD BY VOICE VOTE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 9/14/2021 9:00 AM
TO: Forest Preserve District Commission MOVER: Myrna Molina, Commissioner SECONDER: John Martin, Commissioner AYES: Myrna Molina, Barbara Wojnicki, Dale Berman, Michael Kenyon, Drew Frasz, John Martin ABSENT: Jarett Sanchez, Mavis Bates |
A. Presentation and Approval of an Intergovernmental Easement Agreement with Pingree Grove and Countryside Fire District on a Portion of Bowes Creek Woods Forest Preserve
Exec. Dir. Meyers presented the Intergovernmental easement agreement, indicating the area of the pipe location on a map that was included in the agenda packet.
Pingree Grove and Countryside Fire Protection District is in the process of constructing a new fire station on the east side of Dittman Road, across from Bowes Creek Woods Forest Preserve. A new 12-inch drainage pipe connecting the fire station to Bowes Creek is required as part of the site improvements and stormwater management permit. PGCFPD had been in discussion with the adjacent and downstream property owner to secure a drainage easement to provide a positive outlet to Bowes Creek, but was unsuccessful. PGCFPD then contacted the Kane County Division of Transportation (KDOT) to see if it would be possible to install said 12-inch pipe within the Dittman Road Right of Way, but the Right of Way is prescriptive and said improvements per KDOT are not a permitted use. PGCFPD then approached the District to ascertain if a drainage easement for the installation of a 12-inch drainage pipe is a possibility. It has been the District’s past practice to work with other governmental agencies to solve problems for the benefit of its fellow agencies and their residents. District staff worked with PGCFPD staff to develop the proposed Intergovernmental Easement Agreement.
DISCUSSION: Commissioner Martin asked about any previous infrastructure. Exec. Dir. Meyers responded that the current tile is on the Eastside of the road, so this is a new tile installation. Attorney Hodge noted that the neighbor on the other side is not agreeable to the expansion on his property. Chief of Planning Anderson is in communication with the County Water Resources Department about the creek erosion as a potential joint project.
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD BY VOICE VOTE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 9/14/2021 9:00 AM
TO: Forest Preserve District Commission MOVER: Dale Berman, Commissioner SECONDER: Barbara Wojnicki, Commissioner AYES: Myrna Molina, Barbara Wojnicki, Dale Berman, Michael Kenyon, Drew Frasz, John Martin ABSENT: Jarett Sanchez, Mavis Bates |
A. Presentation and Approval of a Bid for Paving at the Natural Resource Management Facility located in Mill Creek Greenway Forest Preserve
Dir. of Ops. Goreth presented the bid project, noting staff is currently entering Phase II.
The Commission approved a total of $429,700 for Natural Resource Management Facility Phase II Building Construction. In addition, money has been reallocated from the Natural Resource Management Facility Phase I Building savings. The project includes the construction of the cold storage building, paving of the shop yard, security cameras, perimeter fence installation and construction of a fuel island. At this time, the building construction has been completed, as well as the installation of security cameras and Fuel Island. The paving of the maintenance yard bid was publicly advertised and sent out to 31 vendors with four responding. The qualified lowest bid was received from Champion Paving Corporation of Hampshire, Illinois, with a price of $48,797.50. Remaining available funds of $41,195.50 will be used for the security fence installation and any unforeseen incidentals, such as needed aggregate for unsuitable soils and finish landscaping. Funds totaling $429.700 were budgeted for the overall building and site improvements associated with the Natural Resource Management Facility Phase II Building Construction Project. In addition, money has been reallocated from the Natural Resource Management Facility Phase I Building savings. Sufficient funds totaling $89,992 are available for this expense totaling $48,797.50.
DISCUSSION: Commissioner Frasz was in support of the awarded bidder noting the company has done great work in past projects.
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD BY VOICE VOTE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 9/14/2021 9:00 AM
TO: Forest Preserve District Commission MOVER: Drew Frasz, Commissioner SECONDER: John Martin, Commissioner AYES: Myrna Molina, Barbara Wojnicki, Dale Berman, Michael Kenyon, Drew Frasz, John Martin ABSENT: Jarett Sanchez, Mavis Bates |
A license agreement was established with the Geneva Park District in 2010 for the property use, general maintenance, insurance requirements and infrastructure repairs to utilize the Fabyan Forest Preserve property for soccer programs. The license agreement provides the use of the preserve by the Park District to any affiliate soccer group. The Park District maintains the property from April 1 through November 15, which includes mowing and general upkeep. In the case the parking lot and/or entry drive require repair or renovation during the term of the agreement, the Park District agrees to financially participate in the work up to 50 percent of the total cost if/when warranted. The IGA was amended in 2015 to extend the agreement an additional 5 years and a second amendment was approved in 2019, requiring the Park District to adapt a policy and procedures specific to the Illinois Moveable Soccer Goal Safety Act. This third amendment extends the agreement for 10 years and maintains all the terms from the original IGA and second amendment.
DISCUSSION: None.
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD BY VOICE VOTE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 9/14/2021 9:00 AM
TO: Forest Preserve District Commission MOVER: Michael Kenyon, Commissioner SECONDER: John Martin, Commissioner AYES: Myrna Molina, Barbara Wojnicki, Dale Berman, Michael Kenyon, Drew Frasz, John Martin ABSENT: Jarett Sanchez, Mavis Bates |
The local Knights of Columbus (KOC) approached the Forest Preserve District of Kane County in 2019, and offered to maintain the grotto structure at Gunnar Anderson Forest Preserve. The grotto is a structure left from when the Government Center property was a seminary. The County and the District purchased separate portions of the Sacred Heart Seminary land in 1972. The grotto structure is located on the District’s portion of the land. The District has maintained the open space, however, does not maintain the religious grotto structure. An agreement was initially approved by prior leadership of the KOC and was approved by the Forest Preserve Commission on October 13, 2020. However, the KOC did not sign the agreement. Changes occurred in the KOC leadership, they had requested some changes to the original terms. The general terms of the agreement that still apply, the KOC provided the signed agreement with the revisions and included a Certificate of Insurance.
DISCUSSION: Commissioner Frasz noted a separate issue, stating the water from the creek continues to erode and is getting closer to the grotto. Meyers stated that Chief of Planning Anderson is in discussions regarding water reclamation management.
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD BY VOICE VOTE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 9/14/2021 9:00 AM
TO: Forest Preserve District Commission MOVER: Drew Frasz, Commissioner SECONDER: Barbara Wojnicki, Commissioner AYES: Myrna Molina, Barbara Wojnicki, Dale Berman, Michael Kenyon, Drew Frasz, John Martin ABSENT: Jarett Sanchez, Mavis Bates |
Commissioner Martin reported on the Cross County Course Marathon on Saturday was a success. A large number of spectators and runners attended. Martin noted this project has been in the making for roughly 10 years. Commissioner Frasz congratulated Commissioner Martin for all the hard work and for the late former Commissioner Mike Donahue. He noted that these projects take so much time and effort and end with a whisper. President Kious noted that the event had made an article in the newspaper.
IX. Closed Session to Discuss Land Acquisition, Contracts, Litigation and Personnel The Committee moved into Executive Closed Session at 8:51 a.m. to discuss license agreements.
| RESULT: APPROVED BY ROLL CALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Michael Kenyon, Commissioner SECONDER: Dale Berman, Commissioner AYES: Myrna Molina, Barbara Wojnicki, Dale Berman, Chris Kious, Michael Kenyon, Drew Frasz, John Martin ABSENT: Jarett Sanchez, Mavis Bates |
X. Communications
Community Affairs Dir. Metanchuk promoted a Save the Date, for the grand Re-Opening of the Oakhurst Forest Preserve prior to the Harvest of the Acorn Moon event on Sunday, September 26th, 2021 at 11:30 a.m. Exec. Dir. Meyers reminded everyone that the Commissioner Retreat will be held on Friday, October 29th, at 8:00 a.m.
XI. President's Comments
President Kious shared his appreciation to Dir. of Ops, Goreth for his extensive knowledge with the District. He also promoted the Senior Stroll at Pingree Grove Forest Preserve today Thursday, September 2, 2021 at 12Noon.
XII. Financial Reports
Report A-C were moved together.
A. Revenue & Expense Report through July 2021
B. Cash & Investment Report: July 2021
C. Bond Investment Report: July 2021
| RESULT: PLACE WRITTEN REPORTS ON FILE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Dale Berman, Commissioner SECONDER: Drew Frasz, Commissioner AYES: Myrna Molina, Barbara Wojnicki, Dale Berman, Michael Kenyon, Drew Frasz, John Martin ABSENT: Jarett Sanchez, Mavis Bates |
The meeting adjourned at 9:04 a.m.
| RESULT: ADJOURNED BY VOICE VOTE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Michael Kenyon, Commissioner SECONDER: Dale Berman, Commissioner AYES: Myrna Molina, Barbara Wojnicki, Dale Berman, Michael Kenyon, Drew Frasz, John Martin ABSENT: Jarett Sanchez, Mavis Bates |
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