Will County Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners met April 14.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
A. CALL TO ORDER
Meeting was called to order by President VanDuyne at 9:31 AM.
B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner Tyson led the Pledge of Allegiance.
C. INVOCATION
President VanDuyne introduced Commissioner Fritz, to deliver the invocation.
D. INTRODUCTION OF THE NEWS MEDIA
There were no media present.
E. ROLL CALL
| Attendee Name | Title | Status | Arrived |
| Judy Ogalla | District 1 (R - Monee) | Present | |
| Donald Gould | District 6 (R - Shorewood) | Present | |
| 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) | Present | |
| Annette Parker | District 9 (R - Crest Hill) | Present | |
| Gretchen Fritz | District 5 (R - Plainfield) | Remote | |
| Tyler Marcum | Treasurer | Absent | |
| 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 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 |
G. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Minutes of March 10, 2022
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Steve Balich, District 7 (R - Homer Glen) SECONDER: Debbie Kraulidis, District 13 (R - Joliet) AYES: Ogalla, Gould, Balich, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Moustis, Traynere, Weigel, Winfrey, Parker, Fritz, Mueller, VanDuyne, Ventura, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tyson, Newquist, Mitchell, Freeman, Kraulidis, Coleman, Pretzel, Gazanfer ABSENT: Marcum, Koch |
1. Monthly Financial Statements - March 31, 2022
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Meta Mueller, District 5 (D - Aurora) SECONDER: Sherry Newquist, District 1 (D - Steger) AYES: Ogalla, Gould, Balich, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Moustis, Traynere, Weigel, Winfrey, Parker, Fritz, Mueller, VanDuyne, Ventura, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tyson, Newquist, Mitchell, Freeman, Kraulidis, Coleman, Pretzel, Gazanfer ABSENT: Marcum, Koch |
President VanDuyne entertained petitions from the public. There were none.
J. FINANCE COMMITTEE - COLEMAN
K. SCHEDULE OF BILLS
1. Schedule of Bills - March 2022
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Raquel M. Mitchell, District 3 (R - Bolingbrook) SECONDER: Julie Berkowicz, District 11 (R - Naperville) AYES: Ogalla, Gould, Balich, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Moustis, Traynere, Weigel, Winfrey, Parker, Fritz, Mueller, VanDuyne, Ventura, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tyson, Newquist, Mitchell, Freeman, Kraulidis, Coleman, Pretzel, Gazanfer ABSENT: Marcum, Koch |
1. Approval of Resolution No. 22-02 Authorizing Staff to Initiate Negotiations for One (1) Parcel in the South Des Plaines River Resource Area as part of the 2020-2024 Capital Improvement Program
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Natalie Coleman, District 10 (D - Plainfield) SECONDER: Meta Mueller, District 5 (D - Aurora) AYES: Ogalla, Gould, Balich, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Moustis, Traynere, Weigel, Winfrey, Parker, Fritz, Mueller, VanDuyne, Ventura, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tyson, Newquist, Mitchell, Freeman, Kraulidis, Coleman, Pretzel, Gazanfer ABSENT: Marcum, Koch |
1. 2020-2024 Capital Improvement Program Status Report
Executive Director Schultz presented the 2020-2024 Capital Improvement Status report highlighting the District’s projects:
Preserve Improvement Projects Complete - $2.1M
• Whalon Lake Improvements
• Isle a la Cache Improvements
• Wauponsee Glacial Trail Bridge Replacement
• Plum Creek Nature Center Improvements
• Hammel Woods Dam Removal
Preserve Improvement Projects Under Construction - $12.3M
• Black Road Trail Connection
• Veterans Memorial Trail Phase I
• Four Rivers Environmental Education Center (FREEC) Improvements Preserve Improvement Projects in Engineering - $3.6M
• Plum Creek Greenway Trail Phase III
• Lake Chaminwood Phase II
• Rock Run Greenway Trail Improvements
Preserve Improvement Projects Pending - $1.5M
• Joliet Prison East
Trail Connection, Upgrades and Enhancements - $2.3M
• Theodore Marsh Trail Improvements
• Messenger Marsh Trail Improvements
• Messenger Marsh Culvert Improvements
Building Upgrades and Enhancements - $1.0M
• Plum Creek Nature Renovations
• Operations and Law Enforcement Facility Renovations
• Hadley Valley Maintenance & Operations Facility Renovations (2023)*
• Operations & Law Enforcement Facility Maintenance Barn Renovations (2023)*
Bridge, Parking Lot, and Trail Renovations - $2.5M
Completed
• Old Plank Road Trail Bridge over the Norfolk and Southern Rail Line
• McKinley Woods - Kerry Sheridan Grove Bridge
Pending projects
• Old Plank Road Trail Bridge over Jackson Creek Branch
• Veterans Woods Bridge
• Old Plank Road Trail Resurfacing (Summer 2022)
• Joliet Junction Trail Resurfacing (Summer 2022)
Habitat Restoration/Agricultural Land Conversion - $2.5M
• Prairie Bluff Preserve
• Forked Creek Preserve
• Kankakee Sands Preserve
Schultz continued to discuss the allocation of $12 million for preservation opportunities in January 2020, more than 1,518 acres of land have been acquired, with an additional 127 acres pending acquisition. As of March 2022, approximately $3 million remains unallocated as part of the CIP for Land Preservation Program. To date, The Forest Preserve has spent approximately $8.15 million, with approximately $806,860 under pending acquisitions.
Properties under Contract - $2.4M
• Black Walnut Preserve
• Hadley Valley Preserve
Completed Acquisitions
• Hidden Oaks Nature Center and Hidden Lakes Trout Farm
• Forked Creek Preserve
• Hadley Valley Preserve
• Jackson Creek Preserve
• Plum Valley Preserve
• Plum Valley Ravines
• Moeller Woods Preserve
• Riverview Farmstead
• Tempest Farm
• Theodore Marsh
• Thorn Creek Woods Nature Preserve
• DuPage River Trail Gap in Plainfield Township (in progress)
2. Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Certificate of Achievement Award
3. Next Meeting Date - Wednesday, May 4, 2022 immediately following the Operations Committee Meeting but no earlier than 8:45 AM at the Sugar Creek Administration Center, Joliet, IL
N. OPERATIONS COMMITTEE - WINFREY
O. 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 [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Denise E. Winfrey, District 8 (D - Joliet) SECONDER: Jacqueline Traynere, District 4 (D - Bolingbrook) AYES: Ogalla, Gould, Balich, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Moustis, Traynere, Weigel, Winfrey, Parker, Fritz, Mueller, VanDuyne, Ventura, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tyson, Newquist, Mitchell, Freeman, Kraulidis, Coleman, Pretzel, Gazanfer ABSENT: Marcum, Koch |
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Denise E. Winfrey, District 8 (D - Joliet) SECONDER: Herbert Brooks Jr., District 8 (D - Joliet) AYES: Ogalla, Gould, Balich, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Moustis, Traynere, Weigel, Winfrey, Parker, Fritz, Mueller, VanDuyne, Ventura, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tyson, Newquist, Mitchell, Freeman, Kraulidis, Coleman, Pretzel, Gazanfer ABSENT: Marcum, Koch |
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Denise E. Winfrey, District 8 (D - Joliet) SECONDER: Steve Balich, District 7 (R - Homer Glen) AYES: Ogalla, Gould, Balich, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Moustis, Traynere, Weigel, Winfrey, Parker, Fritz, Mueller, VanDuyne, Ventura, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tyson, Newquist, Mitchell, Freeman, Kraulidis, Coleman, Pretzel, Gazanfer ABSENT: Marcum, Koch |
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Denise E. Winfrey, District 8 (D - Joliet) SECONDER: Jacqueline Traynere, District 4 (D - Bolingbrook) AYES: Ogalla, Gould, Balich, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Moustis, Traynere, Weigel, Winfrey, Parker, Fritz, Mueller, VanDuyne, Ventura, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tyson, Newquist, Mitchell, Freeman, Kraulidis, Coleman, Pretzel, Gazanfer ABSENT: Marcum, Koch |
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Denise E. Winfrey, District 8 (D - Joliet) SECONDER: Jim Moustis, District 2 (R - Frankfort) AYES: Ogalla, Gould, Balich, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Moustis, Traynere, Weigel, Winfrey, Parker, Fritz, Mueller, VanDuyne, Ventura, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tyson, Newquist, Mitchell, Freeman, Kraulidis, Coleman, Pretzel, Gazanfer ABSENT: Marcum, Koch |
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Denise E. Winfrey, District 8 (D - Joliet) SECONDER: Jim Moustis, District 2 (R - Frankfort) AYES: Ogalla, Gould, Balich, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Moustis, Traynere, Weigel, Winfrey, Parker, Fritz, Mueller, VanDuyne, Ventura, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tyson, Newquist, Mitchell, Freeman, Kraulidis, Coleman, Pretzel, Gazanfer ABSENT: Marcum, Koch |
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Denise E. Winfrey, District 8 (D - Joliet) SECONDER: Meta Mueller, District 5 (D - Aurora) AYES: Ogalla, Gould, Balich, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Moustis, Traynere, Weigel, Winfrey, Parker, Fritz, Mueller, VanDuyne, Ventura, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tyson, Newquist, Mitchell, Freeman, Kraulidis, Coleman, Pretzel, Gazanfer ABSENT: Marcum, Koch |
1. Goat Grazing Report
2. 2021 Permit Summary on Facility and Preserve Use and Visitation
Executive Director Schultz stated that the District annually tracks data on visitor facility programs and services as well as on permitted activities such as picnics, camping, and dog park permits. Schultz reported that in 2021 the District saw 81,700 visitors at our 5 facilities, an increase of 28,200 from 2020 visitation. This is representative of facility visitation previous to the pandemic. In comparison, 2020 saw 53,500 total visitors to the facilities; 2019 had 87,000 and 2018 had 94,000.
The Forest Preserve successfully hosted 13 events and exhibitions in 2021 that attracted 15,000 visitors - an increase of 7,700 above 2020 event attendance. Event and Exhibition highlights for 2021 included: Eagle Watch, Migration Celebration, and Pelican Watch at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center; Joliet Iron Works and Pollinator exhibitions at Isle a la Cache Museum; Endangered Species Quilt Exhibition hosted at 4 visitor facilities; Don’t Be A Zombie exhibition at Plum Creek Nature Center; and the Island Showcase which featured the new picnic shelter and campus exhibits at Isle a la Cache.
3. Next Meeting Date - Wednesday, May 4, 2022 at 8:30 AM at the Sugar Creek Administration Center, Joliet, IL
Q. AD HOC COMMITTEE - TYSON
R. BUSINESS - NONE
S. REPORTS
1. Next Meeting Date - TBD
T. EXECUTIVE SESSION
No closed session occurred on April 14, 2022
U. COMMENTS BY PUBLIC
There were no comments by the public.
V. COMMENT BY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Executive Director Schultz discussed the principals of stewardship. As stewards, we preserve, manage, and restore significant natural and cultural resources to support an environmental legacy and encourage a community-wide respect for nature. The decisions we make today will have impacts that may be seen for generations to come. Schultz spoke on a few points including; Restoration, Prescribed Fire, Invasive Species Control, Native Seed Collection, Research, and Regenerative Agriculture.
Looking forward in 2022, The Forest Preserve will:
1. Restore nearly 160 acres of existing farmland to native habitat, including property at Kankakee Sands Preserve, Forked Creek Preserve, and Hadley Valley. 2. Convert 416 acres of newly acquired farmland to conservation farming/regenerative agriculture.
3. Conduct land management activities on 11,500 acres of owned or managed property, including hay and row crop management.
4. Initiate conversion of 147 acres of agricultural row crops to certified organic.
W. COMMENTS BY COMMISSIONERS
Commissioner Cowan announced next week at the Will County Board meeting they will be honoring the Conservation Foundation's 50th Anniversary.
Commissioner Ventura reminded the Board members that The Nature Foundation Native Plant sale is still ongoing but they are selling out quickly. Executive Director Schultz added there will be a pop up sale on May 21st and 22nd during pickup.
X. APPOINTMENTS/COMMENTS BY PRESIDENT
1. Request to Hire an Interpretive Naturalist at Isle a la Cache Museum
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Rachel Ventura, Vice President SECONDER: Meta Mueller, District 5 (D - Aurora) AYES: Ogalla, Gould, Balich, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Moustis, Traynere, Weigel, Winfrey, Parker, Fritz, Mueller, VanDuyne, Ventura, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tyson, Newquist, Mitchell, Freeman, Kraulidis, Coleman, Pretzel, Gazanfer ABSENT: Marcum, Koch |
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Margaret Tyson, District 3 (D - Bolingbrook) SECONDER: Rachel Ventura, Vice President AYES: Ogalla, Gould, Balich, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Moustis, Traynere, Weigel, Winfrey, Parker, Fritz, Mueller, VanDuyne, Ventura, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tyson, Newquist, Mitchell, Freeman, Kraulidis, Coleman, Pretzel, Gazanfer ABSENT: Marcum, Koch |
Z. ADJOURNMENT
1. Meeting was adjourned at 10:17 AM
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Meta Mueller, District 5 (D - Aurora) SECONDER: Gretchen Fritz, District 5 (R - Plainfield) AYES: Ogalla, Gould, Balich, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Moustis, Traynere, Weigel, Winfrey, Parker, Fritz, Mueller, VanDuyne, Ventura, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tyson, Newquist, Mitchell, Freeman, Kraulidis, Coleman, Pretzel, Gazanfer ABSENT: Marcum, Koch |
https://willcountyil.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=12&ID=4279&Inline=True
Alerts Sign-up