Cook County Forest Preserve Commissioners Board Meeting 
January 24, 2023

Results of a 15 week customer service survey by the Forest Preserves had a 25% response rate.  Results indicated:

•  Dan Ryan Woods is rated #1 Forest Preserve
•  Walking in the woods increases respondents’ agreement with Forest Preserve initiatives
•  Vendors hired by the Forest Preserves delivered
•  African Americans rated Forest Preserve police higher than other groups

Board Action:

• #22-0551 - The Board unanimously approved a resolution calling for a twelve week paid parental leave policy financial impact analysis supported by Commissioner Bridget Degnen.   Comments included the position of the Forest Preserves as being family friendly and the need to recruit and retain qualified personnel. 
• #23-0109 - Forest Preserves will purchase 130 acres of land near Sweet Water Woods, Glenwood, in south suburban Cook County with grants from IDNR (Illinois Department of Natural Resources.  This land will be reforested and contribute to reduce flooding.

Public comments:

• Several requests were to move the coyote from River Trail Nature Center to a wildlife sanctuary in Colorado. Superintendent Arnold Randall responded that the Forest Preserves will be working on a new larger enclosure and the delay was due to finding a contractor. 

Observer:   Laura Davis 

Cook County Forest Preserve District Board of Directors Meeting
December 13, 2022

General Superintendent Arnold Randall introduced contract amendments to the Board that increase funding for Conservation Corps programs that are looking to expand, as a result of an increase in funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”). Conservation Corps programs are required to provide participants with “paid, field-based ecological restoration experiences that train participants to restore the land as directed.”

• The Board approved an additional $170,000 for the Experience Program, which is a summer youth employment program. (Agenda Item 22-0524)
• The Board approved additional funding for the Chicago Conservation Corps young adult Gap Year Program. (Agenda Item 22-0525)
• The Board approved a contract with Greencorps, a green-industry employment program with on-the-job training. (Agenda Item 22-0526)
• The Board approved a contract amendment extending the current contract until 2023, and adding $180,000 to the North Branch Conservation Corps program. (Agenda Item 22-0424)

Other items of interest:

• The Board approved a partnership with The Field Museum to build a Gathering Space at the Beaubien Wood Boat Launch. Artist Christine Perri is designing a Prairie boat, and once finished will belong to and be maintained by the Forest Preserve. (Agenda Item 22-0521)
• The Board approved the reappointment of Jacqui Ulrich, Director of the Conservation and Experimental Programing Dept. (“CEP”) to the Board of Directors of NeighborSpace. NeighborSpace is an affiliate partner of the Forest Preserves that owns and maintains property around Chicago for the community to use as gardens or however the community sees fit. (Agenda Item 22-0365)

​Observer: Amber L Elmer

Cook County Forest Preserve District Board Meeting
October 18, 2022- 10:00 a.m.

​Board Action and Discussion:

• Commissioners served the mission of the Forest Preserve by passing an ordinance to create a new forest preserve near Sweet Woods in District. 5.  Several members spoke in favor, pointing out that this would serve to protect and preserve natural forests for the purpose of education and pleasure. 
• The Board of commissioners adopted the 2023 calendar designating specific Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. Three of these regular meetings will be held on site in the forest preserves.
• In accordance with the Truth in Taxation Act, the commissioners must determine the estimated amount necessary for the 2022 levy year. If that amount exceeds 105% of the amount of property taxes, then the Board must publicize and hold a public hearing.
• The Board received Part II of a position paper on diversity and inclusion. The group conducted community interviews, focus groups, and researched the history of the forest preserves. The focus is to create a welcoming, respectful place for all cultures. Recognition of Native American connections will be an important part of this initiative. 
• Commissioner Suffredin, who is retiring at the end of his current term, presented his 2022 Forest Preserve Survey, which he has conducted annually for the past twenty years. He reported that the surveys have become more and more positive. The commissioner urged the board to continue the surveys in the future and offered suggestions for improvement  from the current permit users. 
• Public testimony centered exclusively on the plight of Rocky, the coyote. Nine citizens registered concern about the coyote’s current caged status. They urged the Board to send Rocky to a sanctuary in Colorado. 

Observer - Georgia Gebhardt

Forest Preserve District (FPD) of Cook County Board Meeting
July 26, 2022

A long awaited report was shared today with the Cook County Forest Preserve Commissioners.  The coyote living at the River Trail Nature Center has been determined to be well cared for and healthy.  Recommendations suggested such as increasing the size of the enclosure,  creating a more natural environment and increasing enrichment opportunities will be pursued.  Many public speakers, including during this meeting, suggested moving the coyote to a Wildlife Sanctuary in Colorado.  The Wildlife Sanctuary responded to the Cook County Forest Preserve that they turn down as many animals every year as they take in. Furthermore, it would be very stressful to move this animal to the sanctuary.  The coyote will stay and live in an enhanced enclosure and continue to broaden the learning opportunities for the over 10,000 preserve visitors, field trip attendees and school children. The enclosure will have improved interpretation and messaging and a camera is planned to be installed.

Another topic of interest discussed was the amount of capital improvement ongoing in the Preserves.  The list included:
*    improvements to boat docks
*    repair of Nature Centers
*    meeting ADA access needs 
*    parking lot removals and restoration
*    repair of bike trails
*    culvert removal and repair
*    water filtration related to picnic areas
*    replacement of FP Police vehicles 
*    paving 

The Forest Preserves discussed expansion of the Conservation Corps which has worked to restore and conserve 400 acres so far.   Money from the federal infrastructure bill will allow the FPD to put in electric car charging stations. 

The Cook County Forest Preserves was awarded the “Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Award” for the 14th year in a row.  “The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting and represents a significant accomplishment by a local government. The award is given by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) upon its review of the Forest Preserves’ Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for FY 2020.” 

Observer - Laura Davis                                          Meeting Length: 2 hours virtually on Facebook

Forest Preserve District (FPD) of Cook County Board Meeting 
June 14, 2022

Board Actions:

• Calendar of Events for June 14-July26, 2022 was received and filed. Supt. Randall noted that several commissioners have already held community events this summer at Forest Preserves in their districts – eg.Swallow Cliff Stair Walk with Com. Miller and a Swimming Derby at Busse Lake with Com. Morrisson.  Juneteenth celebration at Sand Ridge highlighted the connection to the forest preserve and the Underground RR in that area. See FPDCC.com for scheduled events (22-0264).
• CFO Hughes submitted Procurement and Disbursement Report for April, 2022  and the Corporate Fund Analysis of Revenue and Expenditure Report for Jan. 1 - April 30, 2022.  Mr Hughes reported that revenues for fees, permits, and camping are above last year’s (22-0271) (22-0272).
• Collective bargaining agreement for Salary Schedule, Wage Adjustments and Health Benefits of union employees was approved as amended (22-0118) and the agreement for non-union employees was approved (22-013).
• Trail Capital Planning and Guiding Principles Report was received and filed.  The goal of the report is to explain capital needs, opportunities, and limitations for FPD as it makes decisions on its trail systems (22-0248).
• $334,400.00 contract, over 3 yr, was approved for professional civil engineering services for bridge and structure inspection/design Districtwide. Prior inspection was 10 yr ago (22-0274).

Recognition:

• Tom Rohner (22-0282) was honored for his career as Director of Facilities and Fleet Development since 2019.  He also served as Ciovd-19 OSHA officer at a time of evolving guidelines and recommendations.   
• David H Kircher (22-0285) was recognized for his 37yr career as landscape architect with FPDCC, the last 20 of which he served as Chief Landscape Architect.  He was only the 5th Chief Landscape Architect in the history of the FPDCC.

Also observed:

• Several speakers addressed their concerns regarding the Animal Ambassador Program and the coyote currently in its care. Several others expressed concerns regarding the time being spent on these concerns. 
  
• Gen. Supt. Randall stated that the full report with recommendations on the FPD Animal Ambassador program is expected to be ready for presentation at the July Board meeting.  Best practices research and third-party assessments are part of their study. 
• Later in the meeting, Com. Daley thanked Gen. Supt. Randall and Pres. Preckwinkle for their serious, hard work.

Observer:  Carolyn Cosentino