DeKalb Times

DeKalb County Forest Preserve Operations Committee met Nov. 26.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

The DeKalb County Forest Preserve Operations Committee met on Tuesday, November 26, 2019 in the Legislative Center’s Gathertorium located at 200 N. Main Street, Sycamore, Illinois. Vice- Chairman Whelan called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Those Members present were Mr. Tim Hughes, Ms. Maureen Little, Mr. Chris Porterfield, Mr. Craig Roman, and Vice-Chair Jeff Whelan. Ms. Terri Mann-Lamb and Chairman Stoddard were absent. A quorum was established with five Members present and two absent.

Others present included Forest Preserve District Superintendent Terry Hannan, Bob Wood, and Mr. Hannan’s wife and mother.

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

It was moved by Mr. Porterfield, seconded by Mr. Roman, and it was carried unanimously to approve the meeting agenda as presented.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

It was moved by Ms. Little, seconded by Mr. Porterfield and it was carried unanimously to approve the minutes from the October 22, 2019 Meeting.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

There were no public comments.

MONTHLY REPORTS & ACTIVITIES

Mr. Hannan reviewed the October / November 2019 Monthly Forest Preserve Report with the Committee. The report illustrated a wonderful compliment to Peggy Doty and Russell Woods along with photos of Peggy and Connie teaching Environmental Education to grade school students at Wilkinson Marsh and Outdoor Education Classes at Russell Woods.

Scout Troop 1329 from Woodstock lodged and tent camped at MacQueen Forest Preserve. Genoa Scout Troop Leader and avid birder Mike Andrews reported 1000’s of Mallard Ducks landing during the night and a few Barred Owls hooting at night in the South Branch Prairie during a recent camp out.

Forest Preserve Staff upgraded outhouses, worked on trail improvements and trail safety, cleared out non-native invasive shrubs, cleared brush for a new loop hiking trail at Adee Woods, prepared the sledding hill for winter use at Sannauk, and cut/split/stacked firewood for woodstoves for warm enclosed shelters at forest preserves. They were even able to squeeze in a couple Fall burns in October with more planned in Spring 2020.

Forest Preserve Volunteer Land Stewards installed a bench at Merritt Prairie commemorating the 1,000’s of hours of volunteer work they have done over the years, Mr. Hannan shared.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mr. Porterfield moved to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing Land Acquisition per 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5) at 6:09 p.m. Mr. Hughes seconded the motion and it carried by a 5-0-2 roll call vote. Those voting yea were Mr. Hughes, Ms. Little, Mr. Porterfield, Mr. Roman, and Vice-Chair Whelan. None were opposed and Ms. Mann-Lamb and Chairman Stoddard were absent.

The Committee entered back into their Open Meeting at 6:32 p.m.

APPROVAL OF LAND ACQUISITION IN KINGSTON TOWNSHIP, ADJACENT TO KNUTE OLSON, JR. FOREST PRESERVE

Mr. Porterfield moved to forward a Resolution to the full Board of Commissioners recommending the purchase of approximately 102.185 acres (as per survey) of land along the Kishwaukee River and connecting to Knute Olson Forest Preserve that was part of the former Oak Club Golf Course for $11,500 per acre totaling $1,175,127.00. Mr. Hughes seconded the motion and it was carried unanimously.

If the District Commissioners were to approve this land acquisition at the January 15, 2020 Meeting, Mr. Hannan will apply for a 50% I.C.E.C.F grant in early February. Mr. Hannan reviewed that the plan would be to close on property in June 2020 after I.C.E.C.F grant announcements are made in May 2020.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved by Mr. Porterfield, seconded by Ms. Little and it was carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 6:35 p.m.

https://dekalbcounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/min19-fpnov.pdf