Category: Cook County Forest Preserve District

Chicago Botanic Gardens Will Institute an Entrance Fee in 2022

6/16/2020

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Cook County Forest Preserve District Board Meeting - June 16, 2020
Virtual Meeting

Board Action

In order to cover operations at the gardens, a resolution was passed by the commissioners to allow the Botanic Gardens to begin the necessary changes in the visitor plaza in order to allow ticketing for entrance in 2022. The request is to allow fees in order to cover ongoing capital investments in the Garden. Research regarding pricing will continue in 2021 in order to be comparable to the Brookfield Zoo, other cultural institutions in Chicago and elsewhere. Tentative suggestions are staggered pricing for children, adults and elderly, and offering 52 free days a year. The proposal is not to exceed $35 for admission and not to exceed $30 for parking, however, admission pricing may result in lower parking pricing closer to $10. The long time frame for the request is due to the needed physical changes to accommodate admission ticketing.
Resolution was approved to allow the Forest Preserve to partner with the Bobolink Foundation for prairie restoration and invasive specie removal in Barrington Township.

Observed by: Laura Davis Meeting Length: 10:20 to 11:34am (difficulty connecting to virtual meeting)

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Cook County Forest Preserves Programs and Budget Disrupted by Coronavirus

5/25/2020

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Cook County Forest Preserves District (FPDCC) Board Meeting (Virtual)
May 19, 2020

Superintendent Arnold Randall opened the remote online virtual meeting mentioning Covid-19 challenges. Posts regarding Covid-19 state that until May 31, all public restrooms are closed, visitors are to wear a mask and are asked to follow social distancing guidelines (staying 6 feet from others) and keep moving. Until further notice no picnics or sports on properties. Dog parks are closed, following CDC guidelines. For Memorial Day weekend the FPDCC asked people to stay home and preserves had parking closures to limit the size of crowds. Golf courses and fishing lakes in the City of Chicago are closed. The FPDCC meets daily regarding management of sites. On its website, there is a page dedicated to Covid-19 covering Events, Locations and Precautions. Because of Covid-19, there are revenue shortfalls.

The Des Plaines river and many waterways run through FPDCC properties and the district routinely deals with flooding and these properties hold the majority of rain runoff. During recent rains, trails and parking lots were flooded. No canoeing or kayaking was allowed on waterways due to danger of higher flow. Visitors should check site websites before going and exercise care near water.

A Forest Preserves Tree Protection and Preservation manual was adopted. This manual was developed after receiving a grant via the Morton Arboretum from the US Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program because of its goal to help people connect with nature in urban forests. This manual includes many of the district's practices with added detail and clarification. FPDCC has a diverse number of tree species and needed a handbook of policies for protecting trees and ecosystems and for construction projects involving outside workers.

Horizon Farms, around 400 acres, is a former equestrian estate in Barrington Hills. FPDCC owns most of the property. It is temporarily closed and the Board gave the go ahead to negotiate for the remaining property to secure the right for public access.

Two Intergovernmental agreements between FPDCC and Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) were authorized. MWRD needed the right to used FPDCC property for two of its projects. First one is 1st Avenue in Maywood for storm water improvements to alleviate chronic flooding conditions that affect access to several hospitals including Loyola U Medical Center. The second MWRD project is the reconstruction and maintenance of the McCook levee along the Des Plaines river.

Authority was given to FPDCC to register Bergman Slough as an Illinois Land and Water Reserve (ILWR) through the Illinois Nature Preserve Commission. This approximately 280 acre preserve is adjacent to the Village of Palos Park. The addition of Bergman Slough would establish FPDCC's 5th ILWR.

Authorization was given to accept a Grant Award from the Nature Conservancy via the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's Save Our Great Lakes Program. This grant will help to restore and enhance habitats of Burnham Prairie, that are attractive to birds. It will also help the Sand Ridge Nature Preserve, South Holland, which contains a rare dune and swale remnant and a learning center for the natural and cultural history of the Calumet Region- the Illinois and Indiana counties on the south shore of Lake Michigan.

Financial arrangements were approved for the three Aquatic Centers, if needed, for the 2020 summer season. At this time, the centers will not open Memorial Day weekend and FPDCC is assessing and waiting for guidance from the state if they could be opened later in the 2020 summer season.

Calendar of Events: Due to Covid-19, all events have been canceled up to the beginning of August. On the website home page, under "The Latest" is "Nature at Home: Videos, Activities and More". At this time there is no Fall Program guide. Also recommended are the Brookfield Zoo and Chicago Botanic garden websites for activities and things to do.

Due to Covid-19, FPDCC has a serious decline in revenue: loss of taxes, permit and pool fees, concessions. There is a hiring freeze and a hold on construction/development/landscaping projects.

Observer: Michele Niccolai Meeting length: 1 hour

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As Corona Virus Crisis Unfolds Cook County Forest Preserve District Faces Fiscal Uncertainty

5/4/2020

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Cook County Forest Preserve District Board Meeting - April 23, 2020

What did the Board decide?

They will have virtual meetings in May and June (as was this April meeting).
The Board passed a number of consent agenda items which were not controversial.

Committee and Other Reports:

There were no Committee Reports, and no Public Testimony.
CFO Steve Hughes reported that the Forest Preserves District is in a good cash flow position right now, since property taxes for spring just came in, but with all events cancelled and rescheduling or refunds in place, a significant decline in revenues is expected, perhaps 7-11% ($4.5 to 7 million) for the year.
Superintendent Randall noted staff is working from home as much as possible and that a hiring freeze has been put in place. Nature Centers are closed, but at the same time there is an unprecedented uptick in the number of visitors to the Forest Preserves. Many Commissioners noted that they were able to go enjoy the Preserves more than usual in their lives and were pleased with what they found.
Superintendent Randall also said that they will be following the Department of Public Health guidance and likely to close more parts of the Forest Preserves if too many people gather. (More closures were announced on April 24).

Items to Watch for in the Future:

Revenues will continue to be a concern.

Observed by: Henrietta Saunders Meeting Length: 1 hour

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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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Chicago Botanic Gardens Will Institute an Entrance Fee in 2022

Cook County Forest Preserves Programs and Budget Disrupted by Coronavirus

As Corona Virus Crisis Unfolds Cook County Forest Preserve District Faces Fiscal Uncertainty

$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

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