Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Forest Preserve District of Cook County Report from the First Quarter 2015 meetings



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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