Category: Partnerships

Cook County's Forest Preserve Superintendent Shares Urban Wildlife Management Techniques with Beijing

2/26/2019

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Cook County Forest Preserve District Board Of Commissioners Meeting
February 19, 2019

What did the Board decide?

The Board welcomed the Boy Scouts of America back to the Forest Preserves after some years of being denied usage due to the exclusionary nature of their membership some years ago. Commissioners Sims and Suffredin heartily commended them for becoming inclusive and welcoming.

What else did the Board discuss?
Most of the meeting consisted of two presentations.

The first topic was the refurbishment and renovation of the Major Taylor trail, connecting the south suburbs to the city. Major Taylor was the first African American cyclist to win the Cycling World championship in 1899. He was active from 1895 to 1910 and spent most of his later years in Chicago. The trail runs from Dan Ryan Woods to the Cal-Sag trail. The surface has been refurbished and viaduct murals will be restored by the springtime.
The second presentation was by Superintendent Randall about his trip to Beijing (the Chinese paid for the trip) where he talked about how to manage nature preserves in urban areas. The Chinese invited Cook County to teach Beijing about how to encourage participation and education, and create healthy eco-systems. Beijing is home to 30 million people and they have just one nature center and one campground. The eco-system is not healthy. Supt. Randall described seeing no wildlife except for one squirrel and a few birds. The climate is much drier than Chicago’s and they were very concerned about using controlled burns to manage underbrush.

Other Items of Interest

The FP signed an agreement with Bike and Roll to allow for bike rentals this year.
The County is hoping the State will allocate funds for a capital budget for the Forest Preserve this year.

Observer - Amy Little Meeting Length: 53 minutes

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Opening Day for Cook County Forest Preserve Permits Changed to November 15

10/17/2018

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Cook County Forest Preserve District Board Meeting - October 16, 2018

What did the Board Decide:

Agreed to move the opening day for permits from January to November to accommodate folks planning events in 2019, more mild weather in November than January, and some folks have less cash after the holidays than in November.
Board approved a 3 year, competitive bid contract for Billy Casper Golf, from Virginia, to staff and manage better coverage for park golf and pavilion facilities. Forest Preserve staff were unable to meet all the demands from constituents.
Wampum Lake and Thornton-Lansing Road Preserves were elevated to Nature Preserve status which is the highest level of protection and indicate important natural and cultural significance.
An agreement was renewed with University of Illinois Prairie Research Institute to continue research in Cook County Forest Preserves.

Observer - Laura Davis Meeting Length : 11am until around 3pm. With a 1/2 hour lunch break

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Cook County Forest Preserve Board Approves Agenda Quickly

6/12/2018

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Cook County Forest Preserve District Board Meeting - June 5, 2018

What did the Board decide?

Approved Workers Compensation items, Revenue and Expense report, Contract Performance, and Payment of Firms.

What else did the Board discuss or refer to committee?

The Board discussed their partnership with the Park District with regard to Movies in the Park, Commissioner Schneider’s Fishing Derby at Busse Lake, Kid Fest with canoes and archery, “Live Healthy/Discover Nature”. Also mentioned were partnerships with the Botanic Gardens and the Brookfield Zoo.
They discussed the agreement with Niles to add trail connections to the North Branch Bicycle Trail and the Forest Preserve’s partnership with the Sheriff for the fifth year to continue destruction and demolition of Forest Preserve buildings using inmates to do the work for vocational rehabilitation.
They mentioned the upcoming calendar of events.

Observer - Beverly Graham Meeting Length - 15 minutes

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Forest Preserve District Board of Cook County Approves Agenda Items in Record Time

4/30/2018

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Forest Preserve District of Cook County Board Meeting - April 24, 2018

What did the Board decide?
Approved the following:

Partnerships with various groups for habitat volunteer work
A contract for drug testing
A contract for satisfaction surveys
Renewal of a contract for media services
Contract amendments for landscaping, and professional services

What else did the Board discuss or refer to committee?
There were multiple committee meetings before the scheduled Board meeting including Workman’s Compensation, Rules, Finance, Real Estate (for a Metropolitan Water Reclamation District license renewal request for a pumping station) and Finance Subcommittee on Litigation.

Other Observations:
The Board meeting actually started 45 minutes late due to the length of the Consent Calendar Meeting of the Cook County Board which included resolutions and awards for a variety of groups (the Loyola Mens Basketball team, Sexual Assault Awareness Month, National Service Day, Autism Awareness Month, Westchester Food Pantry etc.) This was then followed by the quick moving committee meetings listed above.

Observer - Peggy Kell Meeting Length - 30 minutes

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Cook County Forest Preserve Board Approves 2018 Tax Levy

2/12/2018

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Cook County Forest Preserve District Board Meeting - February 8, 2018

What did the Board decide?

The Board approved the 2018 Tax Levy of $94,415,003
The Board approved an intergovernmental agreement to supply a grant of $97,752 for Mobile Data Terminals for their law enforcement. Monies are from Homeland Security.
The Board approved license for water main maintenance with Oakton Community College, and license for Botanic Garden to extend fencing along Skokie River for deer prevention.
The Board approved partnership agreement with Friends of the Forest Preserves for Conservation Corps internship program.

What else did the Board discuss or refer to committee?

The Board approved the calendar of events for 2/8/18 to 3/13/18.
The Board approved the Real Estate, Rules, and Finance Committee Meeting recommendations.

Other Comments or Observations

Commissioner Simms, Illinois Counties Association, presented the FP District a donation of a scholarship check of $401,00, which will be used for the intern program.
Deer Grove, where Camp Reinberg is located, was the first acquisition of the CC Forest Preserve. Peter Reinberg was the first Forest Preserve Board President.

Observer - Peggy Kell Meeting Length - 47 minutes

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Cook County Forest Preserve Honors Dr. George B. Rabb

11/21/2017

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Cook County Forest Preserve District Board Meeting - October 24, 2017

Honoring Dr. Rabb:
The Board adopted a resolution in memory of Dr. George B. Rabb, PhD., former president and president emeritus of the Chicago Zoological Society. Dr. Rabb died on July 27, 2017 after a distinguished career. Much of his work was at the Brookfield Zoo where he developed innovative approaches to the science of animal care and welfare, education and conservation. Several commissioners spoke about the work of Dr. Rabb in glowing terms.

Significant Decisions Made:

The Board approved an amendment to its agreement with the Chicago Botanic Garden regarding the plants of concern program which identifies and monitors rare plant species.
The Board approved an agreement with Park Ridge regarding right of entry onto Forest Preserve property to perform storm water outflow maintenance and improvements. The work would improve water flow and mitigate storm water related issues throughout the Preserve and in adjacent communities.
The Board approved an intergovernmental agreement with the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine for wild life pathology and diagnostic services.
The Board approved an amended slate of committee, Chair and Vice Chair assignments.

Significant Topics Discussed and/or Referred to Committee:

The FY 2018 Executive Budget was received and referred to the Finance Committee.
A proposed ordinance on parking regulations was referred to the Finance Committee.

Other Observations:

At the end of the agenda was a comprehensive list of upcoming events in the Forest Preserve.

Observer - Elizabeth Kinney Meeting Length: 2 hours

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Cook County's Forest Preserve Superintendent Shares Urban Wildlife Management Techniques with Beijing

Opening Day for Cook County Forest Preserve Permits Changed to November 15

Cook County Forest Preserve Board Approves Agenda Quickly

Forest Preserve District Board of Cook County Approves Agenda Items in Record Time

Cook County Forest Preserve Board Approves 2018 Tax Levy

Cook County Forest Preserve Honors Dr. George B. Rabb

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