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$25M Transferred from Cook County Transportation Funds to be used for Backlog of Forest Preserve Projects

3/5/2020

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Cook County Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners Meeting
February 25, 2020

What was Decided:

Agenda Item 20-0161 - Com. Silvestri moved to approve the resolution to support an independent Forest Preserve District (FPD) police and oppose HB 2297 in the state legislature. He stated that the HB seemed to be made in reaction to something that occurred over 1 year ago that has been addressed within the FPD by providing better overall training for the FPD police, particularly within the past 5 years, and focusing on the environmental mission of the FPD. Forest Preserve police receive training for concerns specific to the work within the forest preserves, including the Zoo and Botanic Garden, and the concern is that this would be lost if the work was handled by county police. Also they question that it would save money for the FPD since costs would be borne by the county police and payment would be expected. Supt. Randall will speak to members of the the IL. Gen. Assembly on Feb. 26 concerning this bill. Resolution was passed.
Agenda Item 20-0007 - Move to approve proposed transfer of funds from Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways (CCDOTH) . This Intergovernmental agreement is for use of funds from the Motor Fuel Tax through Rebuild Illinois to clear up a backlog of projects including resurfacing, drainage, access roads and parking in forest preserves. This will occur at 52 forest preserve locations around the county that do not charge admission. So, Brookfield Zoo and the Chgo Botanic Gardens will not be included in these projects. Work will take place over a period of 5 years. CCDOTH Supt. Yonan addressed questions and stated that compliance was verified for this use of funds. Supt. Randall explained that the first year of projects is firm in cost estimates. Projects for years 2-5 require further research and once established will require board approval. Resolution was passed.
Agenda Item 20-0120 - Move to refer to Real Estate Committee also included Items 20-0123,-20-0118, 20-0119, 20-0121. One of several license requests to authorize the FPD as Licensor to grant a license to Commonwealth Edison to locate, operate and maintain electric lines, poles, and equipment. Supt. Randall explained the there is a long history of utility lines passing through the forest preserves. The District has moved from open-ended agreements to 10-yr agreements. Some license requests are for moving lines to a location where there will be less disruption. The FPD receives income from the licenses and has a process in place by the land use committee to review impact of use. Approved.
Agenda Item 20-0151 - Move to receive and file report from Adler Planetarium Far Horizons program. Working with the Forest Preserve Dist, Far Horizons program at Adler Planetarium works with teens following STEM guidelines for student engagement in studying light pollution. Students have helped design, build, and use an instrument for monitoring the impact of light pollution in the field. The darkest places in Cook County are in the forest preserves. The program is applying for International Dark Sky Association Urban Dark Sky Place Designation for the area surrounding the Little Red School House in Palos Hills. This would be the second in the world. Teens will be presenting their device and findings this summer at its conference in Spain. Approved.

Observed by Carolyn Cosentino Meeting length: 55 min.

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Cook County FPD Board Approves Contract for Tasers and Body Cameras for Officers

12/31/2019

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Cook County Forest Preserve District Board Meeting - December 17, 2019

Board Reports and Actions:

Report from Dept of Permits, Rentals and Concessions was given on the 2019 Customer Service Survey. People who held special events/picnics in groves were surveyed on a weekly basis during the summer and these results were reviewed weekly to assess and improve areas of operation. Customer satisfaction increased in 2019 over the last year. The permit, landscaping/maintenance, and law enforcement staff received the highest ratings. After starting this survey in 2018, ratings for overall experience are still high.
The board approved a contract for taser weapons and body worn cameras for the Forest Preserves Law Enforcement Dept. This was passed to aid in the safekeeping of thousands of visitors to nearly 70,000 acres of Forest Preserves property of trails, picnic groves, nature centers and campgrounds. In the rare situation, tasers will allow officers to de-escalate active resister and assailant subjects to avoid the use of deadly force with body cameras documenting encounters with citizens. Addition of tasers will be for the safety of citizens and for law enforcement officers.
Authority was given by the board for the Forest Preserves to submit a portion of Elizabeth Conkey Woods located in the villages of Crestwood and Palos Heights to the Illinois Nature Preserve Commission for review as the first step for its formal dedication as an Illinois Nature Preserve. This designation preserves/protects Illinois' natural areas and endangered species habitats from rapid changes in land use/expanding urban development. The Forest Preserve of Cook County currently has 25 dedicated Nature Preserves and 4 Land & Water Preserves.
The board approved the Forest Preserves Cook County Calendar of Events for the winter season: December 17, 2019 to January 21, 2020. Events include bonfires, snowshoe and outside activities.
The board approved Brookfield Zoo increasing admission fees.

Retirements Noted

Thomas Nissly retired from Chicago Botanic Garden after 24 years, having served as Executive Vice President, CFO, Treasurer. He joined in 1995 with a background in accounting/financial matters including issues of non-profit institutions. The Chicago Botanic Garden had its origins in 1890 as the Chicago Horticultural Society.
Cynthia Moreno retired from the position of Director of the Conservation and Experiential Programming Dept after seven years of service. This department is responsible for all public educational and outdoor recreational programming and community outreach/engagement.

Two Illinois Association of Park Districts Awards given:

Intergovernmental Award given to the Forest Preserves of Cook County and the Housing Authority of Cook County for their partnership/working together on the Conservation Corp's Forest Preserve Experience Program. The Conservation Corp provides paid summer hands-on employment restoring natural areas for high school youth and adults from diverse communities/populations.
Award for Best in Green Practices for Forest Preserves of Cook County for its Sustainability and Climate Resiliency Plan. This plan includes environmentally friendly policies/strategies for climate change impacts to its lands and ecosystems.

Observer - Michele Niccolai

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Harms Woods Designated 25th Illinois Nature Preserve

10/24/2019

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Cook County Forest Preserve District Board Meeting
October 22, 2019

The Forest Preserve Board meeting spent 40 minutes of the hour on the consent agenda thanking various employees for their time served.

The IL Nature Preserve Commission thanked the Forest Preserve District (FPD) for preserving species and habitat in many spots throughout Cook County. Harms Woods is just the most recent designation in the FPD as a nature preserve.

Superintendent Randall reported that attendance is up, that fall is a lovely time to visit the forest preserve because there are fall colors and no insects. Permits go on sale November 15 and on-line use should make it especially easy.

He thanked an employee for almost single-handedly updating the website, particularly with regard to mobile-friendly access. He mentioned Ryan Lothian by name and said that otherwise it would have cost the FPD more than $100k to update and improve the website. Check out the updated website.

Observer: Amy Little

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Naming Committee Approved by Cook County Forest Preserve District Board

10/18/2019

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Cook County Forest Preserve District Board Meeting - September 24, 2019
Meeting Held at Swallow Cliff Woods North near Palos Hills

What did the Board decide?

The Board approved a Naming Committee made of individuals appointed by the General Superintendent to review proposed names of lands and amenities within the Forest Preserves to continue to represent the rich, diverse heritage of the area.

What else did the Board discuss or refer to committee?

The district’s purchase of bottled water was referred to the Legislative and Intergovernmental Relations Committee.

Other Comments and Observations:

The two speakers commended the Board for the improvements at Swallow Cliffs (new cafe, new set of steps, comfort station).
At the end of the meeting there was a tour of the building at the top of the stairs. There was a shuttle for those that didn’t want to climb the set of 125 older stairs or the 165 set of new stairs. The newer stairs are uniform in height and much easier to navigate.
Commissioner Morrison’s 17th District where this meeting was held, holds 33% of all Forest Preserve lands.

Observer - Peggy Kell Meeting Length: 65 minutes

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Proposal to Remove 635 Trees Under Consideration by Cook County Forest Preserve District Board

7/26/2019

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Forest Preserve District of Cook County Board Meeting - July 23, 201
Meeting held at Brookfield Zoo

Board Actions:

Moved to committee: A request for authorization for the Forest Preserves of Cook County to grant a license to Nicor “to locate, operate and maintain 7,368 linear feet of 36-inch and 24-inch natural gas pipelines along the north edge of the Busse North Forest Preserve and Nature Preserve”. The new license will replace the existing license agreements which go back to 1958 and 1970. The existing pipelines currently cut through the Nature Preserve and are of different sizes which makes inspection difficult. The location for the new pipelines will run along and parallel with the south edge of the I-90 right of way. Nicor has requested a 66-foot-wide license area for the “construction, maintenance, safety, and inspection of the pipelines”. This construction access area will require 635 trees to be removed. Referred to committee. Item 19-0284.
Moved to committee: A motion to engage with a web-based evidence management system for the Forest Preserve Department of Law Enforcement. From a Request for Proposals, two responses were received. Quicket Solutions, Inc. was determined to be the most responsive and cost-effective. The system includes training and support for approximately 117 sworn law enforcement officers, sergeants and command staff and 6 civilians. The goal is to move from a current paper based tracking system to a digital system. Item 19-0320.

Other discussions of interest:

Stuart Strahl, PhD. President and CEO of the Chicago Zoological Society, gave a presentation on the background, history and current programs/outreach at Brookfield Zoo. Five thousand animals and five hundred-fifty species are represented at the zoo. 87% of Americans live in highly urbanized environments and benefit from access to the animals. and natural park space available at the zoo.

Observed by: Laura Davis Meeting Length: 1.15 hours

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Cook County Forest Preserve District Board Meets at River Trails Nature Center for May Board Meeting

5/21/2019

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Cook County Forest Preserve District Board Meeting - May 21, 2019

What did the Board Decide?

Approved the issuance of (not to exceed) $8,500,000.00 General Obligation Limited Tax Bonds of the Forest Preserve District. Passed unanimously.
Approved replacement of sixteen vehicles due to age and condition. Two will be outfitted with hybrid electric engines and fourteen will have dual fuel tank capability (propane/unleaded gas). This purchase will support the Forest Preserves sustainability goals and reduce greenhouse gas production. Eight Police Utility Interceptor vehicles were also approved for replacement.

Three Intergovernmental Agreements were approved:

An agreement to share stream and detention basin data collected in the North Branch Chicago River Watershed for use in an update of the North Branch Chicago River Watershed-Based Plan.
An agreement with the University of Illinois for professional services to assist Forest Preserves in implementation of Climate Resiliency Plan and the Net Zero GHG Emissions goal.
An agreement with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to accept an Open Space Land Acquisition & Development grant of $673,900.00 with a local match of $673,900.00 for improvements at the Sand Ridge/Shabbona/Green Lake Nature Campus. This grant will fund nature-based building and site improvements to support development of a cohesive campus that will welcome and orient new visitors.

General Superintendent Arnold Randall shared the Summer 2019 Proposed Calendar of Events with the Board.

Meeting Length: 90 minutes (including meetings of Rules, Finance, Real Estate & Law Enforcement Comm.)

Observer - Georgia Gephardt

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$25M Transferred from Cook County Transportation Funds to be used for Backlog of Forest Preserve Projects

Cook County FPD Board Approves Contract for Tasers and Body Cameras for Officers

Harms Woods Designated 25th Illinois Nature Preserve

Naming Committee Approved by Cook County Forest Preserve District Board

Proposal to Remove 635 Trees Under Consideration by Cook County Forest Preserve District Board

Cook County Forest Preserve District Board Meets at River Trails Nature Center for May Board Meeting

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