Will County Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners Met April 8.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
A. CALL TO ORDER
Meeting was called to order by President VanDuyne at 9:30 AM
B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner Mueller led the Pledge of Allegiance.
C. INVOCATION
President VanDuyne 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 was Nick Reiher, Farmers Weekly Review.
E. ROLL CALL
| Attendee Name | Title | Status | Arrived |
| Judy Ogalla | District 1 (R - Monee) | Remote | |
| Kenneth E. Harris | District 4 (D - Bolingbrook) | Remote | |
| Donald Gould | District 6 (R - Shorewood) | Remote | |
| Steve Balich | District 7 (R - Homer Glen) | Remote | |
| Herbert Brooks Jr. | District 8 (D - Joliet) | Remote | |
| Mike Fricilone | District 7 (R - Homer Glen) | Remote | |
| Jim Moustis | District 2 (R - Frankfort) | Remote | |
| Jacqueline Traynere | District 4 (D - Bolingbrook) | Absent | |
| Tom Weigel | District 12 (R - New Lenox) | Remote | |
| Denise E. Winfrey | District 8 (D - Joliet) | Present | |
| Annette Parker | District 9 (R - Crest Hill) | Remote | |
| Gretchen Fritz | District 5 (R - Plainfield) | Remote | |
| Tyler Marcum | Treasurer | Remote | |
| Amanda Koch | District 2 (D - Frankfort) | Absent | |
| Meta Mueller | District 5 (D - Aurora) | Remote | |
| Joe VanDuyne | President | Present | |
| Rachel Ventura | Vice President | Late | |
| Julie Berkowicz | District 11 (R - Naperville) | Remote | |
| Mimi Cowan | Speaker, District 11 (D - Naperville) | Present | |
| Margaret Tyson | District 3 (D - Bolingbrook) | Remote | |
| Sherry Newquist | District 1 (D - Steger) | Remote | |
| Raquel M. Mitchell | District 3 (R - Bolingbrook) | Remote | |
| Mica Freeman | Secretary | Present | |
| Debbie Kraulidis | District 13 (R - Joliet) | Remote | |
| Natalie Coleman | District 10 (D - Plainfield) | Absent | |
| Frankie Pretzel | District 12 (R - New Lenox) | Present |
G. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Minutes of March 11, 2021
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Mimi Cowan, Speaker, District 11 (D - Naperville) SECONDER: Herbert Brooks Jr., District 8 (D - Joliet) AYES: Ogalla, Harris, Gould, Balich, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Moustis, Weigel, Winfrey, Parker, Fritz, Marcum, Mueller, VanDuyne, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tyson, Newquist, Mitchell, Freeman, Kraulidis, Pretzel ABSENT: Traynere, Koch, Ventura, Coleman |
1. Monthly Financial Statements - March 2021
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Tyler Marcum, Treasurer SECONDER: Meta Mueller, District 5 (D - Aurora) AYES: Ogalla, Harris, Gould, Balich, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Moustis, Weigel, Winfrey, Parker, Fritz, Marcum, Mueller, VanDuyne, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tyson, Newquist, Mitchell, Freeman, Kraulidis, Pretzel ABSENT: Traynere, Koch, Ventura, Coleman |
President VanDuyne entertained comments from the public. There were none. J. FINANCE COMMITTEE - HARRIS
K. SCHEDULE OF BILLS
1. Schedule of Bills - March 2021
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Kenneth E. Harris, District 4 (D - Bolingbrook) SECONDER: Sherry Newquist, District 1 (D - Steger) AYES: Ogalla, Harris, Gould, Balich, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Moustis, Weigel, Winfrey, Parker, Fritz, Marcum, Mueller, VanDuyne, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tyson, Newquist, Mitchell, Freeman, Kraulidis, Pretzel ABSENT: Traynere, Koch, Ventura, Coleman |
1. Approval of Resolution No. 21-13 Authorizing the Acquisition of Parcels JCX0A1, A2 and A3 in the Jackson Creek Greenway
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Kenneth E. Harris, District 4 (D - Bolingbrook) SECONDER: Gretchen Fritz, District 5 (R - Plainfield) AYES: Ogalla, Harris, Gould, Balich, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Moustis, Weigel, Winfrey, Parker, Fritz, Marcum, Mueller, VanDuyne, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tyson, Newquist, Mitchell, Freeman, Kraulidis, Pretzel ABSENT: Traynere, Koch, Ventura, Coleman |
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Kenneth E. Harris, District 4 (D - Bolingbrook) SECONDER: Meta Mueller, District 5 (D - Aurora) AYES: Ogalla, Harris, Gould, Balich, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Moustis, Weigel, Winfrey, Parker, Fritz, Marcum, Mueller, VanDuyne, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tyson, Newquist, Mitchell, Freeman, Kraulidis, Pretzel ABSENT: Traynere, Koch, Ventura, Coleman |
1. Next Meeting Date - Wednesday, May 5, 2021 immediately following the Operations Committee meeting but no earlier than 8:45 AM at the Will County Office Building, 302 N. Chicago Street, Joliet, Illinois
N. OPERATIONS COMMITTEE - WINFREY
O. BUSINESS
1. Award of Contract in the Amount of $59,784.00 to V3 Companies, Ltd. for 2021 Braidwood Sands Area Habitat Management
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Denise E. Winfrey, District 8 (D - Joliet) SECONDER: Meta Mueller, District 5 (D - Aurora) AYES: Ogalla, Harris, Gould, Balich, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Moustis, Weigel, Winfrey, Parker, Fritz, Marcum, Mueller, VanDuyne, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tyson, Newquist, Mitchell, Freeman, Kraulidis, Pretzel ABSENT: Traynere, Koch, Ventura, Coleman |
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Denise E. Winfrey, District 8 (D - Joliet) SECONDER: Rachel Ventura, Vice President AYES: Ogalla, Harris, Gould, Balich, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Moustis, Weigel, Winfrey, Parker, Fritz, Marcum, Mueller, VanDuyne, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tyson, Newquist, Mitchell, Freeman, Kraulidis, Pretzel ABSENT: Traynere, Koch, Ventura, Coleman |
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Denise E. Winfrey, District 8 (D - Joliet) SECONDER: Rachel Ventura, Vice President AYES: Ogalla, Harris, Gould, Balich, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Moustis, Weigel, Winfrey, Parker, Fritz, Marcum, Mueller, VanDuyne, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tyson, Newquist, Mitchell, Freeman, Kraulidis, Pretzel ABSENT: Traynere, Koch, Ventura, Coleman |
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Denise E. Winfrey, District 8 (D - Joliet) SECONDER: Meta Mueller, District 5 (D - Aurora) AYES: Ogalla, Harris, Gould, Balich, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Moustis, Weigel, Winfrey, Parker, Fritz, Marcum, Mueller, VanDuyne, Ventura, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tyson, Newquist, Mitchell, Freeman, Kraulidis, Pretzel ABSENT: Traynere, Koch, Coleman |
1. Contract Award for Janitorial Services at Monee Reservoir and Plum Creek Nature Center
2. Next Meeting Date - Wednesday, May 5, 2021 at 8:30 AM at the Will County Office Building, 302 N. Chicago Street, Joliet, Illinois
Q. AD HOC COMMITTEE - TYSON
R. BUSINESS
1. Review and Direction on Pending State Legislation Affecting the Forest Preserve District
Chief Operating Officer Schultz gave a brief discussion on HB3160.
HB3160 - Forest Preserve District and Conservation District Design-Build Authorization Act
Chief Operating Officer explained this bill amends the conservation District Act making conforming changes. This further amends those acts increasing the minimum contract amount to $30,000 (currently $25,000). Schultz reiterated the District is comfortable with the current $20,000 threshold.
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Jim Moustis, District 2 (R - Frankfort) SECONDER: Meta Mueller, District 5 (D - Aurora) AYES: Ogalla, Harris, Gould, Balich, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Moustis, Weigel, Winfrey, Parker, Fritz, Marcum, Mueller, VanDuyne, Ventura, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tyson, Newquist, Mitchell, Freeman, Kraulidis, Pretzel ABSENT: Traynere, Koch, Coleman |
1. Discussion of Other Pending Legislation
Chief Operating Officer Schultz introduced a piece of legislation that deals with CCDD and ground water monitoring wells. Schultz then introduced Consultant Brent Hassert reviewed HB653. This bill was approved in committee with a 17-10 vote on March 15, 2021. Hassert indicated that there is continued negotiations. Chair Tyson asked because there is so much opposition if there is anything they can do to help to move this forward. Hassert suggested reaching out to their legislators/representatives who have been mostly supportive. Commissioner Moustis feels Will County should ask other Counties for support and Mr. Hassert should attend a Will County Board meeting and speak about HB653 since it is such an extremely important issue because Will County is very dependent on ground water. Speaker Cowan agreed with Commissioner Moustis.
Commissioner Winfrey asked to move HB653 to the Will County Legislative Agenda and asked Consultant Brent Hassert to attend. Chair Tyson asked that it be noted it the minutes.
Commissioner Ventura inquired about HB3872 and asked that it be discussed and voted on by the Board.
Chair Tyson opened discussions to the Board members regarding HB3872 no bid contracts indicating the Forest Preserve is not taking a position. Commissioners Moustis, Berkowicz, Ogalla, Balich, and Ventura are opposed to this bill as discussions followed. Commissioner Cowan was opposed to the bill, however, wished to take no position. Schultz clarified to the Board the same language is used for municipalities with a population of 500,000 or lower so DuPage County feels they should be able to utilize it as well. Schultz stated that HB3872 will have no bearing to our business due to the policies and procedures that we have in place.
The Board members questioned Consultant Brent Hassert regarding HB3872. Hassert cannot guarantee that this bill will not be passed in Springfield. HB3872 came out of Committee at an 8-3 vote, Hassert also mentioned that within a few weeks this bill could possibly be voted on.
President VanDuyne made a motion to move HB3872 Downstate Forest Preserve Act to the Ad Hoc Committee section of the agenda R. Business # 1, under Review and Direction on Pending State Legislation Affecting the Forest Preserve District, to be discussed and voted on by the Board members, seconded by; Ventura. Roll Call; Ayes; Newquist, Ogalla, Moustis, Mitchell, Tyson, Harris, Fritz, Mueller, Gould, Balich, Fricilone, Winfrey, Brooks, Parker, Ventura, Marcum, Berkowicz, Cowan, Pretzel, Weigel, Freeman, Kraulidis, VanDuyne. Nays: 0. Motion carried.
President VanDuyne asked the Board members to vote to oppose HB3872, seconded by; Ventura.
Commissioner Cowan made a motion to request DuPage County to amend HB3872 and either remove Will County or to carve out of legislation a under 750,000 population cap, seconded by: Mueller.
Commissioner Moustis made a motion to request DuPage County to amend to HB3872 and either remove Will County or to carve out of legislation a under 950,000 population cap, seconded by: Cowan.
After further discussion Commissioner Moustis moved to rescind his amendment, seconded by; Mitchell.
After further discussion Commissioner Cowan moved to rescind her amendment, seconded by; Mueller.
President VanDuyne asked the Board members to vote to oppose HB3872, seconded by; Ventura.
| RESULT: APPROVED [17 TO 5]
MOVER: Joe VanDuyne, President SECONDER: Rachel Ventura, Vice President AYES: Ogalla, Gould, Balich, Fricilone, Moustis, Weigel, Parker, Marcum, VanDuyne, Ventura, Berkowicz, Tyson, Newquist, Mitchell, Freeman, Kraulidis, Pretzel NAYS: Harris, Brooks Jr., Winfrey, Mueller, Cowan ABSENT: Traynere, Koch, Coleman AWAY: Fritz |
T. EXECUTIVE SESSION
No closed occurred on April 8, 2021
U. COMMENTS BY PUBLIC
There were no comments from the public.
V. COMMENTS BY CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
W. APPOINTMENTS/COMMENTS BY PRESIDENT
X. PRESENTATION OF AWARDS
1. Volunteer of the Year
President VanDuyne along with Chief Operating Officer Schultz presented the Forest Preserve District of Will County Volunteer of the Year Awards for 2019 to Joel Craig and Barbara Ferry and Volunteer of the Year for 2020 to Ruth Meyer.
President VanDuyne spoke about each Volunteer recipient:
Mr. Joel Craig loves to share his knowledge of birds at Lake Renwick Heron Rookery Nature Preserve with visitors. In 2019, he volunteered eight of the 15 Saturdays that programs were held at the Preserve. He also led a photography hike and migratory bird hike, monitored nesting bald eagles, and conducted overall monitoring of the site almost year-round. Mr. Craig's video of a woodcock was featured on an international website, and he serves as photographer at District events.
Ms. Barbara Ferry designs, outreach period-characters clothing for Living History Encounters at Isle a la Cache Museum. She carts her butterfly habitat filled with insects in all stages of growth to programs at the museum and Plum Creek Nature Center so people can investigate them up close. Barbara coordinates volunteers at workdays and events, attends planning meetings, and monitors frogs and butterflies.
Ms. Ruth Meyer began volunteering as an interpreter at Lake Renwick then moved to monitoring frogs and then to duties as a Trail Sentinel. She can also be called on to attend outreach booths and advise the community on Forest Preserve programs and events as well as working to recruit new volunteers. Ruth's knowledge of birds was put on hold in 2020 as her main work site was closed but her clear voice was invaluable in keeping trail users hitting the Forest Preserve District of Will County trails in huge numbers safe and masked.
VanDuyne congratulated the volunteers on behalf of the full Board of Commissioners and thanked them for their service to the Forest Preserve.
Y. ADJOURNMENT
1. Meeting was adjourned at 11:27 AM
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Rachel Ventura, Vice President SECONDER: Mimi Cowan, Speaker, District 11 (D - Naperville) AYES: Ogalla, Harris, Gould, Balich, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Moustis, Weigel, Winfrey, Parker, Fritz, Marcum, Mueller, VanDuyne, Ventura, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tyson, Newquist, Mitchell, Freeman, Kraulidis, Pretzel ABSENT: Traynere, Koch, Coleman |
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