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Board of Commissioner Minutes Nov. 19

Winnebago County Forest Preserve District

BOARD MEETING

District Headquarters

November 19, 2012

 

PRESENT                                                                 STAFF

Mary McNamara-Bernsten – President                       Tom Kalousek, Executive Director

Judy Barnard                                                              Steve Chapman, Finance

Audrey Johnson                                                          Mike Durand, Golf

Lee Johnson                                                                Tom Hartley, Land and Development

Gloria Lind                                                                 Vaughn Stamm, Preserve Operations

Cheryl Maggio                                                           Jamie Johannsen, Marketing

Randy Olson   – 5:34 pm                                             Judi Day, Budget & Personnel

GUESTS        Ray Ferguson              Linda Johnson             Mike Eickmann

 

 

ROLL CALL

The meeting was called to order at 5:31 pm.  Recording secretary Ronelle Johnson called the roll.

 

INVOCATION and PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE     Gloria Lind led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA and MINUTES   Minutes for October 17 and October 25 were approved.

 

CLOSED SESSION

Land acquisition – The meeting closed at 5:32 PM to go into closed session to discuss possible land acquisition.  The meeting re-opened at 5:51 PM.  No action was taken while in closed session.

 

Leave of Absence – Audrey Johnson made a motion to approve the IMRF Benefit Protection Leave and leave of absence for Frank Williams from November 18, 2012 through February 9, 2013.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

ACTION ITEMS

2013 fees and charges – Mike Durand and Vaughn Stamm presented the 2013 fee schedule to the Commissioners.  The staff is recommending that all golf season passes and greens fees remain the same.  There will be a new category of Golf Team Pass for $75 to be used for team practice and competitions for students, and a revised promotion and fee for the Player Card privilege.  No fee increases were recommended for preserve activities. Audrey Johnson made a motion to approve the 2013 golf fees and charges, shelterhouse and ground use, camping, equestrian, special events, balloon launch permits, model airplane flying permits, metal detector permits, and geocaching/letterboxing permits.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Agreement with Toll Authority – bridge at Kishwaukee River – The Illinois State Toll Highway Authority is constructing a new bridge across the Kishwaukee River.  The main impact to the District is the closing of the path under the bridge that connects County Line Forest Preserve to the Ipsen Road parking area.  This agreement states that the path will be reconstructed at no charge to the District, but that the District must obtain a permit from the Toll Authority for the path.  The approximate time for reconstruction will be February 2013 to December 2014.  Gloria Lind made a motion to approve the agreement between the Winnebago County Forest Preserve District and the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority to allow the closing of the path under the Kishwaukee River bridge at County Line Forest Preserve during construction of a new bridge, followed by reconstruction of the path.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Payment of bills – The invoices for the month of November, prepared by the Winnebago County Finance Department, have been reviewed by Finance Director Steve Chapman and are accurate and appropriate for payment.  Cheryl asked if the smokehouse processing fee was a pre-payment.  Vaughn responded that the deer taken during the time frame January, February, and March is meat that is held until it is CWD cleared, then the meat is distributed to the food pantry, so that invoice is just now coming through.  Vaughn indicated that there were a handful of deer that were positive for CWD, and he will give a report next month.  Jamie explained that Manifesto Marketing is whom the District has been using for the new newsletter and Eblast format, which is also linked to a redesign and upgrade of website, all of which are the new steps the District is taking for integrated social media.  Audrey made a motion to authorize the payment of the District’s bills for the month of November, 2012 in the amount of $556,619.55.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

BOARD DISCUSSION

Open Meetings Act compliance – Mary reminded all Commissioners that they needed to be in compliance with the Open Meetings Act.  If they have taken the training, they need to submit their completion certificates to Judi Day.

 

NEW BUSINESS

Acceptance of NLI donation – The Natural Land Institute no longer wants to own the 3-acre existing access easement at Sugar River Alder.  Gloria made the motion to accept the NLI donation of the existing access easement of 3 acres at Sugar River Alder.  Motion passed unanimously.  Judy Barnard abstained.

 

STAFF REPORTS

Preserve Operations – Vaughn Stamm distributed his report on preserve operations for November-December which included what has been done and what will be done through December.  His report also included camping revenue comparisons and number of people that camped from April through November.

 

Golf Operations – Mike Durand distributed his work plan for the Fall of 2012, which included dates the courses will be closing and golf revenue.

 

Land and Development – Tom Hartley distributed his Land and Development report for October through January, which included what is currently being worked on and what is upcoming for the beginning of the year.  He also distributed the GIS Coordinator report for October through January.

 

Marketing – Jamie Johannsen distributed her Marketing and Community Relations report from October through January, which included launching of the new E-Blast format and service, reorganizing and redesigning the enhanced website, and the upcoming launch of the redesigned website.

 

Law Enforcement Report – Terry Nordberg distributed his Law Enforcement Report for the month of October.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS and COMMUNICATIONS

Holiday Luncheon, December 19 at Klehm Arboretum, 11:30-1:30, RSVP to Vaughn Stamm.

 

Klehm update re: Executive Director Position – Elise Howlett has advised President McNamara Bernsten that they have received 25 resumes.  They hope to have the process completed by mid to late January.

 

Since Judy Barnard is not available on Wednesday December 12, the new date for the December board meeting is Wednesday, December 19, at District Headquarters.

 

ADJOURN

Meeting adjourned at 6:08 pm.

Next board meeting 5:30 PM, Wednesday, December 19, District Headquarters

Board/staff holiday party 11:30, Wednesday, December 19, Klehm Arboretum

 

Ronelle Johnson

Recording Secretary