Forest Preserve District of Cook County (FPDCC) Board Meeting
at Sagawau Environmental Learning Center
May 23, 2023

A tribute to Shelley Spencer was on the agenda.  In 2015 she produced “Chicago’s True Nature” an Emmy award-winning documentary on the Forest Preserves of Cook County (FPDCC).  
https://fpdcc.com/chicagos-true-nature-forest-preserves-cook-county/
She has been on the FPDCC’s Conservation and Policy Council taking part in the Council’s Racial Equity, Diversity and Inclusion committee.

The Friends of Northbrook Forest Preserve was organized in 1998 and received recognition for their volunteer work in Somme Woods, Somme Prairie Nature Preserve, and Somme Prairie Grove Nature Preserve in northeast Cook County.  The groups “hands on” restoration includes brush control, prescribed burns, chainsaw safety, and invasive species control.  Over decades this group has contributed thousands of work hours to restoring the health and biodiversity of the preserves.

Commissioner Dennis Deer was reappointed to the Board of Directors of NeighborSpace, an affiliate partner of the Forest Preserve along with the City of Chicago and the Chicago Park District.  NeighborSpace is a nonprofit urban land trust in Chicago that supports gardens with dedicated community groups.  NeighborSpace has acquired vacant lots and provides basic insurance, access to water, protection of land from development, links to resources, and technical assistance so community groups can focus on gardening.

A brownfield is a property that is underutilized or vacant that may have environmental issues that prevent redevelopment.  The Cook County Dept of Environment and Sustainability will provide American Rescue Plan Act funds up to $1.5 million to the preserves in Brownfield Program demolition, environmental assessment and environmental remediation services for an estimated 65 structures.  The plan is to increase green space for outdoor recreation.  

Illegal dumping of garbage such as construction debris, tires, hazardous waste, household appliances, electronics, landscape waste on forest preserve land, waters, beaches or down storm sewers is an ongoing pollution problem when perpetrators won’t use legitimate waste disposal and FPDCC has to bear the cleanup costs.    It is hard to monitor 70,000 acres for this “fly dumping” as a lot of dumping happens at night.  Three agenda items were referred to the Finance Committee that proposed to raise the uppermost fine to $750 from $500 for each offense.  Violators caught will be held liable for the cost of legal waste disposal as well as the cost to replace or repair the property damage from the illegal dumping.

Sagawau Environmental Learning Center is in Lemont IL and has 2.6 miles of walking trails which in the winter are groomed only for cross-country skiing.  Sagawau offers ski lessons and rents equipment.  Sagawau Canyon has the only natural exposure of bedrock in Cook County- guided walks can be scheduled.  The visitor center has many exhibits and its website lists many events and programs.

Observer - Michele Niccolai

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

Forest Preserve District Cook County (FPDCC) Board Meeting
February 8, 2022

Board Action:

• The 2021 Annual Report from the “Racial Equity Diversity Inclusion Committee” (REDI) was received and filed.  The FPDCC is committed to advancing racial equity, diversity and inclusion, striving to make everyone feel welcome in the Forest Preserves.  This committee was formed November 2018 and consists of employees from across the Forest Preserves and continued in the past year to advance community engagement projects.  In 2019 a Land Acknowledgment was created highlighting the relationship Native Americans in Cook County have with the forest preserves.  FPDCC acknowledges the lands of the Council of Three Fires (Ojibwa, Ottawa, Potawatomi), the Miami, Ho-Chunk, Menominee, Sauk and Meskwaki peoples.  The FPDCC continues to collaborate with organizations serving Native American communities.  The REDI committee was awarded the 2021 Social Justice award from the National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials. 
• Advertising and promotional services for FPDCC was approved.  Advertising would align with the 2022 communication goal of focused outreach to communities and populations impacted by a history of racial inequity and would highlight goals of the FPDCC’s “Next Century Conservation Plan”
• A partnership was authorized for the FPDCC, U of I Champaign, and the Chicago Zoological Society, Brookfield to support a three-year veterinary residency program focused on wildlife health management in urban areas.  The resident would provide veterinary care for FPDCC Nature Centers’ managed animals, wildlife field studies/disease management programs.  The resident would work with U of I’s Wildlife Epidemiology Lab for health/disease studies and practice zoological medicine at Brookfield Zoo in association with FPDCC’s research programs.  This partnership will further investigation into zoonotic disease (disease transmitted to humans from animals) and wildlife health as part of conservation efforts in Cook County.  This veterinary residency would be one of only two programs focused on wildlife health management and lead to board certification as a Diplomate of the American College of Zoological Medicine.
• Payment was approved for the Friends of the Forest Preserves to administer paid employment programs that provide youth and young adults  job skills training within the conservation field, with a focus on ecological restoration in the preserves.  The Palos Conservation Corps and Forest Preserve Experience program also provide, besides pay, environmental education.  The Forest Preserve Experience program has a partnership with the Cook County Housing Authority to hire and train a diverse group of young people hopefully to be the next generation of conservation leaders.
• The Sustainability and Climate Resiliency Plan Progress Report FY2018-FY2021 was received and filed: This report covers the progress to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase carbon sequestration. This plan is found HERE.

Observer:  Michele Niccolai

Forest Preserve District (FPD) of Cook County Board Meeting
June 22, 2021   

Board Action:

• Item #21-0315    Code of Ethical Conduct   This was needed to comply with State Officials and Employees Act and needed to be updated to correspond with current County policy.  Referral to Litigation and Governmental Relations Committee approved.
• 21-0302    Recognition of Dedication of Somme Prairie Grove and an Illinois Nature Preserve.  This is the 27th nature preserve area for FPD that has been recognized by Illinois Nature Preserves Commission as restored to health and one of 600 restored nature preserves in Illinois. With 5 Land And Water Preserves, the FPD manages 10,405 acres with the support of many partner organizations. This is consistent with recommendations of the Natural and Cultural Resources Master Plan.  Approved.
• 21-0316.   Proposed grant by Illinois Dept of Natural Resources.  $1.2 million over 2 years to complete Caldwell Woods Wellness Studio located in Chicago.  This will be a Renovation construction of a facility formerly used as a warming shelter.  This is a matching grant with a $409,700 from FPDCC.  Approved.
• 21-309     Proposed IGA with Dept. of Planning and Development and CC Sheriff’s Office to extend for 3 yr contract for building deconstruction and salvage service of vacant buildings through the assistance of men in the Sheriff’s Dept.’s Renew program.  This is a vocational program for volunteers who are non-violent detainees. Work was delayed by Covid 19 restrictions.  Participants receive an OSHA  safety certification and learn construction skills, deconstruction skills and training in safe salvage removal practices.  Participants volunteer and are not paid. Commissioners raised many questions which were answered by Joe DeLisi from the Sheriff’s Office Renew program.  Comm. S. Morrison suggested that the dept. provide a briefing to the Board to more fully answer questions.  Com Daley stated that Budget hearings are a good time to ask questions of the Sheriff’s Office.  Approved.
• 21-0304   Corporate Fund Analysis of Revenue and Expenses Report.  Motion to receive and file was approved.  CFO Steven Hughes presented the report.  In April, property tax collection was down from that time in 2020 by about $1M.  By May, it had rebounded ahead of 2019 and 2020.  Fees are trending up from 2020 for licensing agreements and use of campgrounds and picnic areas. YTD, Revenue exceeds expenses by $14.8M which is similar to though a bit behind 2019 and 2020.  
• 21-0317  Proposed Calendar of Events.  Received and filed.  Supt. Randall reported that the FPD is operating at Phase 5  and continues to respond to Covid 19 guidance.  He stated that many outdoor events are taking place throughout the FPD including the 8th year of Juneteenth celebrations, teacher workshops, Kids Fest and Insects Fest.  Campground are fully open; there are no capacity limits for events.  Visitors are asked to mask indoors if not vaccinated and outdoors if not vaccinated when maintaining social distance is not possible. FPD employees are masked.  For details of events see FPDCC.com

New Business

• 21-0266   Clean Energy Framework - Proposed Resolution was approved.  This was developed by the University of IL Prairie Research Institute with the collaboration of key stakeholders, content experts, climate experts and FPD staff.  One goal change is that 100% of electricity consumed by Forest Preserves will be generated through renewable energy resources and associated technologies by 2050. 
• 21-0346.  Proposed Resolution to increase the tax levy rate for the FPD to be voted on in the General Election to be held on Nov. 8, 2022.  Referred to Finance Committee.  Com. Suffredin stated the final form for the Resolution will be submitted to the Board at the Dec. meeting. 

 Carolyn Cosentino - Observer                                                    Meeting Length: 1 hr 36 min     

Cook County Forest Preserve District Board Meeting  
January 26, 2021

A successful rollout of a vaccine site has opened in the Tinley Park Convention Center.  The challenge is having enough vaccine to meet the demand. 

Public Comment:
Written public comment from Benjamin Cox, Friends of the Forest Preserve, requested that the board set up live video for public speakers, similar to other government units. Commissioners agreed to pursue this option. 

Board Meeting:

• File# 21-0012 - Honored the Forest Preserve of Cook County’s southeast plan for land acquisition and overall planning.  The plan won a Green Ribbon Award from Friends of the Chicago River.  In 2020, the plan won the Healthy and Active Community award from the American Planning Association.  Many organizations were involved including Conservation Fund, Entero Group and Metro Planning Council.  The plan is recognized as a unique and innovative way to identify and protect valuable open space and natural areas that are considered having ecological value. Much of the land is currently in agricultural use.  The plan identified key factors for consideration such as public health, flood mitigation and climate resiliency.  Local communities were involved and interviewed as to needs and wants they would like such as fishing or picnic areas for families. The overall plan criteria includes racial and health equity and future development.  
• File# 21-0106 - REDI (Racial Equity Diversity and Inclusion) Committee shared a report on hiring, training, operations, policy and procedures.  The committee was created after an incident in 2018 when a Forest Preserve patron was harassed by another patron on the basis of her race.  One of the committee’s goals is to strengthen a work culture that embraces diversity and is inclusive and welcoming to all employees and all people of Cook County. All staff goes through the training with the goal of operationalizing equity. It is described as bottom up and strengthening the organization from the inside out. Changes have also been made in Human Resources regarding hiring and communications, with the website being accessible in other languages. The committee will continue to offer yearly updates. 
• File# 21-0114 - Proposed Intergovernmental Agreement between the Forest Preserve District and Cook County Health and Hospital System to use district property in order to set up vaccine sights throughout Cook County. 
• The Forest Preserves are transitioning back to more live events. Group camp sites will be reopened, but limited to 25 campers.  Indoor room rentals will be limited to 25% capacity. 

Observed online by Laura Davis                                         Meeting length:    2 hours — 10am to 11:57am