Category: Brookfield Zoo

Cook County Forest Preserve District Budget Includes No New Fees or a Tax Increase

11/21/2020

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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

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Proposed 2021 Cook County Forest Preserve Budget Presented at Board Meeting

11/3/2020

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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

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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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Cook County Forest Preserve District Budget Includes No New Fees or a Tax Increase

Proposed 2021 Cook County Forest Preserve Budget Presented at Board Meeting

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

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