Kane County Forest Preserve, Planning and Utilization Committee met May 26.
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 Chair Barbara Wojnicki at 9:30 AM. Remote=*
Members Present:
Attendee Name: Status:
Chair Barbara Wojnicki Present
President Chris Kious Present
Commissioner David Brown Present
Commissioner Michael Kenyon Present
Commissioner Bill Lenert Present
Commissioner Mavis Bates Present*
Commissioner Myrna Molina Present*
Commissioner Jarett Sanchez Present*
Commissioner Cherryl Strathmann Absent
Others Present:
Exec. Dir. Meyers; CFO Stanish & staff Petschke; NRM staff Chess & Rodeghero; Dir. of Comm. Affairs Metanchuk & staff Kovach; Dir. of Ops. Goreth; Landscape Architect Tegge; HR Dir. Yee; Dir. of Public Safety & Police Chief Burger; Attorney Hodge and Recording Secretary Figliozzi
II. Approval of Minutes from April 28, 2022
| RESULT: APPROVED BY ROLL CALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: David Brown, Commissioner SECONDER: Bill Lenert, Commissioner AYES: Mavis Bates, David Brown, Michael Kenyon, Bill Lenert, Myrna Molina, Jarett Sanchez, Barbara Wojnicki ABSENT: Cherryl Strathmann |
None.
IV. Bids and Proposals
A. Presentation and Approval of Change Order #1 with V3 Construction Group, LTD for Additional Engineering Services Associated with the Water-Control Structure as Part of the Nelson Lake Marsh Revitalization Project
NRM Naturalist Pat Chess presented the change order for the Nelson Lake Marsh project and provided background information. In an effort to address the problem of water control at Nelson Lake Marsh, the District hired WBK Engineering of St. Charles, in fall of 2019, to design, engineer and permit a water-control structure project at the mouth of Lake Run. In February of 2022, the District hired V3 Construction Group, LTD to complete the project. The project includes installation of a temporary cofferdam and site de-watering, water-control structure installation, site restoration and seeding (wet mesic prairie). This change order is focused on the water-control structure itself. A small amount of engineering work is needed to ensure the brackets that hold the stop-log structures onto the concrete, double-box culvert fit properly for water restriction. The total amount requested in the change order from V3 Construction Group, LTD is $2,639. Despite the relatively low amount of this change order, no contingency was anticipated or requested for this project at the time of original award. Therefore, the request is coming before the Commission for approval.
DISCUSSION: Commissioner Brown asked if there would be any kind of return in decrease of material. NRM naturalist Chess responded, unfortunately no, there would be no change in cost.
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD BY ROLLCALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 6/9/2022 8:30 AM
TO: Forest Preserve District Executive Committee MOVER: David Brown, Commissioner SECONDER: Bill Lenert, Commissioner AYES: Mavis Bates, David Brown, Michael Kenyon, Bill Lenert, Myrna Molina, Jarett Sanchez, Barbara Wojnicki ABSENT: Cherryl Strathmann |
Dir. of Ops. Goreth presented the bid for the resurfacing project. Each year, the District resurfaces a portion of the linear trail system, as part of the District’s preventative maintenance program. The trail resurfacing alternates between North Operations and South Operations. Funds were approved for resurfacing approximately one mile of the Fox River Trail in Elgin Township. As part of this project, the new trail will connect to the new asphalt that was installed for the Raymond Street tunnel. These funds will cover recycling the asphalt in place, paving and site restoration. Additional funds were included to cover the mandatory costs associated with paving within 25 feet of an active Metra railroad crossing, including such items as engineering, insurance, permits and Metra-provided flaggers. One option and one allowance was offered as part of this project. Option 1 was an additional 10,400 square feet of paving to be completed, following the same specifications, and one allowance which was offered for over-dig excavation for unsuitable soils. The bid was publicly advertised and sent to 61 vendors, with four responding. Schroeder Asphalt of Huntley, Illinois, was the qualified, lowest bidder with a base bid total of $112,100. The allowance amount of $2,000 for over-dig excavation for unsuitable soils was also accepted for this project, for a grand total of $114,100. DISCUSSION: Commissioner Kenyon asked if the trail asphalt would be ground in place. Dir. of Ops. Goreth responded, yes the asphalt would be recycled in place, noting this has worked really well in the past. President Kious asked if these trails are the only ones being paved for this summer, 2022. Goreth responded yes, each year the trails are budgeted alternating locations each year.
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD BY ROLLCALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 6/9/2022 8:30 AM
TO: Forest Preserve District Executive Committee MOVER: Bill Lenert, Commissioner SECONDER: David Brown, Commissioner AYES: Mavis Bates, David Brown, Michael Kenyon, Bill Lenert, Myrna Molina, Jarett Sanchez, Barbara Wojnicki ABSENT: Cherryl Strathmann |
Dir. of Ops. Goreth presented the resurfacing bid for Rutland and Blackberry Maples Forest Preserves. The Commission approved $50,000 in the FY 2021/22 Budget to conduct asphalt repairs, crack filling and chip and seal at the Rutland and Blackberry Maples Forest Preserves. Staff consulted with the Kane County Division of Transportation (KDOT) in 2020, to look for ways to prolong the life expectancy of the roadways and parking lots throughout District preserves. Through discussions with KDOT, staff has determined that it would be beneficial to try a chip-and-seal process on a limited number of paved areas, as a trial. The project will consist of asphalt repairs, crack filling, chipping and sealing. In 2021, this process was completed at both Burnidge Forest Preserve in Elgin and LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve in St. Charles, with positive results. The bid was publicly advertised and sent to 48 vendors with one responding. AC Pavement Striping Co. of Elgin, Illinois, was the sole bidder, with a total bid amount of $54,599.60. The bid exceeded the budgeted amount for this project by $4,599.60. Staff reevaluated the project for the Rutland Forest Preserve, and determined that the crack filling of the one-way road could be removed from the bid, which would keep this project within budget. This determination was made based on the amount and severity of the traverse cracking, and the limited amount of vehicular traffic on this section of roadway. Staff also determined that the crack filling could be completed in-house, with minimal expense and staff time. Additionally, the one-way roadway at Rutland is closed through the winter months.
DISCUSSION: Brief conversation occurred.
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD BY ROLLCALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 6/9/2022 8:30 AM
TO: Forest Preserve District Executive Committee MOVER: Bill Lenert, Commissioner SECONDER: Michael Kenyon, Commissioner AYES: Mavis Bates, David Brown, Michael Kenyon, Bill Lenert, Myrna Molina, Jarett Sanchez, Barbara Wojnicki ABSENT: Cherryl Strathmann |
A. Presentation and Approval of a Multi-Purpose Trail Conversion at Rutland Forest Preserve Dir. of Ops. Goreth presented the trail conversion at the Rutland Forest Preserve, noting the current issues of the patron parking and continued maintenance. Staff is looking for permission to close this one way road to reduce maintenance in the future and create a safer patron environment. The Preserve consists of 295 acres, with rolling slopes, marshy depressions, a diverse wildflower population as well as a heron rookery. The majority of these high-quality natural features are located within the southwest portion of the preserve, as well as a one-way road section. Staff would like eliminate the vehicle access to this portion of the preserve to protect the existing habitat as well as make it more accessibly-safe to preserve patrons that walk this narrow section of roadway. Staff proposes converting the one-way section of road into a multi-purpose trail. Rutland Forest Preserve currently has a limited amount of trails due to its hilly and wet terrain. Since the roadway is paved, it would make a beneficial addition as a multi-purpose trail, especially for patrons with mobility challenges. Additionally, conversion to a trail would provide a safer way to enjoy the natural beauty of this forest preserve site. A multi-purpose trail would also fit in with the recently purchased Harrigan property and future preserve-improvement plans to the west. If approved, staff will update the directional vehicular signage along the roadway and close-off the back one-way road section. Barriers currently being used throughout the District’s trail systems would be used to block the roadway. The back parking lot provides for the necessary turn-around. This change would be noted on the preserve map on site in the kiosk, on the District’s website and social media outlets.
DISCUSSION: None.
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD BY ROLLCALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 6/9/2022 8:30 AM
TO: Forest Preserve District Executive Committee MOVER: Bill Lenert, Commissioner SECONDER: Michael Kenyon, Commissioner AYES: Mavis Bates, David Brown, Michael Kenyon, Bill Lenert, Myrna Molina, Jarett Sanchez, Barbara Wojnicki ABSENT: Cherryl Strathmann |
Landscape Architect Tegge presented the request to submit a grant application for the Mill Creek Greenway Forest Preserve project. The Preserve is a 269-acre preserve in Elburn that serves as the District’s Natural Resources Management department office and cold-storage facility. The first acquisition to begin creating Mill Creek Greenway Forest Preserve occurred in 2008, just north of the intersection of Keslinger Road and Brundige Road. The preserve expanded to the north in 2012, and ultimately all the way to Lincoln Highway (Route 38) in 2017, with assistance through an IDNR Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant (LWCF). That grant was for the 62.5 acres immediately adjacent to, but not including, the Natural Resources department’s new office buildings, or the barn and silo structures to the east. These 62.5 acres are now the subject of the proposed OSLAD application. The project includes new roadway and parking areas, agriculture-to-prairie natural area conversions, shelter, restroom, trail improvements and a mowed archery range. The Commission prioritized the Mill Creek Greenway Forest Preserve Development Project for inclusion in the District’s Master Plan (2022 Update) and budgeted $50,000 for design and engineering services in the 2022/23 Fiscal Year Budget. Staff is requesting permission to apply for the IDNR OSLAD Grant to assist with funding the project. The grant will reimburse the District 50% of the construction costs up to a $400,000 match. Phase I engineering is budgeted this fiscal year, concluding the cost estimate for the project. Staff is recommending a maximum project amount of $800,000 at this time to maximize the grant, and until the cost estimate is complete. Public input will be sought, and a final, conceptual design would be brought back to the Committee for approval.
DISCUSSION: Exec. Dir. Meyers indicated the archery range benefits the District with the Deer management program. Each year staff sets up a temporary range to fulfill the requirements for certification. This amenity would benefit both public and staff. Meyers stated the 2022 OSLAD budget was set to a record $52M, double of what it was last year. The public recreation requirement, the archery range, would give a higher score in the project for the grant. Commissioner Kenyon asked about the timeframe for construction. Meyers responded that the grant application deadline is July 2022. The award announcements can take from 6 months to a year. Once approved, the agreements are typically two years. President Kious asked about any added maintenance. LA Tegge responded there would be mowing from time to time. Commissioner Bates stated the idea of implementing the archery range was brilliant and good planning for the deer management program. Brief conversation continued.
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD BY ROLLCALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 6/9/2022 8:30 AM
TO: Forest Preserve District Executive Committee MOVER: Mavis Bates, Commissioner SECONDER: Michael Kenyon, Commissioner AYES: Mavis Bates, David Brown, Michael Kenyon, Bill Lenert, Myrna Molina, Jarett Sanchez, Barbara Wojnicki ABSENT: Cherryl Strathmann |
Exec. Dir. Meyers presented the memorial plaque request. The Friends of Fabyan are requesting permission to install a bronze, memorial plaque at Fabyan Forest Preserve in memory of Mrs. Darlene Larson. Mrs. Larson was the founder and past president of Friends of Fabyan, from 1979 to 2018. She, and Friends of Fabyan, played an integral part in acknowledging the historical significance and interpretation of Fabyan Forest Preserve, by coordinating restoration projects and donating funds for the preservation of Fabyan Estate artifacts, structures and the Japanese Garden within the preserve. The plaque would be placed near the Japanese Tea Garden and mounted to a plaque stand. There will be a memorial and dedication event on June 5, 2022, from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. at the Tea House at Fabyan Forest Preserve. As has been past practice, Friends of Fabyan will provide the plaque and the District will install the plaque in-house.
DISCUSSION: None.
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD BY ROLLCALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 6/9/2022 8:30 AM
TO: Forest Preserve District Executive Committee MOVER: David Brown, Commissioner SECONDER: Bill Lenert, Commissioner AYES: Mavis Bates, David Brown, Michael Kenyon, Bill Lenert, Myrna Molina, Jarett Sanchez, Barbara Wojnicki ABSENT: Cherryl Strathmann |
None.
VII. Communications
Commissioner Bates commented on a recent social media post requesting an off road motorcycle club wishing to be allowed in the Forest Preserve District of Kane County. Bates strongly opposed this idea and shared with the rest of the committee and staff.
VIII. Chairman's Comments
None.
IX. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 10:01 am
| RESULT: ADJOURNED BY VOICE VOTE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Michael Kenyon, Commissioner SECONDER: Bill Lenert, Commissioner AYES: Mavis Bates, David Brown, Michael Kenyon, Chris Kious, Bill Lenert, Myrna Molina, Jarett Sanchez, Barbara Wojnicki ABSENT: Cherryl Strathmann |
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