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

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

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

FPD Finance Committee and Board Meeting - Feb 9, 2016

Both meetings were short with no contentious issues discussed. A number of bid contracts were awarded and disbursals recommended which seemed to be clearly presented and well-organized.

Significant Topics Discussed:

• Public comment included volunteers who testified in support of the restoration programs being carried out by the Friends of the Forest Preserves (FOTFP), with one steward pronouncing that more taxpayers were out at his cold workday during the last weekend than appeared to be present in the chamber observing the meeting. In contrast to the generally favorable tone of the rest of the speakers, regular observer George Blakemore also spoke, questioning why "Friends" of the Forest Preserve should be requesting funds, if they are true Friends.  There was a total of $100,000 in monies and $20,000 in either funds or in-kind support voted for this organization.  No one answered Mr. Blakemore's concern directly at the meeting, but it is clear from the packet that FOTFP has generated more than $300,000 from other sources and over 6000 volunteers. The CCFPD amounts provide a needed match for outside funds, or supplement work that is ongoing on public lands.
• A large sum was also voted to continue the relationship with U of I Extension for the Master Naturalist program, a competitive program which is currently seeking applicants.  Master Naturalists are required to complete public service in the Forest Preserves as part of their designation process.
• Another public speaker was Mike McDonald, a well-known photographer who presented each Commissioner with a copy of his new book, My Journey into the Wilds of Chicago, A Celebration of Chicago's Startling Natural Wonders. Many of the pictures in the book were taken in the Forest Preserve District, and he expressed appreciation for this resource and encouraged ongoing care of this world-class resource.

Observer - Henrietta Saunders