Board of Commissioner Minutes September 18, 2019
Forest Preserves of Winnebago County
BOARD MEETING
Preserves Headquarters
September 18, 2019
PRESENT STAFF
Judy Barnard Mike Holan, Executive Director
Mike Eickman Steve Chapman, Finance
Audrey Johnson Vaughn Stamm, Preserve Operations
Cheryl Maggio Jamie Johannsen, Marketing
Jeff Tilly Ann Wasser, Education
Jake Henry Kim O’Malley, Human Resources/Volunteer Program
ABSENT GUESTS
Gloria Lind Alex Mills, Klehm
Mike Marti, Sugar River Adventures, LLC
ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order at 5:35 PM, by President Tilly. Recording secretary Ronelle Johnson called the roll.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Judy Barnard led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA and MINUTES Minutes for August 21 were approved. No changes or additions were made to the agenda.
PRESENTATIONS and PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Sugar River Adventures – Vaughn Stamm introduced Mike Marti, the owner of Sugar River Adventures, LLC. Vaughn reminded everyone that Mike is the outfitter that the Preserves granted a Special Use Permit to in August. His Special Use Permit runs through October allowing his company to use Forest Preserves canoe launches to launch his rental equipment such as kayaks, canoes and river tubes to people interested in doing water sports on the Sugar River. Sugar River Adventures’ goal is to enhance residents experience on the Sugar River by allowing them to rent canoes, kayaks and river tubes, as well as, in the future, providing shuttle service to the river. They are gearing up and preparing for the 2020 season. Sugar River Adventures, LLC would like to target youth organizations and young adults to give them the experience of sports on the river. They are focused on safety, awareness, watercraft usage and education. More information can be found at sugarriveradventures.com. Mr. Marti believes there will still be plenty of days for people to enjoy and be on the river in October.
Preserves Commercial – Mike Holan showed the new commercial that is currently running. The commercial runs on multiple channels approximately 400 times per month.
NEW BUSINESS
Sugar River Adventures – Mike asked the Commissioners if there was a decision on whether or not they wanted to go with an agreement or Special Use Permit for Sugar River Adventures, LLC to operate in the 2020 season. After much discussion, it was decided to get copies of his insurance, waiver, policies, procedures, and safety protocols. In addition, the Commissioners will revisit this over the winter months before a decision is made for the 2020 season.
ACTION ITEMS
Bills for August – Judy Barnard made a motion, Mike Eickman seconded to authorize the payment of the bills for August in the amount of $823,247.81. Motion passed unanimously.
Acceptance of Budget & Appropriations Ordinance Layover – The Winnebago County Forest Preserve District fiscal year budget operates from November 1 through October 31 each year. The District’s Board of Commissioners has been presented the proposed 2019-2020 Annual Budget and Appropriation Ordinance for review and adoption. The District is required to layover the budget for a period of at least 30 days for public review and comment before it is adopted by the Board. Audrey Johnson made a motion and Cheryl Maggio seconded that the Board will layover the 2019-2020 Annual Budget and Appropriation Ordinance for public review and comment until the October 23, 2019 Board meeting. Motion passed unanimously.
Levy Ordinance Layover – The Winnebago County Forest Preserve District fiscal year budget operates from November 1 through October 31 each year. The District’s Board of Commissioners have been presented a proposed tax levy that must be approved to finance the 2019-2020 Annual Budget and Appropriations Ordinance that has been presented to the Board. The District is required to layover the tax levy for a period of at least 30 days for public review and comment before it is adopted by the Board. Mike Eickman made a motion and Cheryl Maggio seconded that the Board will layover the 2019-2020 Tax Levy for public review and comment until the October 23, 2019 Board meeting. Motion passed unanimously.
Tax Abatement – Pursuant to 35 ILCS 200/18-165, the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County may order the County Clerk to abate any portion of its taxes on the property located within the Preserves taxing district. Such an abatement shall not exceed a period of ten years. The total aggregate amount of abated taxes for all taxing districts within Winnebago County may not exceed $4,000,000. On November 12, 2018, the Board of Commissioners of the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County approved Ordinance #18-1003 to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement between the Rockford Park District and the Preserves to abate the taxes on the recreational facility known as Magic Waters Waterpark. Rockford Park District entered into a lease agreement with Six Flags MW, LLC, lease of Magic Waters Waterpark for 10 years with an additional option to renew the lease. Judy Barnard made a motion and Cheryl Maggio seconded that the Preserves Board of Commissioners and the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County orders the Winnebago County Clerk to abate the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County’s share the real estate taxes that may be levied against the property identified as Magic Waters, 7820 North Cherryvale Boulevard, Cherry Valley, Illinois. Roll Call Vote taken. Motion passed unanimously.
STAFF REPORTS
Preserve Operations – Vaughn Stamm, Scott Stewart, Scott Wallace & Bryan Helmold submitted a written report.
Golf Operations – Vaughn Stamm, Rich Rosenstiel, Tyler Knapp & Mark Freiman submitted a written report.
Land and Development – Tom Hartley submitted a written report. Mike Holan announced that prior to Tom’s retirement, he completed the Master Plans binder. All Commissioners were given a copy.
Marketing and Community Relations – Jamie Johannsen submitted a written report.
Environmental Education – Ann Wasser submitted a written report. Ann reminded everyone that the Severson breakfast is September 26 at Orchard Ridge Farms on Yale Bridge Road.
Human Resources/Volunteer Program Report – Kim O’Malley submitted a written report. Kim announced that on Thursday, November 7 is the volunteer appreciation Open House at Preserve Headquarters. She also announced that Friday, December 6 is the employee recognition luncheon.
Law Enforcement – Sheriff’s Department submitted a written report.
Executive Director – Mike Holan distributed an employee staffing overview from 2014-2019. Mike also mentioned that Board members must check their Forest Preserves email account as that is the email address that is specified on the FPWC website for the public to contact Board members at.
ANNOUNCEMENTS and COMMUNICATIONS
September 21 – Nurture Nature at a R.E.A.P. Volunteer Workday at Cedar Cliff Forest Preserve
Saturday from 9:00am-Noon
September 26 – Breakfast for the Dells Fundraiser at The Pavilion at Orchard Ridge Farms, Thursday from 7:30am-8:30am
September 28 – Forest Quest Scavenger Hunt
October 13 – Autumn at the Arboretum at Klehm Arboretum, Sunday from 10:00am-3:00pm
October 17-20 – Frenchman’s Frolic at Macktown Living History Center, Thursday-Sunday
Colored Sands Forest Preserve Birding is happening every weekend sunrise to sunset on Saturdays and Sundays, sunrise to noon
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 7:00 PM.
Next board meeting 5:30 PM, Wednesday, October 23, Preserve Headquarters;
Budget Hearing at 5:15 on Wednesday, October 23, Preserve Headquarters
Respectfully Submitted,
Ronelle Johnson
Recording Secretary