Kane County Reporter

Kane County Forest Preserve, Planning and Utilization Committee met Jan. 27.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

I. Call to Order

The Forest Preserve District Planning and Utilization Committee meeting was held at 9:30 AM at the Administration Offices located at 1996 S. Kirk Road, Suite 320, Geneva, IL 60134. The meeting was opened by Chairman Barbara Wojnicki at 9:30 AM. Remote=*

Members Present:

Attendee Name: Status:

President Chris Kious Present

Chairman Barbara Wojnicki Present

Commissioner Bill Lenert Present

Commissioner Michael Kenyon Present

Commissioner Jarett Sanchez Present

Commissioner Myrna Molina Present*

Commissioner Mavis Bates Present*

Commissioner David Brown Present*

Commissioner Cherryl Strathmann Absent

Others Present:

Commissioners: Allan*; Exec. Dir. Meyers; CFO Stanish & staff Petschke*; NRM Dir. Haberthur & staff Rodeghero*; Comm. Affairs Dir. Metanchuk & staff Kovach; Dir. Of Ops. Goreth; Public Safety Dir. and Police Chief Burger; Attorney Hodge; Recording Secretary Figliozzi

II. Approval of Minutes from October 28, 2021

RESULT: APPROVED BY ROLL CALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Michael Kenyon, Commissioner SECONDER: Bill Lenert, Commissioner AYES: Mavis Bates, David Brown, Michael Kenyon, Bill Lenert, Myrna Molina, Jarett Sanchez, Barbara Wojnicki ABSENT: Cherryl Strathmann

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

None.

IV. Bids and Proposals

A. Presentation and Approval of a Bid for Updated Vegetation Inventories at Twelve Locations NRM Dir. Haberthur via remote provided background information of the plant data/inventory report that gets entered into the District’s system. Haberthur noted the bid was advertised to 50 vendors with 6 responding.

Funds were requested and approved for contracted wide scale Floristic Quality Assessments (FQA) across the District’s highest quality natural areas. Hiring contractors to conduct an updated assessment will help us address several issues. The most important of these is determining how the extent of previous management, including controlled burning, cutting brush, weeding, or neglect, has affected floristic quality from the previous assessment. This detail will help inform future management activities and priorities, zeroing in on protecting the highest quality natural areas remaining. Twelve project options were developed for the bid. The bid was publicly advertised and sent to 50 vendors with 6 responding. Funds totaling $53,580 were budgeted in the 2021/22 Fiscal Year for the Vegetation Inventories Update. Sufficient funds totaling $29,455 are available in the Natural Resources Restoration Account for this expense totaling $19,269.66.

DISCUSSION: Chair Wojnicki asked if any clearing of invasive species would be scheduled along the Great Western trail in the western edge. Haberthur responded that the current project does not include this particular area due to the lack of vegetative composition, however it would be beneficial to remove some of the invasive trees. Wojnicki asked if staff could add side mowing on the other side of the street on Brown road to get more visualization for the bikers, visual views and the street. Haberthur responded that staff would assess the area.

RESULT: MOVED FORWARD BY ROLLCALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 2/3/2022 8:30 AM TO: Forest Preserve District Executive Committee MOVER: Jarett Sanchez, Commissioner SECONDER: Mavis Bates, Commissioner AYES: Mavis Bates, David Brown, Michael Kenyon, Bill Lenert, Myrna Molina, Jarett Sanchez, Barbara Wojnicki ABSENT: Cherryl Strathmann

B. Presentation and Approval of a Bid for Construction of a Water-Control Structure within Nelson Lake Marsh at Dick Young Forest Preserve

NRM Dir. Haberthur via remote presented background information of the water control structure project, noting it was part of the 2017 capital improvement referendum item. One of the natural areas in the District’s master plan was the Nelson Lake Marsh Revitalization project. There has been ongoing issues with the drought conditions, staff has been careful with the unique species in this area. The water structure will allow for hydration during times of drought conditions. Haberthur noted that the land was protected by the Nature Conservancy and then dedicated as a State Nature Preserve.

DISCUSSION: Commissioner Bates asked about the location and the foot bridge. Haberthur referenced the map included in the agenda packet noting that the project would not affect the foot bridge.

RESULT: MOVED FORWARD BY ROLLCALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 2/3/2022 8:30 AM TO: Forest Preserve District Executive Committee MOVER: Michael Kenyon, Commissioner SECONDER: Mavis Bates, Commissioner AYES: Mavis Bates, David Brown, Michael Kenyon, Bill Lenert, Myrna Molina, Jarett Sanchez, Barbara Wojnicki ABSENT: Cherryl Strathmann

V. New or Unfinished Business

None.

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

VII. Communications

Exec. Dir. Meyers reported on the auction held for the previous Deer Valley Golf Course club house cabin from August to September 2021. There were 9 bidders, the second highest bidder landed at $2,450.00, the offer was accepted and paid. The individual will be re-locating the cabin as they own a campground in Florida, they are requesting additional time through June 2022 for relocation permitting. Brief conversation occurred.

VIII. Chairman's Comments

None.

IX. Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 9:50 a.m.

RESULT: ADJOURNED BY VOICE VOTE [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Michael Kenyon, Commissioner SECONDER: Bill Lenert, Commissioner AYES: Mavis Bates, David Brown, Michael Kenyon, Bill Lenert, Myrna Molina, Jarett Sanchez, Barbara Wojnicki ABSENT: Cherryl Strathmann

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