Board of Commissioner Minutes December 18, 2019

Forest Preserves of Winnebago County

BOARD MEETING

Preserves Headquarters

December 18, 2019

PRESENT                                                     STAFF

Judy Barnard                                                 Mike Holan, Executive Director

Mike Eickman                                                Steve Chapman, Finance

Audrey Johnson                                             Vaughn Stamm, Preserve Operations

Gloria Lind                                                      Jamie Johannsen, Marketing

Cheryl Maggio                                                Ann Wasser, Education

Jeff Tilly                                                          Kim O’Malley, Human Resources/Volunteer Program

Jake Henry                                                     Mike Groves, Natural Resources

GUESTS

Alex Mills, Klehm Arboretum

Ray Ferguson

ROLL CALL

The meeting was called to order at 5:32 PM, by President Tilly.  Recording secretary Ronelle Johnson called the roll.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE     Mike Eickman led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA and MINUTES      Minutes for November 20, 2019 were approved.  No changes or additions were made to the agenda.

PRESENTATIONS and PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Introduction of Deputy Saulters and Deputy Pobjecky – Mike Holan introduced the new Deputies assigned to the Preserves and welcomed them.

2020 Restoration Manual – Mike Groves – Mike Groves presented the 2020 Resource Management Land Restoration Plans.  He went through the highlights of the past year and everything that the Natural Resources staff has accomplished.  In addition, he reviewed the 2020 project list, the 2020 Prairie Restoration plan, the tree order and planting plan, and finally the seed harvest and burn plans.

NEW BUSINESS

Possible Upcoming 5K Fundraiser – Jeff Tilly spoke with George Pleshkewych, who works with the organization, Reppin.  They are interested in doing a 5k run next fall in one of the Preserves.  The organization collects funds for pancreatic cancer research.  Mr. Pleshkewych will be presenting to the Commissioners at a future meeting.

Strategic Plan – Judy mentioned that it has been approximately 5 years since the strategic plan was drafted.  Judy is proposing that the Commissioners think about having a board retreat on a Saturday in January or February to update the Strategic Plan.

ACTION ITEMS

Bills for November – Audrey Johnson made a motion, Mike Eickman seconded to authorize the payment of the bills for November in the amount of $343,329.23.  Motion passed unanimously. 

Approval for Commissioner Expenses – Vital Lands Illinois Summit – The Preserves Board of Commissioners adopted the Travel Expense Policy for the Preserves to be compliant with the Local Government Travel Expense Control Act.  The Policy allows Commissioners to attend educational conferences related to their duties as representatives of the Preserves and be reimbursed for expenses related to such conferences.  Commissioner Judy Barnard wishes to attend the 2020 Vital Lands Illinois Summit in Champaign, Illinois on January 29-30, 2020, as an educational conference.  The Fiscal Year 2019/2020 budget contains a Corporate Board Fund that appropriates monies for such expenses incurred by Commissioners and contains sufficient funds for the maximum incurred expenses.  The conference registration fee is $125 and Commissioner Barnard is asking for a $50 gas money reimbursement vs. mileage reimbursement.  Some of the expenses may be paid in advance or during the conference period by the Preserves, such as conference registration and other listed expenses will be reimbursed to Commissioner Barnard upon verification from receipts.  Audrey Johnson made a motion, and Gloria Lind seconded to approve the expenses for Commissioner Judy Barnard to attend the Vital Lands Illinois Summit.  Roll call vote taken.  Motion passed (5-0).

BOARD DISCUSSION

New Carpet – Gloria Lind inquired as to the process for the carpet bids.  The Carpenters Union would like the opportunity to bid on the job.  Mike Holan reported that since it was under the legal monetary bid amount threshold, staff is allowed to obtain quotes rather than bids.  Gloria is going to get the list of union workers that would like to be put on the list to be notified for jobs.

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 – Natural Resource Staff submitted a written report.

Marketing and Community Relations – Jamie Johannsen submitted a written report.

Environmental Education – Ann Wasser submitted a written report.  Ann reported that the Luminaria weekend was very successful and over 1,000 people attended.

Human Resources/Volunteer Program Report – Kim O’Malley submitted a written report.

Law Enforcement – Sheriff’s Department submitted a written report.

CLOSED SESSION

Audrey made a motion to go into closed session at 5:59 p.m.  At 6:40, the meeting returned to open session.  No action was taken while in closed session.

ADJOURNMENT

Meeting adjourned at 6:41 PM.

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

Respectfully Submitted,

Ronelle Johnson

Recording Secretary