Will County Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners met July 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 Newquist led the Pledge of Allegiance.
C. INVOCATION
President VanDuyne asked for a moment of silence for Commissioner Ogalla's father who had passed away.
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) | Absent | |
| 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) | Absent | |
| 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) | Present | |
| Tyler Marcum | Treasurer | Present | |
| Amanda Koch | District 2 (D - Frankfort) | Absent | |
| Meta Mueller | District 5 (D - Aurora) | Absent | |
| 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 |
G. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Minutes of June 9, 2022
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Sherry Newquist, District 1 (D - Steger) SECONDER: Raquel M. Mitchell, District 3 (R - Bolingbrook) AYES: Gould, Balich, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Moustis, Weigel, Winfrey, Parker, Fritz, Marcum, Mueller, VanDuyne, Ventura, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tyson, Newquist, Mitchell, Freeman, Kraulidis, Coleman, Pretzel, Gazanfer ABSENT: Ogalla, Traynere, Koch |
1. Monthly Financial Statements - June 30, 2022
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Tyler Marcum, Treasurer SECONDER: Herbert Brooks Jr., District 8 (D - Joliet) AYES: Gould, Balich, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Moustis, Weigel, Winfrey, Parker, Fritz, Marcum, Mueller, VanDuyne, Ventura, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tyson, Newquist, Mitchell, Freeman, Kraulidis, Coleman, Pretzel, Gazanfer ABSENT: Ogalla, Traynere, Koch |
President VanDuyne entertained petitions from the public. There were none.
J. FINANCE COMMITTEE - COLEMAN
K. SCHEDULE OF BILLS
1. Schedule of Bills - June
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Natalie Coleman, District 10 (D - Plainfield) SECONDER: Saud Gazanfer, District 4 (D - Bolingbrook) AYES: Gould, Balich, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Moustis, Weigel, Winfrey, Parker, Fritz, Marcum, Mueller, VanDuyne, Ventura, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tyson, Newquist, Mitchell, Freeman, Kraulidis, Coleman, Pretzel, Gazanfer ABSENT: Ogalla, Traynere, Koch |
1. Award of Contract in the Amount of $33,584.00 to Hicksgas, LLC. of Kankakee, Illinois for the 2022-2023 Propane Contract
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Natalie Coleman, District 10 (D - Plainfield) SECONDER: Sherry Newquist, District 1 (D - Steger) AYES: Gould, Balich, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Moustis, Weigel, Winfrey, Parker, Fritz, Marcum, Mueller, VanDuyne, Ventura, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tyson, Newquist, Mitchell, Freeman, Kraulidis, Coleman, Pretzel, Gazanfer ABSENT: Ogalla, Traynere, Koch |
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Natalie Coleman, District 10 (D - Plainfield) SECONDER: Sherry Newquist, District 1 (D - Steger) AYES: Gould, Balich, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Moustis, Weigel, Winfrey, Parker, Fritz, Marcum, Mueller, VanDuyne, Ventura, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tyson, Newquist, Mitchell, Freeman, Kraulidis, Coleman, Pretzel, Gazanfer ABSENT: Ogalla, Traynere, Koch |
1. FY2021 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report
Executive Director Schultz introduced Anthony Cervini, Partner-in-Charge of Sikich LLP. Presentation followed.
Financial Highlights included:
• The District’s total net position increased by $16,604,913 from $247,618,222 on December 31, 2020 to $264,223,135 on December 31, 2021.
• The District’s governmental funds reported combined ending fund balances of $38,310,814 a decrease of $4,890,703 in comparison with the prior year.
• At the end of the current fiscal year, the unrestricted/unassigned fund balance for the General (Corporate) Fund was $12,545,578 an increase of $686,026.
• The total cost of all District programs increased by $337,678 or 1.35% to $24,664,508 for fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.
Mr. Cervini stated that Sikich also performed an audit of the basic financial statements of the Retiree Health Insurance Trust Fund.
• Plan fiduciary net position as a percentage of the total liability in 2020 was 53.94% and in 2021 it ended at 63.91%.
• Mr. Cervini stated that this retirement fund was one of the best funded in the State of Illinois.
Mr. Cervini stated that Sikich was pleased to present a clean, unmodified opinion of the financial statements for year-end December 31, 2021.
Mr. Cervini also presented a copy of the Auditor’s Management Letter.
2. Next Meeting Date - Wednesday, August 3, 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, Illinois
N. OPERATIONS COMMITTEE - WINFREY
O. BUSINESS
1. Award of Contract in the Amount of $765,183.25 to McGill Construction LLC. of Frankfort, Illinois for Old Plank Road Trail Asphalt Repair and Replacement
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Denise E. Winfrey, District 8 (D - Joliet) SECONDER: Meta Mueller, District 5 (D - Aurora) AYES: Gould, Balich, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Moustis, Weigel, Winfrey, Parker, Fritz, Marcum, Mueller, VanDuyne, Ventura, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tyson, Newquist, Mitchell, Freeman, Kraulidis, Coleman, Pretzel, Gazanfer ABSENT: Ogalla, Traynere, Koch |
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Denise E. Winfrey, District 8 (D - Joliet) SECONDER: Sherry Newquist, District 1 (D - Steger) AYES: Gould, Balich, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Moustis, Weigel, Winfrey, Parker, Fritz, Marcum, Mueller, VanDuyne, Ventura, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tyson, Newquist, Mitchell, Freeman, Kraulidis, Coleman, Pretzel, Gazanfer ABSENT: Ogalla, Traynere, Koch |
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Denise E. Winfrey, District 8 (D - Joliet) SECONDER: Gretchen Fritz, District 5 (R - Plainfield) AYES: Gould, Balich, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Moustis, Weigel, Winfrey, Parker, Fritz, Marcum, Mueller, VanDuyne, Ventura, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tyson, Newquist, Mitchell, Freeman, Kraulidis, Coleman, Pretzel, Gazanfer ABSENT: Ogalla, Traynere, Koch |
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Denise E. Winfrey, District 8 (D - Joliet) SECONDER: Mike Fricilone, District 7 (R - Homer Glen) AYES: Gould, Balich, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Moustis, Weigel, Winfrey, Parker, Fritz, Marcum, Mueller, VanDuyne, Ventura, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tyson, Newquist, Mitchell, Freeman, Kraulidis, Coleman, Pretzel, Gazanfer ABSENT: Ogalla, Traynere, Koch |
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Denise E. Winfrey, District 8 (D - Joliet) SECONDER: Gretchen Fritz, District 5 (R - Plainfield) AYES: Gould, Balich, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Moustis, Weigel, Winfrey, Parker, Fritz, Marcum, Mueller, VanDuyne, Ventura, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tyson, Newquist, Mitchell, Freeman, Kraulidis, Coleman, Pretzel, Gazanfer ABSENT: Ogalla, Traynere, Koch |
1. Next Meeting Date - Wednesday, August 3, 2022 at 8:30 AM at the Sugar Creek Administration Center, 17540 W. Laraway Road, Joliet, Illinois
Q. AD HOC COMMITTEE - TYSON
R. BUSINESS - NONE
S. REPORTS
1. Next Meeting Date - TBD
T. EXECUTIVE SESSION
No closed session occurred.
U. COMMENTS BY PUBLIC
There were no comments from the public.
V. COMMENTS BY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Executive Director Schultz highlighted another one of our organizational principles, Working with Others. Having a cooperative approach allows us to fulfill our mission as well as to assist others. Together with federal, state, and local agency partners; non governmental organizations; volunteers; and private citizens, we multiply our efforts and improve the environment for all life that calls Will County home or relies on its natural resources. Schultz elaborated on the grants that expand local dollar to enable the District to provide more amenities to Will County resident. In 2021, the following grants were received;
• Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation $1,520,000
• Illinois Department of Natural Resources $92,000
• Total Grants for 2021 $1,612.00
Schultz spoke about the projects and collaboration with others on special initiatives establishes important relationships, combines resources, promotes innovation, and produces favorable outcomes for the residents of Will County. The District’s partners with dozens of organizations each year in an effort to further its mission.
Executive Director Schultz reminded everyone of the artist guild "Visions of Nature" the exhibition is an art exhibit of the Nature Artists' Guild of the Morton Arboretum will run from Wednesday, July 6 - Sunday, July 31 at the Hidden Oaks Nature Center.
The Nature Centers regular hours will be Wednesdays thru Saturdays 10am-4pm and Sundays Noon- 4pm.
W. COMMENTS BY COMMISSIONERS
X. APPOINTMENTS/COMMENTS BY PRESIDENT
President VanDuyne was excited to share his experience geocaching in a few of the preserves. A mobile app will give the people clues and guides you using GPS to within a small radius of the geocache location. At that point it’s your job to look close to find the caches.
Executive Director Schultz elaborated that the District has five treasures waiting for discovery in its preserves as part of a new geocaching program that kicked off July 1. The geocaches, which each have catchy, clue-filled names, have been placed less than one quarter mile off trails at these locations:
Rock Run Fun at Rock Run Preserve - Black Road Access
Super Duper View at Hammel Woods - Crumby Recreation Area
Hickory Hideaway at Hickory Creek Preserve - LaPorte Road Access
Fork-sythe at Forked Creek Preserve - Forsythe Woods
Doggie Dog World at Messenger Marsh Preserve
1. Recommendation to Hire a Laborer V - Building Maintenance Engineer
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Meta Mueller, District 5 (D - Aurora) SECONDER: Julie Berkowicz, District 11 (R - Naperville) AYES: Gould, Balich, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Moustis, Weigel, Winfrey, Parker, Fritz, Marcum, Mueller, VanDuyne, Ventura, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tyson, Newquist, Mitchell, Freeman, Kraulidis, Coleman, Pretzel, Gazanfer ABSENT: Ogalla, Traynere, Koch |
Z. ADJOURNMENT
1. Meeting was adjourned at 9:59 AM
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Raquel M. Mitchell, District 3 (R - Bolingbrook) SECONDER: Steve Balich, District 7 (R - Homer Glen) AYES: Gould, Balich, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Moustis, Weigel, Winfrey, Parker, Fritz, Marcum, Mueller, VanDuyne, Ventura, Berkowicz, Cowan, Tyson, Newquist, Mitchell, Freeman, Kraulidis, Coleman, Pretzel, Gazanfer ABSENT: Ogalla, Traynere, Koch |
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