​Cook County Forest Preserve District Board Meeting
March 16, 2021
Virtual meeting called to order at 10:00am 

Public Comment: None

Board Meeting:

• President Preckwinkle was thanked by the Board for her leadership for the past year during the pandemic.
• Item#21-0191 was an extension of a contract with Indigo Golf for the purchase of golf carts. Apparently there is a scarcity of golf carts this past year.
• Item#21-0195 extended the contract and increased the amount of payment to Standard Associates for testing, evaluating, and assessing law enforcement.
• Item#21-0207 reported that FY2020 achieved 48% minority and women-owned business participation.
• Item#21-0193 Calendar of Events includes the slow expansion of in person events.

There were no committee items discussed because the March 15 meeting had to be rescheduled because of a Microsoft outage. Meeting was rescheduled for March 18, 2021 at 9:45am.

Observer - Peggy Kell                                                                             Meeting length: 31 minutes

Cook County Forest Preserves District (FPDCC) Board Meeting 
February 24, 2021 –
Virtual meeting called to order at 10:00 a.m.

FPDCC Superintendent Arnold Randall presented “Ten Years of Growth: 2010-2020” 

• Superintendent Randall outlined actions taken to create success:

                 1. changing the organizational culture 
                2. creating 2014 Centennial Plan and Next Century Conservation Plan
                3. working successfully with 100 partners
                4. creating the Conservation and Policy Council 
                5. increasing offerings and outreach to public 
                6. growing fiscal health
                7. committing to equity (in contracts, staff, community relationships)
                8. adopting a 2018 sustainability plan

• Benjamin Cox (Friends of the Forest Preserve) reflected on successes of the past ten years, noting the FPDCC has grown from a troubled agency to highly efficient one. Due to partnerships and development of the Green Paper, there is an extensive plan in place working in the best interest of all working parties. He also noted that FPDCC cares for one of the largest pieces of Nature in the world with significant species being preserved for people to enjoy.
• Eileen Fiegel (Deputy Superintendent of Forest Preserves) spoke of the decade long mission to operate, protect and continually assess what Forest Preserves offers to county residents and visitors.
• Jerry Adelman (Open Lands) thanked Pres. Preckwinkle and board. He urged continued ecological stewardship beyond political administrations.

Items Considered by Board:

• Agenda Item #21-0143 –Honoring the FPDCC for receiving the Public Natural Areas Award from the Chicago Tree Initiative’s Urban Forestry Awards Program for its Tree Protection and Preservation Specifications Manual. 
• Agenda Item #21-0165 – Conservation and Policy Council members presented a report entitled “Scaling Up Volunteers in the Forest Preserves of Cook County.” The Next Century Conservation Plan (NCCP) established a goal of restoring 30,000 acres over 25 years. Accomplishment of this goal well positions the Forest Preserves to address the threats that climate change, biodiversity loss and limited access to nature pose to people’s well-being. The Council recommends the FPD and its partners invest in the best available strategies to engage, train, inspire and retain dedicated volunteers and, especially, volunteer leaders. The Council also recommends developing a volunteer recruitment strategy consistent with the recommendations of the Racial Equity Diversity and Inclusion position paper (Agenda Item 20-0285). 
• Agenda Item  #21-0117 – Partnership agreement with Audubon Great Lakes to establish a habitat restoration internship in 2021-22. The 16-week annual program will engage a crew of about eight adults in hands-on ecological conservation primarily at sites in Calumet, Palos and Tinley Creek regional preserves. Program is oriented toward participants interested in future careers in land management, ecology and related fields.
• Agenda Item #20-0464 – Building upon previous efforts, the Conservation and Policy Council’s “Nature-Compatible Recreation in the Forest Preserves of Cook County” position paper recommends the Forest Preserves prioritize nature-compatible recreation and oppose new uses that are not aligned with the Forest Preserves’ mission. The paper also recommends that existing recreational programs and/or facilities which do not align with the Forest Preserves’ mission and are not financially sustainable be transformed to natural spaces or re-purposed for nature-compatible recreation.

Calendar of Events (virtual and in-person) for 2/24-3/16/2021 is available online at www.fpdcc.com/events. 

Observed by Linda LaBuda                                        Meeting Length: 2 hours

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

Cook County Forest Preserves District (FPDCC) Board Meeting
December 15, 2020 (Meeting held virtually)

Conservation and Policy Council Update

• The Next Century Conservation Plan for the Forest Preserve District of Cook County (FPDCC) was created and adopted in 2014.  It is a blueprint for the district's future.  The plan calls for massive restoration of habitats in this 21st century due to urban sprawl and climate change, expansion of protected lands by at least 30% and a commitment to making the preserves more accessible to the diverse population of Cook County (CC). 
• The Conservation and Policy Council was created in 2014 to advise in implementing the Next Century Conservation Plan.  The Conservation and Policy Council also advises CC President, Board of Commissioners and Superintendent regarding the  annual budget, policies and long term strategic issues. 
• The CC Board honored Wendy Paulson  for her service as the inaugural chair of  the Conservation and Policy Council with a resolution as she now leaves the chairmanship.   She has past and current conservation and educational experience.  
• Henrietta Saunders  has been appointed to the Conservation and Policy Council.  She has a background and is currently involved in conservation. She also has business and civic experience and is also a member of the League of Women Voters of Glenview/Glencoe..

FPDCC is contributing $6,000 from a previous grant to Audubon Great Lake so it can take interested community members on four field trips to restored and enhanced coastal wetlands at Burnham Prairie Nature Preserve and Eggers Marsh in the Calumet region.  Forest Preserve Foundation grants have been accepted for ecological restoration at Cranberry Slough Preserve near Village of Palos Park and at Schubert's Woods Preserve near the Village of Park Forest.  A third Foundation grant was accepted for the "Forest Preserve Experience Program", an outdoor learning and basic job skill training summer program available to 75 to 100 high school-aged youth whose families are clients of the Housing Authority of CC.  Activities include  hands-on restoration, environmental education, job skills training.  This program is administered by Friends of the Forest Preserves. 

NeighborSpace is a nonprofit urban land trust in Chicago established in 1997 by the City of Chicago, Chicago Park District and FPDCC overseeing ownership of vacant/untended lots used for community developed gardens and play areas.  An intergovernmental agreement was approved for continued funding to NeighborSpace  for the period 1/1/2021 to 12/31/2025.

Advertising and promotional services were approved for 2021, targeting groups throughout  CC across all media, with attention to economically disconnected areas and those diverse black and Latino populations that usually don't go to preserves.  The pandemic has affected distributing copies of event guides to physical locations.   Winter programs/activities/information  are on the FPDCC website HERE

A contract extension was approved  for one year with busing companies.   FPDCC's Conservation & Experiential Programming  Dept connects community members to nature through a wide range of educational and outdoor experiences.  This Dept and the Volunteer Resources Center provides bus transportation for school and community groups to attend programs/events.

The FPDCC calendar 12/15/20 to 12/30/20 is on the website.  The nature centers are open only for restrooms.  With Covid-19 restrictions, there are no in-person events. Information on virtual programs can be found on their website.

The Forest Preserve Foundation was founded in 2006 to help supplement tax dollars in support of FPDCC.  In 2012 it launched an annual golf benefit  the "Conservation Cup".  In Sept 2020 over 100 golfers at George Dunn National helped the foundation raise $137,000.  Since the foundation's beginning, it has awarded $2.5 million.

It was noted that President Preckwinkle and Superintendent Randall have served 10 years in their positions.  The 2021 Jan-Dec  yearly Wall Calendars are out, featuring photos of Forest Preserves landscapes, close-ups of plants, insects, birds and other wildlife.  Calendars are available at nature centers.

Observed by:  Michele Niccolai                     Meeting Length:  1.5 hour

Forest Preserve District of Cook County (FPDCC) Board Meeting
November 17, 2020 

Finance Meeting:

• Agenda item 20-0389   Cook County Commissioners applauded Superintendent Arnold Randall for his fiscal 2021 budget which plans for no new fees or tax increases.  The budget is described as a “caretaker budget” which will use reserves to fill in budget holes. Commissioner Suffredin talked about the value of the forest preserves to all of Cook County, particularly during this time of pandemic.  He believes there needs to be a referendum next year in order for the forest preserves to expand land for preservation and more money for Brookfield Zoo and the Botanic Garden. He applauded the efforts of the Conservation Community Council, led by Wendy Paulson, for all the efforts by volunteers to support the forest preserves.
  

Board Meeting

• A public speaker requested increased security measures at Midlothian Meadows where a young woman was recently murdered.  Security measures could include increased patrols, emergency call boxes and cameras.  Superintendent Randall discussed some of the difficulties, but stated that patrols have increased and there continues to be investigation to determine who committed the crime.
• The Cook County Land Bank donated 5.84 acres of land/property by Cermac Woods which is on a flood plain, to the FPDCC.  The District cleared the property of the house. 
• The FPDCC has entered into a revenue generating agreement with Trailbound Trips, Barrington, IL.,  to offer hikes in the forest preserves.
  

Observer -  Laura Davis                                                             Meeting length:  Approximately 1 hour  

Cook County Forest Preserve District (FPDCC) Board Meeting
Regular Monthly Meeting Combined With FY2021 Budget Introduction
October 20, 2020  (Meetings were held virtually)

Board Actions:

• The Elizabeth Conkey Woods in southwest Cook County (CC) was recognized as an Illinois Nature Preserve.  This addition makes the 26th Illinois Nature Preserve for FPDCC.  Also recognized was the registration of Bergman Slough in southwest CC as the 5th Land and Water Reserve for FPDCC.
• Several partnership agreements were approved with conservation organizations.  The organizations  will fund various projects and FPDCC will provide coordination, overview and approval of activities.  Friends of the Chicago River will improve habitat by removing brush to expand nesting habitat for native turtles at Sag Quarries East in Lemont IL.  Save the Prairie Society (Westchester IL) wants to conduct restoration activities such as invasive plant control at Wolf Road Prairie Nature Preserve.  Friends of Bluff Spring Fen (Elgin IL) wants to conduct restoration activities such as brush and invasive plant control in the preserve.
• ​A contract was extended with Openlands, a conservation organization whose goal is to connect people with natural areas around the Chicago region, for ecological restoration at Deer Grove West Woodland and Wetland Nature Preserve in northwest CC.  This project is part of the larger Des Plaines River Watershed restoration program and funded by O'Hare Modernization Program whose purpose is to offset the expansion of O'Hare's impact on aquatic resources.  Interestingly, Deer Grove was the first property acquired by the FPDCC in 1916.
• Several vendor contracts were amended for 2020 due to the vendors' loss of income due to Covid-19 restrictions. The amended contracts reduced the fees paid to FPDCC.  Go Ape Bemis Woods, aerial adventure and zip line course,  Glen Grove Equestrian Sports (Morton Grove) and the Oak Park Tennis Center opened late and/or had to reduce operations.  Chicago River Canoe & Kayak (Evanston) had a big loss of revenue due to reduced operations and cancellation of boat rentals at two sites.
• A position paper "Acquisition and Disposition of Land" by the FPDCC was approved and provides guidance on land acquisition/disposition and land use policies.  The paper was developed by the Conservation and Policy Council of FPDCC.  Goals are to continue to acquire more land, partnerships to protect and conserve land, and consider acquiring land that is more accessible to diverse and underserved communities.
• A FPDCC Calendar for 10/20/2020 to 11/17/2020 was presented.  EVENTS CALENDAR HERE
  

​2021 Forest Preserve District Budget Recommendation Meeting

• The FY2021 FPDCC Budget Recommendation was introduced at a special meeting of the FPDCC Board of Commissioners.  The FY2021 starts on January 1st. 
• Due to the Covid-19 crisis, a 26% decrease in non-tax revenue from FY2020 is anticipated- revenue from permits, campgrounds, closing aquatic centers, less investment income, golf courses and other concessions.  Departments have reduced non-personnel budgets by 10 to 13% from FY2020. There is a continued hiring freeze (exception is essential staff and law enforcement) for the foreseeable future.
• The Corporate Budget request (which funds the day to day operations) is $62.2 million, a decrease of 1.9% from FY2020.  FPDCC has reserve funds and $19 million from this reserve has been allocated to its total proposed budget of $134 million which is an increase of 7.6% and includes $23.3 million for Brookfield Zoo and Chicago Botanic Garden.
• This FY2021 FPDCC Budget will be presented virtually at the CC Board of Commissioners Finance Committee meeting, Thursday, Nov 5 at 10am.  The Budget Recommendation can be found HERE

Other items of interest:

• A resolution commended three officers from forest preserves CC dept of law enforcement for  support and assistance in concert with other rescue personnel involved with water rescue of a girl and two men from Salt Creek in Brezina Woods this past July.
• A resolution honoring Openlands for placement of interpretative trail elements.  Deer Grove East interpretive trail elements: welcome sign, stone seats, topographic map, sundial, birds, signage for different habitats.  Kildeer wetlands: Bartel grassland/Bobolink meadow is flat country and a raised bridge helps to see this important grassland bird area, especially Bobolinks..  Other new interpretative trail elements are welcome sign and topographic map.
• A resolution honoring the retirement of John Sterenberg, an essential licensed land surveyor for the district with the important job that has led to reclaiming forest preserve property that has been encroached upon by private residents or business owners.
• FPDCC received the 2020 Public Service Award from the Illinois Archeological Survey for outstanding efforts to promote, protect and preserve cultural resources in the district lands.  The FPDCC has approximately 620 cultural/archeological sites in its lands and includes archeology  in its educational programs.

​Observed by Michele Niccolai                                       Combined  Meetings length:  2 hours