Board of Commissioner Minutes November 15, 2017
Forest Preserves of Winnebago County
BOARD MEETING
Macktown Living History Center
November 15, 2017
PRESENT STAFF
Judy Barnard Mike Holan, Executive Director
Mike Eickman Steve Chapman, Finance
Audrey Johnson Vaughn Stamm, Preserve Operations
Gloria Lind – 5:45 pm Tom Hartley, Land and Development
Cheryl Maggio Jamie Johannsen, Marketing
Jeff Tilly Kim O’Malley, Human Resources/Volunteer Program
Jake Henry
GUESTS
Ray & Char Ferguson
ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order at 5:31 PM, by President Barnard. Recording secretary Ronelle Johnson called the roll.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Cheryl Maggio led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA and MINUTES Minutes for October 25, 2017 were approved. No changes were made to the agenda, however the location of the December meeting has been changed to Severson Dells.
PRESENTATIONS and PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Macktown Living History Update – Ray & Char Ferguson – Ray gave an update as to the news, events and new board members at Macktown. They have hired a grant writer, Lynette Newton. However, prior to the new grant writer, Macktown received a grant from Ecolab in the amount of $1,500 for the 2018 archaeological dig. Char gave an update as to the living history education programs, the school programs, and the classes Macktown has offered this past year and the upcoming year. Approximately 790 people attended The Gathering this year, which is a great turnout. Ray concluded with the needs of Macktown, and announced that he has a meeting with the Rockton Historic Society.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
New Forest Preserve Name – The newly purchased Hoisington property is in need of a name. Staff generated a list of names for the preserve and voted on those names. Three names emerged from the list as most popular and the staff is asking the Commissioners to select a name from the top three most popular names. They are Cedar Cliff (preferred by previous owner), Rock Ridge or Yellow Rock. Mike Holan proposed using the name Rock River Ridge to best describe the location. The two final decisions were Cedar Cliff and Rock River Ridge. The final decision was the name Cedar Cliff.
NEW BUSINESS
Board Meeting Locations – Gloria Lind suggested when going to partner organizations for the monthly board meetings that those meetings be during Daylight Savings Time, so the partner organizations can be enjoyed more.
ACTION ITEMS
Bills for October – Audrey Johnson made a motion, Gloria Lind seconded to authorize the payment of the bills for October in the amount of $424,204.54. Motion passed unanimously.
2018 Board Meeting Schedule – Pursuant to the Open Meetings Act, the Board of Commissioners of the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County is required to provide public notice of the date, time and location of its regularly scheduled meetings. The Commissioners will hold regular meetings during the year 2018 and may hold additional meetings at such other times as may be determined. The regular meetings will be held at 5:30 pm in the conference room at the Forest Preserves Headquarters, or at a partner location on the 3rd Wednesday of every month throughout 2018. Additional meetings may be scheduled as needed. Any changes, deletions or additions to times or locations in this schedule shall be posted 48 hours in advance at Preserves Headquarters and distributed to any public media requesting notice of such meetings. Gloria Lind made a motion, and Jeff Tilly seconded to adopt the 2018 Board Meeting Schedule.
Auditing Firm – The Forest Preserves of Winnebago County requires a complete year-end audit of their financials with an outside auditing firm. A Request for Proposal for auditing services which includes the Preserves was sent out by Winnebago County. The Winnebago County review team recommended the firm of Baker Tilly, in Madison, Wisconsin as the auditing firm for the 2017, 2018, and 2019 audits. Baker Tilly has proposed costs for 2017 ($14,000), 2018 ($14,500) and 2019 ($15,000). Gloria Lind, made a motion and Jeff Tilly seconded that the Preserves Commissioners hereby authorize execution of an Agreement with Baker Tilly to perform the year-end auditing services for the Preserves for 2017, 2018 and 2019 at the pricing provided. After discussion, it was decided that the Resolution needs to be amended to state that the two year contract is acceptable at the proposed cost, but the third year (2019) is optional at the proposed cost of $15,000, based on the Preserves standing at the time. Gloria Lind amended her motion. Motion passed unanimously. Audrey Johnson made a motion and Mike Eickman seconded the approval of the amendment. Motion passed unanimously.
Extending the Boundaries of the Severson Dells Forest Preserve Nature Preserve– At the August 2017 Board meeting, a resolution accepting an application for addition of a nature preserve buffer to the Severson Dells nature preserve was approved. The ordinance is a completion of the nature preserve process whereby Commissioners are giving approval for 88.3 acres of nature preserve buffer addition be added to the existing nature preserve by the Illinois Nature Preserve Commission. Mike Eickman made a motion and Gloria Lind seconded, to approve extending the boundaries of the Severson Dells Nature Preserve. Roll call vote taken. Motion passed unanimously.
STAFF REPORTS
Preserve Operations – Vaughn Stamm submitted a written report. Vaughn also submitted a 4 year revenue comparison of the campgrounds.
Golf Operations – Vaughn Stamm submitted a written report. Vaughn also submitted a 5 year revenue comparison of golf operations.
Land and Development – Tom Hartley submitted a written report.
Marketing and Community Relations – Jamie Johannsen submitted a written report.
Environmental Education – Ann Wasser submitted a written report.
Human Resources/Volunteer Program Report – Kim O’Malley submitted a written report.
Law Enforcement – Sheriff’s Department submitted a written report.
ANNOUNCEMENTS and COMMUNICATIONS
December 8 – Employee Recognition Luncheon at Klehm Arboretum from 11:30 – 2:30
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 6:45 PM.
Next board meeting 5:30 PM, Wednesday, December 20, Severson Dells Forest Preserve
Respectfully Submitted,
Ronelle Johnson
Recording Secretary