Forest Preserves of Winnebago County
BOARD MEETING
Preserves Headquarters
October 23, 2019
PRESENT STAFF
Judy Barnard Mike Holan, Executive Director
Jake Henry Steve Chapman, Finance
Audrey Johnson Vaughn Stamm, Preserve Operations
Gloria Lind Jamie Johannsen, Marketing
Cheryl Maggio Ann Wasser, Education
Jeff Tilly
ABSENT GUESTS
Mike Eickman Alex Mills – Klehm Arboretum
Benjamin Ubert – AmeriCorps
Holly Hansen – AmeriCorps
Craig Campbell
Bill Johnson
ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order at 5:35 PM, by President Tilly. Administrative Assistant Kristy Knapp called the roll.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Cheryl Maggio led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA and MINUTES Minutes for September 18, 2019 were approved. No changes or additions were made to the agenda.
PRESENTATIONS and PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Introduction of AmeriCorps Members – Ann introduced two new AmeriCorps members, Benjamin Ubert and Holly Hansen, who will be working at Severson Dells. Other AmeriCorp members will be serving at Severson Dells, Forest Preserves of Winnebago County, Natural Land Institute, Boone County Conservation District, DeKalb Forest Preserve and Byron Forest Preserve. They will be helping with habitat management, giving the land managers an extra hand, and also help with volunteer management and citizen science. Benjamin and Holly started on September 9th and have already helped with school programs as well as a few other public education programs. Ann also announced that Severson Dells has a new partnership with the Westside Boys & Girls Club which will allow Benjamin and Holly to help out once a week through the end of summer. Benjamin and Holly both gave a brief background on themselves and an update on their experience thus far.
NEW BUSINESS
Jake asked for a detailed golf course revenue/expense report. Vaughn mentioned that a detailed report with breakdowns will be given after the fiscal year ends.
ACTION ITEMS
Bills for September – Judy Barnard made a motion, Gloria Lind seconded to authorize the payment of the bills for September in the amount of $440,644.39. Motion passed unanimously.
Intergovernmental Agreement with Rockford Public Schools – Rockford Public Schools sent a letter to the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County attempting to get the eleven taxing districts in the County together to look at tax assessment appeals for anything over $100,000. They are trying to get the eleven taxing bodies together to contribute an amount related to their tax assessment or their tax allocations to come to $100,000, so they can legally appeal any of the tax appeals that are over $100,000. The Forest Preserve has not contributed to this before, which if the Forest Preserve contributes it would be $1,436.18. There would have to be about 45 appeals won to get back the contribution paid. This would only be for appeals in the City of Rockford. The Board unanimously voted no to entering into an agreement with the Rockford School District. Mike Holan will inform the Rockford School District of the Board’s decision.
Budget and Appropriations Ordinance – The Forest Preserves of Winnebago County’s fiscal year budget operates from November 1 through October 31. The Board of Commissioners has been presented the proposed 2019-2020 Annual Budget and Appropriation for review and adoption. The budget has been laid over for 30 days for public review and comment. Gloria Lind made a motion and Audrey Johnson seconded that the 2019-2020 Annual Budget and Appropriations be adopted. Roll call vote taken. Budget & Appropriations ordinance passes 4-1. (Jake Henry voted no).
Levy Ordinance – The Forest Preserves of Winnebago County’s fiscal year budget operates from November 1, through October 31. The 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 tax levy has been laid over for 30 days for public review and comment. Judy Barnard made a motion and Gloria Lind seconded that the tax levy be adopted. Roll call vote taken. Levy ordinance passes 4-1. (Jake Henry voted no).
2020 Fee Schedule – Preserves staff is proposing the following changes for the 2020 Golf Fees and Charges and the 2020 Preserve Fees and Charges and will be reflected on the fee schedules. The changes are as follows: Golf pass and maximum greens fee prices will remain the same for 2020 as in 2019. There will be no increase or change in shelters, campground or other fees in 2020. A $2.00 Convenience Fee will be added only to on-line and office credit card purchases for camping and shelterhouse reservations, equestrian tags and permits. The convenience fee will not apply to golf services. Audrey Johnson made a motion Gloria Lind seconded to approve a resolution to revise the 2020 Golf Fees and Charges and the 2020 Preserve Fees and Charges Schedule. Motion passed unanimously.
2020 Holiday Schedule – Certain days of the calendar year are designated as scheduled holidays. The Preserves has designated the holidays that will be observed. Judy Barnard made a motion and Audrey Johnson seconded, to approve the 2020 Holiday schedule to be observed by the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County employees for the year 2020. Motion passed unanimously.
Delegate to IAPD Annual Business Meeting – The Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD) requires each member agency to select delegates to their Annual Business Meeting which will be held on January 25, 2020. The Forest Preserves of Winnebago County is an IAPD member and therefore must assign delegates to represent the Preserves. The Preserves typically assigns the Executive Director and up to three other individuals, comprised of staff and/or Board members as delegates. Audrey Johnson made a motion and Gloria Lind seconded to appoint Mike Holan and Vaughn Stamm to represent the Preserves as the delegates for the Illinois Association of Park Districts. Motion passed unanimously.
Mike Holan asked the Board to let him know if anyone is interested in attending the IAPD Annual Soaring to New Heights Conference. He will need to know before the next Board Meeting.
STAFF REPORTS
Preserve Operations – Vaughn Stamm, Scott Stewart, Scott Wallace & Bryan Helmold submitted a written report.
Land and Development – Natural Resource Staff submitted a written report.
Golf Operations – Vaughn Stamm, Rich Rosenstiel, Tyler Knapp & Mark Freiman 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.
Alex Mills added that there are new trail guides in Spanish and parking lot signs to follow that will be bilingual. They are funded by a Community Foundation Grant. He also mentioned that there will be a new lilac garden, which was dedicated to Ethel Johnson on October 12th. A donation was made by the family for the garden.
Judy Barnard mentioned to Alex Mills that there is a Hispanic group that is open to the public that meets the third Monday at the YMCA starting at noon. Judy thought that would be a great way to talk about what programs are going on and find different ways to work together.
Gloria complimented Alex Mills on how impressed she was with the operations at Klehm when she visited.
CLOSED SESSION
Audrey made a motion to go into closed session at 6:18 pm. At 6:55 pm, the meeting returned to open session. No action was taken while in closed session.
ANNOUNCEMENTS and COMMUNICATIONS
November 7 – Volunteer Appreciation Open House at Forest Preserve Headquarters from 5:00pm – 7:00pm
December 6 – Employee Appreciation and Recognition Luncheon at Ledges Golf Course from 11:30am – 2:30pm
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 6:56 PM.
Next board meeting 5:30 PM, Wednesday, November 20, Preserve Headquarters
Respectfully Submitted,
Kristy Knapp
Administrative Assistant