Forest Preserve District proposes flat budget for 2016

FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT OF COOK COUNTY November 17, 2015 Meeting

The FPDCC presented a flat budget for 2016.  Most of the public testimony at the budget hearing supported the proposed budget which preserved all programs. Many public speakers described their good working relationship with the district and how current programs have benefitted their constituents. Speakers included representatives from Green Corps Chicago, University of Illinois Extension, FPDCC's Conservation Corps, Thatcher Woods Savanna Restoration Project, Growing Solutions (a program for developmentally challenged students from Al Raby High School that grows vegetables for Brookfield Zoo animals); Mujeres Latinas en Accion, El Valor, Chicago Botanic Garden, and Chicago Zoological Society (Brookfield Zoo). Several speakers gave moving testimonials on how FPDCC's programs have personally impacted them, giving them opportunities and, for some, a chance to turn their lives around.  All speakers supported expansion of current programs.

Representatives of various Cook County equestrian groups objected to having to pay a fee to use the trails, which were the precursors of today's bike/walking trails and paths.  Many equestrians are members of the Trail Watch volunteer program that informs FPDCC when trees have fallen across trails or block stream flow, or there are other issues needing attention. Most of the surrounding counties do not assess a trail users fee. The collected annual fees ($34 for residents/$49 for non-residents; daily fee is $4) are supposed to be used for "equestrian amenities".  However, of the $80,000 in fees collected the past two years, the only identifiable amenity the four public speakers have seen is seven hitching posts.  They asked to see the equestrian amenities plans.

Forest Preserve Foundation President Shelley Davis highlighted their accomplishments as described in their 2015 annual report , and strategic plan. As an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the foundation encourages and administers private gifts to further the district's mission and goals. Aligned with the Next Century Conservation Plan and the Centennial Campaign Plan, the foundation focuses on building a base of partners and supporters.  Highlights included raising $168,000 at the Conservation Cup Golf Tournament, which will allow for expansion of the FPDCC's Conservation Corps program.  Due to pension payment uncertainties, the financial support from the foundation will become increasingly important.

More critical of the proposed budget was Lawrence Msall, president of the Civic Federation, which submitted 57 pages of comments on the budget (unclear as to whether those comments also addressed the Cook County Board's budget.) Msall said FPDCC needs a contingency plan for funding pension obligations if pension reforms don't happen. He called for separation of the FPDCC from the Cook County Board, and stated that the current governance & budget aren't sufficiently transparent.

Also concerned about the impact of pension payments on future programs was Benjamin Cox, Exec. Dir. of Friends of the Forest Preserve.  Based on his review of page 17 of the budget, pension obligations will not strain the budget in 2016, but the picture will be different in 2017. He expressed concern that the Resource Management funds which are critical to the district's core mission, will be sacrificed to the pensions.

Commissioner Larry Suffredin picked up on this theme with his similar concern, and General Superintendent Arnold Randall agreed that pension payments are the elephant in the room for the 2017 budget.

Commissioners will vote on the budget at the December 15, 2015 meeting.

In other matters. . .

• Commissioner Larry Suffredin reported on his annual survey of picnic permit users.  One hundred fifty-one (151) respondents out of 400 identified the need for more recycling bins, cleaner restroom facilities, and suggested adding power to picnic shelters.  Signage regarding water pump usage is also necessary. 
• The new campgrounds will be open during winter for cross-country skiing.

Agenda items included the following. . .

• The proposed collective bargaining agreement, salary schedule, wage adjustments and health care plan were referred to the Labor Committee (#15-0584); a leave of absence policy for organ donors was also proposed (Item #15-0618).
• An audit of evaluating the effectiveness of internal controls over procurement card usage was referred to the Audit Committee (#15-0596).
• Proposed contracts include $200,000 for a second large truck capable of removing & transporting large logs (#15-0602); an increase in rock salt & de-icing materials (total contract amount will be $384,000; the City of Chicago and FPDCC bid jointly with the supplier; #15-0603)
• Proposed $1.12 million contract for restoration of 366 acres of the Cranberry Slough Nature Preserve (Palos area).  This site is the #1 priority for restoration as identified in the 2014 Next Century Conservation Plan. (#15-0607); proposed agreement with Openlands and Army Corps of Engineers to develop a work plan to restore valuable remnant wetland communities and the surrounding watershed at Deer Grove West (#15-0620).  The 500 acre Deer Grove West was  FPDCC's first acquisition when it was established 100 years ago.  Costs of this project will be funded via the O'Hare Modernization Mitigation Account designed to address off-site wetland impacts from the O'Hare expansion. Deer Grove West is in the top five priorities for restoration according to the Natural & Cultural Resources Master Plan.
• Proposed partnership with The Nature Conservancy to collaborate on wildfire management activities (Item #15-0621).
• Proposed 10 year license to Waste Management of Illinois, Inc. to install & operate an additional groundwater monitoring well in Beaubien Woods, across the Bishop Ford Highway, from the CID Landfill. License fees exceed $12,000 this year. (#15-0613)
• Proposed contract ($675,000) with Constellation Energy Services to supply district wide electricity (#15-0615)

Submitted by Sheri Latash

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