Will County Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners met Feb. 13.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
A. CALL TO ORDER
Meeting was called to order at 9:33 AM by President Harris.
B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner Berkowicz led the Pledge of Allegiance.
C. INVOCATION
President Harris introduced Commissioner Brooks, Pastor of St. John's Missionary Baptist Church in Joliet, to deliver the invocation.
D. INTRODUCTION OF THE NEWS MEDIA
Representing the news media were: Alex Ortiz, Joliet Herald News and Alice Fabbre, Daily Herald.
E. ROLL CALL
| Attendee Name | Title | Status | Arrived |
| Judy Ogalla | District 1 (R - Monee) | Absent | |
| Kenneth E. Harris | President | Present | |
| Donald Gould | District 6 (R - Shorewood) | Present | |
| Steve Balich | District 7 (R - Homer Glen) | Present | |
| Herbert Brooks Jr. | District 8 (D - Joliet) | Present | |
| Mark Ferry | District 13 (D - Plainfield) | Present | |
| Mike Fricilone | District 7 (R - Homer Glen) | Present | |
| Jim Moustis | District 2 (R - Frankfort) | Present | |
| Beth Rice | District 3 (D - Bolingbrook) | Present | |
| Jacqueline Traynere | District 4 (D - Bolingbrook) | Late | |
| Tom Weigel | District 12 (R - New Lenox) | Present | |
| Denise E. Winfrey | Speaker, District 8 (D - Joliet) | Present | |
| Annette Parker | District 9 (R - Crest Hill) | Present | |
| Gretchen Fritz | District 5 (R - Plainfield) | Present | |
| Ray Tuminello | District 12 (R - New Lenox) | Absent |
| Gloria Dollinger | District 10 (R - Joliet) | Present | |
| Tim Kraulidis | District 13 (R -Joliet) | Present | |
| Tyler Marcum | Treasurer | Present | |
| Amanda Koch | Vice President | Present | |
| Meta Mueller | District 5 (D - Aurora) | Present | |
| Joe VanDuyne | District 6 (D - Wilmington) | Present | |
| Rachel Ventura | District 9 (D - Joliet) | Present | |
| Julie Berkowicz | District 11 (R - Naperville) | Present | |
| Mimi Cowan | Secretary | Absent | |
| Margaret Tyson | District 3 (D - Bolingbrook) | Present | |
| Sherry Newquist | District 1 (D - Steger) | Present |
Presentation of Certificate of Mailing and Certificate of Publication was put on file.
G. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Minutes of January 9, 2020
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Steve Balich, District 7 (R - Homer Glen)
SECONDER: Amanda Koch, Vice President
AYES: Harris, Gould, Balich, Brooks Jr., Ferry, Fricilone, Moustis, Rice, Traynere, Weigel, Winfrey, Parker, Fritz, Dollinger, Kraulidis, Marcum, Koch, Mueller, VanDuyne, Ventura, Berkowicz, Tyson, Newquist
ABSENT: Ogalla, Tuminello, Cowan
H. TREASURER'S REPORT
1. Monthly Financial Statements - January
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Annette Parker, District 9 (R - Crest Hill)
SECONDER: Jacqueline Traynere, District 4 (D - Bolingbrook)
AYES: Harris, Gould, Balich, Brooks Jr., Ferry, Fricilone, Moustis, Rice, Traynere, Weigel, Winfrey, Parker, Fritz, Dollinger, Kraulidis, Marcum, Koch, Mueller, VanDuyne, Ventura, Berkowicz, Tyson, Newquist
ABSENT: Ogalla, Tuminello, Cowan
I. PETITIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
President Harris entertained petitions from the public. There were none.
J. FINANCE COMMITTEE - BROOKS
K. SCHEDULE OF BILLS
1. Schedule of Bills - January 2020
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Herbert Brooks Jr., District 8 (D - Joliet)
SECONDER: Meta Mueller, District 5 (D - Aurora)
AYES: Harris, Gould, Balich, Brooks Jr., Ferry, Fricilone, Moustis, Rice, Traynere, Weigel, Winfrey, Parker, Fritz, Dollinger, Kraulidis, Marcum, Koch, Mueller, VanDuyne, Ventura, Berkowicz, Tyson, Newquist
ABSENT: Ogalla, Tuminello, Cowan
L. BUSINESS - NONE
M. REPORTS
1. General Obligation Limited Tax Bonds, Series 2019
2. Quarterly Investment Report
3. Annual Grant Report
4. 4th Quarter Quote Report
5. Annual Forest Preserve District of Will County Small Business Enterprise Initiative Report
6. GFOA Certificate of Achievement Award
7. Next Meeting Date - Thursday, March 12, 2020 immediately following the Operations Committee but no earlier than 8:45 AM at the Will County Office Building, 302 N. Chicago Street, Joliet, IL
N. OPERATIONS COMMITTEE - VANDUYNE
O. BUSINESS
1. Award of Contract in the Amount of $181,854.00 to Cardno Inc. for 2020 Ecological Management at Braidwood Sands Area Preserves.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Joe VanDuyne, District 6 (D - Wilmington)
SECONDER: Rachel Ventura, District 9 (D - Joliet)
AYES: Harris, Gould, Balich, Brooks Jr., Ferry, Fricilone, Moustis, Rice, Traynere, Weigel, Winfrey, Parker, Fritz, Dollinger, Kraulidis, Marcum, Koch, Mueller, VanDuyne, Ventura, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tyson, Newquist
ABSENT: Ogalla, Tuminello
2. Award of Contract in the Amount of $160,621.00 to Natural Resource Management, Inc. for Ecological Management at Hadley Valley and Messenger Woods Nature Preserve.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Joe VanDuyne, District 6 (D - Wilmington)
SECONDER: Denise E. Winfrey, Speaker, District 8 (D - Joliet)
AYES: Harris, Gould, Balich, Brooks Jr., Ferry, Fricilone, Moustis, Rice, Traynere, Weigel, Winfrey, Parker, Fritz, Dollinger, Kraulidis, Marcum, Koch, Mueller, VanDuyne, Ventura, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tyson, Newquist
ABSENT: Ogalla, Tuminello
3. Award of Contract in the Amount of $118,523.00 to Cardno, Inc for Ecological Management 2020 - Des Plaines River Valley and Rock Run Preserves.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Joe VanDuyne, District 6 (D - Wilmington)
SECONDER: Margaret Tyson, District 3 (D - Bolingbrook)
AYES: Harris, Gould, Balich, Brooks Jr., Ferry, Fricilone, Moustis, Rice, Traynere, Weigel, Winfrey, Parker, Fritz, Dollinger, Kraulidis, Marcum, Koch, Mueller, VanDuyne, Ventura, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tyson, Newquist
ABSENT: Ogalla, Tuminello
4. Award of Contract in the Amount of $113,533.06 to Davey Resource Group Inc. for Ecological Management at Goodenow Grove and Raccoon Grove Nature Preserves.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Joe VanDuyne, District 6 (D - Wilmington)
SECONDER: Jim Moustis, District 2 (R - Frankfort)
AYES: Harris, Gould, Balich, Brooks Jr., Ferry, Fricilone, Moustis, Rice, Traynere, Weigel, Winfrey, Parker, Fritz, Dollinger, Kraulidis, Marcum, Koch, Mueller, VanDuyne, Ventura, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tyson, Newquist
ABSENT: Ogalla, Tuminello
5. Award of Contract in the Amount of $66,728.00 to Cardno, Inc for Invasive Species Control 2020 - McKinley Woods and Hickory Creek Area Preserves.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Joe VanDuyne, District 6 (D - Wilmington)
SECONDER: Annette Parker, District 9 (R - Crest Hill)
AYES: Harris, Gould, Balich, Brooks Jr., Ferry, Fricilone, Moustis, Rice, Traynere, Weigel, Winfrey, Parker, Fritz, Dollinger, Kraulidis, Marcum, Koch, Mueller, VanDuyne, Ventura, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tyson, Newquist
ABSENT: Ogalla, Tuminello
P. REPORTS
1. Capital Projects - Quarterly Status Report (October 1 – December 31, 2019)
2. Annual Vandalism Report
3. Annual ADA Transition Plan Report
4. Annual Ordinance Violation Report - 2019
5. 2019 Permit Summary
6. 2020 Bid and RFP Report
7. Next Meeting Date - Thursday, March 12, 2020 at 8:30 AM at the Will County Office Building, 302 N. Chicago Street, Joliet, IL
Q. AD HOC COMMITTEE - RICE
R. BUSINESS - NONE
S. REPORTS
1. Next Meeting Date - To be determined
T. EXECUTIVE SESSION
No closed session occurred on February 13, 2020.
U. COMMENTS BY PUBLIC
No comments were received.
V. COMMENTS BY CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Chief Financial Officer Pehle recognized the Forest Preserve's Finance Department for receiving The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 24th consecutive year.
W. APPOINTMENTS/COMMENTS BY PRESIDENT
X. PRESENTATION OF AWARDS
1. Partner Award
Chief Operating Officer Schultz introduced the 2019 Forest Preserve Partner Award to Lewis University. Accepting the award for Lewis University were Laura Wilmarth Tyna and John Lerczak. Ms. Wilmarth Tyna spoke about the experiences where students can engage in programs with the Forest Preserve that offer students a well rounded experience in their fields. Ms. Wilmarth Tyna thanked the Forest Preserve for their partnership and looks forward to a continued collaboration.
2. The Nature Foundation of Will County
Chairwomen Jamie Donovan of the Nature Foundation of Will Country presented the Forest Preserve District of Will County a check for $9,500.
The Foundation's first donation of 2020 will be used for the following projects:
• $2,500 - The Illinois and Michigan Canal map table exhibit at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Channahon.
• $2,000 - The “Nature Takes Flight” juried art show and awards at Plum Creek Nature Center in Crete Township.
• $1,500 - Education programs supplies
• $3,500 - Two bicycle repair stations along regional trails. The stations will be located along the Centennial/Veterans Memorial Trail at Schneider’s Passage in Romeoville, and DuPage River Trail at Whalon Lake in Naperville.
Other Foundation Board members who were also present; Cindy Harn, Commissioner Rachel Ventura, Commissioner Meta Mueller, and Commissioner Gould. Chief Operating Officer Ralph Schultz and Board President Kenneth Harris accepted the check on behalf of the Forest Preserve.
Chairwomen Donovan encouraged the Board members to attend the "Bringing Nature Home" Native Plant Pre-sale Event on Friday, May 15, at the Sugar Creek Administration Center in Joliet.
Y. ADJOURNMENT
1. Meeting was adjourned at 9:59 AM
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Jacqueline Traynere, District 4 (D - Bolingbrook)
SECONDER: Meta Mueller, District 5 (D - Aurora)
AYES: Harris, Gould, Balich, Brooks Jr., Ferry, Fricilone, Moustis, Rice, Traynere, Weigel, Winfrey, Parker, Fritz, Dollinger, Kraulidis, Marcum, Koch, Mueller, VanDuyne, Ventura, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tyson, Newquist
ABSENT: Ogalla, Tuminello
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