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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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Health Benefits of Walking in the Forest Preserves Highlighted at Board Meeting

4/9/2018

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Cook County Forest Preserve District (FPD) Board Meeting - March 13, 2018

What did the Board decide:

Acceptance of report from study conducted July, 2015-January, 2018 “ Walking Green: Developing an Evidence Base for Nature Prescription in Forest Preserve District of Cook County” A study partially funded by the Cook County FPD and by Northwestern University was conducted by Dr. Teresa Horton to compare health benefits of walking in a forest preserve property and on a suburban sidewalk. While health benefits of walking are widely recognized, the issue of whether where we walk matters needs further study. The purpose was to gather evidence that might provide data supporting nature prescription-in essence, a recommendation to spend time in nature. Her results indicate there is a greater benefit to perceived mood and perceived level of stress. This is part of an initiative to connect medical providers and use of forest preserves. The program Park Rx is currently under development with Swedish Covenant Hospital.
Mary Mix McDonald: Resolution to honor her life of public service. She served on the Cook County Board of Commissioners, 1974-1994, the first Republican woman elected to the Cook County Board. Her service included the establishment of the Chicago Botanic Gardens and improving Cook County Hospital.
Friends of Chicago River: Resolution to honor their service as valued partners of the Forest Preserves and advocates for the Chicago River system. General Supt. Randall acknowledged their beneficial, meaningful projects for restoration and support of Chicago River policies, inspiring people of all ages to advocate for nature.
US Green Building Council LEED Platinum Certification: First such recognition for a Cook County FPD building. This was for the renovation of the Rolling Knolls Pavilion for exceptional energy efficiency and sustainability. Several other environmentally conscious projects are in progress, including one at the Chgo. Botanic Gardens.
Forest Preserve Foundation Executive Director thanked the Illinois Counties Officials Assoc for a gift of $401,000 for grants.
Bike and Roll Program will be expanded and upgraded to an unlocked system. More bikes will be available at more locations at a lower cost. An app is used.
Bike path connections - Several bike path connection projects are in process with approval for contract amendments. Several other amendments were approved regarding improvements in park facilities.

Of note:

Board Pres. Toni Preckwinke was invited by the MWRD to take a swim in the Chicago River which she did with the wetsuit they provided.
Mary Mix McDonald’s daughter found the following quote among her mom’s favorite clippings tucked under the glass on her dresser. “Care of human life and happiness and not their destruction is the first and only object of good government.” Thomas Jefferson

Observer - Carolyn Cosentino Meeting Length: 1 hr. 18 min.

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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 Creates New Forest Preserve Near King's Grove

12/15/2017

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Cook County Forest Preserve District Board Meeting – December 12, 2017
Significant Decisions:

The Board approved an ordinance to create a forest preserve near King’s Grove in District 6. The board also accepted the donation of 1+ acres in Park Forest from the Land Conservancy of Will County that would add, and provide a buffer, to the District’s King’s Grove holdings.
The Board approved three ordinance amendments that update the District’s sexual harassment policies and procedures in compliance with the State of Illinois standards.
The Board approved its calendar of meetings for 2018, including three meetings to be held in the field (Feb 8, Mar 17, Jul 26).
The Board approved a 1-year renewable contract to conduct row crop farming at select sites that were historically used for agriculture prior to acquisition by the Preserves and are therefore not in an ecologically natural state. Crop farming prevents invasive plant species from taking over fallow land, and keeps the properties in manageable condition until a restoration project can take place at the site. The annual contract may be renewed up to 4 times at the discretion of the General Superintendent.

Other Actions:

The Board approved a 3-year partnership agreement with Trailbound Trips, a Cook County company that offers guided hiking and bicycling trips geared toward women audiences, while also educating them on restoration and conservation topics.
The Board also authorized entering into a new 7-year agreement with optional 3-year extension with the Oak Park Tennis Center to continue offering tennis related programs to youth and adults. The new agreement calls for an increase in financial compensation to the Preserves, plus an OPTC commitment of an annual $20,000 capital contribution to ensure that the tennis facility remains in good condition for the length of the agreement.

Observer – Pamela Calvert Meeting length: 1 hour

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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

Health Benefits of Walking in the Forest Preserves Highlighted at Board Meeting

Cook County Forest Preserve Board Approves 2018 Tax Levy

Cook County Creates New Forest Preserve Near King's Grove

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