Will County Board Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners met April 13.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
A. CALL TO ORDER
Meeting was called to order by President Mueller at 9:04 AM.
B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner Logan led the Pledge of Allegiance.
C. 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 2 (R - Monee) | Present | |
| Steve Balich | District 4 (R - Homer Glen) | Present | |
| Jacqueline Traynere | District 11 (D - Bolingbrook) | Present | |
| Denise E. Winfrey | District 6 (D - Joliet) | Absent | |
| Annette Parker | Vice President | Present | |
| Meta Mueller | President | Present | |
| Joe VanDuyne | District 1 (D - Wilmington) | Present | |
| Julie Berkowicz | District 10 (R - Naperville) | Present | |
| Sherry Newquist | Treasurer | Present |
| Attendee Name | Title | Status | Arrived |
| Sherry Williams | District 5 (D - Crest Hill) | Present | |
| Raquel M. Mitchell | Secretary | Present | |
| Mica Freeman | District 8 (D - Plainfield) | Present | |
| Natalie Coleman | District 10 (D - Plainfield) | Absent | |
| Frankie Pretzel | District 12 (R - New Lenox) | Present | |
| Katie Deane-Schlottman | District 1 (R - Joliet) | Present | |
| Daniel J. Butler | District 3 (R - Frankfort) | Present | |
| Jim Richmond | District 4 (R - Mokena) | Present | |
| Janet Diaz | District 6 (D - Joliet) | Present | |
| Vince Logan | District 7 (R - Joliet) | Present | |
| Mark Revis | District 8 (R - Plainfield) | Present | |
| Destinee Ortiz | District 9 (D - Romeoville) | Absent | |
| Elnalyn Costa | District 11 (D - Bolingbrook) | Present |
F. PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATE OF MAILING AND CERTIFICATE OF PUBLICATION
Presentation of Certificate of Mailing and Certificate of Publication was put on file.
G. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
President Mueller motioned to move executive session right after approval of minutes, seconded by Freeman.
1. Minutes of March 9, 2023
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Mica Freeman, District 8 (D - Plainfield) SECONDER: Steve Balich, District 4 (R - Homer Glen) AYES: Ogalla, Balich, Traynere, Parker, Mueller, VanDuyne, Berkowicz, Newquist, Williams, Mitchell, Freeman, Pretzel, Deane-Schlottman, Butler, Richmond, Diaz, Logan, Revis, Costa ABSENT: Winfrey, Coleman, Ortiz |
H. TREASURER'S REPORT
1. Monthly Financial Statements - March 2023
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Sherry Newquist, Treasurer SECONDER: Destinee Ortiz, District 9 (D - Romeoville) AYES: Ogalla, Balich, Traynere, Parker, Mueller, VanDuyne, Berkowicz, Newquist, Williams, Mitchell, Freeman, Pretzel, Deane-Schlottman, Butler, Richmond, Diaz, Logan, Revis, Ortiz, Costa ABSENT: Winfrey, Coleman |
I. PETITIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
President Mueller entertained petitions from the public. There were none.
J. FINANCE COMMITTEE - RICHMOND
K. SCHEDULE OF BILLS
1. Schedule of Bills - March 2023
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Jim Richmond, District 4 (R - Mokena) SECONDER: Julie Berkowicz, District 10 (R - Naperville) AYES: Ogalla, Balich, Traynere, Parker, Mueller, VanDuyne, Berkowicz, Newquist, Williams, Mitchell, Freeman, Pretzel, Deane-Schlottman, Butler, Richmond, Diaz, Logan, Revis, Ortiz, Costa ABSENT: Winfrey, Coleman |
L. BUSINESS
1. Approval of Resolution No. 23-03 Authorizing LPL Financial to Act as Third-Party Clearing Firm for Stofan Agazzi Investments LLC., on Behalf of the Forest Preserve District of Will County
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Jim Richmond, District 4 (R - Mokena) SECONDER: Mark Revis, District 8 (R - Plainfield) AYES: Ogalla, Balich, Traynere, Parker, Mueller, VanDuyne, Berkowicz, Newquist, Williams, Mitchell, Freeman, Pretzel, Deane-Schlottman, Butler, Richmond, Diaz, Logan, Revis, Ortiz, Costa ABSENT: Winfrey, Coleman |
M. REPORTS
1. Next Meeting Date - Thursday, May 4, 2023 immediately following the Operations Committee Meeting but no earlier than 9:15 AM at the Will County Office Building, 302 N. Chicago Street. Joliet, Illinois
N. OPERATIONS COMMITTEE - VANDUYNE
O. BUSINESS
1. Award of Contract in the Amount of $66,204.00 to Eco Clean Maintenance, Inc. of Chicago, Illinois, for Janitorial Services at Isle a la Cache Museum, Sugar Creek Administration Center, Operations and Law Enforcement Facility, Four Rivers Environmental Education Center, and Hidden Oaks Nature Center/ Hidden Lakes Bait Shop for a One-Year Term beginning May 1, 2023.
| RESULT: APPROVED [19 TO 1]
MOVER: Joe VanDuyne, District 1 (D - Wilmington) SECONDER: Judy Ogalla, District 2 (R - Monee) AYES: Ogalla, Balich, Traynere, Parker, Mueller, VanDuyne, Berkowicz, Newquist, Williams, Mitchell, Freeman, Pretzel, Deane-Schlottman, Richmond, Diaz, Logan, Revis, Ortiz, Costa NAYS: Butler ABSENT: Winfrey, Coleman |
2. Award of Contract in the Amount of $241,530.50 to P.T. Ferro Construction of Joliet, Illinois, for the Rock Run Greenway Trail – Theodore Drainage Improvements.
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Joe VanDuyne, Destinee Ortiz SECONDER: Mark Revis, District 8 (R - Plainfield) AYES: Ogalla, Balich, Traynere, Parker, Mueller, VanDuyne, Berkowicz, Newquist, Williams, Mitchell, Freeman, Pretzel, Deane-Schlottman, Butler, Richmond, Diaz, Logan, Revis, Ortiz, Costa ABSENT: Winfrey, Coleman |
3. Award of Contract in the Amount of $74,725.24 to John Deere & Company of Cary, North Carolina for Purchase of Three (3) 2023 John Deere Z994R Diesel Mowers and Two (2) John Deere TH 6X4 Gators using Sourcewell Contract #031121-DAC (PG NB CG 70).
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Joe VanDuyne, District 1 (D - Wilmington) SECONDER: Mica Freeman, District 8 (D - Plainfield) AYES: Ogalla, Balich, Traynere, Parker, Mueller, VanDuyne, Berkowicz, Newquist, Williams, Mitchell, Freeman, Pretzel, Deane-Schlottman, Butler, Richmond, Diaz, Logan, Revis, Ortiz, Costa ABSENT: Winfrey, Coleman |
4. Approval of Resolution No. 23-04 Recognizing April 22, 2023 as Earth Day
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Joe VanDuyne, District 1 (D - Wilmington) SECONDER: Mica Freeman, District 8 (D - Plainfield) AYES: Ogalla, Balich, Traynere, Parker, Mueller, VanDuyne, Berkowicz, Newquist, Williams, Mitchell, Freeman, Pretzel, Deane-Schlottman, Butler, Richmond, Diaz, Logan, Revis, Ortiz, Costa ABSENT: Winfrey, Coleman |
5. Tree Trimming Request - Lamar Advertising
Executive Director Schultz gave a brief update regarding the additional information gathered from the City of Joliet’s signage ordinance/regulations and property ownership information. Schultz and Mr. Lupo of Lamar Advertising met on Monday, April 10th for further discussion.
Chair VanDuyne said he spoke with Lamar advertising and their concerns in removing a tree or trimming related to their previous request along the Joliet Junction Trail. As proposed, Lamar would have to pay $3,600 impact fee to the Forest Preserve along with the cost to the Arborist. Lamar is not willing to absorb this cost.
Discussion was followed by the board members. Schultz was directed to create a Tree Trimming Policy for the Operations Committee May meeting.
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Joe VanDuyne, District 1 (D - Wilmington) SECONDER: Mica Freeman, District 8 (D - Plainfield) AYES: Ogalla, Balich, Traynere, Parker, Mueller, VanDuyne, Berkowicz, Newquist, Williams, Mitchell, Freeman, Pretzel, Deane-Schlottman, Butler, Richmond, Diaz, Logan, Revis, Ortiz, Costa ABSENT: Winfrey, Coleman |
P. REPORTS
1. Decennial Committee on Local Agency Efficiency Act
Executive Director Schultz gave a brief overview of the Decennial Committee on Local Government Efficiency Act. The law requires that all units of local government that levy taxes, excepting Counties and Municipalities, convene a committee to study and report on local government efficiency. The first meeting of the Decennial Committee must occur prior to June 10, 2023 and it must conclude its work within 18 months.
Under this law, the Forest Preserve must:
A. Form a Committee to study local efficiencies and meet for the first time no later than June 10, 2023.
B. Have the Committee meet at least three (3) times.
C. Prepare a written report with recommendations (if any) on:
1. Efficiencies
2. Increased accountability; and
D. File the report with the County Executive within 18 months.
2. 2020-2024 Quarterly Capital Improvement Status Report
3. 2022 Permit Summary on Facility Visitation and Preserve Use
4. Next Meeting Date - Thursday, May 4, 2023 at 9:00 AM at the Will County Office Building, 302 N. Chicago Street, Joliet, Illinois
Q. AD HOC COMMITTEE - DEANE-SCHLOTTMAN
R. BUSINESS - NONE
S. REPORTS
1. Next Meeting Date - TBD
T. EXECUTIVE SESSION
1. Motion to Move into Executive Session
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Jacqueline Traynere, District 11 (D - Bolingbrook) SECONDER: Judy Ogalla, District 2 (R - Monee) AYES: Ogalla, Balich, Traynere, Parker, Mueller, VanDuyne, Berkowicz, Newquist, Williams, Mitchell, Freeman, Pretzel, Deane-Schlottman, Butler, Richmond, Diaz, Logan, Revis, Ortiz, Costa ABSENT: Winfrey, Coleman |
2. Motion to Exit out of Executive Session
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Joe VanDuyne, District 1 (D - Wilmington) SECONDER: Mark Revis, District 8 (R - Plainfield) AYES: Ogalla, Balich, Traynere, Parker, Mueller, VanDuyne, Berkowicz, Newquist, Williams, Mitchell, Freeman, Pretzel, Deane-Schlottman, Butler, Richmond, Diaz, Logan, Revis, Ortiz, Costa ABSENT: Winfrey, Coleman |
3. Collective Bargaining (5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (2))
U. COMMENTS BY PUBLIC
Christopher Lupo of Lamar Advertising Company addressed the Board members regarding a Siberian Elm tree blocking a billboard near Joliet Junction Trail at Jefferson Street. Mr. Lupo stated Lamar Advertising would absorb the professional arborist fee of $3,000 but the addition fee of $3,600 Lamar Advertising would not absorb. Mr. Lupo was looking for more clarification on the reimbursement fee to the Forest Preserve.
1. Public Comment Guidance
V. COMMENTS BY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Executive Director Schultz invited the Board members to Earth Day at Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Saturday, April 22, 2023, 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Bolingbrook.
W. COMMENTS BY COMMISSIONERS
X. APPOINTMENTS/COMMENTS BY PRESIDENT
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Mark Revis, District 8 (R - Plainfield) SECONDER: Jim Richmond, District 4 (R - Mokena) AYES: Ogalla, Balich, Traynere, Parker, Mueller, VanDuyne, Berkowicz, Newquist, Williams, Mitchell, Freeman, Pretzel, Deane-Schlottman, Butler, Richmond, Diaz, Logan, Revis, Ortiz, Costa ABSENT: Winfrey, Coleman |
2. The Nature Foundation of Will County Appointment
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Jacqueline Traynere, District 11 (D - Bolingbrook) SECONDER: Elnalyn Costa, District 11 (D - Bolingbrook) AYES: Ogalla, Balich, Traynere, Parker, Mueller, VanDuyne, Berkowicz, Newquist, Williams, Mitchell, Freeman, Pretzel, Deane-Schlottman, Butler, Richmond, Diaz, Logan, Revis, Ortiz, Costa ABSENT: Winfrey, Coleman |
3. Decennial Committee on Local Efficiency Appointments
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Mica Freeman, District 8 (D - Plainfield) SECONDER: Jacqueline Traynere, District 11 (D - Bolingbrook) AYES: Ogalla, Balich, Traynere, Parker, Mueller, VanDuyne, Berkowicz, Newquist, Williams, Mitchell, Freeman, Pretzel, Deane-Schlottman, Butler, Richmond, Diaz, Logan, Revis, Ortiz, Costa ABSENT: Winfrey, Coleman |
Y. PRESENTATION OF AWARDS
Z. ADJOURNMENT
1. Meeting was adjourned at 10:19 AM
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Mica Freeman, District 8 (D - Plainfield) SECONDER: Mark Revis, District 8 (R - Plainfield) AYES: Ogalla, Balich, Traynere, Parker, Mueller, VanDuyne, Berkowicz, Newquist, Williams, Mitchell, Freeman, Pretzel, Deane-Schlottman, Butler, Richmond, Diaz, Logan, Revis, Ortiz, Costa ABSENT: Winfrey, Coleman |
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