Board of Commissioner Minutes March 20, 2020

Forest Preserves of Winnebago County

BOARD MEETING

Preserves Headquarters

March 20, 2020

PRESENT                                                     STAFF

Judy Barnard – via phone                               Mike Holan, Executive Director

Mike Eickman – via phone

Audrey Johnson – via phone

Gloria Lind – via phone

Cheryl Maggio – via phone

Jeff Tilly– via phone

Jake Henry– via phone

ROLL CALL

The meeting was called to order at 2:23 PM, by President Tilly.  Executive Director Mike Holan called the roll.   All Commissioners participated via telephone due to the COVID-19 restrictions.  Pursuant to Governor Pritzker’s temporary change to the Open Meetings Act, the change allows for a remote meeting to allow Commissioners to participate via phone conference which will still be considered a quorum.

ACTION ITEMS

BOARD DISCUSSION/COMMITTEE REPORTS

Update on Preserves due to COVID-19 – Mike Holan informed the Commissioners of Governor Pritzker’s Shelter in Place Order and how that will affect the preserves. The Order will take effect on Saturday March 21 at 5:00pm and end April 7 at the end of the day. The Order required all golf courses, campgrounds, offices, playgrounds and other facilities be closed to the public unless it is considered essential services. Preserve gates will be closed but walk-in use will be allowed. Restrooms will be locked to prevent vandalism, discourage the theft of toilet paper and prevent contamination to staff when cleaning restrooms.

Mike asked the Commissioners for a consensus to pay staff regular wages during the duration of the Shelter in Place Order with the understanding that administrative staff will work from home as needed and essential staff will report to work sites only as needed. Jeff Tilly, Judy Barnard, Audrey Johnson, Gloria Lind, Mike Eickman and Cheryl Maggio voted “yes” and Jake Henry voted “no” to pay staff during the duration of the Shelter in Place Order.

Mike then explained that at least 2 staff members will lose vacation time due to the Order and the policy to use all time except 5 days prior to their anniversary date. Mike asked the Commissioners for a consensus to allow those staff members to carry that vacation time for an additional 60 days. Jeff Tilly, Judy Barnard, Audrey Johnson, Gloria Lind, Mike Eickman and Cheryl Maggio voted “yes” and Jake Henry voted “no” to allow staff to carry the vacation time for another 60 days.

ADJOURNMENT

Meeting adjourned at 3:05 PM.

Next board meeting 5:30 PM, Wednesday, April 15, Preserve Headquarters

Respectfully Submitted,

Michael Holan

Executive Director