Will County Forest Preserve District Operations Committee met April 6.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
A. CALL TO ORDER
Meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Newquist at 8:33 AM.
B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner Gazanfer led the Pledge of Allegiance.
C. ROLL CALL
| Attendee Name | Title | Status | Arrived |
| Judy Ogalla | District 1 (R - Monee) | Absent | |
| Donald Gould | District 6 (R - Shorewood) | Present | |
| Steve Balich | District 7 (R - Homer Glen) | Present | |
| Mike Fricilone | District 7 (R - Homer Glen) | Absent | |
| Jim Moustis | District 2 (R - Frankfort) | Absent | |
| Jacqueline Traynere | District 4 (D - Bolingbrook) | Present | |
| Denise E. Winfrey | Chair | Absent | |
| Tyler Marcum | Treasurer | Absent | |
| Meta Mueller | District 5 (D - Aurora) | Present | |
| Joe VanDuyne | President | Present | |
| Rachel Ventura | Vice President | Present | |
| Mimi Cowan | Speaker, District 11 (D - Naperville) | Present | |
| Sherry Newquist | Vice Chair | Present | |
| Mica Freeman | Secretary | Present | |
| Debbie Kraulidis | District 13 (R - Joliet) | Absent | |
| Saud Gazanfer | 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 |
1. Minutes of March 2, 2022
| RESULT: APPROVED [7 TO 0]
MOVER: Meta Mueller, District 5 (D - Aurora) SECONDER: Steve Balich, District 7 (R - Homer Glen) AYES: Gould, Balich, Traynere, Mueller, Cowan, Newquist, Gazanfer ABSENT: Ogalla, Fricilone, Moustis, Winfrey, Marcum, Kraulidis NOT VOTING: VanDuyne, Ventura, Freeman |
F. NEW BUSINESS
1. Award of Contract in the Amount of $28,800.00 to Wight & Company for Architectural Services at Hidden Oaks Nature Center
| RESULT: APPROVED [7 TO 0]
TO: Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners MOVER: Meta Mueller, District 5 (D - Aurora) SECONDER: Steve Balich, District 7 (R - Homer Glen) AYES: Gould, Balich, Traynere, Mueller, Cowan, Newquist, Gazanfer ABSENT: Ogalla, Fricilone, Moustis, Winfrey, Marcum, Kraulidis NOT VOTING: VanDuyne, Ventura, Freeman |
| RESULT: APPROVED [7 TO 0]
TO: Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners MOVER: Donald Gould, District 6 (R - Shorewood) SECONDER: Steve Balich, District 7 (R - Homer Glen) AYES: Gould, Balich, Traynere, Mueller, Cowan, Newquist, Gazanfer ABSENT: Ogalla, Fricilone, Moustis, Winfrey, Marcum, Kraulidis NOT VOTING: VanDuyne, Ventura, Freeman |
| RESULT: APPROVED [7 TO 0]
TO: Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners MOVER: Mimi Cowan, Speaker, District 11 (D - Naperville) SECONDER: Steve Balich, District 7 (R - Homer Glen) AYES: Gould, Balich, Traynere, Mueller, Cowan, Newquist, Gazanfer ABSENT: Ogalla, Fricilone, Moustis, Winfrey, Marcum, Kraulidis NOT VOTING: VanDuyne, Ventura, Freeman |
| RESULT: APPROVED [7 TO 0]
TO: Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners MOVER: Steve Balich, District 7 (R - Homer Glen) SECONDER: Mimi Cowan, Speaker, District 11 (D - Naperville) AYES: Gould, Balich, Traynere, Mueller, Cowan, Newquist, Gazanfer ABSENT: Ogalla, Fricilone, Moustis, Winfrey, Marcum, Kraulidis NOT VOTING: VanDuyne, Ventura, Freeman |
| RESULT: APPROVED [7 TO 0]
TO: Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners MOVER: Steve Balich, District 7 (R - Homer Glen) SECONDER: Donald Gould, District 6 (R - Shorewood) AYES: Gould, Balich, Traynere, Mueller, Cowan, Newquist, Gazanfer ABSENT: Ogalla, Fricilone, Moustis, Winfrey, Marcum, Kraulidis NOT VOTING: VanDuyne, Ventura, Freeman |
| RESULT: APPROVED [7 TO 0]
TO: Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners MOVER: Meta Mueller, District 5 (D - Aurora) SECONDER: Steve Balich, District 7 (R - Homer Glen) AYES: Gould, Balich, Traynere, Mueller, Cowan, Newquist, Gazanfer ABSENT: Ogalla, Fricilone, Moustis, Winfrey, Marcum, Kraulidis NOT VOTING: VanDuyne, Ventura, Freeman |
Commissioner Traynere asked for more clarification of the conceptual plan. Executive Director Schultz explained the intent of this project is to provide a comprehensive conceptual plan for expanded and enhanced exhibits inside the nature center lobby, classrooms/program areas, and in the surrounding exterior campus: including the patios, trails, and playscape. The concept plan will also consider minor interpretation of the historic trout farm hatchery at Hidden Lakes Trout Farm.
| RESULT: APPROVED [7 TO 0]
TO: Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners MOVER: Meta Mueller, District 5 (D - Aurora) SECONDER: Mimi Cowan, Speaker, District 11 (D - Naperville) AYES: Gould, Balich, Traynere, Mueller, Cowan, Newquist, Gazanfer ABSENT: Ogalla, Fricilone, Moustis, Winfrey, Marcum, Kraulidis NOT VOTING: VanDuyne, Ventura, Freeman |
| RESULT: APPROVED [7 TO 0]
TO: Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners MOVER: Meta Mueller, District 5 (D - Aurora) SECONDER: Mimi Cowan, Speaker, District 11 (D - Naperville) AYES: Gould, Balich, Traynere, Mueller, Cowan, Newquist, Gazanfer ABSENT: Ogalla, Fricilone, Moustis, Winfrey, Marcum, Kraulidis NOT VOTING: VanDuyne, Ventura, Freeman |
| RESULT: APPROVED [7 TO 0]
TO: Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners MOVER: Meta Mueller, District 5 (D - Aurora) SECONDER: Mimi Cowan, Speaker, District 11 (D - Naperville) AYES: Gould, Balich, Traynere, Mueller, Cowan, Newquist, Gazanfer ABSENT: Ogalla, Fricilone, Moustis, Winfrey, Marcum, Kraulidis NOT VOTING: VanDuyne, Ventura, Freeman |
| RESULT: APPROVED [7 TO 0]
TO: Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners MOVER: Jacqueline Traynere, District 4 (D - Bolingbrook) SECONDER: Steve Balich, District 7 (R - Homer Glen) AYES: Gould, Balich, Traynere, Mueller, Cowan, Newquist, Gazanfer ABSENT: Ogalla, Fricilone, Moustis, Winfrey, Marcum, Kraulidis NOT VOTING: VanDuyne, Ventura, Freeman |
| RESULT: APPROVED [7 TO 0]
TO: Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners MOVER: Meta Mueller, District 5 (D - Aurora) SECONDER: Steve Balich, District 7 (R - Homer Glen) AYES: Gould, Balich, Traynere, Mueller, Cowan, Newquist, Gazanfer ABSENT: Ogalla, Fricilone, Moustis, Winfrey, Marcum, Kraulidis NOT VOTING: VanDuyne, Ventura, Freeman |
Executive Director Schultz provided background to Committee members regarding the proposed partnership. He stated the current Foundation Executive Director has expressed the intent not to renew their contract for personal reasons but to remain affiliated with the Foundation in another role.
Over the past five years the Foundation has grown significantly, expanding its fundraising activities, building its online and social media following, increasing its donor database, hosting between two and four annual fundraising events, establishing a popular webinar series on the value of native plants and pollinators, along with many other activities. The Foundation has also provided the Forest Preserve with approximately $30,000 annually to bring special exhibitions to our Visitor Centers, funded several social media and outreach efforts, assisted with projects like the All-Abilities Trail, and channeled donations and grants to forest preserve capital and habitat restoration projects. In addition, the Foundation has directly supported our Prairie People Volunteer Program and a number of individual volunteers working in our preserves through its Restore Will County and Serve Will County small grant programs.
In 2021, the Forest Preserve separated with its Community Partnership & Outreach Coordinator who was responsible for soliciting and cultivating corporate partners; planning and presenting Outreach Programs to increase visibility and create partnerships with local businesses and organizations; and for securing sponsors and partners to support facility-based events and projects. Some of these duties were reassigned to other staff members and, at the time, it was believed others could be assumed by the Foundation. Unfortunately, given the current upward trajectory of the Foundation and the needs of the Forest Preserve, it seems an alternate is needed to serve our organizations fundraising, outreach, partnership development and organizational management duties. After lengthy internal discussions, research and discussions with peer organizations, a model of job sharing between Forest Preserve and Conservation Districts and their Foundations Executive Directors appeared to be the best option for growing and maintaining the Foundation’s long term stability. This approach is used in DuPage, Kane, and Lake Counties.
This individual would be an employee of the Forest Preserve with dual duties to serve both the Forest Preserve and the Foundation. The Foundation would contribute half of the salary of the individual in an amount not to exceed $35,000 annually and the Forest Preserve would contribute the remaining salary, taxes, retirement benefits and health insurance. Both organizations currently have the funding available to support this position into the future.
What the District is seeking from the Committee is direction to create a Memorandum of Agreement (MOU) which will outline each organization’s fiduciary responsibilities for the shared position along with the supervisory and management oversight, process for the employee’s annual performance evaluation and potential salary or job rating adjustments. The MOU would be presented to the Forest Preserve Board in May or June 2022.
Commissioner Gould expressed concerns that being two separate organizations this person is essentially an employee of both. Gould believes there is a potential of conflict of interest and dual loyalties. This person is not answering to one Board they would be answering to two. Schultz responded he understood and there would be checks between their goals and our goals done annually to make sure we are all have the same goals. President VanDuyne commented on the benefits of having this person and the possibilities of capturing more dollars for the Forest Preserve.
Commissioner Brooks commented that this is a great exit plan, but Cindy Harn will surely be missed, and Brooks thanked Harn for all her dedication and hard work for over 30 years.
| RESULT: APPROVED [7 TO 0]
TO: Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners MOVER: Meta Mueller, District 5 (D - Aurora) SECONDER: Mimi Cowan, Speaker, District 11 (D - Naperville) AYES: Gould, Balich, Traynere, Mueller, Cowan, Newquist, Gazanfer ABSENT: Ogalla, Fricilone, Moustis, Winfrey, Marcum, Kraulidis NOT VOTING: VanDuyne, Ventura, Freeman |
No closed session occurred on April 6, 2022.
H. REPORTS
1. Goat Grazing Report
2. 2020-2024 Capital Improvement Program Status Report Executive Director Schultz stated he will discuss this report at full board next week.
3. 2021 Permit Summary on Facility and Preserve Use and Visitation Executive Director Schultz stated he will discuss this report at full board next week.
4. Next Meeting Date - Wednesday, May 4, 2022 at 8:30 AM at the Sugar Creek Administration Center, 17540 W. Laraway Road, Joliet. IL
I. COMMENTS BY PUBLIC
No comments were received.
J. COMMENTS BY COMMISSIONERS
K. ADJOURNMENT
1. Meeting was adjourned at 9:15 AM
| RESULT: APPROVED [7 TO 0]
MOVER: Meta Mueller, District 5 (D - Aurora) SECONDER: Mimi Cowan, Speaker, District 11 (D - Naperville) AYES: Gould, Balich, Traynere, Mueller, Cowan, Newquist, Gazanfer ABSENT: Ogalla, Fricilone, Moustis, Winfrey, Marcum, Kraulidis NOT VOTING: VanDuyne, Ventura, Freeman |
Alerts Sign-up