Cook County Forest Preserve District Board Meeting

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