Kane County Forest Preserve, Executive Committee met Sept. 8.
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:
Attendee Name: Status:
President Chris Kious Present
Commissioner Mavis Bates Present*(arrived via remote @ 9:23 AM)
Commissioner Dale Berman Present
Commissioner Drew Frasz Present*
Commissioner Michael Kenyon Present
Commissioner John Martin Present
Commissioner Barbara Wojnicki Present
Commissioner Myrna Molina Present*
Commissioner Jarett Sanchez Absent
Others Present:
Commissioners: Allan*, Davoust; Exec. Dir. Meyers; Finance staff Petschke; Chief of Planning & Land Management Rooks-Lopez & staff Rodeghero; Dir. of Ops. Pentecost; HR Dir. Sarro & staff Misner; NRM staff Chess; Attorney Hodge; KC Senior Planner Miller; Exec. Assist. Figliozzi and members of the public including Kim Haag, steward of Johnson's Mound Forest Preserve.
II. Approval of Minutes from August 4, 2022
RESULT: APPROVED BY ROLL CALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Barbara Wojnicki, Commissioner
SECONDER: Dale Berman, Commissioner
AYES: Dale Berman, Michael Kenyon, Drew Frasz, John Martin, Myrna Molina, Barbara Wojnicki
ABSENT: Mavis Bates, Jarett Sanchez
III. Public Comment (Each Speaker is limited to three minutes)
Kimberly Haag, Elburn resident and Johnson’s Mound Forest Preserve Steward, spoke on a non-agenda item. She spoke about the Forest Preserve District’s quarterly newsletter, Tree Line and suggested to include information about volunteer work and programs in the next cycle.
IV. Presentation and Approval of Bills and Commissioners' Per Diem from August 2022
RESULT: MOVED FORWARD BY ROLLCALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 9/13/2022 9:00 AM
TO: Forest Preserve District Commission
MOVER: Dale Berman, Commissioner
SECONDER: John Martin, Commissioner
AYES: Dale Berman, Michael Kenyon, Drew Frasz, John Martin, Myrna Molina, Barbara Wojnicki
ABSENT: Mavis Bates, Jarett Sanchez
V. Land Acquisition
A. Presentation and Approval of a Grant of Easement Agreement with the Village of North Aurora for the Tanner/Remington Outfall Conveyance System at Dick Young and Lake Run Forest Preserves
Chief of Planning Rooks-Lopez presented the grant of easement with the Village of North Aurora. The Village of North Aurora has been working with WBK Engineering and the Forest Preserve District of Kane County to develop permanent, non-exclusive and temporary easements to upgrade and replace the existing storm water conveyance system that will service both Tanner Trails and Remington Landing subdivisions. The existing storm water conveyance system draining Tanner Trails and Remington Landing subdivisions into the Lake Run Ditch has experienced issues with pipe blowouts, sinkholes and siltation of the existing pipes. Failure of the system is a major contributor to flooding experienced in the Tanner Trails subdivision and a section of Dick Young Forest Preserve that is currently under an agricultural lease. Surveys of the existing storm sewer uncovered deformed and back pitched sections believed to be the result of improper installation. The existing storm water conveyance system is on property owned by the Forest Preserve District and parcels owned by Reckinger, Coffey and Old Second National Bank, but no known easement documents covering the storm water conveyance system have been discovered. The Village of North Aurora is seeking 4.169 acres of permanent non-exclusive easement and 0.845 acres of temporary easement along the southwestern edge of Dick Young Forest Preserve, beginning at the northwest edge of the Tanners Trails subdivision, continuing west and terminating at the Lake Run Ditch. The project will upgrade and replace the failing existing storm sewer, and incorporate these improvements into permanent easements granted to the Village of North Aurora. The Village is responsible for the cost and coordination of the improvements, including the restoration of the site. Additionally, the Village is responsible for all future maintenance of the improvements.
DISCUSSION: Commissioner Berman commented on the importance of the grant of easement for the Village of North Aurora to prevent flooding in the future. Commissioner Allan expressed her gratitude for staff, working to correct the drainage noting how Dick Young was famous for finding creative ways to protect the land.
RESULT: MOVED FORWARD BY ROLLCALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 9/13/2022 9:00 AM
TO: Forest Preserve District Commission
MOVER: Dale Berman, Commissioner
SECONDER: Barbara Wojnicki, Commissioner
AYES: Dale Berman, Michael Kenyon, Drew Frasz, John Martin, Myrna Molina, Barbara Wojnicki
ABSENT: Mavis Bates, Jarett Sanchez
VI. Planning & Utilization
A. Presentation and Approval of Support and Participation in the Fabulous Fox! Water Trail Kane County Senior Planner Karen Miller provided a PowerPoint presentation regarding the Fabulous Fox! Water Trail project. Miller discussed background information of the project and how the Forest Preserve District plays a role by proving access and signage to entry points on various preserves to the Fox River.
DISCUSSION: Commissioner Kenyon asked how long the project has been in production. Senior Planner Miller responded that the project has been going on for 5 years. Brief conservation continued.
RESULT: MOVED FORWARD BY ROLLCALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 9/13/2022 9:00 AM
TO: Forest Preserve District Commission
MOVER: Drew Frasz, Commissioner
SECONDER: Michael Kenyon, Commissioner
AYES: Dale Berman, Michael Kenyon, Drew Frasz, John Martin, Myrna Molina, Barbara Wojnicki
ABSENT: Mavis Bates, Jarett Sanchez
VII. New or Unfinished Business
A. Presentation and Approval of the Business Associate Agreement with the Intergovernmental Personnel Benefit Cooperative (IPBC)
Exec. Dir. Meyers presented the IPBC agreement. The District receives its health benefits through the IPBC. In accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), both the District and the IPBC are required to securely manage plan participants private information. The Business Associates Agreement establishes the relationship and HIPAA obligations between the District and the IPBC in the management of plan participants benefits and data. The term of this agreement coincides with the District’s membership with IPBC and may be amended from time to time to ensure compliance with the requirements of the HIPAA Regulations and any other applicable law.
DISCUSSION: None.
RESULT: APPROVED BY ROLL CALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS]
TO: Forest Preserve District Commission
MOVER: Michael Kenyon, Commissioner
SECONDER: Dale Berman, Commissioner
AYES: Dale Berman, Michael Kenyon, Drew Frasz, John Martin, Myrna Molina, Barbara Wojnicki
ABSENT: Mavis Bates, Jarett Sanchez
B. Presentation and Approval of Bids for Control of Common Reed at Various Preserves NRM Manager Pat Chess presented the bids for common reed control. Chess noted that these species are the most prominent and invasive in the wetlands and all along the highways. 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 2022 control projects of multiple, separate infestations of Common Reed, across four different preserves. The bid was sent to 29 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. The qualified, lowest bidder for each option is as follows:
• Project 1: Johnson’s Mound Forest Preserve in Elburn (10.9 acres) - Integrated Lakes Management, Inc., Waukegan, IL in the amount of $3,845;
• Project 2: Fox River Shores Forest Preserve in Carpentersville (3.2 acres) - RES Great Lakes, LLC, of Brodhead, WI in the amount of $4,900;
• Project 3: Aurora West Forest Preserve in Aurora (16 acres) - Integrated Lakes Management, Inc., Waukegan, IL in the amount of $7,168;
• Project 4: Bolcum Road Wetlands in St. Charles (94.5 acres) - RES Great Lakes, LLC, of Brodhead, WI in the amount of $21,900.
Funds totaling $140,000 were budgeted in this fiscal year for weed management. Sufficient funds totaling $140,000 are available in Natural Resources Weed Management for all options of this expense, totaling $37,813.
DISCUSSION: Brief conversation regarding the native versus the invasive common reed species.
RESULT: MOVED FORWARD BY ROLLCALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 9/13/2022 9:00 AM
TO: Forest Preserve District Commission
MOVER: Barbara Wojnicki, Commissioner
SECONDER: Dale Berman, Commissioner
AYES: Dale Berman, Michael Kenyon, Drew Frasz, John Martin, Myrna Molina, Barbara Wojnicki
ABSENT: Mavis Bates, Jarett Sanchez
VIII. Closed Session to Discuss Land Acquisition, License Agreements, Potential Litigation and Personnel
The Committee moved into Executive Closed Session at 8:53 AM to discuss license agreements.
RESULT: APPROVED BY ROLL CALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Michael Kenyon, Commissioner
SECONDER: John Martin, Commissioner
AYES: Dale Berman, Michael Kenyon, Drew Frasz, John Martin, Myrna Molina, Barbara Wojnicki
ABSENT: Mavis Bates, Jarett Sanchez
The Committee returned to Open Session at 9:22 AM on a motion by Martin, second by Kenyon, roll call vote was taken, unanimous.
IX. Communications
Exec. Dir. Meyers reported a meeting with the IT Department, noting that funds from the Cares Act Committee, will allow the District to move forward with needed upgrades to the audio visual for the board room. These upgrades will provide a better system for remote users and overall sound equipment. (Commissioner Bates arrived via remote at 9:24 AM)
X. President's Comments
President Kious provided pictures of the last Senior Stroll held at the Dick Young Forest Preserve. He noted that an estimated 30 people attended.
XI. Financial Reports
Reports A-C were moved together
A. Revenue & Expense Report Through July 2022
B. Bond Investment Report: July 2022
C. Cash & Investment Report: July 2022
RESULT: PLACE WRITTEN REPORTS ON FILE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Drew Frasz, Commissioner
SECONDER: Michael Kenyon, Commissioner
AYES: Mavis Bates, Dale Berman, Michael Kenyon, Drew Frasz, John Martin, Myrna Molina, Barbara Wojnicki
ABSENT: Jarett Sanchez
XII. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 9:27 AM.
RESULT: ADJOURNED BY VOICE VOTE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Michael Kenyon, Commissioner
SECONDER: John Martin, Commissioner
AYES: Mavis Bates, Dale Berman, Michael Kenyon, Drew Frasz, John Martin, Myrna Molina, Barbara Wojnicki
ABSENT: Jarett Sanchez
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