Will County Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners met March 10.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
A. CALL TO ORDER
President VanDuyne read:
On Monday, February 28, 2022, the Governor of the State of Illinois announced that the State was lifting its indoor mask mandate. Its elimination is a result of the significant reduction in the number of Covid cases per capita, the hospitalization rate, increases in vaccination rate, advances and availability of medical treatment, the dedicated work of medical providers, and the spirit of the people of Illinois.
For the past 23 months and pursuant to Section 5 ILCS 120/7 of the Illinois Open Meetings Act, the Board of Commissioners of the Forest Preserve District of Will County have been meeting by audio or video conference, without the physical presence of a quorum at the meetings. Based upon the statutory authority given to the office which my fellow commissioners elected me to, I have determined that effective March 10, 2022, it is practical and prudent to hold and conduct all meetings of the Forest Preserve District of Will County in person.
The public will still be able to view the meetings via a WebEx link that will be posted at https://www.reconnectwithnature.org/ABOUT-US/BOARD-OF-COMMISSIONERS. The public is invited to comment or pose a question by email at
PUBLICCOMMENT@FPDWC.ORG. At the public comments portion of the meeting, the email will be read into the record.
Meeting was called to order by President VanDuyne at 9:37 AM.
B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner Gazanfer 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) | Present | |
| Donald Gould | District 6 (R - Shorewood) | Absent | |
| Steve Balich | District 7 (R - Homer Glen) | Present | |
| Herbert Brooks Jr. | District 8 (D - Joliet) | Present | |
| Mike Fricilone | District 7 (R - Homer Glen) | Present | |
| Jim Moustis | District 2 (R - Frankfort) | Present | |
| Jacqueline Traynere | District 4 (D - Bolingbrook) | Present | |
| Tom Weigel | District 12 (R - New Lenox) | Present | |
| Denise E. Winfrey | District 8 (D - Joliet) | Absent | |
| Annette Parker | District 9 (R - Crest Hill) | Present | |
| Gretchen Fritz | District 5 (R - Plainfield) | Present | |
| Tyler Marcum | Treasurer | Present | |
| Amanda Koch | District 2 (D - Frankfort) | Absent | |
| Meta Mueller | District 5 (D - Aurora) | Present | |
| Joe VanDuyne | President | Present | |
| Rachel Ventura | Vice President | Present | |
| Julie Berkowicz | District 11 (R - Naperville) | Present | |
| Mimi Cowan | Speaker, District 11 (D - Naperville) | Present | |
| Margaret Tyson | District 3 (D - Bolingbrook) | Present | |
| Sherry Newquist | District 1 (D - Steger) | Present | |
| Raquel M. Mitchell | District 3 (R - Bolingbrook) | Present | |
| Mica Freeman | Secretary | Present | |
| Debbie Kraulidis | District 13 (R - Joliet) | Present | |
| Natalie Coleman | District 10 (D - Plainfield) | Present | |
| Frankie Pretzel | District 12 (R - New Lenox) | Present | |
| Saud Gazanser | District 4 (D - Bolingbrook) | Present | |
| Ralph Schultz | Executive Director | Present | |
| George Mahoney | Attorney | Present | |
| Hannah Lamore | Attorney | Present | |
| Tracy Chapman | Deputy Director | Present | |
| Lisa Lukasevich | Director of Finance | Present |
G. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Minutes of February 10, 2022
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Steve Balich, District 7 (R - Homer Glen) SECONDER: Meta Mueller, District 5 (D - Aurora) AYES: Ogalla, Balich, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Moustis, Traynere, Weigel, Parker, Fritz, Marcum, Mueller, VanDuyne, Ventura, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tyson, Newquist, Mitchell, Freeman, Kraulidis, Coleman, Pretzel, Gazanfer ABSENT: Gould, Winfrey, Koch |
1. Monthly Financial Statements - February 28, 2022
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Tyler Marcum, Treasurer SECONDER: Meta Mueller, District 5 (D - Aurora) AYES: Ogalla, Balich, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Moustis, Traynere, Weigel, Parker, Fritz, Marcum, Mueller, VanDuyne, Ventura, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tyson, Newquist, Mitchell, Freeman, Kraulidis, Coleman, Pretzel, Gazanfer ABSENT: Gould, Winfrey, Koch |
President VanDuyne entertained comments from the public. There were none.
J. FINANCE COMMITTEE - COLEMAN
K. SCHEDULE OF BILLS
1. Schedule of Bills - February 2022
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Natalie Coleman, District 10 (D - Plainfield) SECONDER: Jacqueline Traynere, District 4 (D - Bolingbrook) AYES: Ogalla, Balich, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Moustis, Traynere, Weigel, Parker, Fritz, Marcum, Mueller, VanDuyne, Ventura, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tyson, Newquist, Mitchell, Freeman, Kraulidis, Coleman, Pretzel, Gazanfer ABSENT: Gould, Winfrey, Koch |
M. REPORTS
1. Next Meeting Date - Wednesday, April 6, 2022 immediately following the Operations Committee Meeting but no earlier than 8:45 AM at the Sugar Creek Administration Center, 17540 W. Laraway Road, Joliet, IL
N. OPERATIONS COMMITTEE - NEWQUIST
O. BUSINESS
1. Award of Contract in the Amount of $38,078.00 to Currie Motors of Frankfort, Illinois for Purchase One (1) 2022 Ford Utility Police Interceptor AWD Hybrid, using South Suburban Purchasing Cooperative Contract #204.
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Sherry Newquist, District 1 (D - Steger) SECONDER: Rachel Ventura, Vice President AYES: Ogalla, Balich, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Moustis, Traynere, Weigel, Parker, Fritz, Marcum, Mueller, VanDuyne, Ventura, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tyson, Newquist, Mitchell, Freeman, Kraulidis, Coleman, Pretzel, Gazanfer ABSENT: Gould, Winfrey, Koch |
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Sherry Newquist, District 1 (D - Steger) SECONDER: Jacqueline Traynere, District 4 (D - Bolingbrook) AYES: Ogalla, Balich, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Moustis, Traynere, Weigel, Parker, Fritz, Marcum, Mueller, VanDuyne, Ventura, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tyson, Newquist, Mitchell, Freeman, Kraulidis, Coleman, Pretzel, Gazanfer ABSENT: Gould, Winfrey, Koch |
1. Forest Preserve District of Will County Vehicle Fleet
Executive Director Schultz gave a brief breakdown of the Forest Preserve's fleet. The program is based on setting aside a pro-rata share of the cost of the new vehicle or piece of equipment based on the planned replacement date. Different types of vehicles and equipment have different replacement schedules based on their use and expected life cycle. The replacement cycles were created from industry standards and our own experience. Those cycles are reviewed and updated from time to time.
2. Next Meeting Date - Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at 8:30 AM at the Sugar Creek Administration Center, 17540 W. Laraway Road, Joliet, IL
Q. AD HOC COMMITTEE - TYSON
R. BUSINESS
1. Approval of the Forest Preserve District of Will County 2022 State Legislative Work Plan
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Jim Moustis, District 2 (R - Frankfort) SECONDER: Rachel Ventura, Vice President AYES: Ogalla, Balich, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Moustis, Traynere, Weigel, Parker, Fritz, Marcum, Mueller, VanDuyne, Ventura, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tyson, Newquist, Mitchell, Freeman, Kraulidis, Coleman, Pretzel, Gazanfer ABSENT: Gould, Winfrey, Koch |
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Meta Mueller, District 5 (D - Aurora) SECONDER: Herbert Brooks Jr., District 8 (D - Joliet) AYES: Ogalla, Balich, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Moustis, Traynere, Weigel, Parker, Fritz, Marcum, Mueller, VanDuyne, Ventura, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tyson, Newquist, Mitchell, Freeman, Kraulidis, Coleman, Pretzel, Gazanfer ABSENT: Gould, Winfrey, Koch |
1. Next Meeting Date - TBD
T. EXECUTIVE SESSION
No closed session occurred on March 10, 2022.
U. COMMENTS BY PUBLIC
No comments were received.
V. COMMENTS BY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Executive Director Schultz introduced The Forest Preserve District of Will County Annual Report 2021, Schultz pointed out some of the 2021 highlights which included:
• More than 1,035 acres of land acquired
• A total of 22,981 acres preserved throughout the county
• A total of 39,300 people served through education, outreach, and public program
• More than 383,000 followers across all social media platforms
• Almost 9,200 hours of volunteer service donated
• More than $1.6 million received through grants
Schultz noted the total amount of volunteer hours is equivalent to 6 (six) full-time employees.
President VanDuyne along with Executive Director Schultz indicated that the next several meetings will include a presentation on one of the 6 guiding principles of the Forest Preserve District of Will County:
• Staying true to our purpose
• Being good stewards
• Connecting people & nature
• Focusing on wellness
• Working with others
• Promoting sustainability
Schultz is focused on “Staying True to Our Purpose” at this Board meeting. Schultz spoke on a few points, land acquisitions including, The Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Jackson Creek Greenway, and Thorn Creek Woods Nature Center Preserve. He also detailed enhancements at Preserves, Visitor Centers and Trails consisted of Isle a la Cache, Black Road Trail Connection Project, Plum Creek Nature Center, and Monee Reservoir.
Executive Director Schultz introduced Deputy Director Tracy Chapman discussed a partnership with Linden Oaks Behavioral Health, Naperville Park District, City of Naperville, and the Forest Preserve Districts of DuPage, and Will Counties to create a suicide prevention campaign. The Operation Disrupt campaign include signs that will promote, phone and online contact information for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, and the Crisis Text Line contact information. District officers will undergo ‘in-the-moment’ training to identify and assist people they may see on patrol who may be suicidal or in need of assistance. Chapman said signs will be installed with in some areas in preserves. Operation Disrupt, uses data from police and fire department records to identify locations where suicide attempts have occurred in the past, as well as other isolated areas where suicide attempts may occur in the future, and directs police patrols to these locations. In addition, Operation Disrupt signs would be posted in these locations to alert the public that these locations are being patrolled.
Members of the Board are very interested in bringing the Operation Disrupt campaign to their Districts and asked Deputy Director Chapman how we could speed up the process for Will County. Chapman addressed the members stating that this is still the infancy stage for us and we will move it forward as soon as our officers can be trained and get the signage up in the troubled areas the program is being led by the Naperville Park District.
W. COMMENTS BY COMMISSIONERS
Commissioner Parker invited the members of the Board to participate in a donation for Ukraine. Parker noted donations will be accepted at the City of Lockport or the Commissioners can set up their own donation center and have their donations brought to the City of Lockport when finished. Parker noted Commissioner Cowan has prepared a flyer to be handed out.
Commissioner Mueller invited the Board members to the "Bringing Nature Home Native Plant" sale online event. The spring online event will begin April 1 at noon. Mueller mentioned there will be a Spring pop-up plant sale on Saturday, May, 21 and Sunday, May, 22, 2022 during the online pickup at Isle a la Cache in Romeoville.
X. APPOINTMENTS/COMMENTS BY PRESIDENT
President VanDuyne announced the new member of the Board Saud Gazanfer from District 4 who will sit on the Forest Preserve District of Will County's Operations Committee replacing Amanda Koch.
Y. PRESENTATION OF AWARDS
Z. ADJOURNMENT
1. Meeting was adjourned at 10:40 AM
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Raquel M. Mitchell, District 3 (R - Bolingbrook) SECONDER: Meta Mueller, District 5 (D - Aurora) AYES: Ogalla, Balich, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Moustis, Traynere, Weigel, Parker, Fritz, Marcum, Mueller, VanDuyne, Ventura, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tyson, Newquist, Mitchell, Freeman, Kraulidis, Coleman, Pretzel, Gazanfer ABSENT: Gould, Winfrey, Koch |
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