Kane County Forest Preserve District Commission met Oct. 12.
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 Dir. of Operations John Goreth to lead the pledge.
III. Roll Call Status:
President Chris Kious Present
Commissioner Dale Berman Present
Commissioner David Brown Present
Commissioner Mark Davoust Present
Commissioner Ron Ford Present*
Commissioner Drew Frasz Present
Commissioner Michelle Gumz Present*
Commissioner Mo Iqbal Present*
Commissioner Michael Kenyon Present
Commissioner Tom Koppie Present*
Commissioner Bill Lenert Present
Commissioner Anita Lewis Present
Commissioner John Martin Present
Commissioner Myrna Molina Present*
Commissioner Jarett Sanchez Present
Commissioner Kenneth Shepro Present
Commissioner Monica Silva Present*
Commissioner Cherryl Strathmann Present
Commissioner Clifford Surges Present
Commissioner Vern Tepe Present
Commissioner Barbara Wojnicki Present
Board Member Todd Wallace Present*
Commissioner Mavis Bates Present* (via remote @ 9:04 a.m.)
Commissioner Deborah Allan Absent
Others Present:
Exec. Dir. Meyers; Chief of Planning Anderson Jr., Dir. of Operations Goreth; CFO Stanish; Dir. NRM Haberthur; Comm. & Marketing Coordinator Kovach; Chief of Police Burger; Attorney Hodge; KCIT staff Peters, and members of the public.
IV. Public Comment (Each Speaker is limited to 3 minutes)
None.
V. Presentation and Approval of the Minutes of September 14, 2021
| RESULT: APPROVED WITH VOICE VOTE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Michael Kenyon, Commissioner SECONDER: Dale Berman, Commissioner AYES: Dale Berman, David Brown, Mark Davoust, Ron Ford, Drew Frasz, Michelle Gumz, Mo Iqbal, 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 ABSENT: Deborah Allan, Mavis Bates |
| 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, 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 ABSENT: Deborah Allan |
A. FP-R-21-10-2907 Resolution Authorizing a Renewal to the License Agreement with the Aurora Barnstormers R. C. Club at Aurora West Forest Preserve
Dir. of Operations Goreth presented the license agreement with the Aurora Barnstormers. A license agreement was established with the Aurora Barnstormers R. C. Club for use and maintenance of a gravel drive, parking lot and turf area for a radio controlled airplane flying field. The Barnstormers have expressed the desire to renew the Use and License Agreement for another five years plus one additional mutually agreeable five year option of a small area of the Aurora West Forest Preserve.
DISCUSSION: Commissioner Bates asked about a discussion regarding a shed for equipment storage on the property. Exec. Dir. Meyers indicated that she had discussed the potential for a shed to be placed on the property that the Barnstormers would purchase.
| RESULT: ADOPTED BY ROLL CALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Tom Koppie, Commissioner SECONDER: Ron Ford, Commissioner AYES: Mavis Bates, Dale Berman, David Brown, Mark Davoust, Ron Ford, Drew Frasz, Michelle Gumz, Mo Iqbal, 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 ABSENT: Deborah Allan |
Dir. of Operations Goreth presented the license agreement with the Elgin R.C. Flyers Club. This resolution approved a license agreement between the Forest Preserve District of Kane County and the Elgin R. C. Flyers Club, for the use of a small area of the Freeman Kame Forest Preserve. The Elgin R.C. Flyers Club have used and maintained a small area of land, south of Tower Hill Road for a radio controlled airplane flying field for years and beginning prior to the District acquiring the land. The respective responsibilities and rights of each of the parties are set forth along with the terms and conditions of the agreement for an initial 5-year period with one additional 5-year renewal option, for a total of 10 years.
DISCUSSION: President Kious noted that these airfield areas are open to the public and a nice amenity allowed by the Forest Preserve District.
| RESULT: ADOPTED BY ROLL CALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Clifford Surges, 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, 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 ABSENT: Deborah Allan |
VIII. Bid and Proposals
A. FP-R-21-10-2909 Resolution Authorizing a Second, One-Year Fuel Extension CFO Stanish presented the one-year fuel extension contract. The District worked with Kane County and other municipalities on a joint fuel bid, in 2019, which allows the District to call for fuel to be delivered on a keep fill basis. The original contract wasfor a one year-period, ending on December 1, 2020, with an option to extend for two additional one-year periods. The lowest responsive bidder is Blue Petroleum of Mundelein, Illinois. The price for Blue Petroleum has a mark-up of $0.130 per gallon for unleaded gasoline, and a mark-up of $.150 per gallon forthe B5 biodiesel. This option was in the best interest of the District based on actual usage for fiscal year 2019/20.
DISCUSSION: Commissioner Bates asked if the District plans to purchase electric vehicles. Exec. Dir. Meyers responded, that may be a possibility for the future. Commissioner Frasz noted that this contract and pricing is piggybacked with Kane County Transportation Division and the fuel is biodiesel.
| RESULT: ADOPTED BY ROLL CALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Mark Davoust, 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, Tom Koppie, Bill Lenert, Anita Lewis, John Martin, Myrna Molina, Jarett Sanchez, Kenneth C. Shepro, Monica Silva, Cherryl Strathmann, Vern Tepe, Barbara Wojnicki, Todd Wallace ABSENT: Deborah Allan, Clifford Surges |
NRM Dir. Haberthur presented the following bid, noting an amendment to the title to follow the memo attached in the agenda packet. The Bowes Creek Greenway Forest Preserve is approximately 32 acres situated south of Bowes Road, within the Bowes Creek Country Club Subdivision. The property is subject to mitigation standards enforced by the Army Corps of Engineers that regulate the acceptable coverage of invasive species on site as well as the quality of the recreated community. The lowest qualified bidder for the 3-years of tree and brush clearing and terrestrial management at the Bowes Creek Greenway Forest Preserve is Cardno, Inc., of Monee, Illinois, in the amount of $85,855. Of that total, $21,775 is due in the first year, $30,590 in the second year, and $33,490 in the final year of the contract.
DISCUSSION: Commissioner Tepe asked about the financial impact of the project. Exec. Dir. Meyers indicated that this area is paid by the residents through the HOA fees.
| 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, Tom Koppie, Bill Lenert, Anita Lewis, John Martin, Myrna Molina, Jarett Sanchez, Kenneth C. Shepro, Monica Silva, Cherryl Strathmann, Vern Tepe, Barbara Wojnicki, Todd Wallace ABSENT: Deborah Allan, Clifford Surges |
NRM Dir. Haberthur presented the following bid. (Commissioner Surges returned at 9:17 a.m.) Woody invasive species, such as common buckthorn and bush honeysuckle, are one of the primary threats to biodiversity in Kane County’s forests. Mechanical removal of these invasive species, combined with chemical follow-up, will help to restore the woods to a healthier condition. Bids were sought from qualified firms for tree and brush removal across 7 project areas with 6 project areas being selected for award. The qualified lowest bids for thinning of trees and cutting of brush by Central Tree & Landscape Mulch, LLC, of Hoffman Estates, Illinois, for a total contract cost of $55,450 for Project 1 at Freeman Kame Forest Preserve; Encap, Inc., of DeKalb, Illinois, for a total contract cost of $304,795 for Projects 2, 4, 5, & 7 at Burnidge and Fabyan Forest Preserves; and Pizzo & Associates, LTD., of Leland, Illinois, for a total contract cost of $43,115 for Project 6 at Fabyan Forest Preserve, in the total amount of $403,360.
DISCUSSION: None.
| RESULT: ADOPTED BY ROLL CALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Drew Frasz, 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, 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 ABSENT: Deborah Allan |
NRM Dir. Haberthur presented the following bid, noting a release to 25 vendors with 2 responses. These were the best qualified. Haberthur also noted a $10,000 grant was awarded to assist in the seed purchase. Native plants are the basis of all native ecosystems and therefore are the basis of our work in the Natural Resource Management department. Bids have been solicited and received
for the purchase of native seed, and the lowest qualified bids were received from a joint bid by Shooting Star Native Seeds of Spring Grove, Minnesota, and Prairie Moon Nursery of Winona, Minnesota for Options 1, 3 and 4 for a total amount of $186,250 for the conversion of agricultural lands, prairie restoration, woodland restoration, and habitat creation.
DISCUSSION: Brief conversation regarding the kinds of seed purchased.
| RESULT: ADOPTED BY ROLL CALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Anita Lewis, 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, 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 ABSENT: Deborah Allan |
A. FP-R-21-10-2913 Resolution Approving an Easement Agreement with the Village of South Elgin for Kenyon Farms Subdivision Connection to the Illinois
Prairie Path
Chief of Planning Anderson Jr., presented the easement agreement with the Village of South Elgin. The Village requested an Easement Agreement with the District to construct and maintain two trail connections from Kenyon Farms subdivision north of Middle Street and east of the Illinois Prairie Path, Elgin Branch.
DISCUSSION: None.
| RESULT: ADOPTED BY ROLL CALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Kenneth C. Shepro, Commissioner SECONDER: Mark Davoust, Commissioner AYES: Mavis Bates, Dale Berman, David Brown, Mark Davoust, Ron Ford, Drew Frasz, Michelle Gumz, Mo Iqbal, 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 ABSTAIN: Michael Kenyon ABSENT: Deborah Allan |
A. FP-R-21-10-2914 Resolution Approving the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Estimated Budget for the Purpose of Establishing the 2021 Tax Levy
CFO Stanish presented the following estimated budget for Fiscal year 22/23 the actual budget will be constructed in December and will be presented in May 2022 for the June 30, 2022 deadline. This budget reflects the approval for both CPI and New Construction increases.
DISCUSSION: None.
| RESULT: ADOPTED BY ROLL CALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Dale Berman, Commissioner SECONDER: Bill Lenert, Commissioner AYES: Mavis Bates, Dale Berman, David Brown, Mark Davoust, Ron Ford, Drew Frasz, Michelle Gumz, Mo Iqbal, 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 ABSENT: Deborah Allan |
Exec. Dir. Meyers presented the 2022 Holiday calendar for approval. Meyers noted that every year staff approves the Holiday calendar and then work on the Committee schedule approval for the December Full Commission meeting. Per the direction of the Executive Committee, the Juneteenth Holiday June 19, was included in the list.
DISCUSSION: Commissioner Shepro commented that he believed Federal Holidays are a requirement, Attorney Hodge agreed.
| RESULT: ADOPTED BY ROLL CALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Dale Berman, Commissioner SECONDER: Ron Ford, Commissioner AYES: Mavis Bates, Dale Berman, David Brown, Mark Davoust, Ron Ford, Drew Frasz, Michelle Gumz, Mo Iqbal, 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 ABSENT: Deborah Allan |
XII. Communications
None.
XIII. President's Comments
President Kious commented that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. He noted that everyone has a story to tell and it is important to talk about it and be sympathetic to one another. Kious encouraged the Board and public to read the reports in the agenda packet, all the information in these reports provide updates on current events and projects. Commissioner Surges reported on an event he participated in recently, the Elgin Breakfast Rotary Club partnered with the Forest Preserve in planting 100 trees. Volunteers added mulch and watered the trees. Surges expressed his gratitude and appreciation for all the volunteers and staff noting it was a great way to give back to the community.
XIV. Department Reports for September 2021
Commissioner Shepro requested the written reports be placed on file by unanimous consent.
| RESULT: PLACE WRITTEN REPORTS ON FILE BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT
AYES: Mavis Bates, Dale Berman, David Brown, Mark Davoust, Ron Ford, Drew Frasz, Michelle Gumz, Mo Iqbal, 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 Absent: Deborah Allan |
The meeting adjourned at 9:39 a.m.
| RESULT: ADJOURNED BY VOICE VOTE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Michael Kenyon, 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, 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 ABSENT: Deborah Allan |
Alerts Sign-up