The highlight of the
first quarter 2015 meetings was the centennial FPDCC board meeting in February,
described below.
January 20, 2015 Meeting
15-0081: Proposed resolution authorizing execution of
the Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System, a mutual aid agreement between FPDCC
and other law enforcement entities.
FPDCC may be called to assist
police departments and vice-versa.
Example: FPDCC provided police during the NATO conference in Chicago a couple years
ago. FPDCC has informal relationships
with fire departments as well.
15-0114: Intergovernmental agreement with the
University of Illinois Extension, for educators specializing in conservation
& experiential program training for staff as well as public outreach.
15-0116: Partnership agreement with "Fishin'
Buddies", an organization providing recreational outdoor programs for
underserved youth. Originally a fishing
program for children residing far from forest preserve property, the programs now
include an intensive, 4-week boot camp for high school youth, a fishing derby, &
winter outdoor education activities for elementary & middle school
students. There is a 20- year relationship between FPDCC & this
non-profit. The district contributes
~$34,000, about half of the operating costs.
15-0117: Acquisition of three tax delinquent
properties in the area adjacent to the Joe Louis Golf Course and Whistler Woods
Forest Preserve in Riverdale. The
properties will provide direct access to the future Cal-Sag Trail, as well as
the Little Calumet River and the Calumet Boat Launch.
15-0138: Once again, the FPDCC has earned the
Government Finance Officers Association's Certificate of Achievement for
Excellence in Financial Reporting for their Comprehensive Annual Financial
Report.
February
11, 2015 Meeting
The holdings of the FPDCC
are referred to as an "emerald necklace" surrounding Chicago. The design of that emerald necklace was the work
of landscape architect Jens Jensen and architect Dwight Perkins.
At the actual 100th
anniversary commemoration of the FPDCC, which occurred at the February 11, 2015
meeting, the descendants of Jensen & Perkins were presented with plaques in
appreciation of the vision of their forbearers.
Events marking the centennial actually began in June 2013 with a program
at the Chicago Cultural Center.
Panelists at a subsequent program at Spertus College examined the
relationship between human nature and the environment. And last summer, 3000
people attended the Millennium Park showing of a PBS film on Jens Jensen.
Also presented with
plaques were the Loyola University authors of a new "Explore the Forest"
activity book (#15-0156). Developed
specifically for the FPDCC centennial, these books are available for free to
youth & families at the nature centers, information & health fairs,
commissioners' offices, & other appropriate venues.
Though some business was
transacted, the meeting was largely a love-fest: commissioners talking about
what the forest preserves meant to them growing up and now, and expressions of
admiration for the turnaround of the district by Superintendent Arnold Randall
and President Toni Preckwinkle. The
"old days" of the FPDCC being the dumping ground for patronage workers
is gone. The meeting concluded with both
a photographer and videographer making panoramic sweeps of everyone in
attendance as part of the official record & archive.
Preceding the February 11
FPDCC board meeting, the elevator lobby was abuzz with activity: visitors
viewed a photo exhibit documenting the history of the forest preserves,
naturalists brought an owl & snake from the nature centers & answered
questions, there were giveaways (calendars, pins, pens), and the media were
there. After the board meeting we were all treated to cupcakes.
Noteworthy official
business matters include:
15-0151: Receipt & filing of the Natural and
Cultural Resources Master Plan developed in partnership with the Prairie
Research Institute of the University of Illinois. 15-0152: Proposed contract not exceed $500,000 in 2015
to execute parts of the plan.
15-0152: Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources
$1,063,500 grant (to be matched 100% by FPDCC) for improvements to Dan Ryan
Woods. Improvements include nature play
& outdoor recreation elements such as walking paths & trails, adding
exercise stairs to the sledding hill so it can become a year round fitness
challenge site, converting a nonfunctioning wading pool into an outdoor nature
classroom, creating a treehouse/nature viewing platform.
15-0153: Bid recommendation for removal of 1.8 acres
of tree & brush across a rare dune & swale habitat at Wentworth Woods
in Calumet City to promote the growth of native ground layer vegetation. The work will be funded by a $43,000 U.S.
Fish & Wildlife Service grant (and a $43,000 match by FPDCC) provided through the Great
Lakes Restoration Initiative.
15-0159: Proposed partnership agreement with Openlands
for a large-scale restoration project at Deer Grove West in Palatine. Deer Grove was the first preserve acquired by
the forest preserve district in 1916.
Originally 500 acres, the tract is now 1,800 acres.
15-0161, 15-0162,
15-0164, 15-0165, 15-0166: Disbursements
of ~$1.3 million for construction work on the campgrounds, particularly
overnight camping facilities
March 10, 2015 Meeting
Significant discussion
centered on two topics: a proposed
increase in the weekend parking fee at the Chicago Botanic Garden (15-0147,
introduced at the January board meeting) and the Natural and Cultural Resources
Master Plan (15-0151).
Last year more than 1
million people visited the Chicago Botanic Garden (CBG). Admission to the garden is free: you can walk in, bike in, take a Pace bus, or
drive. But there is a $20 parking fee
for Cook County residents who aren't members; and non-member visitors from outside
Cook County pay a $25 parking fee. CBG
has proposed a $5 increase in the parking fee for non-members who visit on
weekends, as a means of encouraging visitors to come on weekdays instead. Weekend traffic backups on the Edens
Expressway and Lake Cook Road are not just frustrating and inconvenient for
visitors & those living in the vicinity, they are dangerous. CBG has had to hire the Highland Park police
for traffic control and increase security personnel. CBG is looking at a wide range of alternatives
to alleviate congestion, but will likely need to build another lot (~$1.4
million).
Weekends are popular because visitors work
during the week, and special events are usually held on weekends. Commissioners
were skeptical that the $5 weekend surcharge would compel visitors to come on
weekdays. Nevertheless, because admission is free the increase was adopted on a
vote of 13-2 (Commissioners Fritchey & Boykin opposed).
Highlights of the Natural
and Cultural Resources Master Plan were presented by two of its authors from
the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois, Urbana. The plan can be accessed at http://fpdcc.com/preserves-and-trails/plans-and-projects/natural-and-cultural-resources-master-plan/. Of particular interest to
this reporter is the section on archeological sites: "To date, approximately
1,200 archaeological sites have been recorded in Cook County. About 550 (or
nearly 46 percent) of these are located on FPCC property...Furthermore, less
than 20 percent of the forest preserves have been systematically surveyed..."
(page 48). Should you choose to view the
presentation & Board discussion, it can be found at 1:12-1:29 on the video.
In addition to the CBG
parking increase, other financial matters of interest include (1) approval for
refinancing of bonds to take advantage of lower interest rates (15-0178: Ordinance authorizing the issuance of up to
$17 million general obligation unlimited tax refunding bonds and up to $3
million in general obligation limited tax bonds was proposed at the February
meeting.); (2) approval of the 2015 tax levy which remains at the same rate as
2014 (15-020); and (3) discussion of the $437,000 cost overrun (due to a
combination of factors, many of which could not have been anticipated) for
construction of the overnight campground in Palatine (15-0200).
Each month a Corporate
Fund Analysis of Revenue and Expenses is presented by FPDCC's chief financial
officer. The March report reflected data
as of January 31, 2015. Compared to this
same period in 2014, revenue was down $47,000 (due to weather & fewer fines
being assessed), and expenses were down $224,000. Year-to-date, however, expenses exceeded
revenue by ~$136,000. This is not a
cause for concern, however, as tax payments from the first installment have not
yet been received by FPDCC.
15-0223, 15-0224,
15-0226: The 2014 Minority Business
Enterprise/Woman Business Enterprise reports for the FPDCC, Brookfield Zoo, and
Chicago Botanic Garden, respectively, were filed and referred to the Contract
Compliance Committee.
15-0135: Proposed ordinance on overnight campground
fees. New construction & upgrades
are ongoing. As described at the January meeting, the fees are competitive with
other area campgrounds, programming is offered, and non-profits receive a 50%
discount.
15-0228: Miami Woods & Prairie Volunteer Stewards
filed their 2014 report on ecological restoration activities. Commissioners Goslin & Suffredin lauded
the stewards & their achievements, and commended their model for engaging
volunteers and accomplishing significant restoration.
Submitted by Sheri Latash
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