Forest Preserve District of Cook County Board Meeting

Forest Preserve District of Cook County (FPDCC)
Board of Commissioners Meeting
Sept. 17, 2024

Board Action:

• Contracts, contract extensions, resolutions, and agreements were accepted by FPDCC with motions made by Com. Lowry and seconded by Com Britton. 
• One was a resolution to accept additional $300,000 from IDNR Museum Capital ‘grant Program begun in 2021 to address unexpected higher costs (24-0372) at Crabtree Nature Center. This was at no cost to FPD.  Another was an IGA on improvement of 10 miles of trails along Des Plaines River (24-0375) that includes working with several municipalities.
• Agreement to add 19 EV chargers (24-0366) for FPD vehicles. An equipment purchase of $321,000 for 15 Cronkhite Trailers which accommodate specialized machinery and needs of resource management crews (24-0368). 
• ​Two reports by County Auditor Modelski (24-0399 & 24-0400) were referred to Audit Committee without discussion.    

Meeting Length: 15 min

Law Enforcement Committee of the Forest Preserve District

• Report on status of FPD Police Dept. toward its Model Policing goals was presented to the Law Enforcement Committee (24-0203) by Deputy Chief of Police Martin Hasler. He explained FPD police mission statement includes preserving and protecting nature, provide training, treating every visitor with respect. Updated policies from the strategic initiatives get attention 1 day/week for training coordination and recruitment initiatives. Hasler stated the department is almost fully staffed at the commander level, needing 2 more. 4 sergeants have been added.
• There are 72 officers, 20 more are still needed.
• Com. Britton stated that members need to remember that officers are also forest rangers.
• An in-vehicle reporting system is being implemented (Mobile Data Terminal). Coordination with local police departments and Sherriff’s Dept. continues. 
• Expanding recruitment efforts continue. Com. Daley stated that job fairs held by commissioners could be options for recruitment efforts. 
• Daley also asked for information about the successes of contracts awarded. 

Meeting Length: 14 Min.

Also of note:

• Thursday, September 19, 2024, 9:55 AM there was a Special Board Meeting to Concur with Committee Items Requiring Board Action. Pres. Preckwinkle explained that this was necessary to provide adequate time for commissioners to review this agenda issued 9/16/24.
• There were no public speakers for the FPDCC meeting.
• Eileen Figel continues as Acting General Superintendent. 

​Observer:  Carolyn Cosentino