Board meetings often
begin with the reading of resolutions honoring an individual or organization
for achievement, or commemorating the life, accomplishments, and memory of a notable
person with Forest Preserve connections.
The April 14 meeting was no exception, as both the late Billy Casper and
the non-profit Neighborspace were so honored.
Many commissioners remarked
about the kindness and generosity of national golf champion Billy Casper the
individual, as well as the professionalism of his business Billy Casper Golf, which
has had a contract for a number of years to operate all the District's golf
courses. Prior to retaining Billy Casper
Golf, the District golf courses were in poor shape; today, they are
well-managed and in very good condition.
Billy Casper Golf also runs the FPDCC campgrounds.
Commissioner Deborah Sims
sits on the board of directors of Neighborspace, a partnership between the
private sector, community organizations (churches, block clubs, schools), and
the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, the City of Chicago, and the
Chicago Park District. Neighborspace
secures land that is too small or too fragmented to be part of the FPDCC
holdings. It has acquired more than 100 parcels that are utilized for nature play
areas, community gardens, small parks, and natural areas and are maintained by
volunteers.
Agenda items of interest included:
#15-0213 & 15-0214: In Palos Park, the $5 million proposed acquisition
from the Catholic Bishop of Chicago (aka the Chicago Archdiocese) of 162.64
acres of high quality open space that includes a large, mature oak woodlands,
and a diverse habitat mixture of wetland, lake, and open field. It is in the watershed and includes the
headwater of the stream that created and still flows through the nearby Sagawu
Canyon Nature Preserve. This property is
adjacent to the Cap Sauers Nature Preserve, one the District's largest natural
areas.
#15-0237 &
15-0243: Proposed fee schedules for the
new aerial adventure & zipline course (depending on activity, the rates
will be $12-57 with a 30% reduction for nonprofit organizations) (15-0237); and
boat rental fees (ranging from $15/hour for rowboats, single kayak, or paddle
boats to $20 for canoes, tandem kayaks, &
electric motor boats)(15-243).
#15-0245: Proposed amendments to contracting provisions
(Title 1 Chapter 8 Section2 of the FPDCC Code), including conditions &
restrictions on awarding a contract, exceptions to those conditions &
restrictions, and selection of professional services for debt transactions.
#15-0248: Proposed changes to the section of the code
governing when permits are required.
#15-0249: Proposed change on the types of boating
devices that can be used on designated District properties, to include kayaks
and SUPs (stand-up paddleboards).
Advocates for SUPs, a newer phenomenon in Chicago but commonly used on
the east & west coasts, supported their inclusion but encouraged the FPDCC
to provide qualified instruction in their use.
#15-0303: Proposed amendment expanding the ban on use
of tobacco and marijuana in any form (smoking,
inhaling, exhaling, burning, consuming, carrying of any lighted cigarette,
cigar, pipe, vaporizer, snuff, snus, chewing tobacco) on FPDCC property or in
owned or leased District vehicles.
#15-0238: Approved a 3-year contract with Chicago Canoe
and Kayak, Evanston to operate the boat concession at Busse Boat House. At this time, canoes and kayaks only will be
available but Superintendent Randall will explore the possible addition of
stand-up paddleboards. #15-0239: T&M
Lakes, Inc., Orland Park was awarded the 3-year boat concession contracts for
the Tampier and Maple Lake Boat Houses.
#15-0257: Receipt of a 3-year, $452,000 grant (through
the Cook County Department of Public Health) from the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) Prevention Partnerships to Improve Community
Health program. The purpose is to
increase residents' awareness and promote physical activity in the forest
preserves as part of the Healthy HotSpot Initiative. #15-0246 goes into detail about preparation
of a 10 site "Gateway Plan" to
engage visitors.
#15-0263: Approval of an intergovernmental agreement
with the Village of Rosemont to construct a pedestrian bridge over the Des
Plaines River near Bryn Mawr Avenue that would provide access to the Catherine
Chevalier Woods. Rosemont will be
responsible for the design, construction and maintenance and there will be no
cost to FPDCC. Rosemont Mayor Bradley
Stephens was in attendance.
#15-0272: Through the Illinois Department of Natural
Resources, this Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grant ($439,000 + $95,000
match by FPDCC) is for control of buckthorn and garlic mustard at the Calumet
City Prairie, Jurgensen Woods, Thornton-Lansing Road Woods, and Wampum Lake.
#15-0291: Filing of the FY2014 Business Diversity
Report
The final item of
business is always a list of the upcoming monthly conservation and experiential
programming activities occurring throughout the FPDCC. Publicity does not
appear to be the District's forte.
Please consider contacting your local media to post these events, most
of which are free.
Submitted by Sheri Latash
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