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 (FPDCC) Board Meeting
May 11, 2021
Virtual meeting called to order at 10:00 a.m.

The Meeting began with a PowerPoint presentation by John McCabe, Director of Resource Management for the FPDCC on "Poaching - An Invisible Problem".
Highlights of the presentation:  

• Poaching of plants & fungi, wildlife and cultural artifacts is an ongoing problem in the forest preserves.  Hunting, trapping and the taking of any plant/fungi or part of an animal, dead or alive, is illegal. 
• The FPDCC consists of slightly over 69,000 acres which constitutes 11% of the land in Cook County (CC), so any removal of animals or plants takes a toll on populations and robs citizens from seeing pristine areas  Vandalism of cultural artifacts from archaeological sites is also a big problem. 
• 41% of threatened or endangered plant species and 37% of threatened or endangered wildlife in CC have ceased to exist in FPDCC lands.  There are other sensitive wildlife populations with reduced breeding populations. 
• Poachers' wildlife targets are white-tailed deer, snakes, birds, turtles, salamanders, insects.  Plant/fungi targets are leek/wild ramp (type of wild onion), mushrooms, native plants, timber, orchids, berries. 
• The story of a white tail deer with a large set of unique & desirable antlers was presented.  A picture of this animal was posted on social media which sparked people to come to the preserves in case they could pick up the deer's shed antlers, which would be illegal. The FPDCC decided to sedate the animal and remove the antlers and put large, visible GPS tracking tags on the animal to ward off poachers.  A large unique set of antlers can bring $10,000 plus to the seller.  Unfortunately the next season this deer was poached. 
• The FPDCC lands contain over 550 archaeological sites and some sites are dated thousands of years B.C.  Looting of archaeological artifacts is an irreplaceable loss of history.  Professionals use  "shovel testing" (digging up land and sifting through a wire mesh looking for artifacts) and  looters use the same process.
• Social media posting of animals/plants/places in the FPDCC can normalize illegal behavior but could also be used to track offenders.   Posting these pictures can unknowingly provide location data for poachers. 
• Trail Watch is volunteer program for frequent users of the preserves and they undergo training to observe unusual/suspicious behavior- they are an extra set of eyes to alert forest preserve police. 
• The Forest Preserve Police, in addition to safeguarding the public in the preserves, also have extensive training in the protection of the preserves' natural and cultural resources.  When in the preserves any unusual/suspicious behavior can be reported to the police: 708 771 1000 and they will investigate.

The Board adopted a resolution recognizing May as Mental Health Awareness Month. 

• Started in 2014, the FPDCC was a founding member of the Nature, Culture and Human Health Network  (NCH2).  The network's goal is connecting people interested in the health benefits of nature.  
• The FPDCC and NCH2 have created a "Tools 2 Thrive Outside" campaign encouraging outdoor activities as beneficial to mental health.  The website is nch2.org/calendar. 
• Helpful activities are hiking, gardening, birding, volunteering, listening to birds chirping & leaves rustling, feeling the warm sun and breezes, and sensing fresh air and fragrant flowering shrubs.

The Clean Energy Framework was adopted to implement plans to reach the 2030 & 2050 greenhouse gas emissions goals. 

• In January 2019 a resolution was adopted to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by 2030 and to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. 
• Purchase of nineteen vehicles for law enforcement, 16 of which are hybrid (two are K-9 equipped), and one hybrid vehicle for the Resource Management Dept support the clean energy goals.  

The calendar for events for 5/11/21 to 6/22 21 was adopted, www.fpdcc.com/events. 

• May is Asian Pacific Islander Heritage month and events planned are Asian-Pacific traditions related to the moon, a Haiku Walk, and the ancient Japanese are of Gyotaku. 
• Events such as bird walks, virtual watercolor painting, hiking, wildflower walks, & yoga are posted. 
• Learn about snakes, hawks, butterflies, camping,  the moon/lunar eclipse, kites, frogs, animal homes, kayaking/canoeing, shrubs & trees, hummingbirds, bees, fungi, pond life, invasive species, Juneteenth.
  
• "Dinos Everywhere!"  is at Brookfield Zoo- 40 animatronic dinosaurs located throughout the zoo.

Observed by:  Michele Niccolai                                                                   Meeting length:  One hour, 15 minutes

Cook County Forest Preserve District Board Meeting
April 13, 2021
Virtual meeting called to order at 10:10am 

Public Comment: None

Board Meeting:

• Agenda Item #21-0190   The FPDCC approved a contract extension with Openlands to continue restoration efforts being done at Deer Grove East to continue restoration work on over 200 acres of land, including the Valentine wetlands. The work is being done at no direct cost to the Forest Preserve, but from the Deer Grove East Modernization Mitigation Account (“OMMA”) through 2023. 
• Item #21-0194   Contract approval for Space Haus of Chicago, IL to design building and exhibit renovations for Crabtree Nature Center in Barrington Hills. A Museum Capital grant awarded by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) would fund about 65 percent of design costs and 70 percent of estimated construction costs. 
• Item #21-0228   The Department of Conservation and Experiential Programming submitted their Calendar of Events for 4/13/2021-5/11/2021, including many activities for Earth Day. The Forest Preserve wants to continue to offer quality virtual events throughout the year in addition to their in-person events. The calendar can be found at www.fpdcc.com/events

Committee Items requiring board action

• The Recreation Committee discussed and the FPDCC approved item #21-0202, a bike ordinance which approves the use of e-bikes on Forest Preserve bike trails. This would allow people who would otherwise not be able to utilize the trails because of age or health to continue to ride. The FP plans to add signage on the trails for a speed limit and use police patrols where necessary. 

​Observer – Amber L Elmer                                                                            Meeting length: 31 minutes

​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